Newbie w/ USF Questions

[DLBDS]

I consider myself to be quite knowledgable about WDW but I don't have a clue about USF. 1) Can you stay an entire week at USF without becoming bored? In other words, is there plenty to keep you entertained for a full week? 2) When was the RPR and HRH last refurbished? If anyone can direct me to an everything-you-could-possibley-need-to-know website regarding USF I would much appreciate it. (Something along the lines of AllEarsNet for WDW.) Also, I'm open to any suggestions to help me plan my visit. We're tossing around dates right now so haven't settled on anything yet. I'm looking at Feb. 2008 but DH thinks Feb. 2009 might be better for us. Thanks for the help and I look forward to learning from you USF pros!

 

[damo]

You've come to the right place. I suggest you browse this board and the US resorts board. Read the stickies and suck up as much info as possible. It is definitely possible to do a week here but you'll probably want to add in SeaWorld and maybe Wet 'n Wild. It is a much, much more relaxing vacation since if you stay onsite, you never have to wait in the regular lines!!! HRH was just refurbished last fall but RPR has not been refurbished.

 

[macraven]

welcome to mummy dust........the place where you will find someone that will know something about universal.

if this will be your first visit to universal, i suggest you stay on site to be totally immersed in the mummy dust.

do you have kids, will your group be adults only?
if you have kids, each on site hotel has a child center for parents to have a night out. it's not free but many use it for special dining occassions for city walk.

are you the type that enjoy all rides or shows?

what are some of the things you like to do when on vacation.
spa, swimming, park rides, shopping, dining...........?

give a little more info and we can start to get you started.

btw, one question and answer usually leads to another.
ask away.

 

[macraven]

came back to add since i reread your post.

i have stayed off site the first few years i started to go to UO.
after that, i have only stayed on site.

i do split vacations each year. i start at disney then move to on site at universal.

depending on what you enjoy doing on vacation will determine how long to stay.

i have been to universal with either 3 sons to 1 son on some trips.
the last 4 trips have been solo for me to orlando.

the longest i have stayed on site has been for 6 nights.
going solo, it has been 5 nights.

the shortest stay i have ever had has been 3 nights 4 days but it feels so rushed to me then.

for me, i do the parks for the rides, attractions, walking around looking at the parks decorations and set up, shopping, shopping, shopping, dining ...

i always take in city walk for the shops and dining and outdoor entertainment.
also have taken the boat to the other on site hotels to check out their lobbies and resturants and shops.
have done the pool and pool hopping and dive in movies.
have done the velvet sessions in the hrh lounge.
have done the character breakfasts with the sons at IOA
have done a few tours.

if you stay onsite, you recieve perks such as fotl. front of the line access to all the rides and attractions in the parks with no limit to them.

the day you check out of the hotel, you are allowed to use your hotel room key for fotl until the park closes that day.
this is one great benefit of staying on site for families.

 

[highlander447]

Hi all ears has section for universal u may find useful, a week is good enough to also enjoy your resort, with FOTL access though the parks are pretty much your personal play toy we go in am then back to pool, back for happy hour, rides, then dinner

 

[DLBDS]

welcome to mummy dust........the place where you will find someone that will know something about universal.

if this will be your first visit to universal, i suggest you stay on site to be totally immersed in the mummy dust.

do you have kids, will your group be adults only?
if you have kids, each on site hotel has a child center for parents to have a night out. it's not free but many use it for special dining occassions for city walk.

are you the type that enjoy all rides or shows?

what are some of the things you like to do when on vacation.
spa, swimming, park rides, shopping, dining...........?

give a little more info and we can start to get you started.

btw, one question and answer usually leads to another.
ask away.

We'll definitely stay onsite. Wouldn't have it any other way. Haven't decided where yet. Want to stay on the concierge level and was thinking HRH but I'm not reading good things about it. We're a family of 3: Me39, DH39 and DD10. We like rides and shows both. We're not swimmers so never get around to the pools when on vacation. We're so NOT the spa types. We do very little shopping but enjoy taking a little bit of time to browse. We're mainly interested in rides, shows, good food (and drink ) and just an all around fun time. Thanks for all of the replies. This is going to be a fun year of planning! Although, it doesn't seem like it'll be all-consuming like a WDW visit would require. Thanks!

 

[macraven]

you sound like me...

i do the rides, attractions and i eat.......a drink here or there maybe....

if you want concierge level, all three hotels have them.

there are pros and cons on each hotel. i have stayed at all three but only at hrh for concierge level/club.

staying on site makes an Universal vacation more relaxing.
very little rushing and you'll have more family time to enjoy the parks.

with the fotl perk, do start the parks early to avoid crowds, take a leisurely lunch at city walk for a break.

hope you enjoy your vacay.
if you have questions, we can help

 

[rolshan]

We are very much like you (although with 3 kids) and I do feel we should be "doing more to plan" for the Universal piece of the vacation, like Disney. We are staying at PBH and I think it is just the case that Universal is a more laid back vacation requiring less planning. We will be staying 2 weeks, but doing Disney as well, also Seaworld and Discovery Cove and water parks... plenty to keep us busy.

 

[macraven]

just like me, i do have 4 kids but leaving them at home.
college students and i go when they are in school this year.....


it just makes life more simple......

do you want to plan for the park days? since you will be there for 2 weeks, plan the dates you will do universal, disney, etc.

week days are less crowded than weekends.
if you want to eat at mythos, emils, his other place, forget the name just now, you can call ahead to reserve your place.
if you want a cabana by the pool, request that in advance.

check out universal website calendar for the park hours to see if that will help you on which dates you do the UO parks.

you will enjoy your stay there.

 

[DLBDS]

Do you need park tour plans like is recommended for Disney?

 

[macraven]

Do you need park tour plans like is recommended for Disney?

if you stay off site or go during high season and holiday time, yes


if you stay on site, you have fotl which will cut down any wait times.
also, a brief 4 to 10 minute walk to the park.
basically no transportation time when you stay on site.


even for me who stays on site, i use a touring plan.
i eat at off hours to avoid crowds
also, i always pick up a park guide map to see when the shows are and work my ride schedule around the shows i want to attend.

 

[runwad]

macraven I have a question about universal I'm hoping you can answer....the special online tickets that are 7 days for 80 something bucks can you buy them now and save them for a future visit? I'm wondering if the tickets work like disneys where they don't expire till after the 1st use. Thanks

 

[macraven]

macraven I have a question about universal I'm hoping you can answer....the special online tickets that are 7 days for 80 something bucks can you buy them now and save them for a future visit? I'm wondering if the tickets work like disneys where they don't expire till after the 1st use. Thanks

yes.
buy them now and use them when you get there.

one poster on another thread called and was told there is no "to be used by" a certain date. ie: buy today use in 2008

but, once you use them, they expire 7 days later.