No need for tour plan w/FOTL?

[Mainebound]

Hi All,

We'll be at Universal (staying at HRH) March 6-9. We plan to spend two days at the parks (a Sunday 3/7 and Monday 3/8). Since we will have FOTL, do I need to obsess over a tour plan like I do with WDW (where we'll be the first part of our trip), or can we sleep in and just go where we like when we like??

Maybe I should add that we have little ones (ages 2 and 4) and will not likely be doing the coasters or super scary rides.

Any advice?

 

[damo]

You'll have plenty of time to enjoy all the rides plus the play areas for the kids. Make sure you visit the Curious George and Fievel areas in USF as well as "If I ran the zoo" in IOA for great kiddie fun.

 

[the Dark Marauder]

Just relax, have fun, and go at your leisure. You'll be going when the parks aren't too busy, so you'll have plenty of time. You probably could sleep in till 10 or so, then get in the parks by 11 and see what you want and will probably still have some time left over.

 

[Tigger&Belle]

Your 4yo might enjoy Pteranadon Flyers at IoA. There is no FOTL for that ride, so that day you'd need to get to the park early to ride since it's a very slow loading ride--otherwise you'd have a very long wait. We did that one of our days at the park and were able to go on the PF several times before a line started to form. My then 3yo did the ride once, but my 9yo son went on it a few times. I'm not sure if your 2yo would be tall enough to do it, but you can check on the height restrictions. It goes rather high and gave me that funny feeling in my gut...

T&B

 

[the Dark Marauder]

If your 2 y/o is at least 36", then they can do it. P-Flyers' height requirement is 36"-56". If you're over 56" then you must have a child that is 36"-56" with you.

 

[Tigger&Belle]

Also, with PF, if you go first thing in the morning when there are not lines they might let anyone ride, no matter how tall. That worked when we were there in April. We only had two children who were the right height and they let all 8 of us ride.

Mainebound, if you are staying at HRH for 3 or 4 nights why are you only going to the parks for 2 days? There are some ticket offers where you can buy two days and get one free (at least I'm assuming that is still going on). That way you can take it easier with two young children, return to your room for naps and a swim, and see the parks at an even more relaxed pace. Also, don't forget the baby swap so the adults can do the big rides.

 

[Mainebound]

Originally posted by Tigger&Belle
Mainebound, if you are staying at HRH for 3 or 4 nights why are you only going to the parks for 2 days? There are some ticket offers where you can buy two days and get one free (at least I'm assuming that is still going on). That way you can take it easier with two young children, return to your room for naps and a swim, and see the parks at an even more relaxed pace. Also, don't forget the baby swap so the adults can do the big rides.

Thanks for the replies, everyone. Its a big help!

Tigger&Belle -- We are staying 3 nights, but on arrival day we are finishing up at WDW (getting to HRH in early evening) and on departure day we have a 3:50 flight out of MCO. I'm not sure I want to buy a park ticket for just a few hours...

But we are experienced WDW folks and we know how important that mid-day "retreat and rest" is -- for everyone!!

 

[Tigger&Belle]

Mainebound, I probably wouldn't spend extra for a ticket for a few hours, either, but if they have the "buy 2 days, get one free" offer going then it might not actually cost any more. That would give you a few hours to redo some favorite rides or just let the kids burn off steam before your flight. If not, you'll be able to get a lot done in two days and the parks shouldn't be too busy in early March.

T&B

 

[Aptor]

Oh we are going for 4 nights in January sleeping in till 9 or 10 sounds great!

 

[highlander447]

My kids would necer let me sleep late

 

[Mainebound]

Originally posted by highlander447
My kids would necer let me sleep late

Um, I should clarify: "sleeping in" at our house with my two little boys means anything post 6:30 a.m. EST! LOL!

 

[Tigger&Belle]

In that case, Mainebound, I would get to the parks before opening, and then leave before closing if you all wanted a break.

T&B

 

[robvia]

On the 6th, have the driver stop at a Publix grocery store so you can buy a cooler full of beer. In fact, you should do this on the way to Disney, then refill it on the way to HRH. Then celebrate your arrival by slamming a few and walking around the hotel.

Arrive to the parks early each day, even if you have FOTL. Why? Because there are playgrounds, like Fievals play area that have nerf balls and guns to shoot them. If you go in the late morning, lots of kids will be there hogging up the guns. If you go early, your kids will have a turn with no wait. There's also a water slide in another playground nearby. It's a raft that goes thru tunnels. FOTL doesn't work for this slide, your kids have to wait.

With the 2 day 3rd free tickets, you can use your 3rd day on the 9th for a couple hours, come back to your room, check out, and head to the airport. You can do alot in 2 hours if you're there when the gate opens.

The time between 11am and 4pm is rush hour at the parks. Even with FOTL, there's lots of people you have to dodge in the walkways. You avoid the chaos by being at the gate at 08:30am.