Never been to Universal

[Laneyg]

We will be there Oct 10, 11 and 12. The parks just the 11th and 12th. We're staying at Hard Rock.

What would you tell someone who has never been there and hasn't done any research on them either. I feel like I know Disney backwards and forwards. I know what I need to do and when, and what we like, etc.

Do we need to plan things to the extent that one plans a Disney vacation? Dining reservations? Meal plan? I seriously know nothing.... and maybe it's too late to do certain things anyway??

 

[skylock]

No real plans needed.

You will have express pass so you can ride and do what you want and use the short line. Ride the rides as many times as you want using the short line.

Dining plan, quick service. No need to buy ahead of time. You can buy it when you order your meal. My general rule is if your entree is $14 you will save a few bucks with the dining plan.

I am not familiar with the table service plan. I do know it has to be purchased as a package with your room.

If you want to make dining reservations, make them the night before or even the day of.

 

[cschaaf]

Universal requires significantly less planning than Disney.

Be aware that you will be there during Halloween Horror Nights. That is a hard ticket event that happens in the Universal Studios park. That park will close at 5 both nights of your visit. The other park, Islands of Adventure will be open until 8 PM those nights.

Do some research on the rides so you will know what you want to do, what you might want to do, and what you might skip. You'll have Express Passes since you are staying at Hard Rock, so your waits will be shorter than 'regular' guests.

The Harry Potter areas tend to be crowded in the mornings. Early Entry, also part of your Hard Rock stay, is usually not too bad for the HP areas. Otherwise, mid afternoons are also a bit slower in those areas. Again, you'll have the Express Pass, so ride waits shouldn't be too bad, but the walkways and shops get crowded in those areas.

I'm not sure if the nighttime show will be on in Islands of Adventure. They've only posted the schedule through mid-Sept. It it is going on, the later shows are usually less crowded.

Check out some menus so you have an idea of some places you want to eat. You shouldn't have to make any reservations, but if you feel the need, you can do so the day before or morning of.

We don't have a lot of in-park favorite places to eat, but City Walk is an easy walk and has a lot of great places for lunch and dinner. REsort wide, breakfast options are pretty limited, IMO.

One other perk of staying on-site is "Priority Seating" at most restaurants. If you don't have reservations and they quote a wait, show your room key and you will be moved to the top of the list.

 

[Michael Webb]

Here's what I would tell you.
The only research needed is to know which rides are the "headliners" and the ones you can't miss and which rides can be skipped.

Universal Studios side is movie-ride related like Disney's Hollywood Studios (or whatever they call it now)
Islands of Adventures is themed lands, like most of the Disney parks.
Islands of Adventure is circular like Epcot so pick a direction and go! And does theming as well, if not better, than Disney.

The childhood love (of Disney) is not there, but the technology knocks the socks off of anything Disney does.

I have been twice, going the third time next week. Haven't seen Harry Potter yet so that is a priority this time but still want to re-experience the things I loved in the past - Spiderman,Hulk, Jurassic Park, Suess Landing ("I could live here" - my wife who hates amusement parks said), Men in Black, Shrek, it's all so good.

IF you've got two full days, three at best, you will see it all and get to redo your favorites. With Harry Potter thrown in, I can't say yet how much more time that will take. I've heard the detail can consume your day. But if you're not a Potter-file, how long can you go on absorbing detail?

But I've read up on it (unofficial guides) and in the end, you can do it all with your circumstances and you will come away as a believer. It doesn't replace Disney (nothing can) but it is different than Disney and a wholly worthwhile different. Enjoy, and relax.

Oh. One more thing. Dining is not to the Disney level. Eat what you want, when you want. Mythos, or counter service, food is not the focus of US or IOA. Except maybe in Potterland and even that's not supposed to be outstanding. It's kind of refreshing to have the focus back on the attractions and not feel like you are missing something if you don't get the perfect reservations at the latest perfect restaurant like at Disney. (This is from someone who had has Cinderella's Castle reservations more than once for previous Disney trips! and every restuarant picked by ratings and hearsay to make sure we got all the best experiences.)

This trip to Orlando (next week) is a Discovery Cove/Universal trip without setting foot on Disney property!

 

[macraven]

The only thing I can add to this conversation is all the posters above have given great advice !

Op, I’ll be there at the parks same time as you will be

Would be glad to meet you and answer or help you in any way while there

Contact me by pm

 

[Laneyg]

Thanks, guys! That is great info. I can't wait!!

 

[Monykalyn]

Haven't seen Harry Potter yet so that is a priority this time

Especially if you are a Potterhead make sure you have the park to park ticket to ride Hogwarts Express both ways!. Walking through the brick onto Platform 9 3/4 is so amazing! Detail in the lands can easily absorb hours. There are interactive wands you can buy to do the spells. And yes-adults do this too!

@Laneyg one thing you are really going to be amazed at is you can walk everywhere!! No need to wait for a hot, crowded bus! Citywalk IMO has the best food. The in-park food is OK : Mythos was good, both restaurants in WWoHP are pretty good.
--also be aware some things will shut down early-unlike Disney where many things open to park close, especially the places to eat - or even grab a drink-will close well before the park does.

The really nice thing about having EP is if you want to ride something over and over you can without worrying about missing a window (unlike Disney FP)

 

[macraven]

If you like fresh made to order sandwiches, try Blondies in IOA

The place is always on my list for a decent lunch