Please help with first timer and planning

[chrystie4141]

Hi,
This will be our first small trip to Universal before our week at Disney and I am going crazy I am a planner by nature, will this work to a tee of course not, however that being said it did help me to have a basic plan last year for Disney and I would like to try the same here. PLEASE tell me if you think this is to much or where you would change things:

This one is for Studios only (IOA will come later we have two days), we are staying onsite so will have the perk of the express pass. It will be myself, my husband and a 5 year old boy ( who will just barly make the 48" height maybe and loves anything action,thrill or boy related).

Plan:

8am - Park opens - Shrek
9am- Twister
9:45 - Mummy (if he makes the 48")
10:30 - Disaster
11:15 - MIB
11:45 - EAT (near Beetlejuice, there is a big ??, will a 5 year old enjoy Beetlejuice it is only showing 3 times and making planning a total pain)

12:30 - Beetlejuice

1:00- 2:45 0 George area, playgroup etc

3 - Terminator lineup for the 3:30 show
4 - ET
4:45 - Simpson and anything else he wants to do before 6


Now I know that is tight, but I understand the US park is nothing like Disney being so spread out. DH wants to do water (George at the end but I am thinking it may be a nice break to do it in the middle). Just let me know if I am dreaming on this plan or it sounds good. .Also any thoughts on Beetlejuice. TIA

 

[mesaboy2]

Hi,
This will be our first small trip to Universal before our week at Disney and I am going crazy I am a planner by nature, will this work to a tee of course not, however that being said it did help me to have a basic plan last year for Disney and I would like to try the same here. PLEASE tell me if you think this is to much or where you would change things:

This one is for Studios only (IOA will come later we have two days), we are staying onsite so will have the perk of the express pass. It will be myself, my husband and a 5 year old boy ( who will just barly make the 48" height maybe and loves anything action,thrill or boy related).

Plan:

8am - Park opens - Shrek
9am- Twister
9:45 - Mummy (if he makes the 48")
10:30 - Disaster
11:15 - MIB
11:45 - EAT (near Beetlejuice, there is a big ??, will a 5 year old enjoy Beetlejuice it is only showing 3 times and making planning a total pain)

12:30 - Beetlejuice

1:00- 2:45 0 George area, playgroup etc

3 - Terminator lineup for the 3:30 show
4 - ET
4:45 - Simpson and anything else he wants to do before 6


Now I know that is tight, but I understand the US park is nothing like Disney being so spread out. DH wants to do water (George at the end but I am thinking it may be a nice break to do it in the middle). Just let me know if I am dreaming on this plan or it sounds good. .Also any thoughts on Beetlejuice. TIA

The bolded is the most important part of your schedule. With Express, you should have ample time to do all the things you have listed.

When posters say that Disney is spread out and Universal isn't, they mean the proximity of the different parks to each other. The two UO parks are literally a 5-minute walk apart. Each of the two parks is roughly the size of MK.

 

[macraven]

the Studios opens at 9:00, not 8:00.

there is no early entry for that park.



looking at the calendar i do see the studios has the 8:00 opening for april 25, 27 and 28th only.

other than that, it will be the 9:00 opening.

 

[chrystie4141]

we are going on the 28th of April. So this is good without completely wearing DH and DS out? Also, any comments on Beetlejuice?

 

[Metro West]

If you're staying onsite, you don't need to work out a plan...just relax and go with the flow.

 

[Mtnman44]

Yes, staying onsite means that you don't have to worry about making a plan to get everything in. Just go wander and do everything as you feel like it.

 

[RMulieri]

and...Beetlejuice is a great show, but is LOUD and features the classic monsters and the Host ( Beetlejuice) singing /dancing some Rock n Roll hits.My 8 yr old( and her parents) loved it, but not sure if a 5 yr old will enjoy it

 

[dr&momto2boys]

I'm a serious Disney planner too and have been to US/IOA several times including just getting back yesterday.
Go for the one hour early entry if you want to see HP area not jam packed. You could still ride Spiderman a couple times before you head over there but no need--you can still walk right on at any time of day with Express Pass. We didn't do the wand shop, but I imagine the line forms before opening and that it's the shortest line of the day.
For a five year old...Pteranodon Fliers (or what ever it's called) should be visited shortly after opening too. It is a very limited capacity ride with no Express Pass access.
If you and/or your DH wants to ride Rip Ride Rockit, you should do that first thing in US. No pass for that either.
Other than those things, no planning (except show times) is necessary.

I was terrible sick one of the two days we were there this time. So we had one day to do everything with 4 kids and we did it all...and left before closing. DH did take the kids (7, 5, 3, and 1) the first day on his own and they did a lot of Curious George, Fieval, and shows. We had to do Barney both days.
Here's a tip...DH and I take turns going on "big kid" rides while the other stays with the kids. We still spend plenty of family time together. Also your 5yr old might like walking through HP castle and then do child swap at the end so you both can ride.
If you like roller coasters, don't miss the Hulk and Dragon Challenge...or anything else. Great rides there!