newbie to Universal kids not HP fans??

[ptmmg]

First of all I have to say I do not know how anybody plans a trip to Disney/Universal without the help of these boards!!!!

We have done Disney several times but this will be our first Universal trip! planning on the last week in August and staying at the Hard Rock still contemplating if we will upgrade to club!

Its Myself, Dh, DD13, DS 11 kids love thrill rides!! but are not into Harry Potter. I have read all the books many years ago. I still would love to do the HP thing but will they get it if they haven't read the books or even seen the movies ?

what are the must dos for each park?

We also are planning doing Discovery Cove (swim with Dolphins Plan) any tips or strategies?

 

[macraven]

i haven't seen the movies or read the books on parry hotter and still enjoy those sections at both parks.

i hit them multiple times on my vacations.


check out some of the threads that talk about rides, and trip reports.
you'll find a lot of details on many of the trip reports.

do go to www.universalorlando.com and view the park maps.
you can find ride descriptions, eateries, menus, and basic info that will guide you in this first adventure.

if you know the layout of the parks, it will be easy to go directly to the rides and shows.

i think you might find some info on DC in the last forum in this section which includes sea world.

 

[elaine amj]

My family are not Potter fans but in preparation for our trip in May, we have now watched the last Potter movie and the first one. I now understand a lot more of what I have read in numerous trip reports and am glad I watched at least those 2 movies. My daughter is now asking to watch more of the movies so we likely will - although my husband and son are not interested.

I'm a touch nervous with how "worth it" Universal will be with my crew - but it should be OK

 

[jjas]

I agree with macraven. I haven't seen any of the movies or read any of the books and still find both sections of HP very interesting and wonderfully themed.

FWIW - I haven't seen the mummy or MIB or despicable me or transformers - love all those rides!!!

 

[ptmmg]

Oh I would love to hear how your trip goes!!1

 

[sharona]

My DD12 is not the least interested in HP but she still enjoyed the HP areas, particularly the rides but also the shops. She'd seen the first few movies, can anyone avoid them realky? I don't think she necessarily "got it" but it was still fun to explore.

 

[CyndiLooWho]

My mom came with me and the boys on our first trip, and she has zero idea about who or what HP is. She thought Hogsmeade was awesome and really enjoyed being there with the boys and sharing a butterbeer. You don't have to like the IP to enjoy what they've done to bring it to life. I can't wait to see what DA is like, since I hear it's even better than Hogsmeade.

 

[wookiebeck]

Think of it this way, does anyone say 'I haven't seen a western or read about the old west so I'm not sure I'll like frontierland?'

Trust us all here, you will love the HP areas when you first step into them.

 

[Portugal1000]

We love Universal and I agree that it really doesn't matter if you are not Harry Potter fans, you can but help be impressed by both HP areas and the rides. I come from London and to see the new area last year was just amazing and surreal. We absolutely loved it all but our favourite was the train which I could have ridden all day. When I went on holiday as a kid it was in a carriage just like that.
We always go for three weeks and just spend one night at Universal Hotel to get benefits of early entry and express. Will be great to be there a whole week as you wont have to rush around and hotels in walking distance so you can come and go as you please. Our other favourite rides are Despicable Me, Mummy, Men in Black, Simpsons, ET, Transformers, Popeye. To be honest there aren't any we dont like. My son loves Rip Ride Rocket and went on 5 times in a row last August. You'll have a great time. We'll be there from 11th August this year but yet to book our night at Universal but will probably be last week as crowds will be lower hopefully.
We also love Discovery Cove, probably our favourite park now. We only went for first time two years ago and loved it, then again last year and loved it even more. My son did the dolphin swim with my brothers family the first year and its really nice to watch the video. Plan to spend a whole day there and get there early to make to most of it. We arrived at opening and left at close on both trips, cant wait to go back.