Just back - any questions

[Georgia Mom]

Me (55), DH (56), DS (19)

Travel day Friday on 3/4
Universal Studios, Mardi Gras parade, Lynard Skynard concert on Saturday 3/5
Off day/Boggy Creek airboat ride on Sunday 3/6
Harry Potter/IOA on Monday 3/7
Harry Potter/IOA/Universal Studios on Tuesday 3/8
Braves Spring Training; Citiwalk - Margaritaville for dinner on Wednesday 3/9
Travel home to Atlanta on Thursday 3/10

AWESOME TRIP - Stayed offsite, hubby needed ECV for first time, used valet parking.

Uploading pics now to write complete trip report. If anyone has questions let me know and I will try to answer.

GM

 

[tink20]

Looking forward to your trip report, it will be our first trip and I am soaking up all the knowledge I can LOL. Glad you had a great time!

 

[bjakmom]

Any tips/suggestions for the Mardi Gras parade and the concert? DS and his GF are flying a red eye from the west coast to meet us this Sat - he is excited to get into the park in time for the parade and the Roots concert. Should we try to eat in the park while we wait for the concert?

 

[Metro West]

Any tips/suggestions for the Mardi Gras parade and the concert? DS and his GF are flying a red eye from the west coast to meet us this Sat - he is excited to get into the park in time for the parade and the Roots concert. Should we try to eat in the park while we wait for the concert?

The park doesn't close until 8pm that night so you have time to eat just about anywhere. You can also grab something from the food stands set up in the New York area which serve cajun style food.

If you want to see the concert, line up for the parade near Monsters Cafe and try to stake out your spot as early as possible. Otherwise you won't get close to the stage. If you're more concerned about the parade, pick a spot anywhere...there are lots of great viewing areas.

 

[CamdenScott4]

I've got another thread going with this question and there seems to be some debate about it. Is there a bridge to bypass WWOHP and go from Seuss over to LC/Jurassic? Thanks for info!

 

[DizGirl20]

I am sure this has been asked, but since you are offering to answer any questions... did you use an Express Pass for WWOHP? Would you recommend an EP? We have never been to Universal and plan to visit for 1 day during the week after Easter. Honestly, we are going just to see HP but I am sure once we get there, my kids will want to see other parts of the park. Also, what would you recommend for a 10 & 13 year old (in terms of attractions)? Thanks so much!

Oh and a question about Margaritaville - do you need to make reservations in advance?

 

[mesaboy2]

I've got another thread going with this question and there seems to be some debate about it. Is there a bridge to bypass WWOHP and go from Seuss over to LC/Jurassic? Thanks for info!

Yes--don't know why there would be a debate.

 

[mesaboy2]

I am sure this has been asked, but since you are offering to answer any questions... did you use an Express Pass for WWOHP? Would you recommend an EP? We have never been to Universal and plan to visit for 1 day during the week after Easter. Honestly, we are going just to see HP but I am sure once we get there, my kids will want to see other parts of the park. Also, what would you recommend for a 10 & 13 year old (in terms of attractions)? Thanks so much!

Oh and a question about Margaritaville - do you need to make reservations in advance?

Be aware that Universal Express is not available on the main HP attraction, Forbidden Journey. It is accepted on Dragon Challenge and Flight of the Hippogriff.

 

[IdesOmarch]

How crowded was the HP area?

 

[Planogirl]

How was Lynyrd Skynyrd and the airboat ride?

Where did you eat in the parks?

 

[dottybean]

Just back and start of spring break yesterday made it "Disney busy" in my opinion. There was a sea of people streaming into IOA constantly until approx 1030 am,

Definitely use your early entry privileges, you will NOT be able to get in the shops in WWOHP without a one hour line without early entry. Yesterday (monday) the line for FJ was right back to the hogwarts express BEFORE general entry even started!

Do olivanders as early as possible. It is a cute 5 min show but I would have been REALLY upset if I had spent over an hour in line for it.

If you want butterbeer, get that first thing too, otherwise you will be in line for almost an hour for that too! It is REALLY yummy though.

And the forbidden journey ride totally blew me away! It is certainly the most up to the minute technology, a combo of simulator and track ride, totally immerses you in the story.....and spider spit! Look out for your own faces in the smoke when Harry saves you from the dementors.

I do suffer from motion sickness badly, but with the help of anti nausea medicine I was able to enjoy the ride twice....dont let it stop you experiencing the best most advanced ride there is.

We have never stayed onsite anywhere before, but we are now totally converted. It is awesome to be able to pop back and forth to the hotel, jump on the boat to go and pick up just what you fancy to eat, and take it back to the hotel to eat poolside or in your room. And the FOTL pass made a great weekend into a totally phenominal memory!

