Know nothing about universal. Need help

[monica9]

Hi. We are a party of 10 going to universal for a few days. We won’t arrive until Thursday late night staying at Royal pacific. Heading to parks all day Friday and all day Saturday until around 6 then leaving to head to Disney. I want to make the most of the 2 park days. We will be there October 28-30. HHN will be on both days in assuming so we were thinking of studios until 5 of Friday and then IOA for last few hours and then Saturday IOA in morning and over to studios for a couple hours after lunch. We will have early access and front of the line passes (forgot what they are called). 10 people. 6 of the 10 will go on all intense rides. We don’t love the virtual rides but might want to do some. There will be a 4 year old in the mix that will want to see kiddy things. Minions are a must.
what should ourstrategy be? We’d like to do Harry Potter rides. Are there two roller coasters and one virtual? We’d probably only care about roller coasters.
we definitely want to do the other big roller coasters, anything minions, et, Popeye of its still there, Kong. Any other good ones? Anything stranger things there during regular hours?
Does UO still have animal planet there? Haven’t been to UO in 20 years!
help us make a plan to get the most out of our trip!! We don’t care about swimming at the poolbut might want to head to universal walk for a couple hours even just to eat.

Thank you!

 

[Bethany10]

I would read trip reports, the stickys etc. There is a ton of information available on this site. Touring plans is another place to get a bare bones plan in place. I watched youtube videos with and without our family to get a feel for what everyone would ride.

Highly recommend Seussland for the 4 year old along with any non thrill riders. this middle aged non thrill rider had a great time doing those rides with her thrill riding tween.

 

[macraven]

If you mean the animal show, yes it is still going on
It’s a big hit for all ages
Animal Actors on parade

 

[CAPSLOCK]

We’d like to do Harry Potter rides. Are there two roller coasters and one virtual? We’d probably only care about roller coasters.

No, I wouldn't classify them that way. I can assure you that you want to do Forbidden Journey.
There 5 HP rides, 3 of which are "roller coasters" -
1. Hagrids - actual large roller coaster w/ an actual story. Must do.
2. Gringotts - Have you been on Mummy? Indoor coaster with frequent stops for virtual scenes to tell the story. Must do.
3. Flight of the Hippogriff - kiddie coaster, fine, fun enough, not a must do.
4. Forbidden Journey - you are basically on benches held on a robot arm, immersed in the story w/ a combo of actual sets & screens. Must do.
5. Hogwarts Express - the actual train. Transports between the 2 parks. Different both ways.

Saturday, get there before early entry starts (ideally 30+ minutes prior) and head right to Hagrids. Otherwise you are at the mercy of the virtual queue, because it does not take Express. You can also try to grab a virtual queue time for Hagrids for the end of the day on Friday. Although it might change by then, right now the last "drop" of virtual queue times is at 4pm and you can get one from either park or anywhere on Universal property.

Once VelociCoaster opens, you will have to adjust strategy to hit that as well.

Frankly if Minions is a must do for you, but you are not big on virtual rides, that is among the most strictly "virtual" of the virtual rides. For a first trip and having Express, I would honestly try all the rides even though they may have 3D glasses or be considered "virtual." For example, I would absolutely not skip Simpsons, Spiderman, Transformers, Kong - because they are "virtual." I know you already listed wanting to go on Kong, but lots of people consider that "virtual" also (I have not been on Fast & Furious yet but understand that it is the same ride style as Kong).

The list of most "virtual" rides would be Shrek (not a must do, but there is really no reason not to do it with a 4yr old and with Express), Jimmy Fallon, and Minions, because those are the theater rides. If you go on Transformers or Spiderman and actually hate it, skip the other (they are the same ride style) - but I think that's unlikely; they are cool rides.

 

[CAPSLOCK]

CityWalk is right there, on the other side of the boat docks. It'll be easy to wander in and explore. It is really primarily food options, but there is mini golf and a new large Universal store. It is very accessible for lunch or dinner - probably dinner since you have a large group and only 2 days in the parks.

 

[monica9]

No, I wouldn't classify them that way. I can assure you that you want to do Forbidden Journey.
There 5 HP rides, 3 of which are "roller coasters" -
1. Hagrids - actual large roller coaster w/ an actual story. Must do.
2. Gringotts - Have you been on Mummy? Indoor coaster with frequent stops for virtual scenes to tell the story. Must do.
3. Flight of the Hippogriff - kiddie coaster, fine, fun enough, not a must do.
4. Forbidden Journey - you are basically on benches held on a robot arm, immersed in the story w/ a combo of actual sets & screens. Must do.
5. Hogwarts Express - the actual train. Transports between the 2 parks. Different both ways.

Saturday, get there before early entry starts (ideally 30+ minutes prior) and head right to Hagrids. Otherwise you are at the mercy of the virtual queue, because it does not take Express. You can also try to grab a virtual queue time for Hagrids for the end of the day on Friday. Although it might change by then, right now the last "drop" of virtual queue times is at 4pm and you can get one from either park or anywhere on Universal property.

Once VelociCoaster opens, you will have to adjust strategy to hit that as well.

Frankly if Minions is a must do for you, but you are not big on virtual rides, that is among the most strictly "virtual" of the virtual rides. For a first trip and having Express, I would honestly try all the rides even though they may have 3D glasses or be considered "virtual." For example, I would absolutely not skip Simpsons, Spiderman, Transformers, Kong - because they are "virtual." I know you already listed wanting to go on Kong, but lots of people consider that "virtual" also (I have not been on Fast & Furious yet but understand that it is the same ride style as Kong).

