park ticket question

[granolagina]

Just booked our 1st Universal trip for October at HRH.

Actually, I visited once way back in the 90's, before IOA existed.
For the other 4 in my family, this is a first visit.

I want to buy park tickets before we go. I am wondering if 2 days is long enough to see everything at both parks. Or should I buy 3 day park hopper tickets? We will probably be at the parks on a Thursday/Friday or Thursday/Saturday. Kids are 12, 10, and 6.

Also, are there any meal reservations to be made in advance for character dining? We have done that many times at Magic Kingdom and Epcot.

Thanks for your help!
Gina

 

[mesaboy2]

Two days in October with onsite privileges is probably enough. If you can afford it, I suggest a third day to hit your favorites again or to buy yourself a more leisurely pace. Friday might be slightly less crowded than Saturday, but definitely keep the Thursday.

Can't help you with the character meal reservations question--don't know.

 

[Tank]

you didn't mention where you are staying? If you are onsite the hotels have character dining in their restaurants. If you only want to hit the big attractions two days are enough. If you want to see everything and have time to take it all in I would go for three. It usually takes us four to get everything in but we will sometimes ride the same ride 5 times in a row before moving on.

 

[mesaboy2]

you didn't mention where you are staying? If you are onsite the hotels have character dining in their restaurants. If you only want to hit the big attractions two days are enough. If you want to see everything and have time to take it all in I would go for three. It usually takes us four to get everything in but we will sometimes ride the same ride 5 times in a row before moving on.

HRH = Hard Rock Hotel

 

[macraven]

Just booked our 1st Universal trip for October at HRH.

Actually, I visited once way back in the 90's, before IOA existed.
For the other 4 in my family, this is a first visit.

I want to buy park tickets before we go. I am wondering if 2 days is long enough to see everything at both parks. Or should I buy 3 day park hopper tickets? We will probably be at the parks on a Thursday/Friday or Thursday/Saturday. Kids are 12, 10, and 6.

Also, are there any meal reservations to be made in advance for character dining? We have done that many times at Magic Kingdom and Epcot.

Thanks for your help!
Gina

buy the 2 day park hoppers.
if you find that you want to do more, upgrade your pass at guest services prior to leaving. that way you don't have to shell out more money for a one day ticket if you extend your stay in the parks.

i think a 3 day stay would be better.
see and do things in the park, city walk.
do swimming at your hotel and the other 2...

time will slip away before you know it.


i would avoid going on a saturday if you have other choices.
the studios will close at 5:00 every friday and saturday in october for HHN.

saturdays have more crowds than the other days of the week.
i know you will be staying on site and can use the express lines.
crowds won't really affect your wait time for rides but lines for food, in shops can be long.



ioa will be open until 7:00pm
the studios will close at 5:00
for: thurs, friday, saturday, sunday,.........wed of the 19th and 26th.

all other days, studios closes at 6:00

i did the spiderman breakfast, located at confisco at ioa.
reserved in advance.

the characters circulate between the 3 hotels main dining room.
you order off the main menu and the characters come around to visit.
you can take pics, carry on converstations with them, etc.
if not many peeps are dining, you will have a long time with the characters.
the characters rotate.
check with the hotel to see which ones will be at your hotel on your dates.
no ressie needed.

 

[edamethyst]

No matter how many days we stay when its time to go home I always wish we were staying longer!