Introduction with questions

[blonde_blue]

Good morning everyone. I have been enjoying reading as many posts as I could regarding Universal. My girlfriend and I will be vacationing there this Ocotober 2nd through 6th. We will be staying at the Comfort Suites Universal.

I have already purchased my 7 day/2 park passes online and bought a stay and scream ticket for Sunday, Oct 4th.

This is my basic plan for our stay in Orlando:

Arrive mid afternoon to hotel. Take cab from hotel to Universal and pick up tickets from kiosk @ 4PM. Go to IOA until close @ 7PM, stay at City Walk and have dinner and go to a couple of bars.

Saturday, get up, eat breakfast at hotel and either use the free shuttle I have read about from the hotel or take a cab to Universal when gates open and spend the day between the two parks. Late afternoon go back to hotel, freshen up for dinner and nightlife that Saturday.

Sunday a repeat of Saturday, get up early and get to the park. This time, we have stay and scream for that night, so I want to make sure we are in Universal Studios before close? Right? That way we can be kept inside the park and maybe get in a house or two before the main gates open up? Regarding this, should I purchase the EP for a Sunday night ahead of time? Or wait and decide that day? This is our only night to go, but don't want to miss out on alot of stuff? Suggestions?

Monday, get up and get to the parks as gates open and hit our favorite rides from both parks or the rides we had missed before. Plan on staying late again and eating at City Walk, and souveneir shopping before we get up and leave Tuesday morning?

My questions are:

Regarding the EP for HHN? Do it or not?

Dress code for the bars/clubs? For at least 2 of the nights we will be in the clothes we go to the parks in (shorts and tshirts) is that ok for most of the bars?

One night we would like a nice dinner, maybe get a little dressy. Suggestions? Should I make reservations this time of year?

If we are at the parks when they open every day, should we be able to see most, or if not all we want in that park for the day? I assume the lines are shorter this time of year and then fill up in the late afternoon?

Also, regarding our hotel. I got a good rate at the Comfort across/down the street from Universal. Is this too far to walk? Or should we not walk? Also, how much is a cab? Ball park figure?

Thanks. I will post a trip report after also.

Blonde_blue

 

[SNylund]

I'll try and answer most questions. But first off I'd recommend trying to do the HHouses one more night, not sure if you can cover it all in one night if they are real busy, lines can be really long on these.

Two, the stay and scream allows you to stay in the park, go into a special holding area, and you get into the scream park first, I believe they make a few HHouses available to them first.

Three, Comfort suites probably a very long walk, I wouldn't do it, would do a cab, but if you like long walks, go for it.

Four, casual attire is ok for everyplace.

Five, Tchoup Choup for a nice dinner in the Royal Pacific (just take a boat into the RP from the main City Walk area) its a really cool place. Or Emerils inside City Walk, or Jimmy Buffets Margaritaville. OR check and see if Mythos is open inside IOA, best place on entire site for dinner or lunch, but they are not always open, they have weird times and sometimes close real early. Do lunch here if nothing else, best spot in entire resort IMO.

 

[blonde_blue]

Thanks!

You answered everything I questioned

We will stick to the cab, I have to imagine they are everywhere.

We will definitely hit Mythos. I have read about that here and other boards, and it always gets good reviews. Like you said, hit it for lunch, worst case.

Can't wait. I have been to Orlando a few times, but not here recently. My girlfriend never has, so I can't wait to see her eyes bug out of her head.

Thanks again.

 

[Metro West]

I have been to Orlando a few times, but not here recently. My girlfriend never has, so I can't wait to see her eyes bug out of her head.

 

[Purseval]

EP's don't generally sell out so early in the season. Crowds have been historically lightest the first 2 weeks then progressively heavier the closer you get to Halloween. If you want to pay for the privelege of knowing you'll absolutely positively make it through every house then by all means go for it. If you want to take a chance you can always wait and see what you think of the crowds before you buy.

 

[macraven]

buy the epp since you want to get the most out of your hhn adventure.

i buy them in advance every year and for each night i attend hhn.
(with the exception on the night i take the rip tour)

i would think it wouldn't be too much trouble to walk to the park from your hotel. returning back to the hotel at night, take a cab. your feet will thank you.

if you are in the s & s area, you will be let out early and will be able to do at least 2, maybe 3 houses before the general public is let into the park.

each year and night, it varies on the let out time from s & s.
i have been let out any time from 5:35 to 6:00 to start my evening.

for the mornings you plan to be at the parks, get there before the official opening time of 9:00.

many times the guests are let in when the line is long.
8:30 to be let in is not unusual.
IOA will have more rides open in the early morning than the studios sides will.