Is there an unofficial guide?

[MinnieForMe]

Hi:
Is there an unofficial guide to Universal? We are going the week of April 26th through May 3rd. We are not staying on property and have the 7 day tickets. I'm wondering if we should invest in Express Passes. My kids are young so I don't expect anyone to go on the coasters.

We are saving the following week for Disney because last year we found May 3rd-11th to be quiet in Disney. I hope it's the same this year.

One more question. Which way do we go to hit Seuss Landing first?

Thanks.

 

[patster734]

I haven't been during that time, but I wouldn't expect large crowds during that time. My advice is to hold off buying the express pass. If you do come across large crowds, you could buy the express pass at guest services on the day of your visit.

As for Suess Landing, its the first land on the right as you face the lagoon, after passing through Port of Entry. If you go left, you'll go to Marvel Island.

As for an unofficial guide, one of our resident posters, Kelly Monaghan, releases a Universal Orlando guidebook each year.

 

[lindalinda]

Heres a link to a wonderful guide book (author posts here).

http://www.amazon.com/Universal-Orl...d_bbs_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1205871844&sr=1-1

Suess is at IOA, as soon as you enter , turn right.

 

[Hoopfamily]

I've never seen a book explicitly for universal, But there is a section in the DisneyWorld unofficial guide that goes over the info for universal. They give all the same ratings types etc.

 

[pixeegrl]

I devoured Kelly's book the moment I got it. Lots of great stuff in it! The link was posted above! Of course this is a great place to get info as well. This is me every morning before work!

 

[jdragr]

Kelly's book is great and is updated for each year. I have already purchased and read the whole 2008 book.

 

[damo]

Hi:
Is there an unofficial guide to Universal? We are going the week of April 26th through May 3rd. We are not staying on property and have the 7 day tickets. I'm wondering if we should invest in Express Passes. My kids are young so I don't expect anyone to go on the coasters.

We are saving the following week for Disney because last year we found May 3rd-11th to be quiet in Disney. I hope it's the same this year.

One more question. Which way do we go to hit Seuss Landing first?

Thanks.

You don't need to decide about Express Passes until you are actually inside the parks where they are sold all over the place. Many people make the mistake of buying them right as soon as they enter where it looks like the crowds are huge, instead of waiting and taking an actual look at the lines.

 

[goofy!]

I've never seen a book explicitly for universal, But there is a section in the DisneyWorld unofficial guide that goes over the info for universal. They give all the same ratings types etc.

The Disney guidebooks are notorious for being full of erronous and very outdated info for Universal.

You are better off with Kelly's book which is dedicated to Universal and is updated each year. He also posts here as mentioned by the others.

 

[kirbsam]

if you are going for a whole week, and plan to do the parks more than two days, you will have ample time to do everything you want and then some without the express pass.

 

[CPanther95]

Another big thumbs up for Kelly's book. I get a new one each year.

 

[sha_lyn]

You have plenty of days planned, no need to buy the express pass
Universal has child swapping for the "big" rides. Give the coasters and other thrill rides a shot.

How old are the kids?

 

[rwdavis]

IMHO, 7 days is too many for US/IOA. 3 is more than enough to them at a leisurely pace. So the Express passes probably aren't needed.
Bob

 

[lindalinda]

IMHO, 7 days is too many for US/IOA. 3 is more than enough to them at a leisurely pace. So the Express passes probably aren't needed.
Bob

I disagree. You can cram it in...or you can relax and have fun for 7 days.

 

[ldmilton]

I disagree. You can cram it in...or you can relax and have fun for 7 days.

 

[MinnieForMe]

Thanks for the great advice! My kids are 10, 7 and 2. We plan on using 3 of our 7 day pass at the parks and perhaps add a 4th day if they want to go back for anything. I don't want to criss cross the parks so we'll take it slow and enjoy it. Heck, we don't get stressed out at Disney so why should I at Universal? I guess for us that's the joy in going every year (Disney that is) if a line is too long we just tell the kids we'll hit it next year!

How ironic is it that we have 16 days this year and I still wish it were longer?

 

[sha_lyn]

My best advise, for all in general but mostly for the 2 yrd old.....
don't get stuck in the fact that US/IOA do not hold nastalgic value for the adults. So many times we have people come on here and tell us there there was nothing for their toddler/preschooler (practically age age up to teen) to do. Then when we start naming off things they child could do/probably would enjoy, we get "Oh I'm wasn't going to waste my time on__________"

Also don't get stuck in the thought that fun=rides & shows. The play areas at US/IOAare amazing.

 

[ky07]

My best advise, for all in general but mostly for the 2 yrd old.....
don't get stuck in the fact that US/IOA do not hold nastalgic value for the adults. So many times we have people come on here and tell us there there was nothing for their toddler/preschooler (practically age age up to teen) to do. Then when we start naming off things they child could do/probably would enjoy, we get "Oh I'm wasn't going to waste my time on__________"

Also don't get stuck in the thought that fun=rides & shows. The play areas at US/IOAare amazing.

 

[Hoopfamily]

The Disney guidebooks are notorious for being full of erronous and very outdated info for Universal.

Don't Hate Appreciate

 

[kellymonaghan]

A tip of the hat to the folks who said nice things about my book!

 

[MinnieForMe]

My two year old is a big Barney fan (lucky us!). I have a feeling that I'll be spending an entire morning in the Barney Show and Curious George play area. It'll be a good time for my husband to take the boys on MIB as I really do very few rides. I enjoy people watching and snapping pictures!

I'm not nervous about finding things to do in Universal with a toddler as the last time we went we had a 3 year old and a 10 month old and had no problem staying entertained! I don't love Universal as much as Disney because they didn't treat the handicap as nicely (me) but it was still enjoyable.