OMG OMG help me plan please, we're going lol

[Mrs. Bradbury]

Hyperventilating with excitement!

My daughter and I are going to Universal toward the end of March! It's a short trip, and I've never been, but my enthusiasm hopefully will far outweigh my ignorance.

We are Disney vets, and I've always been the planner and enjoy the planning as much as the trip.

She is 30, I'm 58, we're both able-bodied (we walked over TWELVE MILES on our MK day last October!) and early risers. I've booked Sapphire Falls for 3 nights, and I was going to purchase 3 day park to park tickets through UT. They're the ones with 2 free days, which I guess we'll just lose those extra days, but that appears to be the cheapest 3 day tickets. OR ARE THEY???

My daughter has been once, but I'm not sure how much she remembers of that trip.

Please help me plan. I have so many questions. My goal is to just have fun and get a taste of US, mostly the HP areas - we can always come back again if we enjoy US. I know it's going to be crowded.

1. I chose Sapphire Falls because it seems to be a good mid-tier choice? Any thoughts on that? Pros/cons? What would you do, if you were me?

2. How's the restaurant situation? There appear to be only a few choices that take reservations - am I missing something? We're not foodies but we definitely enjoy a good meal. No allergies or food restrictions. What's worth it and what can I pass on, particularly HP areas?

3. What's a good plan of action for the 2 full days we'll be there - which happen to be Friday and Saturday - that are heavily HP-centric?

4. Thoughts on our arrival day? We should get there by noon, and I'm counting it as one of our 3 days. We're driving, so alternatively, I guess we could get a couple of hours in before we leave on Sunday, if needed, but I kind of assumed we would sleep in and then leave at checkout time - which is when we need to head out anyway.

5. I wasn't going to get the front of the line passes - will we regret that decision? We're not trying to do/see everything on our first trip but on the other hand, time is, to an extent, money. I'm trying to strike a happy medium between cost and time waiting, and again, I'll have not seen any of the parks so gawking and chatting with my daughter will be quite entertaining, I imagine, as long as the lines move pretty steady.

6. What percentage would you say of the lines are unsheltered, i.e. out in the Florida sun (or Florida gullywashers, depending)?

7. Other details: we drink alcohol but not a lot, we enjoy a dip in the pool but that is well down the list of things we enjoy as 2 adults with theme parks staring us in the face lol. We enjoy shopping up to a point, for example, on previous WDW trips we might go to Disney Springs for a late afternoon/evening and feel that is plenty. Would love to hear any thoughts or suggestions.

8. Do you know if there are lodging discounts for certain groups? She's a nurse practitioner, I work at a college. We're not Florida residents.

Thanks everyone. I really look forward to your input!

 

[Cottoncandylove]

Just a short hello and to remind you, you might want to either book premier hotel and get express passes or pick those up as well. March looks busy on the crowd calendar. Just my opinion. The best advice I was given was make reservations for dinner and any sit down lunches you see yourself doing. Every night was a line of people waiting for tables. That's as far as we planned ahead. Have SO much fun, I think you'll love it! The first time I went, had no clue as to what I was doing and that was just how Universal rolls. So laid back and user friendly. We regretted nothing. We went back October 21 and stayed in a premier hotel (HRH) and absolutely will do it again. Going again in 22 and as my daughter states (bring it mom, I can't wait to be spoilt again) lol.

 

[macraven]

Read some of the trip report threads as many list how they planned and did their park days

Also read some of the current new threads as what you are seeking, is already covered which may help and guide you for the parks basics

You are going during a busy time but take advantage of the early entry for onsite hotel guests and knock offs long line waits for the more favored rides of many

Do check out the UO website for what is in the parks
It will help guide you where rides, shows, restrooms, etc are located in the two parks

The map online is a great tool!
You can see where everything is before you go to the parks

 

[Skippyboo]

Sapphire Falls is nice. Just did 3 nights there a couple of weeks ago. There’s a walking path that comes out by IoA and also boat service to City Walk. Universal side is doing Mardi Gras now until April. It’s sort like their version of Food and Wine. There’s multiple food booths around the park. There’s also a nightly Mardi Gras parade where you can catch beads from the floats. There’s also a concert on select weekend nights . Jason Derulo is Sun Mar 27 as a example.

 

[mamapenguin]

Please make reservations for anyplace you want to eat that takes them. End of March will be busy. We are going that time also and Staying at Sapphire. We like it a lot.

 

[CAPSLOCK]

Most sit down restaurants take reservations; there should be links on their individual pages on the Universal website. Take a look at menus online to see which appeal. Cowfish & NBC Grill are consistently tasty, and lots of other good options too.

Download the UO App for ride wait times and show schedule. As 2 adults, you can use single rider lines easily, which will really help minimize your waits.

I like pools, but my travel buddy doesn't. I usually hop in the pool one evening because Florida. Sapphire's is awesome.

There are 3 water rides - 2 will leave you soaked. Plan accordingly. Jurassic Park river adventure will only somewhat wet you - more so in the front row - so that one is safer for an anytime ride.

If you get the 3+2 days, might as well pop into the parks Sunday morning....

Almost all the queues are mostly indoors or sheltered, and most are also themed. Outdoor lines are mostly at the minor rides (kiddie coasters, Dumbo style rides, etc), and the water rides. Although the Dudley Doright flume has a long indoor portion which has A.C. so it's freezing when you are already soaked.

