Questions re problems with Universal web site and other Universal newbie resources

[ratfam]

Hi everybody! This is my first time on the Universal threads, we are a DVC family that just decided to make our first visit to Universal spring break 2012 (kids will be 16 and almost 14 at that time. Planning to stay three or four nights and thinking three days in the parks. Harry Potter is the big draw but it sounds like there will be a lot of other things that we will enjoy as well. As it will likely be crazy busy I think I have concluded that it makes sense to pay the extra $$ to say on site and have the express privileges (although it looks like it will be a LOT of extra money). Being a compulsive planner I am trying to start educating myself about Universal now so that we can set ourselves up to have the best trip possible despite the crowds, but I find the Universal web site to be awful! It takes forever to load, I can't switch between things easily, etc. This isn't a computer or internet access problem because I have never had this type of problem with any other web site, including Disney or other resort web sites. Does anyone have suggestions for how to get the web site to work more effective? Or are there other resources that you have found to be particularly helpful in trip planning. Our local library doesn't have any guidebooks specifically about Universal, just a few Disney ones where they discuss Universal at the end, but maybe there are Universal only guides out there for purchase? Very excited and appreciate any assistance you Universal experts can provide! TIA

Sorry for the duplication, I posted this originally on the hotel board by mistake and I am re-posting here.

 

[natebenma]

I purchased Universal Orlando 2011 "The Ultimate Guide to the Ultimate Theme Park Adventure" by Seth Kubersky with Kelly Monaghan from our local Barnes and Noble. It is about 270 pages and is part of the Intrepid Traveler series.

I like it.

 

[Metro West]

I purchased Universal Orlando 2011 "The Ultimate Guide to the Ultimate Theme Park Adventure" by Seth Kubersky with Kelly Monaghan from our local Barnes and Noble. It is about 270 pages and is part of the Intrepid Traveler series.

I like it.

This is an excellent resource.

 

[ratfam]

Thanks for the recommendation, sounds perfect!

 

[bumbershoot]

Planning to stay three or four nights and thinking three days in the parks.

Just in case finances are a question for you, you could do just two nights and get 3 days of hotel perks. Go in the morning, do the checkin process, stow your bags with Bell Services, go to the parks that day, stay the night, go to the parks the next day, stay the second night, that morning stow your bags with Bell Services, go to the parks on that third day, leave in the evening and go wherever you're going next.

You get the perks (the express pass plus) for all those days, but with only two nights of the hotel.

But that's just in case finances are a potential problem. If not, stay longer!

 

[ratfam]

Thanks, that is a great idea!

 

[DCTooTall]

Another couple tidbits and ideas to help you figure out your trip.

1. Not all attractions are going to have Express access. Currently the 2 big notable attractions are Forbidden Journey and Rip-Ride-Rocket!, so you will want to keep in mind that you will be waiting in the line with everybody else.

2. Some people find that the cost difference between a single annual pass and their planned ticket type can save them a lot of money over their trip. Annual passholders get a nice discount on the on-site hotels and a 10-15% discount on park tickets for up to 6 people. When you factor the hotel discount and the savings on admission for the rest of your party, it can make a lot of sense. (this doesn't factor in the additional discounts on merch and food that a AP can get).

3. As you are a Disney Family, you are probably used to needing to plan out all the details of your trip including your park touring plans. Universal's parks are MUCH more relaxed and don't require the same level of commando style planning. The parks are laid out in a relatively simple loop-around-a-central-lake layout, so it's pretty easy to just pick a direction when you enter and just follow it around the lake.



The Guide someone mentioned above is pretty much the best single Universal park resource available, and one of the co-authors, Kelly, has been known to make appearances in this forum. If you have any other questions, this forum is also a great resource since we have members who are very active and very knowledgeable and we are always happy to help.