New to Universal - questions on strategy

[jecskc]

This will be our first trip to Universal. My teen wants to give it a try, so we decided to go see what it it all about.

We have a FREE timeshare off site and we are staying there for two nights. We plan to visit the parks for one day only. Right now our plan is to go to IOA, but we MAY go to both. I have purchased express passes for both parks because that is the only thing that was available for April 12, which is the day we plan to visit. Yes, I know it will be busy, thus the purchase of Express Pass for that day. It appears that Express passes for just IOA were all sold out for this day? It wasn't available for purchase and I called and that is what they told me. So obviously, buying express pass will be useful. I hope it is worth it. Some reassurance on this would be most welcome.

Anyway, here is what we assume .....

1. Enter park (IOA) at rope drop. We are not staying on site, so we know we won't get early entry.

2. Go to WWoHP first thing and ride Forbidden Journey. I had read somewhere that Express pass is not available for this ride. Is that true??

3. After that, we are not sure what our strategy should be. Any and all advice would be most helpful.

TIA !!!

Susan

 

[damo]

There is no express pass for FJ. You can use the single rider lines is the regular line is crazy. You'll miss a lot of the queue though, and it is amazing.

Park will let you in about 15 minutes early. So be there plenty early to be near the front of the line.

Do all of the major rides as early as possible. Just like at WDW, lines build up quickly during the day.

You'll save a lot of time by having NO carryons. That means no purses, backpacks, etc. Use cargo shorts with big pockets or a fanny pack. At Universal/IOA, 6 rides require you to store your carryons in a free locker and that just adds extra time onto your day.

 

[Tramp68]

The express pass is a necessity. I may have been cheaper to book a room and get the early entry. I would see if you can still do that.

I would save Forbidden Journey until the end of the day. The lines will be shorter than first thing in the morning just due to early entry people. So start your day at US and move over to IOA later on.

The no bags thing is key. You waste a TON of time finding a locker (CROWDED AREA) to put your stuff in and then have to wait to take it out.

Otherwise, you should easily be able to do all of the rides in both parks with your EP (skipping the shows). Do Transformers first and then just work your way around the park in order and skip anything you don't want to ride. Do a very early lunch and dinner to save time on lines.

There are several attractions that are shows. Try not to get stuck waiting for a long time right after a show just started. Go ride close ride and check back. (Terminator, Shrek, Transformers, Disaster)

Warning: YOU WILL GET THOUROUGHLY DRENCHED on Bluto's Bilge Barge Rats. This is not a maybe. I have never come off that ride with more than a few square inches of dry material. This ride is at least 3 times wetter than Kali river Rapids ever dreamed of being. You may want to bring a change of clothes and store them in a paid locker at the front and change after riding this. For most effective dryness, ride Dudley first and then Bluto, then change. the Jurassic Park Flume is nowhere near as bad (A little worse than Splash Mountain)

You can fit a few shows in or use the extra time at the end of the day to reride your favorites or wait for Forbidden Journey

 

[macraven]

if FJ is a must ride to do, don't wait until the end of the day to get in line for that ride.

FJ could shut down and if it doesn't go back up that evening, you will have missed that ride completely.

i go regularly and have had that happen in the last 2 hours the park is open.

i have also encountered FJ shutting down in the morning and afternoon.


you never know when a ride goes out of service during the day.

 

[jecskc]

The express pass is a necessity. I may have been cheaper to book a room and get the early entry. I would see if you can still do that.

We have FREE accommodations, so just purchasing an Express Pass at $45 per person seems way cheaper than booking a room for $300+ a night. Unless there is something I don't know.

Thanks so much all of you !! The carry-on bag advice is very good. Will try to eliminate that for that day if we can. DH has cargo shorts with pockets, so perhaps he can be our sherpa.

Susan

 

[RMulieri]

We have FREE accommodations, so just purchasing an Express Pass at $45 per person seems way cheaper than booking a room for $300+ a night. Unless there is something I don't know.

