Please help an Universal Newbie!!!

[lilmickeygirl]

I have never been to Universal. I have no understanding how it works. I am a Disney fanatic so this is new to me. I have tons of questions...

Do you have to make reservations at certain restaurants? At certain times?

Is there a fast pass system at Universal? Do you book those times in advance?

What is your favorite restaurant? Fave ride?

What all do I need to see? Where do I need to go?

Comments, pics, advice basically anything would be greatly appreciated!!!! We'll only have one day in both parks, but I am want to pack as much as I can in it.

 

[SlytherinWasMyBackupHouse]

Welcome! You are going to love Universal!

A lot of restaurants on Universal property do take reservations. This link will give you that list and also allow you the option to book online : https://www.universalorlando.com/we...ces/reservations/index.html#theme-park-dining

Universal doesn't have FP like Disney where you can book in advance, but do offer a great option through Express Pass to bypass many lines. Basically you buy the pass and it allows you access to skip standard wait lines based on the pass you purchase. More information is provided here : https://www.universalorlando.com/web/en/us/tickets-packages/express-passes/index.html

Personally, my favorite restaurant in the parks is the Leaky Cauldron in Diagon Alley in Universal, the Three Broomsticks in Hogsmeade in IOA and in CityWalk the NBC Grill. Another fast option is the Hot Dog Hall of Fame at CityWalk. As it relates to rides, there are so many to list. I would recommend to try everything once and discover your own. But if I had to pick, Escape from Gringotts in UO, Spider-Man in IOA and Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey are can't misses.

Depending on the time of year will dictate what not to miss. I would encourage you to check out Universal's website as there is a lot of great information to plan out your day. Since you will only be here one day, I highly recommend ExpressPass to make sure that you get on as much as possible!

Have Fun!!

 

[lilmickeygirl]

Welcome! You are going to love Universal!

A lot of restaurants on Universal property do take reservations. This link will give you that list and also allow you the option to book online : https://www.universalorlando.com/we...ces/reservations/index.html#theme-park-dining

Universal doesn't have FP like Disney where you can book in advance, but do offer a great option through Express Pass to bypass many lines. Basically you buy the pass and it allows you access to skip standard wait lines based on the pass you purchase. More information is provided here : https://www.universalorlando.com/web/en/us/tickets-packages/express-passes/index.html

Personally, my favorite restaurant in the parks is the Leaky Cauldron in Diagon Alley in Universal, the Three Broomsticks in Hogsmeade in IOA and in CityWalk the NBC Grill. Another fast option is the Hot Dog Hall of Fame at CityWalk. As it relates to rides, there are so many to list. I would recommend to try everything once and discover your own. But if I had to pick, Escape from Gringotts in UO, Spider-Man in IOA and Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey are can't misses.

Depending on the time of year will dictate what not to miss. I would encourage you to check out Universal's website as there is a lot of great information to plan out your day. Since you will only be here one day, I highly recommend ExpressPass to make sure that you get on as much as possible!

Have Fun!!

THANK YOU!!!!

 

[psac]

For the attractions, touring plans has great descriptions of all them. It helped with our planning. You can click on each name for more info.

https://touringplans.com/universal-studios-florida/attractions
https://touringplans.com/islands-of-adventure/attractions

Enjoy!

 

[schumigirl]

Read the stickies on here.......

Full of all the info you’ll need........

Restaurants, parks, hotels and anything else you can think of.

If you stay one night in any of the hotels that offer Express Pass, you get two full days of unlimited Express Pass in both parks.

It can work out cheaper than having to buy the EP. Check the prices for your dates on either the Universal Website or Loews.

Sapphire Falls, Aventura and Cabana Bay don’t offer EP but do have Early Entry like the Deluxe hotels.

But, have a good read of the info already on this site as many have contributed to the threads.

Universal Orlando website is another good tool.

