Please share your tips!!

[mykidsand_i]

For all of us wo haven't been to universal in a while- or who have never even been there before at all...we need some tips. Please share with us...

What is your biggest tip, trick, piece of advise or big secret about getting more out of your universal vacation? This can range from IOA, Universal, any of the hotels, anything on universal property...

I've heard (and given) TONS of tips about getting the most out of a Disney vacation, but haven't really seen anything about a Universal vacation. I've not been to universal in several years, and I am in desperate need of some good tips on how to have the BEST vacation there ever. Nothing is too big or to small of a tip/trick/advise- just feel free to share everything.

I am travling with a 5 and 7 year old who LOVE rides and a little bit of a thrill...

 

[donaldduck352]

The best advice as of now is stay on-site.The FOTL perk alone pays for itself and the kids will love the pools.If you fly to mco,pick mears for transportation.You will get A 1/2hr store stop.Then once your at the resort you won't want to leave.

There is thread upon threads in the trip report section to read.Also read the stickys,they offer A wealth of info.

 

[Calgary DISHeads]

Totally agree with donaldduck352 and we've only been once, going again this Christmas. Because we spend so much time at the resort, due in part to FOTL we also really like staying CL. If it doesn't save us money, we certainly break even and we love all the extra perks. This is the relaxing part of our trip after Disney.

 

[nodoubtrock]

I would say go to IOA first and Universal later. Suess landing opens at park opening so you can ride those kids rides and spiderman..maybe see a few more things..then Universal later.. Universal's kids area doesnt open till 10 or 11..

 

[frequency]

Actually, with a 5 and 7 year old, you need to head straight to Pteranadon Flyers at park opening. That ride is slow loading and the line gets really long fast.

 

[faindrops27]

The best advice as of now is stay on-site.The FOTL perk alone pays for itself and the kids will love the pools.If you fly to mco,pick mears for transportation.You will get A 1/2hr store stop.Then once your at the resort you won't want to leave.

There is thread upon threads in the trip report section to read.Also read the stickys,they offer A wealth of info.

Mears, offers a 1/2 hour store stop?? Does it offer it to people who stay offsite, as well?.. Thanks in advance..

 

[dolphindan1]

Actually, with a 5 and 7 year old, you need to head straight to Pteranadon Flyers at park opening. That ride is slow loading and the line gets really long fast.

yep...its the worst loading ride ever...if you have to ride this 30 second ride go there 1st...you have been warned...we dont bother anymore even on slow days this can take 45 minutes out your day

 

[Metro West]

Actually, with a 5 and 7 year old, you need to head straight to Pteranadon Flyers at park opening. That ride is slow loading and the line gets really long fast.

 

[NashvilleTrio]

Look for the King Kong statue on the Mummy ride. It's not very big - I'd say about 2 feet tall??? And if I recall correctly, it's on the left side of the ride in the room where the scary mummies pop up and the fire turns on. It's a nod to the King Kong ride that used to be in that same building.

I'll try to think of more later...

 

[rwdavis2]

Do the Makeup Show. It's a lot of fun.

Beware of Ripsaw Falls and the Popeye water rides in IOA. You will get soaked. A pancho helps if you wrap yourself up well.

 

[Worfiedoodles]

My best tip:

If you have AAA, most places will give you a 10% discount -- even the food stands. I saved a ton by showing my card every time we ate or bought something.

Other tips:

Mythos restaurant in IOA is well worth a visit. It's a great break in your day, and a definite cut above theme park food.

If you've taken the stay onsite advice, you do not have to be at the parks the moment they open. FOTL will allow you to ride many times and move at a relaxed pace. You do not need to go commando at Universal!

There will be plenty of opportunities for character interaction -- so if you're little ones like autographs, they will be able to see and be photographed with many characters.

Pool-hopping (again, if you are staying onsite) is encouraged. Feel free to take in the Dive-In movie at another resort!

Maria

 

[mykidsand_i]

Thanks for the pool hopping tip- we are staying at Royal Pacific and I was looking at the other pools too, they all look nice- and the waterslides at the other pools may be fun.

We will be there for 6 nights- with Universal/IOA tix for our entire stay, but we won't be doing us/IOA every day...one day we're going to the beach (maybe two depending on the weather) and we know we're eating at: Hard Rock (we have several gift cards!!!), Tommy Bahama's (just down the street- maybe a mile or two from the hotel), Emeril's (haven't decided which one yet) and Mythos for our special meals- OH YEAH, and I can't forget about doing the luau- we have reservations for that.

We will also be at poly for a few nights (we cannot go to Orlando with out doing Disney for a few days, it's impossible for my family...) but we've been there so many times we have all of our own little tips and tricks for Dis...

Are there dive in movies/fun special events at each of the resorts? Are they certain nights of the week? I've heard about the tourch lighting at RP, but there's no info. on it. I've heard that they will have it over C-mas, but anyone know more info?

Anything happen at the other resorts around their properties that's fun to do?

Thanks for all the info. so far. We leave soon and I'm trying to get all the info. that I can!

 

[spideyfam]

Do not do Dudley Doright and the Popeye ride first thing in the morning unless you bring a change of clothes. We were miserable for about 5 hours after going on it. You will get wet!

 

[torinsmom]

Single rider lines save a lot of time. If you are worried about being separated from younger kids, send one adult first, then the kids and then a second adult last.

Free ice water is available, just ask.

Read the tips for MIB(sticky on this thread) It will help you score big.


I don't think on site is worth it. We stayed at Hyatt Place and could walk to the parks in 10 minutes or take the shuttle in about 15. It cost us less than $50/night and the rooms were HUGE with free wi fi, microwave and a fridge.

Marsha

 

[Kath2003]

Arrive early or late. We stayed off-site and arrived for opening most days, left around 1pm and never waited more than 20 minutes during spring break. Alternatively we'd go back for the last hour or two in the evening and the lines are much shorter then.