Looking for Advice and Info

[Rylee]

My sweet mother passed away unexpectedly the week of Thanksgiving. Feeling overwhelmed with grief, plus the added stress of the holidays, I told DH I didn't think I would feel up to vacationing during spring break.

Although I am still struggling with daily grief over her loss, now that a few months have passed, I am actually thinking it might be good for us to get away.

For this trip, it would only be DH, our 2 sons, ages 10 and 13, and myself, (older DDs have college/work conflicts.) Since DS13 is in advance and accelerated classes, we can only travel during break, April 6-14.

We always fly in, use ME and stay on property for our entire stay, but because
we didn't book airfare in advance, we would need to drive for this trip.

Since we'll have a car, we are thinking of skipping WDW and exploring other attractions.

We have NEVER been to Universal and are well aware that Easter week is not the best time for newbies but, here we are... spring break during Easter week and considering doing 2 days at US.

Help!

We would only want to spend the money for 1 night of on-site accommodations, but not sure how this would work with tickets, check in & out times, and making the most of park hours.

Any advice or help and hints are greatly appreciated. Thanks.

 

[labfan]

First off, sorry for your loss.
Second - go on vacation and enjoy yourselves.
It is definitely worth staying on site even if you only do it for one night. Staying the one night will enable you to have front of the line access at rides for both the check-in and check-out day. This would definitely be nice durign the busy week.

 

[Tarffri]

I'm so sorry for your loss. I, too, lost my mother in January and was devastated. It's been tough for my little girl too, as our beloved cat passed away three weeks later.

I'll tell you, our vacation last week to WDW then Universal made all the difference in the healing process. You and your family need this, so don't feel guilty. I'm sure your mother would have wanted you to have this family vacation time.

Staying onsite (we stayed at the RP) is really worth it for the Express Pass alone. That Spiderman ride is addictive! So is the Simpsons ride in Universal IMO. It was nice to not have to wait in a long standby lines. For HP fans, just know that HPFJ is not an Express Pass ride. But the early admission to IoA is a nice perk if you get to use it. Would you only be able to go to the park on the day you arrive? Would you be planning on touring one or both parks the day you check out of your hotel? If you can get to use your early admission to IoA/Wizarding World early, that would maximize your advantage of staying at an onsite hotel. If you do go early, make a beeline directly to HPFJ and visit everything else in IoA after that.

I don't know how workable it is for your family to go to a park early and be checked out by 11 am. Perhaps you can do the early admission, see what you can accomplish in the morning, check out of the hotel and go back to the parks for afternoon fun. You would most likely have to move your car from the hotel parking lot.

These hotels are beautiful and have great pools. So make the most of every minute you are there (and try to get in a swim if you can) because the time will go fast!

 

[Rylee]

Thanks for the replies.

labfan - We're from near Syracuse, NY.

Tarffri - I'm sorry to hear about your Mom, and kitty, too.


We will arrive in Orlando no later than 4/7 (Sat) and must leave to start home no later than 4/14.

DH and sons would like to go to see the Yankees in Tampa and I'd like at least one day at a beach. If we went straight to the Clearwater/St. Pete beach area, we could spend a day or two at the beach and they could take in a game, then head over to Orlando on Mon or Tues.

Nothing is carved in stone and we are open to any ideas... Busch Gardens, Sea World, Universal Studios, Disney or other water parks, etc.

How do the tickets and front of the line access work? Is this your tickets plus your room key or a special ticket?

Can I purchase tickets from UT, (perhaps even a multi park pass) and still get front of line access or is this something that must be purchased directly through US when booking the hotel?

I'm still hoping to book only one night at a US hotel. How early will they let us "check-in?" (Not to actually get in the room but to receive the perks.) Also, do they have express check out... bill under the door, no discrepancies, just able to leave?

We were thinking we'd do 1 park per day.

Would it be beneficial or pointless to have a length of stay ticket without having front of the line access for the other days?

Thank you.

 

[macraven]

my condolences on the loss of your mother.
it is never easy to let go of a loved one.





if you plan to spend 2 days at UO, stay on site one night.
you are allowed the hotel perks for check in day and the day you check out.

one night stay = 2 full park days of using express lines as much as you want and early entry for parry hotter and the spiderman ride.


you can check in at 6:00 am.
you'll get your hotel keys for all in your group and that card allows you early entry and express line usage. unlimited usage that is...
you can store your belongings with valet or keep them in the car until your room is ready.

like disney, the hotels have a 4:00 check in but if a room is ready early, it is yours then.
you do not have to check back with the front desk once you have your room number. front desk, once your room is assigned, programs your keys for that room. if you have stuff in valet, they will take those items to your room before you come back to the hotel from the park.


you can buy your park tickets anywhere.

what allows you the express line usage and early entry is being a hotel guest.
universal does not own the hotels so you can not 'add' your tickets to that hotel card.


i think you will have fun with the family.
it will be something new you all can enjoy and explore together.

 

[Rylee]

Thank you, macraven! Your info is very helpful.

To be completely honest, I have don't know a thing about the Universal parks... not the size of the parks, nothing about the attractions or which park the different attractions are located in.

We plan to research the attractions and study the maps so we won't end up being "that family," the one with an upside down map in hand, 4 people pointing in 3 different directions while wandering aimlessly about. However, it scares me to visit during such a busy time.

If you have any other helpful hints, like a general touring plan or a list of not-to-be-missed favorite rides/attractions/shows, we are open to all the advice we can get.

*We're up for anything, Dh and sons love thrill rides, (I'll try anything once) and we know we want to experience all the Harry Potter attractions.

 

[macraven]

if you go to www.universalorlando.com you can click on the maps of the parks.

study it for a bit so you can realize which way to go when in the park.

IOA is basically circular in structure.
the Studios can be done circular but you need to go down different avenues to catch rides and shows.

if any of your children do not want to do a ride and the other 3 do, use the child swap.
one parent stay with a child while the other and child do the ride.
switch once you are finished with the ride.
other parent and child goes then.

if you shop while touring the park, you can have your purchases sent to the front of the park to be held for you.
it takes about an hour once you buy something before it reaches front of the park.
it is a nice gesture on uo's part.
who wants to carry bags with them in the park when you can do the rides hands free.

read some of the trip reports to get an idea of how the day went for some families.
read thru the menu sticky to get an idea of the menus.


the web site will give a description of the rides and shows.

i think if you look thru that, there will be some things that your entire family will want to see and do.

i always enjoy the Sinbad Show at ioa.
and i like beetlejuice and horror make up show at the studios.

you will see characters out in both parks.
i love talking to Lucy and betty boop at the studios.

pick up a park guide map after you go thru the entrance gate of the park.

it will give you show times and other info.


i don't know what type of food your family prefers but at Boulangerie at the Studios. freshly made crossiants and sandwiches.
and it has cheese cake factory goodies......

Louie's is good for pizza and salad, and sandwiches.
thunder terrace is good for chicken, etc.


you and your family will have a very nice time.
it is a new adventure for all of you to enjoy together.

it looks like you will be very busy in florida exploring other sites too.

have fun!!

 

[macraven]

don't miss Forbidden Journey at potterville.
don't miss the Mummy at the studios.
or Simpsons.....
or spiderman........


Disaster is fun!
Shrek is fun!


all of the rides and shows are fun!!