Leaving in 1 week, any tips that you can offer?

[welovedis]

We're very much looking forward to our first adventure to US/IOA, we'll be there Saturday the 12th. I'm looking for some tips or suggestions for those who have been before. I don't know what I don't know is the mode of thinking I'm in right now. For example, I *think* I remember reading that we should take lanyard or something to hold our passes or room cards in (we're staying at RPR) but I'm not sure why?

 

[sz9144]

Hi!

You will love it!
We go every 4 months! I use a neck wallet with multiple pockets. One for my room key/money, one for my park tickets, and an easily accessible one for my express passes. As you are staying at RPR you will receive express passes for the duration of your stay (separate line with mostly shorter wait times for everything except Harry Potter)
I love eating dinner at the 3 broomsticks (there are 4 of us- so we always get the platter- for $50 you get ribs, chicken, potatoes, veggies, corn cobs and salad for the whole group!)
We always do harry potter either first thing or last thing in the day to avoid crowds. I personally love gringotts ride better than forbidden journey as I find FJ way to jarring and it upsets my stomach. I find gringotts easier on my neck and body. my kids love taking the bicycle cabs to/from the parks. I usually tip $5 per way for the 4 of us.

The breakfast buffet at RPR is very good, and the pool is huge. My kids enjoyed the water spray area there. And bula's ice cream shop by the pool is so good!!

 

[dixonsontour]

Yes definitey do the harry potter areas in the evening, great atmosphere and low lines.

The interactive wand is fun - will cost you $50 but you can do spells in both areas.

Spend some time in citywalk, the minigolf is fun. If you are golfing look at getting the golf and dine deal.

 

[nkereina]

We always use a lanyard at Universal because each person has a lot of "paperwork" that needs to be easily accessible. Chances are you will have paper tickets which need to be scanned at the entry gates. Since you're staying onsite, you will also have a separate paper express pass which you will constantly be using at the lines - and they are checked at two different points in most lines. And, you will have your RPR room key which you will need to show in the park for early entry. Using a lanyard keeps them all in one place, easily accsible, keeps them dry, and you can wear a lanyard on rides that require a locker for your bag.

I also recommend researching the QS locations in each park and jotting down a few that pique your interest. I didn't bother first trip and ended up sitting on a bench googling the menus so we didn't wander aimlessly. Would have been easier to research ahead of time.

Have fun!

 

[damo]

Eat a giant pink donut in Springfield! They are delicious and can serve a family of 4. Of course, try all the different kinds of butterbeer .... normal, frozen, ice cream and warm!

 

[phillymummer]

Walking to the parks can honestly be faster than taking the water taxi! We timed it... from the start of the pathway at Royal Pacific to the end of the pathway in city walk..... 6 minutes! I used a waterproof phone case for my phone, ticket, and express pass. That way, I didn't have to worry about my phone on the water rides. Have a great time! I can't wait to go back!!

 

[Magickingdomprince]

The dinning plan they have is GREAT. Dint quote me but I do believe it is 1 meal 2 drinks and 2 snacks all for like 20 dollars. it's really worth it

 

[welovedis]

Thanks for the tips. I found a waterproof case that we use for water rides so I might bring that along, but we both have lanyards/neck wallets we can bring along as well. I don't think we'll be doing any water rides as my husband has cochlear implants & those can't get wet.

We have reservations for Mythos, Cowfish & Lombards and we wanted to try CS at Three Broomsticks. I appreciate the tip about other CS options, I will check out and keep track of a few places that look interesting! We'll have to spend some time checking out the resort and get some ice cream too And I can't wait to try the butterbeer options!

Happy that the parks are so close to the hotel, what a great way to start our trip by NOT waiting for buses, lol!

HP after dark is something I'm really looking forward to seeing, we typically close down whatever park we're visiting so we're hoping to do the same at US/IOA.
Thanks to all, looking forward to our Saturday arrival.

 

[kohlby]

We didn't use a lanyard and it wasn't a big deal. There weren't that many places we needed to pull our passes or tickets out of our pocket. However, we travel with one backpack for our family too, so I could tuck them away easily during some rides. If I were going without kids and thus without a backpack, then I would have wanted a lanyard.

We were just there - leaving RPR yesterday, actually. Unfortunately, we weren't able to watch the Grinchmas show since the line was way too long. We spent several days at US/IOA but this past Saturday was the only day of our trip that had Grinchmas. We tried twice but there was no way our kids could have handled waiting an hour an line. The park was only moderately busy - I'd give it a 5 out of 10. Other shows weren't close to full. So - plan accordingly if you really want to see it. We tried the 11:45 and 12:45 shows - I'm not sure if you'll have better luck with a later show. The 12:45 was worse than the 11:45 as far as the wait.

The dining plan is one snack, two drinks, and one entree. I think it used to be two snacks - as I can remember doing a plan with two snacks a while ago. The dining plan doesn't always make sense - it depends on how you eat. We do it when we plan for Butterbeer and Three Broomsticks as just the chicken and ribs or the rib platter and one butter beer puts us ahead, making the two drinks absolutely free. You can also share meals - we get two adult meal plans and then share our drinks, butterbeers and entrees.

We sometimes take the boat and sometimes walk. Since we were going stroller-free for the first time, we mainly stuck to the boat. However, the few times we did walk, we easily beat the boat - once by a full 10 minutes.

Also, don't forget to take advantage of the early hour. It was IOA the entire week I was there but I didn't see a single sign for it until I was in the parks walking in IOA! It's quite possible I just kept missing it but it wasn't marked well since we had several days and I didn't see it anywhere else initially. At the end of our trip, I discovered a small piece of paper in our info pack that said it was IOA.

 

[schumigirl]

I agree with others, having a lanyard is easy. It will hold your park tickets, room key, EP and any other cards you wish to carry.......turn the EP to the front and it scans through the plastic......saves taking it out every time you use EP.......tuck it in to your shirt on any rides it could come off......RRR for example.

You've picked some good places to eat.......we loved Cowfish and the others are regular choices for us......can't answer on the dining plan as we have never been interested in it. But you'll have plenty of good food options to choose from.

Walking to the parks is fantastic. So quick and easy to come back and forward if you feel like it........and yes both Potter areas at night are spectacular.

Hope you have a wonderful trip