 

[CamdenScott4]

Yes--don't know why there would be a debate.

Apparently someone went over Christmas and said there was no bridge but a huge green wall. Someone else speculated that they may close the bridge during peak times. Dunno...but I wannano.

 

[tink20]

I do suffer from motion sickness badly, but with the help of anti nausea medicine I was able to enjoy the ride twice....dont let it stop you experiencing the best most advanced ride there is.

Oh, this is so reassuring for me, DS and myself both get a little quizzy on some rides, but I was going to use some meds too. Now, this gives me hope that we will be okay. (especially DS, he doesn't bounce back as fast as I do)
Were there any other rides that you were worried about, as far, motion sickness.

Glad you had a great trip!

 

[mesaboy2]

Apparently someone went over Christmas and said there was no bridge but a huge green wall. Someone else speculated that they may close the bridge during peak times. Dunno...but I wannano.

If anything, I would think the bridge would be open especially during peak times. Uni knows WWoHP gets silly crowded and can alleviate that by providing a bypass.

 

[happily single]

I have soo many questions, hopefully your trip report will answer most of them, but right now:

1. How was tha airboat ride?
2. Do you have photos of the Universal strollers
3. How enforced is the "no outside beverages, except bottled water, which has not been opened"?
4. can you wear a fanny pack on the rides that don't allow bags?

 

[dfriia]

Apparently someone went over Christmas and said there was no bridge but a huge green wall. Someone else speculated that they may close the bridge during peak times. Dunno...but I wannano.

It was me. I was there on December 1, 2010. There was no way to get to a bridge between Jurassic Park and Lost Continent. Facing the Hogsmeade arch from Lost Continent, if you looked to the left past the end of the stone facade there was a tall dark green wall or gate. It was solid and it was closed. I did not even realize there was a bridge there until this discussion arose. The bridge is not shown on the map Universal gave us. But, I just looked through our photos and there is another bridge, one on each side of The Three Broomsticks outside patio. We were only allowed access to the bridge directly outside Hogwarts into Jurassic Park. Sorry if this is creating controversy. But, on the day I visited, there was no way to skip WWoHP. I have no way of knowing if that was a temporary situation, but the fact that the bridge was not shown on the map actually made me believe that there was no bridge. I know there is one, but at least some of the time it is not allowed to be used.

 

[mesaboy2]

It was me. I was there on December 1, 2010. There was no way to get to a bridge between Jurassic Park and Lost Continent. Facing the Hogsmeade arch from Lost Continent, if you looked to the left past the end of the stone facade there was a tall dark green wall or gate. It was solid and it was closed. I did not even realize there was a bridge there until this discussion arose. The bridge is not shown on the map Universal gave us. But, I just looked through our photos and there is another bridge, one on each side of The Three Broomsticks outside patio. We were only allowed access to the bridge directly outside Hogwarts into Jurassic Park. Sorry if this is creating controversy. But, on the day I visited, there was no way to skip WWoHP. I have no way of knowing if that was a temporary situation, but the fact that the bridge was not shown on the map actually made me believe that there was no bridge. I know there is one, but at least some of the time it is not allowed to be used.

No problem, this makes sense now. There is a huge difference in crowds during Christmas and on December 1. (I was there December 2.). Early December is about as dead as it gets.

 

[Georgia Mom]

sorry all for not answering sooner - work gets in the way - checking in before leaving work - will answer all questions with our experiences as soon as I get home so I can be more detailed.

GM

 

[dottybean]

There is a bridge right beside hogwarts that goes to jurassic park. In fact this bridge is the best place to take pics of your family with the castle in the background, wihtout a million other people there as well! They had a rope set up down the middle of it as is they would use it for the line for FJ but we never saw it being used like that.

The only other ride that made me queasy (I dont do roller coasters!) was, to my sons great amusement, the simpsons ride in universal studios. This one was the most sick making ride of all. I spent most of the time on it with my eyes closed which I find helps the queasiness! He though I was scared of side show bob and the giant baby!

 

[damo]

There is a bridge right beside hogwarts that goes to jurassic park. In fact this bridge is the best place to take pics of your family with the castle in the background, wihtout a million other people there as well! They had a rope set up down the middle of it as is they would use it for the line for FJ but we never saw it being used like that.

The only other ride that made me queasy (I dont do roller coasters!) was, to my sons great amusement, the simpsons ride in universal studios. This one was the most sick making ride of all. I spent most of the time on it with my eyes closed which I find helps the queasiness! He though I was scared of side show bob and the giant baby!

I don't get sick if I sit in the front during the Simpsons ride but sitting in the back will do me in.