our 1st trip to universal...any advice?

[smurphym]

after several trips to disney, and not really having any interest in universal, we're considering spending one day there on our next trip. we dont know the 1st thing about heading over there. whats the best way to get a one day ticket, from the universal website? how about transportation from our disney resort? we are not interested in uber. are there any shuttles? if not, what can i expect to pay a taxi? are they currently doing their version of fast passes? any other do's or don'ts for just one day there. thank you so much for your help!

 

[macraven]

Start with reading the stickies and trip reports

you will gain a lot of info from them

 

[cschaaf]

Agreed. Start searching for other ‘first time’ threads on this board, too.

This taxi estimator shows about $45 each way - will vary depending on start and end points. https://www.taxifarefinder.com/main...97139,-81.572727&toCoord=28.477196,-81.473906

Yes, Universal is still doing Express Pass. It’s a paid option you can either get by staying at their premiere resorts or purchasing separately. Depending on the dates and number of people, it’s often a better deal to book the premiere room.

One day is tight, without Express, you’ll need to research the attractions and prioritize.

 

[RamblingMad]

I wouldn't go for less than two days.

I have been fine going without express using single rider lines in the morning. But these tend to close down by the afternoon. No idea what this looks like with COVID.

The best part about Universal is that you don't have to plan like Disney. It's far less stressful. It's more like Disneyland.

 

[smurphym]

Start with reading the stickies and trip reports

you will gain a lot of info from them

thank you

 

[smurphym]

Agreed. Start searching for other ‘first time’ threads on this board, too.

This taxi estimator shows about $45 each way - will vary depending on start and end points. https://www.taxifarefinder.com/main...97139,-81.572727&toCoord=28.477196,-81.473906

Yes, Universal is still doing Express Pass. It’s a paid option you can either get by staying at their premiere resorts or purchasing separately. Depending on the dates and number of people, it’s often a better deal to book the premiere room.

One day is tight, without Express, you’ll need to research the attractions and prioritize.

thank you

 

[Ross Kratter]

I wouldn't go for less than two days.

I have been fine going without express using single rider lines in the morning. But these tend to close down by the afternoon. No idea what this looks like with COVID.

The best part about Universal is that you don't have to plan like Disney. It's far less stressful. It's more like Disneyland.

Single Rider lines have not been operating since the parks reopened, both at Universal and Disney.

 

[ladyderks]

I’m in the same boat. Thinking of adding one day at Universal to our September Disney trip. We are a family of 5, so it actually makes more sense for us to book a room at LRP for the night in order to get the unlimited express passes, even if it’s just a throwaway room and we don’t actually use it. We are driving down from GA, so we’ll have a car. Toying with extending our trip by one night, and heading to Universal early the morning we were supposed to head back home, checking in to get out passes, going right to IOA, and then actually staying the night there...

 

[cfoxga]

Personally, I would not go to Universal for 1 day unless it was on a VIP tour. Either way, it is a very expensive day.

Once you add a second day to the trip, then annual passes are not much more expensive and they open up the APH rates for the hotels and allow for multiple return trips. It quickly becomes much cheaper than a Disney trip, as I'm finding now that we're considering trying Disney again for the first time in 7 years...

 

[Gatrcruzer]

I’m in the same boat. Thinking of adding one day at Universal to our September Disney trip. We are a family of 5, so it actually makes more sense for us to book a room at LRP for the night in order to get the unlimited express passes, even if it’s just a throwaway room and we don’t actually use it. We are driving down from GA, so we’ll have a car. Toying with extending our trip by one night, and heading to Universal early the morning we were supposed to head back home, checking in to get out passes, going right to IOA, and then actually staying the night there...

Maybe just do your UO trip at the end and do 2 days? The nice thing with staying at the premier resorts is that you get the fast passes for the full day of check-in AND the full day of departure, so for one night in the hotel you could get 2 days of fast passes. It is really nice to stay onsite there - the hotels are lovely and it is super convenient to be able to walk/boat over. I agree with another poster who said it is much more relaxing to visit UO compared with WDW.

 

[Worfiedoodles]

Don't forget to ride the Hogwart's Express both ways for two different experiences!