Never planned a Universal tirp before and I need help starting!

[SueSue]

We are huge WDW fans and I'm a commando planner. We have decided to do Universal for the first time and I don't know where to even begin! I've learned so much from this website in planning for WDW. I hope to find the same true for Universal! I guess I need to first figure out where we're staying and what kind of ticket options are available.

I'd like to stay at one of the 3 resorts. What is the best way to get a reservation? ONline (where?) or over the phone (Phone no.s ?) Obviously, I'd like a good deal if possible!

Can you get to the parks from the hotels by bus or boat like at WDW or do you need to drive to a parking lot?

What is this fotl I keep seeing? We want to go to both parks, probably for 2 days. Can you park hop? One reason we'd like to stay onsite is that I heard you get to use the express line for all the rides. What kind of discounts are available for these tickets?

That should help me get started - thanks for any help you can offer!

 

[lynn813]

FOTL means "front of the line" and you show your resort room key to get into a line that is a much shorter wait (sometimes no wait at all) at each attraction/ride. It is different from the express pass that people who don't stay onsite can buy in that you can ride as many times as you want. Express passes are good for the same line as onsite guests, but you only get one time through.

They are also your room key and you can pick them up early on the day you check in even if your room isn't ready, and they are good for your entire stay at the resort including the entire day you check out. There is no separate cost for them, it's a perk of staying onsite.

They are separate though from your park admission. So if you have a park ticket that allows you to go from one park to another in one day, then yes, they are good for park hopping.

We just stayed at Royal Pacific and they have a water taxi (boat) and also a shuttle to the parks. You can walk as well. The drop off for the water taxi is at the center of CityWalk. From there you walk to the right for Islands or to the left for Studios.

 

[Fan2CSkr]

We are huge WDW fans and I'm a commando planner. We have decided to do Universal for the first time and I don't know where to even begin! I've learned so much from this website in planning for WDW. I hope to find the same true for Universal! I guess I need to first figure out where we're staying and what kind of ticket options are available.

I'd like to stay at one of the 3 resorts. What is the best way to get a reservation? ONline (where?) or over the phone (Phone no.s ?) Obviously, I'd like a good deal if possible!

Can you get to the parks from the hotels by bus or boat like at WDW or do you need to drive to a parking lot?

What is this fotl I keep seeing? We want to go to both parks, probably for 2 days. Can you park hop? One reason we'd like to stay onsite is that I heard you get to use the express line for all the rides. What kind of discounts are available for these tickets?

That should help me get started - thanks for any help you can offer!

Welcome to the Universal side of the boards! You would do best by reading the stickies on both this and the universal resort board. I would bet all or most of your question and more would be answered. The best ticket right now is a 7 day $85.99 deal. http://www.universalorlando.com/tickets.html

you can compare hotels there as well as get rates. Discounts are available using AAA, Annual Pass, APH, FLO Florida resident, as well as other specials and promotions. Have a look at www.loewshotels.com also.

You can get to the parks by WALKING too! That a huge bonus. The entire resort complex, CityWalk, Parks and Hotels are ALL easily accessible. Its a pleasure.

Hotel help:
http://www.universalorlando.com/ht_comparison.html

 

[PlutoLuvr]

Looks like you've gotten most of your questions answered!

I find the easiest way to book rooms is to call the USO resorts direct. Don't be shy about calling often, too. The rates and discounts change all the time, even as soon as the week or two before you're scheduled to arrive. I'm sure there's the 1-800 number listed somewhere in a sticky, but the number's 1-866-391-3300. AAA helps with discounts, as does having an annual pass (the Preferred or Premier Pass).

Just to give you a quick example of this, we're heading down 5/2. I called in February about Hard Rock rates. I was told $229 for AP/FL resident discount. Eh ... not such a great deal. I called last month, March, and got the same rooms at $144 per night. Now we're talking! Booked that rate. Checked the DIS here last week and saw a promotion running for APHs for $129 per night. Whoo-Hoooo!!! Called HRH back and changed to get the lowest rate.

Not only can you easily park hop by use of the boats, vans or just walking, but pool hopping is totally encouraged if you're staying onsite at any of the hotels.

Something you will probably be very surprised by is how stress-free and relaxing a USO vacation is. No need to rush all over the park collecting Fastpasses (you'll have your room key which will put you right in the Express -- or Fastpass -- line). The parks are close enough that you won't need to plan months in advance what parks to do first, either. Dining is extremely guest-friendly, too. With the exception of Emeril's, Tchoup Chop and Mythos, dining reservations need not be worried about months in advance. If, at two o'clock in the afternoon on a Thursday, you feel like fish for dinner, you can go with the flow and enjoy a fish dinner onsite.

Honestly, the only real planning you'll want to do is book your room, call every now and then to see if the rates drop, keep an eye out for park ticket promotions, book a ressie at opentable.com a few weeks before your trip if you want to eat at Emeril's or Tchoup Chop, and watch lots of USO movies!

Hope you love USO vacations as much as we do

Next time, you'll want more than two days

 

[GreenMeanMachine]

Yes I would stay at the Royal Pacific, but any of the resorts allows you to take the boat into the parks which is great. And staying at the resorts is worth it because of the fast passes.