Thanks so much all of you !! The carry-on bag advice is very good. Will try to eliminate that for that day if we can. DH has cargo shorts with pockets, so perhaps he can be our sherpa.

Susan

Just be aware that with the purchased express pass, it is not unlimited.You only get one ride per attraction.

 

[jecskc]

Just be aware that with the purchased express pass, it is not unlimited.You only get one ride per attraction.

I did not know that ..... great info!! Thanks. I think we will only have time for one ride on each thing, anyway. But still ..... great info.

Susan

 

[redrosesix]

This will be our first trip to Universal. My teen wants to give it a try, so we decided to go see what it it all about.

We have a FREE timeshare off site and we are staying there for two nights. We plan to visit the parks for one day only. Right now our plan is to go to IOA, but we MAY go to both. I have purchased express passes for both parks because that is the only thing that was available for April 12, which is the day we plan to visit. Yes, I know it will be busy, thus the purchase of Express Pass for that day. It appears that Express passes for just IOA were all sold out for this day? It wasn't available for purchase and I called and that is what they told me. So obviously, buying express pass will be useful. I hope it is worth it. Some reassurance on this would be most welcome.

Anyway, here is what we assume .....

1. Enter park (IOA) at rope drop. We are not staying on site, so we know we won't get early entry.

2. Go to WWoHP first thing and ride Forbidden Journey. I had read somewhere that Express pass is not available for this ride. Is that true??

3. After that, we are not sure what our strategy should be. Any and all advice would be most helpful.

TIA !!!

Susan

We did this -- it worked fine Pres Week. We got to FJ first and the SB wait was then 25 minutes (because onsite guests had early entry). Oddly enough, that isn't long enough for you to see everything in the queue. So we were thinking it might have been better to do it 2nd.

No, it's not an EP ride so getting there early-ish is important. By the time we were done in WWoHP the SB times elsewhere were getting really long so on the EP.

 

[jecskc]

We did this -- it worked fine Pres Week. We got to FJ first and the SB wait was then 25 minutes (because onsite guests had early entry). Oddly enough, that isn't long enough for you to see everything in the queue. So we were thinking it might have been better to do it 2nd.

No, it's not an EP ride so getting there early-ish is important. By the time we were done in WWoHP the SB times elsewhere were getting really long so on the EP.

Sounds like we will do that, then. And maybe we will swing back by there on our way out and see if we can ride it again like macraven suggested. You guys are awesome !! Thanks sooo much!!

Susan

 

[Tramp68]

We have FREE accommodations, so just purchasing an Express Pass at $45 per person seems way cheaper than booking a room for $300+ a night. Unless there is something I don't know.

Thanks so much all of you !! The carry-on bag advice is very good. Will try to eliminate that for that day if we can. DH has cargo shorts with pockets, so perhaps he can be our sherpa.

Susan

I guess it depends on when you go and how many you have in your party. i was able to get a room for $240 and we had 5 in the room. I was also thinking about 2 day express passes so that makes a difference as well.

The thing is, the 1 hour early admission is worth a lot if WWoHP is a priority, but I can see where it is an extravagant purchase for the budget minded.

 

[DrHfuhruhurr]

One thing to note, if you're considering a stay on-site, is that there is a big difference between park tickets and express passes. We booked a three night vacation package because we wanted to get express passes for each day in the parks, but I later discovered (thanks to DIS) that a one night stay will get you express passes for both your check-in day and check-out day--so one night is enough.

Where I got confused is with booking the online vacation package. You only get tickets for each full day in the park, so if you want a two-day pass, you need to book three nights.

I guess what I'm saying is it's possible to book a single night and buy your tickets separately. Then, as far as I understand it, you'll still have Express Pass for 2 days. If I would have known that at the outset, I would have arranged our vacation differently (more resort nights at Disney, less at Universal).

 

[jecskc]

I can see the benefit of staying on site, but we have FREE accommodations at Orange Lake Resort in a two bedroom villa. So it makes sense to us to stay there and just get tickets and Express passes on our own. I DID look into staying on site though. Maybe next time.