The list of most "virtual" rides would be Shrek (not a must do, but there is really no reason not to do it with a 4yr old and with Express), Jimmy Fallon, and Minions, because those are the theater rides. If you go on Transformers or Spiderman and actually hate it, skip the other (they are the same ride style) - but I think that's unlikely; they are cool rides.

Awesome advice. Thank you! My daughter said there’s a rollercoaster that you can listen to music on or something? She wants to do that the most. Is that something that needs to be strategically done?

 

[monica9]

Think we should do another half day? We have the buy 2 get 2 feee tickets so we can afford another half day at least or will 2 days be enough?
I’m looking at touring plans and seeing a lot of shows we might want to do like:
Animal one
Curious george
Fear factor
The Bourne one. I don’t want to be too rushed. Only thing is the other family we are going with would rather go to Disney Sunday and do only 2 days at UO. What do you all think?

 

[monica9]

Think we should do another half day? We have the buy 2 get 2 feee tickets so we can afford another half day at least or will 2 days be enough?
I’m looking at touring plans and seeing a lot of shows we might want to do like:
Animal one
Curious george
Fear factor
The Bourne one. I don’t want to be too rushed. Only thing is the other family we are going with would rather go to Disney Sunday and do only 2 days at UO. What do you all think?

Adding that we aren’t huge Harry potters fans. Never even saw the movie but will arch before we go. We would be happy just going on
Hagrids
Gringotts
And the express

 

[CAPSLOCK]

The Bourne one was really neat. It takes a bit more time because you have to get there before show time (by at least 15-20min on a slow day, but more would be safer). I haven't done the others. The Horror Makeup show is worthwhile and not that time consuming - a nice sit down break.

I'm going to say again that I strongly, strongly recommend riding Forbidden Journey. It is roughly "as intense" as Gringotts and you seem to have ride enthusiasts. It is so unique and you won't get another ride like it anywhere. You get "tossed around" and are immersed in the story. And again, there will be minimal wait with EP.

Rip Ride Rocket lets you pick the song that it plays while you ride. Hulk also has "Hulky" music, which adds a lot to the experience. Hulk is a much more intense roller coaster - make sure your mask is secure and/or swap masks for a disposable you don't mind losing! Hulk was the only ride where my mask was blown ajar. Either of them will take minimal time with your EP.

I'm definitely a thrill seeker but also enjoy most rides. The only rides I have consistently skipped at UO are One Fish Two Fish (Dumbo ride in Seuss Landing) and Storm Force Acceletron (Teacups). I like Simpsons, so I ride Kang & Kodos as it is amusing, but it is also a Dumbo ride. Other skippable rides for your thrill seeker would be Seuss Carousel, Cat in the Hat, the Seuss Trolley, Shrek, Woody Woodpecker, Flight of the Hippogriff, Jimmy Fallon, possibly ET. But those are also going to be 1/2 of the rides for the 4yo.

I don't see a few other non-headliners in your initial list, that are also worthwhile (and again, minimal wait since you have Express Pass): Jurassic Park river adventure, Dudley log flume, Men in Black, and ET. Heck, I love coasters and would hop on Jurassic Park or MiB before Hulk or RRR, because I can ride a roller coaster anywhere. I think all the rides have something unique to offer for at least the first ride, with the possible exception of those types you can ride anywhere - Dumbo styles, carousel, teacups, Dr. Doom (it's fun and all, and your thrill seeker will want to do it, but at the end of the day it is just an open drop tower), and the kiddie coasters Woody Woodpecker & Hippogriff.

 

[Rusty2rules]

The Bourne one was really neat. It takes a bit more time because you have to get there before show time (by at least 15-20min on a slow day, but more would be safer). I haven't done the others. The Horror Makeup show is worthwhile and not that time consuming - a nice sit down break.

I'm going to say again that I strongly, strongly recommend riding Forbidden Journey. It is roughly "as intense" as Gringotts and you seem to have ride enthusiasts. It is so unique and you won't get another ride like it anywhere. You get "tossed around" and are immersed in the story. And again, there will be minimal wait with EP.

Rip Ride Rocket lets you pick the song that it plays while you ride. Hulk also has "Hulky" music, which adds a lot to the experience. Hulk is a much more intense roller coaster - make sure your mask is secure and/or swap masks for a disposable you don't mind losing! Hulk was the only ride where my mask was blown ajar. Either of them will take minimal time with your EP.

I'm definitely a thrill seeker but also enjoy most rides. The only rides I have consistently skipped at UO are One Fish Two Fish (Dumbo ride in Seuss Landing) and Storm Force Acceletron (Teacups). I like Simpsons, so I ride Kang & Kodos as it is amusing, but it is also a Dumbo ride. Other skippable rides for your thrill seeker would be Seuss Carousel, Cat in the Hat, the Seuss Trolley, Shrek, Woody Woodpecker, Flight of the Hippogriff, Jimmy Fallon, possibly ET. But those are also going to be 1/2 of the rides for the 4yo.

I don't see a few other non-headliners in your initial list, that are also worthwhile (and again, minimal wait since you have Express Pass): Jurassic Park river adventure, Dudley log flume, Men in Black, and ET. Heck, I love coasters and would hop on Jurassic Park or MiB before Hulk or RRR, because I can ride a roller coaster anywhere. I think all the rides have something unique to offer for at least the first ride, with the possible exception of those types you can ride anywhere - Dumbo styles, carousel, teacups, Dr. Doom (it's fun and all, and your thrill seeker will want to do it, but at the end of the day it is just an open drop tower), and the kiddie coasters Woody Woodpecker & Hippogriff.

Great info in your posts. From a Universal Studios first-timer, thank you for taking the time.

 

[macraven]

Please check out the stickies as they are up to help all.
It is a great source to find the basics of UO