New to Universal and have questions

[Christie74]

I'm new to universal and haven't been in almost 15 years - way before kids! We've been to Disney alot as a family but this will be our first trip to Universal and could use some help with a few questions.

We are staying the night before onsite at the Royal Pacific to take advantage of the Express Pass and Early Entry to Harry Potter. We will check out the morning of the day we plan to tour Islands of Adventure. So, will we still be able use the room key to take advantage of the Express Pass even though we've checked out? Will we still be able to leave our car at the hotel and use the shuttle service even though we've checked out?

Can we bring our stroller to Universal like Disney? Any trouble getting it on the shuttle service? What about bringing a backpack with drinks and snacks into the park, do they allow that?

I so appreciate any help or advice you can give me!

 

[mesaboy2]

Yes, you still have Express privileges on the day you check out.

Yes, you can leave your car in the lot that day also.

No shuttle service per se between RPR and parks that I know of--you can either walk or take the boat to CityWalk. Either option takes 10-15 minutes, depending on how lucky you are timing the boat. You can use the boat on checkout day.

Yes, strollers are allowed into parks and onto boats. Backpacks also allowed, including I believe food and drink. Be aware having bags will necessitate you putting them in lockers or leaving with a non-rider for all of the thrill attractions. Locker lines can be long, especially during peak seasons.

 

[Bluer101]

Yes, you still have Express privileges on the day you check out.

Yes, you can leave your car in the lot that day also.

No shuttle service per se between RPR and parks that I know of--you can either walk or take the boat to CityWalk. Either option takes 10-15 minutes, depending on how lucky you are timing the boat. You can use the boat on checkout day.

Yes, strollers are allowed into parks and onto boats. Backpacks also allowed, including I believe food and drink. Be aware having bags will necessitate you putting them in lockers or leaving with a non-rider for all of the thrill attractions. Locker lines can be long, especially during peak seasons.

There is a shuttle service that run at all three hotels. It is also there in case of lightning and bad weather since the boats do not run during inclement weather.

As per Universal's website:


Complimentary water taxis or shuttle buses to make getting around the resort fast and easy so you can make the most of your time. Take the convenient water taxis along picturesque waterways or ride the shuttle bus directly to both theme parks and Universal CityWalk®.

 

[macraven]

I'm new to universal and haven't been in almost 15 years - way before kids! We've been to Disney alot as a family but this will be our first trip to Universal and could use some help with a few questions.

We are staying the night before onsite at the Royal Pacific to take advantage of the Express Pass and Early Entry to Harry Potter. We will check out the morning of the day we plan to tour Islands of Adventure. So, will we still be able use the room key to take advantage of the Express Pass even though we've checked out? Will we still be able to leave our car at the hotel and use the shuttle service even though we've checked out?

you can ask for a late check out if it is available.
if not, check out and store your belongings with valet in the lobby.
or place them in your car.

you have all the hotel rights until park closing of that day on your check out day with the exception of charging back to the hotel.

you should leave your car at the RPH as you only pay per night on the charges.
if you move your car to the parking garage, you will have to pay the day parking fee there.
leave the car at the hotel and catch a break on the rates.


Can we bring our stroller to Universal like Disney? Any trouble getting it on the shuttle service? What about bringing a backpack with drinks and snacks into the park, do they allow that?

bring the stoller and your backpacks.
you can rent a family locker in the front of the park if you are not child swapping leaving no one to attend your belongings.

you can bring in liquids as long as it is not glass.
backpacks are inspected when you enter just like at disney.

strollers can be taken on the water taxis and bus.
you probably will do better to leave the hotel early and walk to IOA for the early entry.

I so appreciate any help or advice you can give me!

pick up the guide map before you enter.
times do change for shows in the parks.
meet and greets also can have a time change.

all you have to do is show each guests hotel key to enter early.
also it is shown for the express lines.

 

[mesaboy2]

There is a shuttle service that run at all three hotels. It is also there in case of lightning and bad weather since the boats do not run during inclement weather.

As per Universal's website:


Complimentary water taxis or shuttle buses to make getting around the resort fast and easy so you can make the most of your time. Take the convenient water taxis along picturesque waterways or ride the shuttle bus directly to both theme parks and Universal CityWalk®.

Thanks! That's why I left a little wiggle-room in my answer: "that I know of".

 

[Don Pacho]

They gave me this small note in the parking lot:






.​

 

[macraven]

thanks for sharing that info with us.


i stay onsite and use the bag check at the end of the hotel walkway.

i have always been able to take in water bottles, soda bottles as long as it is not glass.
also have been allowed to take in snacks.
i can only share what i have personally experienced.


of course things can change at any time.
i have not used the parking garage for years.

thank you for the heads up!

 

[Bluer101]

Thanks! That's why I left a little wiggle-room in my answer: "that I know of".

No problem, thats what we are all her for.

To be honest wit you I had no idea until our last trip and it was raining a lot, we asked about another way to the parks besides walk and we were told the shuttle. We ended up walking with ponchos on instead.

 

[tinydancer09]

I agree with macraven, we have never had any trouble getting drinks or snacks into the park. I feel as though Universal does not check bags near as heavy as Disney. I've always brought along a water bottle for the walk or ride to the park and proceeded to take it in with me. I also generally have some dried fruit candies or candy bars incase my blood sugar gets low. They never say a word to me and I by no means hide it.

As for the shuttle buses and water taxis. I highly recommend the water taxis over buses. The only time I have ever taken a bus was when it was POURING down rain. This was in off season... even though rock the universe was going on, and they only had one bus on call. The pour lady didn't even have a clue where she was going. The next night was the same- we waited 30-45 minutes for a bus to be crammed in over the limit with only one driver available. At least this guy knew where he was going. Florida weather is unpredictable... or predictable if you will. There are very unexpected showers nearly every day so be prepared to have a poncho for at least your kids. And don't wait til you're in the parks to buy these items. Walmart has perfectly good $1-3 ponchos that are comparable to the $8-15 ones in the park.

As for lockers I love the system at Universal. It's free while you ride the ride and they have one near every ride you might need it for. It fits my lightly packed bookbag perfectly. We don't go during peak weeks, but I would imagine lines could get long so try to pack light as possible.

 

[Christie74]

Thanks Everyone! I knew I could count on my friends at the DIS Boards to help me.

We've decided to just walk from the RPR to the IOA and leave our car at the hotel. So happy to hear that we'll still have early entry and express pass privileges after we check out. I've decided to not carry a backpack and just use my hip pack for a few small things and get snacks/drinks as we need them. Will it be okay to take my hip pack on the rides?

Now, I need help with another question. My husband is getting us free tickets at work but has to get the tickets on the day he plans to use them and not before. So, we are planning on doing the early entry but need to find out of the ticket center is open then too or only during normal park hours. Does anyone have any idea? I couldn't find anything on the universal website and can always call but wanted to check here first.

Thanks again!

 

[macraven]

guest services outside of the park open at least 30 minutes prior to the park opening.

is that what you are asking about?

you said your hubby has to pick up the tickets the day of at the ticket center.

that makes me think guest services or the kiosks machines.

the kiosks are open early.

 

[Christie74]

guest services outside of the park open at least 30 minutes prior to the park opening.

is that what you are asking about?

you said your hubby has to pick up the tickets the day of at the ticket center.

that makes me think guest services or the kiosks machines.

the kiosks are open early.

Thanks Macraven. Not sure at this time what location we need to go to but glad to know that both are open early. What a relief!

 

[macraven]

if you are staying onsite, there is a kiosk in the guest services area in each hotel where you can print out your tickets.