New to Universal and I Know Nothing

[disny_luvr]

Hello!

My sons just returned from a trip to Disney with their marching band and on the first day of their trip they visited Universal. They loved it and haven't stopped talking about it to my DH and I. They were only there for about 9 hours and obviously didn't get to ride too much, but what they did ride, they absolutely loved and of course now they want to go back and ride everything they didn't have time to ride. Plus, they think my DH would like the rides here.

Next summer we are planning on returning to Disney and we usually stay anywhere from 9-13 days. DH and I were talking about shaving off some of our Disney days and visiting Universal for three nights. Our first day would be a travel day and then we'd have two full park days. We could visit a park for part of the third day before we move over to Disney. Is it possible to visit both parks and Volcano Bay in two and a half days? Also, which resort would you recommend? We want to stay onsite. I was looking at the website today - my first time ever - and I really like Cabana Bay. I'm thinking this resort is more in line with Disney's moderate resorts. Is that a good comparison? Do you think Express Pass is necessary? My sons thought we wouldn't need to get it, but again, they've only been to Universal for one day so maybe they aren't aware of everything there is at Universal.

Any other thoughts, tips, things I should know? I'm a fish out of water when it comes to Universal and would appreciate any help!

Thank you!

 

[macraven]

Summers can be crowded
What dates are you considering?

 

[disny_luvr]

Summers can be crowded
What dates are you considering?

I'm a teacher so it would be around the middle of June. Tentatively June 14th-17th.

 

[DoryGirl1963]

For all three parks I'd recommend a minimum of 3 full days & 4-5 would be better .

 

[DoryGirl1963]

Cabana Bay is awesome! It's also right next door to Volcano Bay & has it's own VB entrance. It has 2 great pools & it's own lazy river & a bowling alley, too. We love it there

 

[coronationday]

Yes, to experience the three parks and do everything you want to do I would recommend 4 to 5 days. But if you only have two and a half day I would consider staying at a premier hotel (Royal Pacific, Hard Rock, and Portofino Bay) they include express passes from check-in to check-out day and are walking distance from the parks and also have boat transportation. I haven't done Volcano Bay but from what I heard it get's really busy during summer so you would have to either spend a whole day or buy the express pass for the park (that one isn't included with the hotel).

It also depend on what are you looking forward to ride. Universal has a lot of rollercoaster, screen based attractions and simulators.

 

[disny_luvr]

Yes, to experience the three parks and do everything you want to do I would recommend 4 to 5 days. But if you only have two and a half day I would consider staying at a premier hotel (Royal Pacific, Hard Rock, and Portofino Bay) they include express passes from check-in to check-out day and are walking distance from the parks and also have boat transportation. I haven't done Volcano Bay but from what I heard it get's really busy during summer so you would have to either spend a whole day or buy the express pass for the park (that one isn't included with the hotel).

It also depend on what are you looking forward to ride. Universal has a lot of rollercoaster, screen based attractions and simulators.

When you say buy the express pass for the park (Volcano Bay), is that a different express pass from the one you buy for the other parks?

My DH and sons will ride anything - me, not so much. My boys were only able to ride Hulk, Velocicoaster (2x), Gringotts, and Hogwart Express. There is some stuff they don't care to ride, but there was more they want to ride than don't want to ride.

 

[disny_luvr]

Cabana Bay is awesome! It's also right next door to Volcano Bay & has it's own VB entrance. It has 2 great pools & it's own lazy river & a bowling alley, too. We love it there

It looks nice in the pictures! It's own entrance to Volcano Bay is awesome!

How do you get around Universal? Is it like Disney were you have to take some form of transportation from the resorts to the parks or is it smaller making walking an option?

 

[RamblingMad]

It looks nice in the pictures! It's own entrance to Volcano Bay is awesome!

How do you get around Universal? Is it like Disney were you have to take some form of transportation from the resorts to the parks or is it smaller making walking an option?