 

[hhoope01]

One big difference (for me anyway) is that staying on-site at Universal can have some very "tangible" benefits. Staying at any on-site hotel gets you get Early Entry (EE) to one of the HP sections of US or IOA and to the VB waterpark. EE is usually an hour before everyone else can go in. If you stay at one of the original 3 hotels (RPR, HRH, or PBR), your room key will also work as an unlimited Express Pass (EP). That means usually very short waits for most every ride in both the US and IOA parks, but not the new VB water park. But the EE to VB is very helpful and can allow you to ride most all the big slides (maybe even multiple times) before the masses take over.

As mentioned above, if you don't stay at one of the original 3 onsite hotels, you can purchase EPs. They will come in a few flavors (one-time use for each ride or unlimited plus one park or 2 parks.) But if there are 2 or more in your party, it can quite often be cheaper to purchase a room at one of those 3 onsite hotels as you get the unlimited EP for both your check-in and out days. So a one night stay gets everyone registered to the room (usually up to 5 names) an unlimited EP for 2 days of use.

I will also say that in general, I don't make advanced restaurant reservations like you might at Disney. For the most part I have no problems getting in to the restaurant of my choice. But if you go during a crowded time and want to eat at the traditional times, there could be some wait times. So if you want to plan ahead and make reservations, you can. If not, eating at non-traditional times (a hour or two early or later) will usually work as well.

 

[lilmickeygirl]

I'm not staying onsite, we are staying at Disney for the week, just hopping over there for one day.

 

[mgpan]

Lots of good advice already and i'll add. Pretend you've never been to WDW, know nothing about it and are planning to go to MK and the DHS in only one day. Approach it the same way, realizing that just as at WDW in that example, you will have to make tough choices. You can't do and see everything, sit down meals eat (pun intended) up park time and crowd levels will also play a part in your enjoyment. Similarly, remember to judge your experiences with UOR in light of the fact that, unlike some WDW trips, you don't really have time to smell the roses.

Also VERY IMPORTANT. If you plan to travel between UO and IAO using Hogwarts Express, you'll need a park to park ticket. I have seen many people upset, discouraged, etc. that they did not know this in advance and did not have the correct ticket media.

 

[bobbie68]

Hi since you are only traveling to Universal one day I would get there for park opening. I think if you look at the maps of the parks in details and the rides you can put together a basic plan. One day is going to be tough to do both parks if you wanted to do all rides and HP areas. I would have a list of must-do's in order.

If you purchase the express pass it will help with the lines. It basically cuts down the wait time. For example : if a stand-by line is 60-90 minutes, the express line is about 20-30 minutes. If you have the unlimited express pass you can just keep getting back in the express line. There are no reservations to be made. However, if you are interested in the new Fast and Furious ride or Jimmy Fallon ride and you don't have express pass you have to get a virtual time like Disney's FP. Just an idea if there are 4 or more of you and you want the express pass I would price out a one night throw away room at Royal Pacific Resort. If you compare the two it usually is cheaper.

You do not have to make dinner reservations for Universal. Since you are going to be there one day only I would suggest you don't eat in City Walk I would pick one of the restaurants in one of the parks. The HP restaurants are good. Thunder Falls Terrace in Islands Of Adventure is a good quick service. Confisco Grille and Mythos in Islands of Adventure are good. I really don't like anything but Leaky Cauldron in the Studios park.

If you are going to do either of the Harry Potter lands I would do that first. This area gets very busy as well as the rides can have long lines. In the studios if you are interested in Minion Mayhem this ride is consistently one of the longer ones and should be done early or late.

Our favorite rides are: My family really enjoys all the rides in both parks with a few exceptions for motion sickness. We find the Simpsons, Forbidden Journey can make us nauseated. Frozen butter beer is a must for us.

Enjoy your first trip to Universal. We love it there and can't wait to get back in June!

 

[macraven]

Many great suggestions

Look at the online maps of the parks
Get an idea of what you want to ride/see and know in advance how to reach them

Read up on what is in the park so you know your priorities for rides, shows, etc
Read the stickies for additional info

Since you are doing both parks in one day, do a counter service lunch and last meal in city walk

Avoid weekends for less crowds

What date do you have planned for the UO visit?