Looking for input on upcoming trip

[KCarr2000]

I am planning a trip for myself (Mom) and 18 year old son for December 16-20. I am a planner and have done Disney many times, but have decided to branch out to Universal this time. Never been there and a bit lost with it all, but I'm sure I'll have it together before our trip. We will have three days in the parks, and maybe a partial day when we arrive. I found what I think is a great deal for the four nights staying at the Hard Rock, water or park view for $1283 (four nights). My husband is retired military, so we can get a 3 park unlimited pass for $202 each. This would include 14 days in all parks, including Wet & Wild, which we probably won't do. We don't need 14 days, but that is the option out there..... My understanding is that even though I will be buying our park passes through the military, since we are staying at a premium Universal Hotel, we will still be able to get the Unlimited Ride Access and also the early morning to the parks each morning. I am worried that I am missing something there, but have done research and talked to several people and I think that is right. Please correct me if I am wrong.

Next, with three days in the two parks and with the unlimited express ride access, I believe we will have plenty of time to do everything on a relaxed schedule, even though we are heading into Christmas. I know that we will both be up bright and early each day, so think we will plan on going to US one morning and hit the Harry Potter attractions, then another morning head to IOA to do the same thing, not sure which we will do first. The third morning we will decide which one we want to go back to. This is because the unlimited pass isn't available for the Harry otter rides....

I used to love water rides, but in my old age not so much. I understand that you get pretty wet on the water rides here. I would like to experience them. So, I am thinking of taking several hours on one of the days, midday, and hitting all of these, then going back to the hotel and disinfecting, I mean taking a shower and changing clothes.

Other than that, we have most meals picked out - The Leaky Cauldron, Three Broomsticks, Finnegans, Pizza Predatoria, Thunder Falls Terrace and Mythos. We will probably do Pat O'Briens the first night for the beignets and piano bar.

If there is time, relaxing and seeing shows would be nice.

So, please give me any and all advice you've got.

 

[damo]

Yes, you will get unlimited express access. That is a low attendance time at Universal. You might be able to do better than that for the hotel. Where did the rate your are talking about come from? You can often get good discounts at cheaptickets or orbitz. It will give you an additional savings on top of the savings on the Universal/Loews website.

I'd leave out Pizza Predatoria and grab Pizza at the Red Oven PIzza in Citywalk when you are jumping between parks. It has awesome pizza.

 

[KCarr2000]

Thanks damo. That price is with Orbitz. Actually, right after I posted this, I searched Orbitz again and got a price $40 cheaper. So, I made a new reservation and cancelled my old one. I am using a 15% off promo code as well.

Universal does have military offers, but they aren't available right now for the time that we are going. So, I will keep checking that.

We picked Pizza Predatoria because my son wanted to eat somewhere in Jurassic Park, so it wasn't necessarily for the pizza. Are there any decent places to eat in the Jurassic Park area? Red Oven Pizza does sound like a good option though.

 

[schumigirl]

Thunder Falls terrace is a really excellent counter service choice.

Chicken and ribs are gorgeous and a huge portion. Best chicken wrap I have ever eaten too, very fresh and fairly large too.

Not expensive either and it's set right beside the ride so you can see the boats land in the splash zone......it's a huge splash!!

I would agree with damo, pizza predatoria is not the best choice.

Mythos is an excellent choice too.........

 

[KCarr2000]

Thanks schumigirl. Sounds like pizza predatoria will be going off the list.

Is it reasonable to think we will spend the equivalent of one day in each park, then spend the last day doing repeats of what we want? Does one park require more time than the other? Since we have never been, I think we will want to ride most rides once, other than some of the smaller kiddy rides. DS is a little concerned about the couple of roller coasters with loops, but thinks he will be able to tough it out.

 

[schumigirl]

Sounds like a decent plan actually spending one full day in each park then the third for re riding favourites.

Have you looked at the website with park maps and other info? It does have some good info and gives you an idea of park layouts.......you don't need a plan as such but will give you an idea of what you may want to do when you get there........

Some of the kiddie rides are fun........

 

[zbsigpi]

Agree that it should be relatively low attendance during that time. Should still be warm also for the water rides. Don t plan any more, fly by the seat of your pants. You will have so much more fun that way.
When you get back tell everyone what a horrible time you had so we can keep UO from being crazy like the mouse house.

 

[Hootch]

I would think that at that time of year with three days, you will have some leisure time.

I will third Pizza Preditoria pan. We ate there because our daughter is so picky. There are better options.

You will want to check the early entry schedule when you get closer to your visit. We were there at the end of May and only IOA had early entry at that time. We started at IOA both days. On the second day we split up to do quick things at Hogsmeade but met a little before 9:00 AM to take the Hogwarts Express to Universal. We were not the only ones with that idea so line up early. Or you could just wait for park opening at Universal.

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

In place of Pizza Predatoria, you might want to give Confisco's Grille some consideration. It is also at IOA, and you can still get pizza there (wood fired) but also things like fajitas, sandwiches, salads, wings, burgers, wraps, pasta, etc. It's table service, but prices aren't much higher than at some of the quick service locations. Nice atmosphere too.

An added bonus....its right beside Croissant Moon, which has the most DIVINE desserts . Cheesecakes, squares, cookies, etc. to die for. I'm still dreaming of the homemade Napoleon bar from our May trip .