One day plan for 4 teens (newbies)?

[minniesota]

My son and 3 friends (17s and 18s) want to do Universal for one day prior to our cruise in March which is a Friday. We are not staying at Universal. None of them have been there before and neither have I! I usually have a detailed plan for touring but am at a loss with Universal.

Some questions:

Should they do the DU ticket/transportation deal and hope they experience what many others have (getting in early)? How long would they have to wait if they were not allowed early entry?

What about Express Pass? Is that something they should do and do you purchase that ahead of your arrival?

They want to see HP, of course, but what other attractions should 4 teen guys check out?

I'd really just love someone else to plan their day!

 

[Metro West]

Some questions:

Should they do the DU ticket/transportation deal and hope they experience what many others have (getting in early)? How long would they have to wait if they were not allowed early entry?

What about Express Pass? Is that something they should do and do you purchase that ahead of your arrival?

They want to see HP, of course, but what other attractions should 4 teen guys check out?

I'd really just love someone else to plan their day!

Are they going to the Studios and/or IoA and what are the must sees for them? If they are going to WWoHP, the DU ticket deal wouldn't be a bad idea however there is still some confusion as to whether you receive early entry with those tickets. Some say yes...and others say no. I wouldn't expect it and disappointed if they are not allowed in early. Teens should enjoy everything both parks have to offer but advance planning is not often required.

Express Plus passes should never be purchased ahead of time. They are date specific and non-refundable. Wait until they arrive to see what the lines are like before deciding one way or another.

 

[macraven]

My son and 3 friends (17s and 18s) want to do Universal for one day prior to our cruise in March which is a Friday. We are not staying at Universal. None of them have been there before and neither have I! I usually have a detailed plan for touring but am at a loss with Universal.

Some questions:

Should they do the DU ticket/transportation deal and hope they experience what many others have (getting in early)? How long would they have to wait if they were not allowed early entry?

What about Express Pass? Is that something they should do and do you purchase that ahead of your arrival?

They want to see HP, of course, but what other attractions should 4 teen guys check out?

I'd really just love someone else to plan their day!

you might be hitting spring break if you are going in march.
many schools are out in early march.

don't buy the epp until they are in the park.
in case they don't need them, they are nonrefundable.
if it rains, the parks tend to clear out.........meaning shorter line waits.

check out the uo website to get an idea of the rides and shows/attractions in the parks.
it will help them decide what they must do for each park.
it will also benefit them to know the direction they should take in the park for the must do rides.

 

[zack123]

I don't know about the transportation, but for what they should check out - they should look at the Universal website and see what appeals to them. They can see what is in each park and decide if they want to do just IOA (where WWoHP is) or if they want 2 park passes to see the US side as well.

Do not buy the Express pass ahead of time - if something happens and they can't go, or they get there and the lines are manageable without one, you don't get your money back and you can't use it on another day. You can buy them from inside the park once you have already seen the lines.

The Express pass allows them one opportunity to skip the regular line at each attraction that offers it. Attractions that do not participate are: Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, the Ollivander's wand show, Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit, and Pteradon Flyers (a kids ride).

Depending on their interests, boys that age might like:

IOA:
Forbidden Journey
Dragon Challenge (roller coaster in WWoHP, does use Express pass)
Incredible Hulk
Dr. Doom
Spiderman (?)
Water rides, if it's hot

US:
The Simpsons
MIB
Revenge of the Mummy
Rip Ride Rockit
Possibly the Horror Makeup show, or T2
If they like Christopher Walken movies, they might think Disaster is funny.

 

[damo]

Since they are teens...I would have them hope to get in early. If they don't they can go and get breakfast somewhere instead and wait for the hour. Once inside I'd head to WW and then just do the loops. They'll probably want to do all the thrill rides, so I'd have them skip Sinbad, Poseidan's Fury, all of Seuss Island, Storm Force Acceletron and Ollivanders.

At Universal I would have them miss Twister, Disaster, Animal Actor's Show, ET and Terminator....and perhaps Shrek.

 

[jennyf2]

Hello from MN I think we may also be going to Universal during spring break. My son will also be 18 & may be bringing a few friends or they may be having their senior trip in FL. I'll be watching this thread for ideas---Disney MANY times but only been to Universal once & it was a LONG time ago!

 

[westside8]

I'm heading down there in a group of 5 in 2 weeks, planning to hit up WWoHP on Dec 16 and hoping the crowd won't be too bad