Potential first timers

[la79al]

We have never been to Universal because I have always felt that the kids were too small to enjoy most of the rides. Well we are getting very disenchanted with Disney trying to squeeze every penny, our youngest is a daredevil and will try anything she is tall enough for and we are slowly working ourselves through the Harry Potter audio books as a family so I feel like it might be time. Now with Christmas coming up I am considering putting some Universal tickets under the tree. We generally go to Florida twice a year (spring and fall) and we're looking at our next trip being in February. The kids are 10, 8, 3. How many days would you suggest we visit? I know there is a buy 2 get 2 offer out right now. Is that considered a good deal for Universal? Do they usually have black Friday offers? Do I need the park to park ticket? We would most likely only visit one park a day and we will probably skip Volcano Bay. Does Universal offer any kind of gift cards that I could buy and stick in stockings? I'll admit I haven't done much research yet but just looking for a few pointers. TIA.

 

[siren0119]

We've been looking into doing Universal with our boys (age 11 and 9) - they're both finally tall enough to ride everything at Universal and my DS9 is definitely a thrill seeker.

I know that you have to have park to park tickets to enjoy both parts of the Harry Potter experience in the same day, the train is in one park and Diagon Alley is in the other. The buy 2 get 2 is the best deal I've seen and I've been watching for a while. Here's another thing to consider (and one we're tossing around)...if your kids LOVE Universal it's a VERY nominal fee to buy the Annual pass over the B2G2 ticket. You could buy the tickets, and then on the last day upgrade to annual passes to be able to return without having to buy more tickets. If you are planning on being at the park before April they are adding extra months onto the AP's too (in another thread a poster confirmed that they were able to get the extra months when upgrading while at the park).

 

[bobbie68]

Hi we have been going to Uni for many years now and love it!!! What a nice idea to put some tickets under the tree. I agree with pp that the buy 2 get two will be your best deal then upgrade if you want too. If you ask me I will tell you we can spend a week in Universal between the parks and the resorts. For someone wanting to just visit I think at least 2 to 3 days especially without the express pass. If you have the express pass you could do everything in two days. However, there is a lot to see and do and it is nice to have the extra time.

Where are you going to stay? Are you going on February break? It could be more crowded and the express pass would be handy. You can get it by staying at one of the three deluxe hotels (Royal Pacific, Hard Rock and Portofino). You would get express pass for check in day and check out day. You can have 5 people in the room and they all get express pass.

Yes park to park tickets are good if you want to have the full experience with the Harry Potter sections due to the Hogwarts Express is really a neat experience. You need it for the train. I have never gotten gift cards for Uni but I am sure someone on here will know. I believe there are no specific black Friday deals for Universal.

Any other questions just ask...Happy Planning

 

[imprint]

Good info here, but I would like to clarify a couple of things. If you get tickets and decide to upgrade to annual passes (be sure to check blackout dates and get the cheapest that allows your dates and parking desires), be sure to upgrade inside the park before your regular tickets expire. Gift cards are available in some areas in Kroger grocery stores, and it is my understanding that there are more Florida locations that have gift cards too. Finally, it was mentioned that the train is in one park and Diagon Alley is in the other park. That was an inadvertent typo. Universal Studios has Diagon Alley (and the Escape from Gringott's Bank ride) and Islands of Adventure has Hogsmeade and Hogwarts Castle (and Forbidden Journey and Flight of Hippogryph rides). The train, Hogwarts Express, runs between the two parks and requires a park-to-park or annual pass to ride. The experience on the train is different each direction. It can be a bit confusing at first, but when you go it will make sense. Ask more questions if you need.

 

[macraven]

UO gift cards can be purchased on the UO website

I buy mine that way or call and place my order

 

[cam757]

If you do plan on going to Universal twice a year, I would recommend getting the B2G2 through Undercover Tourist. You will save some money there and then on the last day in the parks, go to customer service and upgrade to your tics to APs. We are going next month and it will be so nice not having to spend almost $900 for tics.