New to Universal- Trying for an inexpensive trip!

[JoyfulHeart]

We are going on a "cheaper" trip by going to Universal. We have done a big trip every 3-4 years ( usually Disney), we went last year, but when I was looking for a simpler Vacation, Universal was as cheap as some other things I was looking at ( Vacations seemed to have gone through the roof!). I am saying this, as we will not have an unlimited pass...but will be staying at a value resort on site. we will be there May 28th-June 1st. Here's the questions...

Will we be in multi-hour long lines for everything because everyone else has a "Fast Pass" and we don't? Or (my hope) will it be an hour or less type lines?
I have 9 & 11 year old non-thill seekers, so we will be skipping the big 3 rollercoasters. - I'm still trying to talk them in to Hagrid's because mom wants to go.

For sit down meals can my 11 year get kids meals? She's 60 lbs and will never eat an adult plate, or can we split plates maybe? We were able to do both at Disney last year ( She was already 11), but she looks really young and I am not sure how's strict Universal is.

Backpacks.... Ok... so you can't bring them on rides, and only about 8-9 offer complimentary lockers for the ride. so do you skip them or get a locker to put it in.? Is it a pain to come back to it or even worth the effort to come back to it? My Daughter has a cross body bag, can that go on the ride?

Fanny Packs- bringing back my childhood here- how big can they be to not be asked to remove them? Is it just the little tiny (belt type) ones or can you actually uses it to put a couple of snacks in? I have seen this as an alternative to Backpacks or in addition to the locker.

Re-usable water bottles. I am confused on this one. where does it go? If I can't bring a backpack on a ride, how can I bring a water bottle? but EVERY site recommends them.

We have that lovely 1 hour early entry- is it better to run to Harry Potter then or wait and do it later, because everyone is running there?

Wands.... How to you keep them "safe" and put up if you don't have a backpack to keep them?

With us just now booking is there any chance we will get restaurant reservations? The site seems much less friendly than Disney.

Thank you for your help!

 

[CAPSLOCK]

Backpacks.... Ok... so you can't bring them on rides, and only about 8-9 offer complimentary lockers for the ride. so do you skip them or get a locker to put it in.? Is it a pain to come back to it or even worth the effort to come back to it? My Daughter has a cross body bag, can that go on the ride?

Universal offers complimentary lockers for every ride that you cannot bring bags onto. So if there's no free lockers, you can bring stuff with you (I imagine there may be a reasonable size limit, but typical backpacks are certainly fine). This means that the water rides are the only sticking point - because you can bring things onto them, so no free lockers, but fair chance anything brought on the ride will get wet. You can use the nearest free lockers at Forbidden Journey or Hulk - the lockers are free for the ride's posted standby wait plus a buffer (maybe 20min? Can't remember), so you'd want to make sure you can be back to grab your stuff before the free time runs out.

Re-usable water bottles. I am confused on this one. where does it go? If I can't bring a backpack on a ride, how can I bring a water bottle? but EVERY site recommends them.

See above - water bottle can go on any ride that doesn't have a free locker. For rides with a free locker, it goes in the locker while you ride.

Also note that anything that you can cram in your pockets can ride the rides with you, even locker rides. The exceptions are the 3 big coasters which you aren't doing.

Wands.... How to you keep them "safe" and put up if you don't have a backpack to keep them?

I like to bring a wand along for a Harry Potter morning or afternoon, but then leave it at the hotel the rest of the time. I do believe you can also get a "wand holster" type deal, or wand pockets in the robes. But I would just bring the wand for a dedicated HP exploration time.

With us just now booking is there any chance we will get restaurant reservations?

Yes, shouldn't be a problem anywhere. Once you get within a month or so, the most desirable dinner times at the most sought after restaurants start to disappear. It's actually quite easy to book, just select a restaurant, party size, date - then time. You'll get a confirmation e-mail or text (I forget), with which you can modify or cancel if needed. No prepaying or credit card needed for reservations. They'll also text you the day before or maybe day of (I forget) as a reminder - you can also cancel/modify then if needed. Generally, you want reservations if you plan to eat around park closing time or typical dinner times, and/or for popular places at popular times of the year (Toothsome, Bigfire, Mythos, Cowfish tend to book up most AFAIK). Unsolicited recommendation for Pat O'Brien's dueling Pianos if you want some nighttime entertainment with tasty food! That does book up during Piano hours too.

I'm still trying to talk them in to Hagrid's because mom wants to go.

Have them sit in the side car the first time, it feels more secure. There's really no height to Hagrids, it's mostly speed, story telling, and animatronics. If you absolutely can't get them to go on, go through the line & do rider swap (with the hope that they'll decide to hop on once they've waited in line).

Will we be in multi-hour long lines for everything because everyone else has a "Fast Pass" and we don't? Or (my hope) will it be an hour or less type lines?