Susan

 

[rowan555]

I can see the benefit of staying on site, but we have FREE accommodations at Orange Lake Resort in a two bedroom villa. So it makes sense to us to stay there and just get tickets and Express passes on our own. I DID look into staying on site though. Maybe next time.

Susan

People sometimes book a night at the on site hotel just for the express passes and don't even go to the room at all. Even for just me and my daughter, a one night stay in May costs less than it would cost for two days of express passes for just the two of us.

 

[bumbershoot]

One thing to note, if you're considering a stay on-site, is that there is a big difference between park tickets and express passes. We booked a three night vacation package because we wanted to get express passes for each day in the parks, but I later discovered (thanks to DIS) that a one night stay will get you express passes for both your check-in day and check-out day--so one night is enough.

Where I got confused is with booking the online vacation package. You only get tickets for each full day in the park, so if you want a two-day pass, you need to book three nights.

I guess what I'm saying is it's possible to book a single night and buy your tickets separately. Then, as far as I understand it, you'll still have Express Pass for 2 days. If I would have known that at the outset, I would have arranged our vacation differently (more resort nights at Disney, less at Universal).

With a package you can go in and select other ticket lengths, then delete the automatically included ticket from your cart.

And even with a package, the Express Pass works the same; you get it from the hotel stay, not the package, so you would still get the 2 days of EP with a one night package (if such a thing is possible).

But packages aren't usually the best deals, so it's terrific to book room-only and then buy tickets from wherever you want to buy them from.

I can see the benefit of staying on site, but we have FREE accommodations at Orange Lake Resort in a two bedroom villa. So it makes sense to us to stay there and just get tickets and Express passes on our own. I DID look into staying on site though. Maybe next time.

Susan

People keep mentioning it to make sure you've done the math. As someone said, they had their family of 5 in a $240 room, which gave them unlimited Express Passes for TWO days. Looking quickly at April 12th it would be more than that $240 for one night, and if you only have a couple/few in your party and just one day to spend at the park, then it's like not worth it for you. But it might have been a situation where it would actually make MORE sense to book that night, even if you didn't stay there, vs paying for the EPs.

 

[Tramp68]

I ran a search through Orbitz and a few other online searches and came up with a $264 rate for RPR for April 11th. You already paid $135 for 3 people (assumption) for the 1 time use EPs, so for an extra $45 each you get unlimited EP and get in an hour early. If it was a family of 4 then you are paying $180 for EP and for an extra $20 each you get the bonus.

Personally even with FREE accomodations (which we almost always have at our time share) I still get a throwaway room for at least 1 night at US. The hour early is priceless if WWoHP is a priority as you will often find 100 minute waits at rope drop on busy days when you do not have early entry. During Spring Break weekends (when you are going) I would expect WWoHP to close by 10:00 due to capacity. They usually then give out return time tickets to people. It will be difficult to see any of the shops or ride FJ.

I look at the difference between the EP price and the room rate, and decide if the room is worth it. I factor in my desire to be in 1 hour early as well as the ability to EP my favorites 2x in a row. The fact that I can add a 2nd day to my park ticket for very little money and then get the EP and early admission for 2 days means that the room is ALWAYS worth the money even if I don't stay in the room. We actually end up staying in the room most of the time just because it is a shorter trip and we can sleep in a little in the morning and get to bed sooner the night before.

You asked for strategies on how to best do the parks in 1 day. People are only trying to help.

 

[Lynne G]

And, since you said you bought express passes for both parks, if you think you've done all you want in IOA, then go to guest services and you can upgrade your ticket to a park hopper. IOA tends to stay open longer than the Studios, so on one of our park days, we go to IOA then the Studios, then IOA to end the night. If you do decide to park hop, the ticket upgrade will be at the price difference in the two parks versus one park ticket. There's no price bridging like Disney used to have. They know what you paid for your ticket.

