Never been to Universal...but thinking about it. Assistance required.

[BigGreen73]

So, the DW and I are WDW vets, been a few times and are now thinking about going to Universal. Any thoughts, comments, or ideas would be appreciated. Started looking through the website etc. Are there another websites, guide books etc that would be helpful for learning about Universal? How do things compare to WDW IE dining, Express Passes? Crowds etc. Thanks!!

 

[Metro West]

This is the best guide book you can get for Universal:

http://www.amazon.com/Universal-Orl...0905/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1308135896&sr=8-1

Its strongly recommended and Kelly is a poster on here.

You might also want to check out the trip reports and YouTube for ride videos.

 

[smj2610]

I love Disney, but have to admit I really enjoy Universal parks, you have two options with the express passes at Universal(like disney fast pass), if you stay at one of the universal onsite hotel your room key is a express pass for most of the rides(except Harry Potter and RRR coaster), you can also by express passes, but they are pricey, the hotels there are spectacular...You will be amazed at some of the rides there

 

[Badge]

The best tip I can give is to stay onsite! Your room key is an unlimited Express Pass. Think of the Express Pass as a sort of Fastpass system...but better! Simply show your room key at every ride (except the main HP ride, the Rip Ride Rockit, and a kid ride) and you will be on the ride in roughly 5 minutes. No need to wait for a return time or anything like that. We can normally ride Men In Black (think a more advanced version of Buzz Lightyear) about 5-6 times in one hour, even if the normal wait time is 45 minutes! Each person in your party needs a room key and they are valid until the park closes on the day of your checkout, so if you stay two nights, you get three full days of express.

Also, the onsite hotels are the same (or imo better) than the Disney Deluxe hotels. The prices are around the same (or cheaper depending on how long you visit, save more the longer the trip is) than a Deluxe, and sometimes the same price as a Mod. at Disney. We have stayed at all three, and Royal is our personal favorite. All three hotels give you the express passes.

 

[BigGreen73]

1. We would definitely want to stay onsite. and would probably due a SAT-SAT trip. I assume that would be enough to see and do everything there.

2. How is dining compared to WDW? How far out can you/should you make reservations etc?

3. I assume we we need to get a taxi to and from the airport (no Magical Express type transportation correct? )

4. Does the US resorts provide transportation to Seaworld? Are they associated? We have not done seaworld yet either.

5. How are character meets at US compared to WDW?

 

[damo]

My suggestion to you is to read through the stickies at the top of this forum. It is filled with dining info, transportation info, crowd info, and general questions are answered.

There is free transportation from the Universal resorts to SeaWorld.

There is also a Universal Hotels forum that will give you lots of hotel info. Make sure you check out the stickies there.

 

[IdesOmarch]

Also, you may look on this board for the thread about Universal picture of the day. THere are so many good pictures of the parks on that thread it will give you a good idea of some of the attractions and areas you may want to check out. Also, the trip reports, most have great pictures and will give you ideas.

 

[Squidgyness]

SAT-SAT trip is enough for US and IoA with plenty of room for SeaWorld.

I definitely suggest fitting in a SeaWorld day too. More than likely you will really enjoy it. We do at least 2 SW days now.

Think of universal as two different types of red wine, if you will. They are based on the same designs and principles, but aim for slightly different tastes.

If you book with a package dealer you could probably arrange for cheap(ish) transfers. Otherwise, a taxi seems your best bet.

As for transport, check the USOrlando Website. Always best to hear things from the horses mouth.

 

[BigGreen73]

This is the best guide book you can get for Universal:

http://www.amazon.com/Universal-Orl...0905/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1308135896&sr=8-1

Its strongly recommended and Kelly is a poster on here.

You might also want to check out the trip reports and YouTube for ride videos.

Picked this up last night after work. Thanks!

 

[BigGreen73]

My suggestion to you is to read through the stickies at the top of this forum. It is filled with dining info, transportation info, crowd info, and general questions are answered.

There is free transportation from the Universal resorts to SeaWorld.

There is also a Universal Hotels forum that will give you lots of hotel info. Make sure you check out the stickies there.

Started reading them yesterday, a lot of great info. Still have some to go. I doubt we'll do it this year, but my DW and I may try to shoot for May of next year. Maybe we'll go all out with a US/IOA/SW/WDW vacation...who knows. I think that would be great....

 

[Planogirl]

We like to visit both Universal and WDW during the same trip. In fact, on some days we have spent time at both. It is pricey though particularly when you add in parking at both.

 

[BigGreen73]

We like to visit both Universal and WDW during the same trip. In fact, on some days we have spent time at both. It is pricey though particularly when you add in parking at both.

No doubt that it is. If we do both, we would definitely be staying on site at both. No driving for us. Spend a week at Universal, then a week at WDW...Here's hoping!!

 

[jrtoastyman]

So, the DW and I are WDW vets, been a few times and are now thinking about going to Universal. Any thoughts, comments, or ideas would be appreciated. Started looking through the website etc. Are there another websites, guide books etc that would be helpful for learning about Universal? How do things compare to WDW IE dining, Express Passes? Crowds etc. Thanks!!

If you're doing a full week and staying onsite such that lines will not be an issue, I'd plan on hitting Seaworld, W&W, or something else while you're in the area, because with the lines out of the equation, you'll be able to ride and see everything you'd like to ride and see within 3 days, no problem, maybe even 2. Of course, the rides at UO/IoA are spectacular, and offer much more re-ride value than a typical Disney ride, IMO. The first time I finished HPatFJ, I immediately got back in line and rode it again.

That book from the second post is a winner, definitely pick it up. The Unofficial Guide -- Beyond Disney, is also good.

In my experience, the food at Universal is much better, and they don't have the whole ADR thing like they do at WDW, which could be good or bad depending upon your perspective. There are actually some places where you can get a really exceptional meal, like Emeril's two restaurants, and those do take reservations via Opentable, which I'd recommend if you're interested in going that route. The QS places inside the parks are pretty much standard theme park fare, although there's a hot dog stand back by Jaws that serves Nathan's hot dogs, very tasty.

 

[damo]

Every sit down restaurant in the Universal Resorts area, including parks, hotels and Citywalk take online reservations via opentable.com

 

[BigGreen73]

I saw the Nathan's dog place. Yum...Anyway, I read that with staying on site, you get priority seating at resturants, how does that work compared to advanced reservations? How well do guests may out without making resevations?

 

[damo]

I saw the Nathan's dog place. Yum...Anyway, I read that with staying on site, you get priority seating at resturants, how does that work compared to advanced reservations? How well do guests may out without making resevations?

Priority seating gets you to the front of the standby line. You do not go ahead of those with reservations or those other people with priority seating that got there before you.