Preparing for our first trip...

[kimmyann]

We have plans to visit Universal for the first time in May. So far the plan is to:

- Drive down on the 11th & stay at a cheap hotel.
- Check in very early at a Universal hotel (still debating between HRH & RPR) so we can hit Harry Potter an hour early.
- Spend the day at IOA, with maybe a break in between & hopefully will have some pool time at some point.
- Check out of our hotel on the 13th, hit US for the rest of the day.
- Planning on eating at the Nascar Cafe(dh is a fan) & Bubba Gump's (just because).
- Check in a condo/suite style hotel on the 13th for two nights & either do some more time at Universal (depending on if I am able to still get the 3rd day free tics) and/or spend some time at Sea World (we have season passes). If we don't do Universal any for the 3rd day, I would like to check out Gatorland.
- On the 15th head home & back to reality

Does anyone know what kind of discount you get on Universal hotels with AAA? I just signed up with them & am waiting for my card to book. Any other tips would be great. We plan to ride everything, which is what made me decide to stay on site, so we should be able to do it. We are pretty much in the know of how to utilize time with theme parks, we go a lot, but this is our first time at Universal. Also, when will they put out May hours? I was surprised to see they aren't up yet & this will be a big factor. We usually go to Orlando at the end of June. How do you think the crowds will compare? Hopefully the heat will be a bit better.

Again, any tips are great & I will be scouring the boards until May Thanks!

 

[macraven]

We have plans to visit Universal for the first time in May. So far the plan is to:

- Drive down on the 11th & stay at a cheap hotel.
- Check in very early at a Universal hotel (still debating between HRH & RPR) so we can hit Harry Potter an hour early.
- Spend the day at IOA, with maybe a break in between & hopefully will have some pool time at some point.
- Check out of our hotel on the 13th, hit US for the rest of the day.
- Planning on eating at the Nascar Cafe(dh is a fan) & Bubba Gump's (just because).
- Check in a condo/suite style hotel on the 13th for two nights & either do some more time at Universal (depending on if I am able to still get the 3rd day free tics) and/or spend some time at Sea World (we have season passes). If we don't do Universal any for the 3rd day, I would like to check out Gatorland.
- On the 15th head home & back to reality

Does anyone know what kind of discount you get on Universal hotels with AAA? I just signed up with them & am waiting for my card to book. Any other tips would be great. We plan to ride everything, which is what made me decide to stay on site, so we should be able to do it. We are pretty much in the know of how to utilize time with theme parks, we go a lot, but this is our first time at Universal. Also, when will they put out May hours? I was surprised to see they aren't up yet & this will be a big factor. We usually go to Orlando at the end of June. How do you think the crowds will compare? Hopefully the heat will be a bit better.Again, any tips are great & I will be scouring the boards until May Thanks!

you can book the one night room at the darkside without having the AAA in your hand.
when you signed up for AAA, you should have been issued a number. if not, call and ask for the number.

you won't be asked when you book for the number.


you have sunday for a park day at the darkside, there could be some crowds during the day. you shouldn't have any issues since you have the hotel perk for the lines/express usage.

hours for May should be out later.
check the calendar site on the webpage of UO to see what they were last year for your coming time period.
the hours usually follow the same pattern.


Bubba Gump is not a place i would return to.
the food and service was not special for us.
but, i have gone to the BG at Navy Pier/chicago and find they are the same.

many do hit BG for the ambiance and because it is something they do not have in their area.

Nascar is okay, they have their menu at www.citywalk.com

i always hit NBACity and Latin Quarters due to the food, service and atmosphere.

Do the places you have planned since you are looking forward to them.
you can always try other places on future trips.

everyone has different foods they prefer.
check out the menus to help make your decision.
foods that i enjoy, others might not.


hope you have a great time!

for a second/third day at the darkside, you might find that tuesday would be a good day crowd wise

 

[Irishman]

NASCAR cafe....The hangover Burger....Works

 

[kimmyann]

you can book the one night room at the darkside without having the AAA in your hand.
when you signed up for AAA, you should have been issued a number. if not, call and ask for the number.

you won't be asked when you book for the number.


you have sunday for a park day at the darkside, there could be some crowds during the day. you shouldn't have any issues since you have the hotel perk for the lines/express usage.

hours for May should be out later.
check the calendar site on the webpage of UO to see what they were last year for your coming time period.
the hours usually follow the same pattern.


Bubba Gump is not a place i would return to.
the food and service was not special for us.
but, i have gone to the BG at Navy Pier/chicago and find they are the same.

many do hit BG for the ambiance and because it is something they do not have in their area.

Nascar is okay, they have their menu at www.citywalk.com

i always hit NBACity and Latin Quarters due to the food, service and atmosphere.

Do the places you have planned since you are looking forward to them.
you can always try other places on future trips.

everyone has different foods they prefer.
check out the menus to help make your decision.
foods that i enjoy, others might not.


hope you have a great time!

for a second/third day at the darkside, you might find that tuesday would be a good day crowd wise

Thanks for this info, I can go ahead & book then. We have a temp card, it doesn't have a real AAA #, so I wasn't sure if I needed to wait.

Again thanks for the tip, didn't think to look back at the previous years hours, this helped.

Thanks, we plan to

 

[macraven]

you're welcome!

hope you find the info you need, if not, come back to your thread and ask if anyone has the answer.