Need advice on first Universal trip

[Ellymay]

My husband JUST told me he managed to get vacation Feb 6th-10th; found a good airline deal so we are off to Universal Studio/WWOHP with two weeks to plan! We have NEVER been and we are doing the special Harry Potter exclusive vacation offer. I am trying to figure out if it is worth it to stay onsite. I know that you get the passes to get on the rides; but it seems like it is a pretty low crowd time which makes me think I should save the money and stay offsite. However, I've read that the lines at Harry Potter World are always long. Can anyone weigh in with some advice? I really have no idea! It's me and my husband and three daughters: twins aged 9 and a 7 year old. Also, if offsite, which hotel would you recommend?? Thank you!!

 

[Hombre59]

They aren't expecting huge crowds at Universal that week, but they've been wrong already in estimating crowds before. The Express Pass won't help you on the HP ride or the shops, only dragon challenge and FOTH. It might be beneficial if it's a decent savings to just stay off site.

 

[IdesOmarch]

If you are really needing to save some dollars, there is probably no need to stay onsite that week, should be light crowds. Now if money is no object, definitely stay on site, it is always better for many reasons, not just the front of the line passes that your room keys are. I have no idea how the HP area will be that week, but February is typlcally the lightest time of the year, or one of them.

 

[fairyprincess88]

I'll be there Feb 4th-8th on the Potter package. It's just my friend and I going for a weekend of letting our Potter nerd flags fly high.

When we priced out the package we decided it was not worth paying the onsite price. I managed the parks just fine in early July without FOTL, so I'm pretty sure I can handle Feb. We are staying at the Holiday Inn Maingate on the Potter package. We still get early admission, we still get breakfast at the Three Broomsticks and our entire trip is costing half of what it would if we stayed at the RPR.

I guess it really depends on how much you want to spend. For us, we don't really need 5 star luxury, we just need a clean bed to sleep in that's close to the parks. Yes, we paid a little more extra for the Potter package, but that extra hour each day was something I was more than happy to pay for.

 

[Metro West]

They aren't expecting huge crowds at Universal that week, but they've been wrong already in estimating crowds before. The Express Pass won't help you on the HP ride or the shops, only dragon challenge and FOTH. It might be beneficial if it's a decent savings to just stay off site.

 

[Ellymay]

Thank you so much! I feel so silly that I didn't even notice all the off site hotels..I was just looking at the first page! It looks like that Holiday Inn and the Double Tree are pretty close..do you think they are easy walking with the three girls? I have one more question; thank you for your patience; but do you use a specific transport service from airport to hotel?

 

[IdesOmarch]

It would be a long walk, there may be a shuttle the hotel offers to shuttle you there. The walk is doable, but long from what I remember.

 

[ladylinda65]

They aren't expecting huge crowds at Universal that week, but they've been wrong already in estimating crowds before. The Express Pass won't help you on the HP ride or the shops, only dragon challenge and FOTH. It might be beneficial if it's a decent savings to just stay off site.

I totally agree. They have been completely off these days with crowd estimation. I think Potter has truly thrown off their ability to figure out numbers.

If you can find an outside resort that will give you a Potter package I would take it otherwise be prepared to wait at least 2 hours to get in the area and possibly another couple to get on Forbidden Journey and into Olivanders.

Good Luck and ENJOY!

 

[Hug the Mouse]

If your budget can handle it, stay on-site. It's worth it in so many ways. FOTL, ease of returning to your room if you want a little rest, hang out at the pool, early admission to WWOHP, FOTL (I know--already mentioned but deserves to be mentioned again!).

Have fun!

 

[Treft Family]

You all seem to know quite a bit about Universal and I need help also. We've only ever gone to Disney World. Needless to say, I have NO knowledge of Universal except that it has that HP Island?

We are at DW for two weeks starting Feb. 1st and because the kids are older now, two 16 and one turning 18 (wheelchair), we were thinking of spending a day or two at Universal.

Any tips on getting discount tickets or any helpful suggestions? My soon-to-be 18 can only transfer out of his chair. He can't walk.