New to Universal, a few questions. :)

[BellaPetunia]

Hi! My family and I will be going to Universal July 1-6. We are staying at RPR and I was hoping to get some help with my questions below. I would love to hear any tips if you are willing to share.

When I check in, I know the hotel will have the express pass. Where I get confused is the park tickets. I am using amex rewards to get the two day park-to-park tickets. Does anyone know if I can get the tickets at the hotel or will I have to go to the park for those? My goal is to be able to upgrade those tickets at guest services in the park. Has anyone had any experience with this recently?

I am also confused about early park entry. It says you get an hour early at the parks but when I look at the schedule for July it has both parks opening at 8am. Is there early entry in July? A schedule anywhere?

I have read it's not really necessary to make dining reservations, but wondering if anyone has been during a holiday. Should I make some reservations for the 4th of July?

Thanks!!! So excited to experience Universal.

 

[angryduck71]

I can help with a few of these. I don't know about the amex rewards tickets... but, I have done the upgrade at the park. It's easy -- you go in to guest services before your tickets run out and they do it. It's pretty painless. Early entry will start at 7 a.m. -- not sure if it'll be both parks or one, but it'll be at least one. They'll release that closer to the date. I'm not sure of the 4th of July -- it won't HURT to get reservations if you can. But I wouldn't stress too much. Enjoy your trip!

 

[wookiebeck]

Yes, the EE will be 7am. I love that time of the day. It will be the coolest temperatures all day. The hotel will post which park is the EE park (though you have a chance that both will be offered to deal with high crowds that week).

 

[TommyJK]

For early park admission, the calendar is here:

https://www.universalorlando.com/Resort-Information/Early-Park-Admission.aspx

Doesn't look to up updated for July yet as they probably haven't decided yet which of the parks (or both) to do early opening at. As the poster mentioned above, it will be 7:00 am. Just check back on that page from time to time to see when it gets updated

 

[BellaPetunia]

I can help with a few of these. I don't know about the amex rewards tickets... but, I have done the upgrade at the park. It's easy -- you go in to guest services before your tickets run out and they do it. It's pretty painless. Early entry will start at 7 a.m. -- not sure if it'll be both parks or one, but it'll be at least one. They'll release that closer to the date. I'm not sure of the 4th of July -- it won't HURT to get reservations if you can. But I wouldn't stress too much. Enjoy your trip!

Good to know upgrading tickets is easy. I am so used to planning Disney that I feel I must be missing something. Lol!

 

[BellaPetunia]

Yes, the EE will be 7am. I love that time of the day. It will be the coolest temperatures all day. The hotel will post which park is the EE park (though you have a chance that both will be offered to deal with high crowds that week).

I didn't even think about the temperature at 7am! You are so right, it is going to be perfect to get out early while it's still cool. Early entry at both parks would be really great.

For early park admission, the calendar is here:

https://www.universalorlando.com/Resort-Information/Early-Park-Admission.aspx

Doesn't look to up updated for July yet as they probably haven't decided yet which of the parks (or both) to do early opening at. As the poster mentioned above, it will be 7:00 am. Just check back on that page from time to time to see when it gets updated

Thank you! I knew this was out there and had seen it once, but for some reason I couldn't track it down again. I think part of the reason I was confused was because it hasn't been updated yet. Good to know it may change, I will keep an eye on it.

 

[schumigirl]

Very end of May should see July's EE hours posted. They don't do them very far ahead of time.