Need help on Universal Studios - how long to stay, hotel choice

[Disneyfriend]

Hi all,

We are planning our first trip to Universal Studios CA. (Well, I went about 25 years ago, but that probably doesn't count.)

How long should we plan to stay to comfortably see everything? Is one full day adequate? A day and a half? Two full days?

We're not so much interested in Universal City Walk (though I'm sure we'll go there for dinner), but mainly Universal Studios itself. I don't want to run around like chickens with our heads cut off trying to see everything in one day if that would be overwhelming.

Oh, and we're a family of 4 - kids ages 11 and 13 (2 girls).

Next, I'd love some advice on hotels. I've looked into the Hilton Universal City and Towers, but find it to be quite expensive for just 2 double beds. Plus you have to pay parking. (But I guess you don't have to drive to Universal Studios and THEN pay parking there.) We were quoted a govt. rate of $106 for 2 double beds or $141 for 2 double beds on the executive level, which includes breakfast and afternoon appetizers. Is this a good rate?

Do you have any advice for us on hotels?

Thanks so much in advance!!

Disneyfriend

 

[iceskatejen]

I think you can do USH in about a day. When you enter the park, they give you a printout with suggestions for when to experience each attraction/show and if you follow that, it works pretty well, especially for shows. You might want to schedule a second day just in case there are any rides/shows you want to do again that you can't get in more than once the first day.

 

[Firefly777]

^They do? I didn't know that.

I also think one full day is enough to see everything at Universal.

 

[year2late]

Watch for that list, though. It told us to visit places first that would have minimal wait later in the day,