Just make sure you plan plenty of time for both parks and espeically Islands of Adventure, I think IOA is the best park in thw world.

 

[dreamscometrue47]

SueSue,

The previous posters have pretty much answered your questions, so I'll just give some opinions on US/IOA, from someone else who just did her first trip to us/ioa.

We are also veteran WDW warriors (at least 30 trips over the last 30 years!)and had the opportunity to visit Universal Studios/IOA this past March for the very first time (I'm 51 and my daughter is 17). We only had one day but made good use of our time and managed to do most of what we really really wanted to. Now we are HOOKED!! My husband and son were not with us, but I've convinced my husband to do a Universal vacation next April. Obviously, my son 14, needed no convincing! Needless to say, my husband almost fell on the floor when I said we don't need to go to WDW on this trip (and I have loved the mouse since I was a little mouse-ette!). We cannot wait....there is so much to do there....

I was worried that the theming wouldn't be there..believe me, it is THERE and FANTASTIC.

I was worried that the walk between parks/City Walk would be LONG..it ISN"T and that is one of my favorite things about US/IOA..You can WALK between parks and City Walk.

The parks are so CLEAN. Everyone is very helpful and friendly.

The food is so much better than WDW park food...more variety, better prices, just VERY GOOD.

How can you go wrong with the $85.99 unlimited 7 day admission ticket???? The best deal I've ever seen for such ENTERTAINMENT!!

Definitely stay onsite for FOTL excess....you will not need to be in commando mode for your stay...think about it....

One of our favorite memories is seeing "Lucy" and "Marilyn" in their car..My girlfriend asked Lucy "Where's Ethel?" and she had a snappy reply (like "Fred has her cleaning the basement.." Then my other girlfriend asked where's Ricky? She had another snappy reply, like you know Ricky, he's always at the Club...This went on for another minute or so. You get the idea...Just so much fun....

Now I still love WDW, but am so very glad that I "branched out" and finally visited that "other park."

enjoy!!

 

[Julma]

I bought the 85.99 tickets and yes they are a great deal. After buying them I found out I could have gotten them a tad cheaper through my AAA office. Check with your AAA office before buying them from Universal.

I agree with the others Universal involves much less planning than Disney. It is a much different vacation. Both are great, just different.

 

[Andrea from PA]

These boards just get me to open my wallet!

A few weeks back while on the board for upcoming WDW 12/2007 I saw the Universal $86 deal, so crazy me bought tickets.

Now I need to plan a 2008 trip to use them!

I need to stay cheap since WDW2007 will wipe us out, but reading all this makes me think I need to stay on site at Universal for at least 2 nights. Any comments?

We (DH, DD 7, DS 8, DS 12) would fly in. I assume will need to rent a car. With WDW we just use the Magical Express & Dis transportation. Or forgo car rental when on site and avoid parking fees? What are the hotel fees for parking?

What is the best time of year to go & take advantage of swimming, etc? Our school gives us week after Easter (March 2008), school lets out around June 10, 2008 or Christmas break begins December 15th?

If staying on site, what should I budget for food?

Will we get bored with a 7 day pass? Or no on-site because we can patiently wait in line since we have 7 days?

 

[SueSue]

You all are great! I really appreciate each of you answering my questions. I now feel like I have a good idea where to start and how to plan!

 

[bubba's mom]

Howdy neighbor!!! MY DH grew up in Bristol!!

I need to stay cheap since WDW2007 will wipe us out, but reading all this makes me think I need to stay on site at Universal for at least 2 nights. Any comments?

stay onsite during peak seasons....and you're better offsite in nonpeak.....but always try to stay onsite...the walking is SO convenient!

We (DH, DD 7, DS 8, DS 12) would fly in. I assume will need to rent a car. With WDW we just use the Magical Express & Dis transportation. Or forgo car rental when on site and avoid parking fees? What are the hotel fees for parking?

you can get towncar service one way (appx. $60) w/ comp. grocery stop. parking at the hotels is now $15/nite! if you opt for grocery stop, grab a styrofoam cooler in the beer aisle of grocery store...it's only $2.99 and fill it w/ ice at hotel to keep yer beverages cold.....that's what we do.

What is the best time of year to go & take advantage of swimming, etc? Our school gives us week after Easter (March 2008), school lets out around June 10, 2008 or Christmas break begins December 15th?

the pools are heated, but i personally wouldn't swim around christmas (but, that's just me)

If staying on site, what should I budget for food?

that's a hard one.....family of 4? Depends where you're eating....Mythos and Emerils are more expensive than counter service (check allearsnet.com for menus and prices)

Will we get bored with a 7 day pass? Or no on-site because we can patiently wait in line since we have 7 days?

we went 5 days last year and going 6 this year....we just didn't get enuf! it's SO relaxing....w/ FOTL, you feel you CAN spend the afternoon at the pool and have plenty of "park time"......but, that's US, YOU may feel differently....(then again, you DO have kids....i see a lot of MIB and pool time for you!)