Plan your day properly, and download the UO App to keep an eye on wait times. Going in the morning and using the last few hours of the day will net you short waits on most things. During the busy part of the day - do shows, explore, ride "short wait" rides, go back & swim, eat long lunch, nap, etc.

We have that lovely 1 hour early entry- is it better to run to Harry Potter then or wait and do it later, because everyone is running there?

Most people head straight for the Hagrids line. The HP areas will be relatively quiet, and it's a good time to explore the area and be able to do spells without lots of crowds. You can also hang after park close to do spells - nice nighttime vibe, not "wasting" ride time, cooler temps, no crowds. But not all that much outside of HP areas are open for early entry - it's usually one other ride at whichever park has early entry. So not as much opportunity to go against the grain on this one. If both parks are open for EE, Diagon Alley is quieter because of the rush of people who head to Hagrids.

 

[DisneyMom93]

Hi,

I'm sorry I can't answer all your questions. We usually stay at a hotel that offers Express Pass so I can't really advise on wait times.

As for backpacks, we don't bring them due to the inconvenience. We use "waist packs." Calling them fanny packs is Ugh. LOL.

I use the Kipling Merryl and when full it is considerably thick. They allow it no problem, it just has to be around your waist, not across your chest (I do wear it that way walking around sometimes and switch it to my waist going on rides). I pack a poncho for water rides and carry all the meds etc for the family, as well as my phone. Whatever waist pack you choose it must be one with a 3-prong closure.

My daughters use the Lululemon everywhere belt bags which are smaller. They just carry basics like Wet Ones wipes, a compact, phone, etc.

We don't use reusable water bottles. (They do make collapsible ones you can store in a waist pack.) We just get free ice water (available where you get quick service meals).

 

[JoyfulHeart]

Thank you so much for your advice and help! I cannot tell you how much better I feel! LOL! My planner heart has been having a hard time with all the unknowns.

Thanks!

 

[Skippyboo]

The free lockers for the rides are maybe 6-7 inches high and about 12 inches wide. You want a bag that you can lie flat. So an overstuffed jansport isn’t a good idea. A smaller drawstring sports bag would work well, even the Loungefly backpack would fit. Pack your essentials, ponchos, battery pack, sunscreen.

There are Coke freestyle machines in the parks. You can buy a cup it’s good for a day, but you should be able to get ice/water from the freestyle machine w any cup. The machines will sometimes be out of ice but can always get water. You could bring your container.

There’s only 2 table service restaurants in each park multiple QS including 2 HP restaurants. Citywalk has multiple TS restaurants. Get the universal app. It will show you the various dining options. There’s no central reservations system like Disney has. Each has a different system. The universal website (not app )things to do dining -list all the restaurants, click on one that’s interest you, should have a link to make a reservation online if available.

Other than Hagrid’s you don’t really see 2 plus hours long wait. Some like the Hogwarts Express build up because it’s not continuous loading. There’s more single rider lines than Disney has.

 

[Dawn Peterson]

My daughter and I did no express passes last June and we made a rule not to wait longer than 30 minutes. we did 3 days and 2 of them hit 10’s on crowd calendar. We did fine except Gringots. We hung out in Harry Potter being goofy instead of going straight away and it jumped from 25 minutes to 60 minutes real quick. We only did Hogwarts Express one way. We didn’t even attempt Hagrids. Not that express pass helps but we used the mornings for the other rides she liked more. Mornings are your friend and any time there is weather in the parks. Once it clears go quickly to the ride you want.

 

[AJA]

Not all rides are open for early entry. I do think crowds will be getting heavy because of memorial day. Really plan on using the first few hours of the day to do the most popular rides.
You can get a lot done from early entry to 11am.
Use single rider lines for re-rides.

 

[Kit Jackson]

Backpacks.... Ok... so you can't bring them on rides, and only about 8-9 offer complimentary lockers for the ride. so do you skip them or get a locker to put it in.? Is it a pain to come back to it or even worth the effort to come back to it? My Daughter has a cross body bag, can that go on the ride?

Unless it is large backpack or a giant diaper bag, it will probably fit in the lockers. I use the same crossbody bags in the parks that I use during my day to day life and I have never had a problem fitting the bag into the locker. Most of the lockers are near the exit of the ride, so you will pass by it on your way out of the ride. The lockers are not a big deal.

Re-usable water bottles. I am confused on this one. where does it go? If I can't bring a backpack on a ride, how can I bring a water bottle? but EVERY site recommends them.

Proper hydration/drinking water is important. If you are trying to save money, having a bottle that you fill means you won't have to pay for bottled water. Put the water bottle in the locker on the rides that require it. I use a Vapur bottle that clips to my bag. When the bag goes into the locker, so does the water bottle.

 

[CamillaF]

Previously purchased Wands can be found for cheap on offer up. you can start to do the magic spells without waiting in line. I purchased 3 before we left ranging in price from $10-$50. Much better than $100+ at the resort.