SF is a gorgeous hotel and the water taxis make for a lovely way to travel.

 

[AJA]

For a ride centered trip in March I would suggest Express Passes if at all possible in the budget.
But since your focus is on the Harry Potter area’s and exploring the shops, the shows, maybe a wand, etc Express Pass won’t apply to those.

Use early entry. It will be a must for knocking out the HP ride in whichever park has it.

Dining reservations in City Walk are very easy to make and reschedule if necessary.

 

[Lashed34]

You sound so excited, I hope you have a fabulous time.

I would book a premium hotel with the express pass, you will also get priority for restaurant reservation bookings.

 

[Mrs. Bradbury]

Thank you everyone for your replies! So much to absorb, but I'm reading trip reports and getting used to the US app. I have an update, too.

My daughter recently obtained her advanced degree and got her NP certifications, and while she was in graduate school she worked part time. All this to say, she's wanting to spend the least amount of money this trip (we halve costs when we travel together) and she talked me into switching to Dockside Inn. I think she's going to regret the decision, but she's also leaving all the planning up to me and doesn't know how nice Sapphire looks, lol. We've stayed at all levels of hotel at WDW, but at the same time I think she's going to be displeased that there isn't a coffee pot or frig in the room. I travel with a coffee pot so that solves that problem, and we don't really need a frig, particularly since this trip is only 3 nights

Today's question: if I fall in love with Universal, could I switch to an AP before we leave and apply the cost of my ticket toward an AP?

 

[mamapenguin]

Thank you everyone for your replies! So much to absorb, but I'm reading trip reports and getting used to the US app. I have an update, too.

My daughter recently obtained her advanced degree and got her NP certifications, and while she was in graduate school she worked part time. All this to say, she's wanting to spend the least amount of money this trip (we halve costs when we travel together) and she talked me into switching to Dockside Inn. I think she's going to regret the decision, but she's also leaving all the planning up to me and doesn't know how nice Sapphire looks, lol. We've stayed at all levels of hotel at WDW, but at the same time I think she's going to be displeased that there isn't a coffee pot or frig in the room. I travel with a coffee pot so that solves that problem, and we don't really need a frig, particularly since this trip is only 3 nights

Today's question: if I fall in love with Universal, could I switch to an AP before we leave and apply the cost of my ticket toward an AP?

Yes. Just do it while your ticket is still active.

 

[DoryGirl1963]

Nothing against Dockside but for 2 adults on a short trip, I'd have stuck with Sapphire Falls. The relaxing vibe & boat transportation & ability to walk back & forth to the parks would trump any cost savings for me personally. We've stayed at all levels - Cabana Bay, Sapphire & Hard Rock - & really LOVED Sapphire. Incredible pool & Strong Water Tavern is highly regarded as the best onsite bar.

And pretty sure you can apply the cost of the ticket against an AP but as I've never done it, hopefully someone who has will chime in.

 

[Lashed34]

I agree with @DoryGirl1963, SF has much better links to the parks and is a far nicer hotel. The money you'd be saving from Dockside would be minimal.

 

[wdwrule]

Just a thought to consider… While we loved Dockside, we missed being able to walk to the parks and use the small security checkpoints at the end of walkways that led out to Citywalk. Another idea could be to stay at Aventura which is right across from Sapphire Falls. Lately Aventura rates have been much lower than Sapphire Falls. Although we like SF better than Aventura, Aventura still allows you to have an easy walk to the parks with small security checkpoints, or you could use the SF boats. Aventura also has a great quick service with good variety and a full service Starbucks. If you plan on getting an AP, I’ve seen Aventura as low as $139 with AP rates. SF is also typically under $200 per night with AP. If booking these rates, you’d have to show an AP before checking out.

(Edited my original post as to not confuse readers about APs/AP rates.)

 

[macraven]

Yes you can book your stay with that rate but need to have the ap to keep the room rate

 

[DoryGirl1963]

You have to book the AP rate when you make your hotel reservation - it's not something that can be applied after the fact when you are actually at the hotel or at check in.

You can book an AP rate before you actually have an AP - Just present it at the front desk once you have it

 

[macraven]

You have to book the AP rate when you make your hotel reservation - it's not something that can be applied after the fact when you are actually at the hotel or at check in.

You can book an AP rate before you actually have an AP - Just present it at the front desk once you have it

Absolutely a fact!

Being a pass holder does not automatically qualify you to receive a discount for the room

The rate has to be available for your trip time period and room is booked on the AP rate

 

[wdwrule]

Thank you both! That’s what I was thinking too after I posted.

 

[Mrs. Bradbury]

That sound you hear is me wavering on my Dockside reservation

I'll let you know what's happens!

 

[CAPSLOCK]

You can keep both reservations and decide later - they should be refundable up to 5 days out (depending who you booked through).

I think you'll be fine with either. Are you planning to go back mid-day to enjoy the hotel, or is it more just a sleeping accommodation? That would be a deciding factor for me.

Are you sure there isn't a mini fridge at Dockside? I thought they were pretty standard now-a-days.

 

[wdwrule]

Our room at Dockside did have a mini fridge. We were in the two bedroom suite. I just checked their website and it stated rooms, including standard rooms, do have a mini fridge.