There's three water rides, and they are all at IOA. Each can get you wet, really wet. The one fish, two fish ride can also get you wet. It's in IOA too.

Oh, and if you are parking in one of the large parking garages, give yourself about 10 to 15 minutes to get to park, and make sure you know where you parked. Follow the crowd, you'll enter CityWalk from the garages, and it's a short walk to IOA. If you park hop, the Studios are about a 10 minute walk to the other side of CityWalk. A nice stroll around the water.

Have a great time.

 

[jecskc]

And, since you said you bought express passes for both parks, if you think you've done all you want in IOA, then go to guest services and you can upgrade your ticket to a park hopper. IOA tends to stay open longer than the Studios, so on one of our park days, we go to IOA then the Studios, then IOA to end the night. If you do decide to park hop, the ticket upgrade will be at the price difference in the two parks versus one park ticket. There's no price bridging like Disney used to have. They know what you paid for your ticket.

There's three water rides, and they are all at IOA. Each can get you wet, really wet. The one fish, two fish ride can also get you wet. It's in IOA too.

Oh, and if you are parking in one of the large parking garages, give yourself about 10 to 15 minutes to get to park, and make sure you know where you parked. Follow the crowd, you'll enter CityWalk from the garages, and it's a short walk to IOA. If you park hop, the Studios are about a 10 minute walk to the other side of CityWalk. A nice stroll around the water.

Have a great time.

Great Info - thanks !!!

 

[jecskc]

I ran a search through Orbitz and a few other online searches and came up with a $264 rate for RPR for April 11th. You already paid $135 for 3 people (assumption) for the 1 time use EPs, so for an extra $45 each you get unlimited EP and get in an hour early. If it was a family of 4 then you are paying $180 for EP and for an extra $20 each you get the bonus.

Personally even with FREE accomodations (which we almost always have at our time share) I still get a throwaway room for at least 1 night at US. The hour early is priceless if WWoHP is a priority as you will often find 100 minute waits at rope drop on busy days when you do not have early entry. During Spring Break weekends (when you are going) I would expect WWoHP to close by 10:00 due to capacity. They usually then give out return time tickets to people. It will be difficult to see any of the shops or ride FJ.

I look at the difference between the EP price and the room rate, and decide if the room is worth it. I factor in my desire to be in 1 hour early as well as the ability to EP my favorites 2x in a row. The fact that I can add a 2nd day to my park ticket for very little money and then get the EP and early admission for 2 days means that the room is ALWAYS worth the money even if I don't stay in the room. We actually end up staying in the room most of the time just because it is a shorter trip and we can sleep in a little in the morning and get to bed sooner the night before.

You asked for strategies on how to best do the parks in 1 day. People are only trying to help.

And I totally get that and I REALLY appreciate it. I will definitely file it away for future reference. We don't even know if we will LIKE Universal, so this is all just a "feeling it out" process. I certainly appreciate everyone's input and information for sure. Thanks !!!

 

[rowan555]

And I totally get that and I REALLY appreciate it. I will definitely file it away for future reference. We don't even know if we will LIKE Universal, so this is all just a "feeling it out" process. I certainly appreciate everyone's input and information for sure. Thanks !!!

After visiting for the first time last year, I must say, I don't see how anyone would NOT like Universal! I can't WAIT to go back and do it all again in May!

 

[buckeev]

FOOD.
There...got your attention, didn't I.
If you're gonna eat in the park, I suggest either eating lunch early, or very late. Since the parks are scheduled to close at 10 on April 12th as of today, you may need to eat two meals in the parks. On a busy day-at the "normal" lunch and dinner times, just waiting to order, getting your food and choking it down can tie up an hour or more. A PRICEY hour! I'm not talking about a fancy-smancy, Mythos type sit down meal...just a simple burger order at Mel's was taking that long on our past trip.
ALSO..carry a small "refillable" bottle for free-and FAST-water refills at the water fountains. If you have time, free water is available at many of the food and drink locales, but time is your most valuable asset for a one-day trip.