need hlep planning

[ptmmg]

Done the Disney thing many times and have had our trips planned down to the hour just about!!! So I feel a bit unorganized about our Universal trip,

It myself, DH. DD 13, DS 11, neither have ever been to the other side! Dates are 8/25- 9/1

Plan on staying at the HRH club level. parks open at 9 the week we are there so I thought even with early entry we could still get breakfast in the lounge! We are also planning on a Discovery Cove day, SeaWorld day, and Aquatica day!

I am getting 1 AP not sure what type of tickets to get for the rest of the family a 3 day park to park or the unlimited park to park??
Our flights arrive early and have late departures so we have those days. I dont want to feel rushed but I do want to see everything we can.

As for reservations I have none! not sure if they are needed. I know at Disney half the planning is planning where you eat and work around it. Are there any not to miss in the area. I would like not to have to rent a car we were going to use a shuttle or Taxi to get to DC and SW parks

I guess I like to have my days planned, the only day that is written in stone would be the Discovery Cove day right now I am thinking 8/28 its a Friday or Saturday is one day better than others?

any input to planning would be appreciated Thanks

 

[macraven]

boy, you are going to be in for a shock when i say this...............don't worry.
plan your days the day of going into the parks.

www.universalorlando.com
check out the info there and look at the rides, shows, eateries, restrooms, first aide, etc on the maps.
if you have a working knowledge of where things are located, you can back track to rides without having to walk forever to reach them.

read the ride descriptions and take a vote on what the family wants to do together.
use the child swap rooms if the younger child can't or won't do a ride the rest of the family wants.

all in your family go thru the ride line together and are not separated until you enter for the ride.
child swap is a good thing.

if you get a 2 day park to park pass and want another day, you can add it and just pay the difference.
if you want a 4 day ticket, the power pass is about the same price and power pass is valid for both parks.

the only time i have made reservations for food places has been mythos, and i do it the day of when i will go there.
kiosk and TM's in city walk is one way to book a reservation.
nextable.com is another way to book.

check out the menus for the parks, hotels and city walk to decide what type of food you want to eat.
plan your days out then or the night before for eateries.

emerils and tchoup chop are the two places where ressies are to your advantage.

you can use the hotel shuttle to DC and SW.
sign up in the lobby the night before you want to use the free shuttle transportation as seats are held at that time for the next day.

there have been posters that have stated the shuttles in the morning were fine to the places outside the parks but the returning was not the best.
too many wanting to leave at the same time and over crowding on the shuttle.

some do the free shuttle in the morning and use a cab for their return to the hotels.
maybe about $10 for a taxi/cab.

i don't do DC so i have no suggestions on which day is better than the other.

 

[glocon]

A word of advice- Don't go in thinking this will be anything like a WDW trip.
You will not have the best possible experience if you do. It would be like thinking a trip to McDonalds would be the same as a trip to Subway. Both are restaurants and have salads on the menu, but otherwise the options are very different.
Same at Universal vs WDW. Both are theme parks with rides, food and shows, but are very different.

At UO you do not have to schedule FPs, you get unlimited express passes for most rides since you are staying at an on site deluxe resort. You do not have to scheduled ressies for TS restaurants 60 days out, but do it morning of- your concierge on CL can help with that.
There are only 2 parks to choose from not 4, but those two have incredibly themed areas just like WDW does, but different. And easy to walk to from HRH, or take the water taxi.
There are many different food options for CS meals- not every CS with the same kind of food- look at menus for ideas (burgers, wraps, ribs, rotisserie chicken, international food, deli, pasta).
Very easy and timely to get back to resort from parks if you want an afternoon break- just a 5 minute walk to or fro. UO parks however generally do not stay open as long as WDW parks do- so keep that in mind.

Planning the trip is so much of the fun... so explore the UO website to see what rides, shows and restaurants there are, and get the 2015 Universal Orlando book to peruse.
But spread sheets are not needed- just realize you can re-ride most things over and over without having to skip something else because of time limitations and lines.

No need to feel unorganized. The Universal way of vacationing is to go with the flow, re-ride, take time to enjoy the theming around you, explore your resort, and have time to relax- no commando here!