For a lot of the hotels, you can walk to the park or take the boat ride. Think of walking from the Disneyland Hotel to Disneyland.

 

[coronationday]

So there are 3 category of express pass: Universal Express, Universal Express Unlimited (this one is included with the premier hotel), and Volcano Bay Express.

When you buy park ticket's you can choose from one par per day or park to park (basically park hopper). To ride the Hogwarts express you will need park to park. If you decide to buy a park to park ticket you will need a two park express pass, this will let you skip the lines at both park on the same day.

This video goes into more detail:

 

[coronationday]

It looks nice in the pictures! It's own entrance to Volcano Bay is awesome!

How do you get around Universal? Is it like Disney were you have to take some form of transportation from the resorts to the parks or is it smaller making walking an option?

Transportation is very easy, the two park are a 5 min walk apart that means that the buses only have one destination and can come more frequently. I stayed in Cabana Bay this past July and never had to wait for a bus in the morning, there was always one at the bus stop and coming back in the afternoon was the same. You can also take a 15-20 min walk from Cabana Bay to the parks.

 

[disny_luvr]

So there are 3 category of express pass: Universal Express, Universal Express Unlimited (this one is included with the premier hotel), and Volcano Bay Express.
View attachment 662898
When you buy park ticket's you can choose from one par per day or park to park (basically park hopper). To ride the Hogwarts express you will need park to park. If you decide to buy a park to park ticket you will need a two park express pass, this will let you skip the lines at both park on the same day.

This video goes into more detail:

This is great! Thank you sooooo much!

 

[ajsamett]

The biggest question for if you can do it all in 2 days is how do you tour? Are you guys rope drop and stay late people or do you want to be leisurely? If you rope drop and stay late, you can probably do everything you need without express (and taking advantage of single rider lines), but if you want casual touring you may want EPs.

 

[DoryGirl1963]

The UO buses are head & shoulders better than at Disney - they literally roll continuously & the distance is also much shorter. From CBBR, you'll be dropped off just below the main security area - just go up the escalator (it's right at the bus drop off), thru security then you'll head into Citi Walk & whichever park you're heading to first. To get from park to park, you can either walk - they're right next to each other so it's only 5 minutes or so from front entrance of one to the other - or via the Hogwarts Express if you have a two park pass which I HIGHLY recommend - we basically treat both parks as one big park because it's so easy to go back & forth between them.

 

[bchbetha]

Stay at one of the hotels that includes Express Passes and devote 3-5 days for Universal.

 

[martikus]

I wouldn’t bother with volcano bay on that short a trip. Do one of the premier resorts with express passes and that is all the planning you need. It’s so stress free and we won’t go without express passes.

We haven’t returned to Disney since doing universal. Disney just requires too much planning. Being able to walk over to parks and ride something you like over and over with express passes makes it a real vacation.

 

[chimoe]

2 and 1/2 days is going to be tight for 1st timer. On our 1st trip we did a 3night/4day stay and that was more than enough for us to ride and re-ride., but we didint’ get to goto Volcano bay.

I would suggest the following for 2 1/2 day stay:
1 - skip Volcano bay
2 - stay at a delux hotel to earn the Express passes. I suggest Portifino Bay, or Royal Pacific is a good 2nd. (Express passes are a MUST for short visits)

if you can squeeze a 3 1/2 days, than I would suggest adding Volcano bay.

 

[Tink3815]

We became UO converts last Thanksgiving. We go for the tamer rides and shows in the parks. The hotels are much more affordable than Disney, especially if one guest has the annual pass. We got our annual passes last Thanksgiving for about 370.00. We have been back four times since then. We like to fly down for long weekends to escape the winter weather. We had reservations made prior to the gas price hikes so this may not be possible next winter.

