Lots of Questions!

[jsmla]

My husband and I are planning to go to UO this December. On a whim I decided to get an Annual Pass for myself and sneak in a solo visit following my April WDW trip. Since this was a last minute thing I am staying off site to save money. I've never been to Universal without the onsite unlimited Express perk. DH doesn't do thrill rides (including the HP headliners) so I'd like to concentrate on those.

I'll have four full days. How would you allot that amount of time? My "hotel" is pretty basic and I don't see me spending much time there.

Universal Studios has early entry every morning. Given that I won't be able to take advantage of this, what time do you recommend I try to ride Escape from Gringotts? Planning sites are giving contradictory advice. Some say first thing, some say later in the day. I plan to be at the turnstiles well in advance of park opening.

I'm assuming single rider lines will be the best way to go? Any tips on this?

How does everyone deal with their stuff? I've been reading up on the bag situation and understand that I will have to use a locker for Dragon Challenge and Rip Ride Rockit. Will I be able to wear a smallish 3-prong fanny pack onto the others? Given that I'm offsite and solo I really don't feel comfortable leaving my phone behind. It would be my phone, ticket, ID, credit card and a small amount of cash. I plan on riding all of the thrill rides.

My hotel is walking distance (Major Blvd) from UO and I have zero problems walking to the parks. As a smallish female in her mid 50s I am a little concerned about walking around alone after dark and was thinking about Ubering it home. Is that service available at Universal? How do you feel in that area after dark? I've stayed offsite in Lake Buena Vista many times and am fine with walking around there in the evening because there always seems to be a fair number of people around. I'm not familiar with the offsite Universal areas.

I try to follow a low fat diet (I have very high cholesterol) as much as possible. I tend to brownbag a lot at WDW but it seems like too much trouble at Universal. I'm planning on one meal at Mythos and maybe Lisa's Teahouse of Horror. Any other suggestions? I'll probably have lunch and an evening snack in the parks. I have a kitchen at the hotel and will eat breakfast and dinner there.

Sorry this was so long but it's been years since I was at Universal, thanks!

 

[damo]

You can wear a three prong fanny bag on anything other than the big coasters.

There are usually people walking back to the hotels on Major Blvd. That shouldn't be an issue but there are always cabs available if you choose not to walk.

Check out the food sticky for eating suggestions.

 

[schumigirl]

Arrive as early as you can and go straight to Gringotts if that's your priority........always a good idea. But if it's overly busy, it is good advice to go back later in the day as it does quieten out a bit. It's also very beautiful at night in the Potter areas particularly.

You'll have to leave your phone in a locker if you go on The Hulk, RRR or Duelling Dragons. No other option. Lockers are fine and easy to navigate.......I wear a Kipling multiple, which has a three prong clasp and it goes on every other ride except the ones with metal detectors mentioned above. It doesn't interfere with any safety harnesses in any way.

Single rider is always a good option when parks are busy.

It is a safe area around there, plenty of people walk from the parks to that area, it's not remote but if you feel a little nervous it wouldn't do any harm. Yes, you can use uber. We find that area safe and never felt wary, but I'm with my husband, that's different for me. But, you certainly wouldn't be the only one walking to your hotel.

Food, definitely check out damo's sticky.......full of menus for parks, Citywalk and hotels.

Can't help with a plan as we never plan anything, but I would suggest riding Despicable Me before anything else one morning. The regular queue for that ride can reach an hour or more just after 9am. Seen it many times........it can reach over 90 minutes easy.

 

[jsmla]

Thanks for the advice, I'm one of those who really likes to plan. Trying to do so only a couple of weeks out is interesting!

We really only have had one plan on past Universal trips and that was to get to early entry for Forbidden Journey and a mooch around Harry Potterland before it got crazy. I'm probably going to miss that unlimited Express!

 

[pa. dad]

Arrive as early as you can and go straight to Gringotts if that's your priority........always a good idea. But if it's overly busy, it is good advice to go back later in the day as it does quieten out a bit. It's also very beautiful at night in the Potter areas particularly.

You'll have to leave your phone in a locker if you go on The Hulk, RRR or Duelling Dragons. No other option. Lockers are fine and easy to navigate.......I wear a Kipling multiple, which has a three prong clasp and it goes on every other ride except the ones with metal detectors mentioned above. It doesn't interfere with any safety harnesses in any way.

Single rider is always a good option when parks are busy.

It is a safe area around there, plenty of people walk from the parks to that area, it's not remote but if you feel a little nervous it wouldn't do any harm. Yes, you can use uber. We find that area safe and never felt wary, but I'm with my husband, that's different for me. But, you certainly wouldn't be the only one walking to your hotel.

Food, definitely check out damo's sticky.......full of menus for parks, Citywalk and hotels.

Can't help with a plan as we never plan anything, but I would suggest riding Despicable Me before anything else one morning. The regular queue for that ride can reach an hour or more just after 9am. Seen it many times........it can reach over 90 minutes easy.

What we did with Despicable me was we rode in the first row which is stationary and does not move. That wait was 5-10 minutes and to ride it with movement was like a 90 minute wait as you say. I'm not saying that it was as good without the movement but allowed us to do some other things and not stand in a long line so I thought it was the best option at that time. Some rides we found the single rider to be a lot shorter also.

 

[jsmla]

Am I correct in thinking that Hulk will not be open in the second week of April?

 

[pa. dad]

Am I correct in thinking that Hulk will not be open in the second week of April?

In early January it was almost completely disassembled so it looked like that one would be a legthy rehab.

 

[damo]

I believe there is only one piece left to attach. However, they have to finish the rest of the stations theming, etc.

It will NOT be open the second week in April.

 

[christophfam]

Did you look at annual price discount for Cabana Bay? I find those prices very close to the hotels on Major. You wouldn't ever have to leave Universal. Traveling alone this would be a big plus.

If parks are open late, the last couple of park hours are usually much quieter than afternoons. Plus the hp areas are magical at night. Try Mythos for a lunch break one day. It's a nice place to get away from the chaos of the parks.

 

[jsmla]

This trip was a spur of the moment decision and I have to squeeze it in within my existing budget. I was able to get the Extended Stay for $42/night on Hotwire. It was either that or not see Universal till December. We'll be camping at Ft Wilderness then and I plan on booking a night at one of the resorts with Express pass. We travel with our dog and I love that the Universal resorts are pet friendly, wish WDW had something similar!