I agree that the express pass is the way to go if you want to be sure to get on the more popular rides. A lot of people book just one night at deluxe and get the 2 days of the pass. You can check in early, get your keys and hit the parks. They will hold your luggage until your room is ready. City Walk restaurants have a wide variety without all the overpriced stores Disney Springs has. The buses are much better than Disney and the hotels with boat transportation are wonderful. I do miss Disney, but right now the prices and the planning involved is just not worth it. Once all the new rides are completed, I will plan a trip back to Disney.

There a are a few forums on UO. Wish we had more to share UO information.

 

[djmeredith]

2 and 1/2 days is going to be tight for 1st timer. On our 1st trip we did a 3night/4day stay and that was more than enough for us to ride and re-ride., but we didint’ get to goto Volcano bay.

I would suggest the following for 2 1/2 day stay:
1 - skip Volcano bay
2 - stay at a delux hotel to earn the Express passes. I suggest Portifino Bay, or Royal Pacific is a good 2nd. (Express passes are a MUST for short visits)

if you can squeeze a 3 1/2 days, than I would suggest adding Volcano bay.

I agree with the part I highlighted. However, if your family REALLY wants to do all 3 parks in 2.5 days during summer, it can be done but you will need to go open to close or be willing to miss some things. You will definitely want (honestly need) Express Pass for the theme parks. Crowds this spring break have been crazy and will be this summer as well.

Stay in one of the premier hotels because EP is included for the 2 theme parks and you can walk quickly to the parks. I would choose Hard Rock for such a short trip because it is SO close to the theme park entrances. Portofino is our favorite, but you will not be spending time at the resort, so go for the closest hotel. Staying at HR will ensure you do not waste even 1 minute on boat rides to/from the theme parks.

For 2.5 days in 3 parks I would do:
Day 1 - Start at VB and bring a bag with dry clothes for a theme park after. Be in line at VB an hour before Early Entry. (We were on the first bus from our hotel last Labor Day weekend and were the 3rd family in line). Go to the right when you get in, dump your stuff on some of the free chairs and go straight to Krakatau (water coaster), which is on the right behind the volcano. We rode it twice back to back and it only took about 30 mins. Then move on to the big drop slides in the volcano. From there, pre-plan what other slides you want to prioritize and plan to leave VB around 4:00-5:00 (change into your dry clothes at VB). From VB, I would take the bus to City Walk and eat dinner at a City Walk quick service and then go straight to one of the parks. (If you want more of a break, you could make a ressie at a sit down city walk restaurant - but I would not waste my time). If you go straight from VB to City Walk, you can dump your water park bag at one of the big pay lockers at the front of the parks. Do a few rides quickly with your EP and jump in line for Hagrids or Velocicoaster right before close.

Day 2 - Do early entry at IOA and hit Hagrids or Velocicoaster (the one you didn't do the night before). Finish up IOA and take Hogwarts Express to Universal Studios. Do Gringotts and Diagon Alley. Then make your way through the rest of that park.

Day 3 - Start at the park where you may have missed something or pick your favs to re-ride.

The key to ensuring you maximize your time is to do a theme park after VB. Your family will want to study the maps for all 3 parks and choose your must dos so you can prioritize them. Then once you are there, Universal really requires no planning at all. This may sound like a lot of planning, but it really isn't. I just went into a lot of detail since you are new. Keep asking questions because the experts here are really helpful.

ETA: many people utilize the Annual Pass hotel discount strategy (upgrade one ticket to the cheapest AP so you get the hotel AP rates). However, those AP hotel rates are getting hard to find. I upgraded to AP last fall and it was worth it because I had an AP rate for that trip. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to find an AP rate for my upcoming May trip and others are reporting similar experiences here. So book an AP rate if you can find one and then upgrade one of your tix after you get there (you don't have to show your AP until you check out). If you don't see an AP rate, snag the Savvy Traveler rate if you see it.

 

[RamblingMad]

I'd skip Volcano Bay. It was the most stressful part of my last trip to Universal.