?'s about Universal

[annie2871]

I have just started to look into my family going to Universal instead of Disney during our trip in June and already I have a few questions that I have not been able to get the answers to:

1. How do you get show tickets for Slime Time LIve - I think that's the name of it...took it from my kids? And where is it located?

2. It seems like I saw something where you could have Disney's equivalent of a Character Breakfast? Is this true and how do I find out more about it?

3. I see a lot of roller coaster rides.....are there any non-roller coaster rides?

4. Where can you go to get good deals on the resort hotels?

5. Overal....what the advantages/disadvantages of Universal over WDW?

Thanks....I'm sure I'll have more in the future....

 

[gschmerl]

The only roller coaster rides are the Hulk, Dueling Dragons, Woody Woodpecker, and the Flying Unicorn. The rest of the attractions are NON-roller coaster.
There is a thread at the top of the resort/hotel section telling how to get great rates. They offer discounts with the Entertainment card, AAA, Fan Club Card, Annual passes.
Advantages: Modern up to date attractions, Automatic express entrance to attractions if you stay at an on-site hotel (this just can't be beat), everything is within walking distance. These parks are so wonderful and so easily enjoyed. Food is also less expensive than WDW parks.

 

[Tigger&Belle]

Annie, I don't have many of your answers since we've only been once and will be going back to Universal next month. This trip we are only going to Universal--no Disney. If you poke around on this board and the Universal hotel board you will find most of you answers.

Here is the slime time live thread. http://disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=181945

I know that there is a Character thread, also.

As far as roller coasters, there is Hulk and Dueling Dragons (which is actually two coasters). I think that is it except for a couple of family coasters(one in each park). There is a flume ride, a raft ride (very fun!), Jurassic Park ride, Spiderman (excellent!), etc in Islands of Adventure. In Universal Studios there aren't any big coasters. There is the ET ride, Men-in Black (my favorite), Back to the Future, and a lot of shows.

We have an entertainment book rate, which is usually the best deal from what I've read.Again, look at the resorts board and you may get a better idea.

How old are your children? How tall? What do you all like to do--shows, rides, etc?

We love Universal. You're better off not comparing it to Disney since each place has advantages and disadvantages. I know that there are some threads which compare and contrast the two places.

 

[MrsMud]

Hi! I just wanted to add my 2 cents. Firstly we have never been to Universal/IOA but I have heard great things about it and we are going for our first trip in Oct. Secondly, we love Disney, but here is one advantage to US/IOA that cannot be overlooked: The price! I bought 5, 5 day passes (actually bought 4 and got the 5th FREE) for half the price of Disney 4 day PHs. The difference in price allowed us to extend our vacation from the 6 days we originally planned (going to WDW) to 8. Can't beat that!

 

[AspiringCindy]

Entertainment definitely had the best rates. You can't go wrong at $109 a night for RPH.
We are also WDW fanatics but equally love Universals. We were there last summer for 9 days and our favorite day at the parks was the day we went to Universals. I like the themed attractions. Also it was less crowded and we were able to do much more at Universals.

 

[retro girl]

If you have younger children Seuss Landings is a great place to go. They have a Dr. Seuss version of Dumbo, a Dr. Seuss Merry Go round, The Cat in the Hat ride and a little water area at IOA.
At US They have an area that has an animal show, E.T. Fievels Playland and Curious George water area. Whatever you do do not miss the curious george are it's awesome

 

[highlander447]

Character breakfast not as Disneys but I do believe u can have breaksat at toon lagoon and characters are about in reastaurants for slime time be there at start of day as the give the tickets out then and they are ltd u just ask for them from guy handing them out inside gates of universal and if u r lucky enough he will recruit your kids for the show

 

[MickeyMouseTeen2006]

HEY! i am a 15yo guy and i have visited IOA....ummmm.....about...at least a dozen times... i havent been to USF xcept for RTU (rock the Universe)....

1.) i am not sure about the Slime Time LIve...last time i checked...i dont think u needed tix

2.)There are Character Breakfasts...check the universal website for times

3.)there are 3 roller coasters (The INcredible Hulk Coaster, Deuling Dragons, And the Flying Unicorn*kiddie Coaster*) There Are plenty of non roller costers.. spiderman...which is a 3-D ride, there are three water rides...the all get u sOaKeD!!! Posidens Fury, which is a show/ride...plenty of stuff for the kids at Seussland...and a "power Tower" which launches u up a 200 ft tall pole and u free fall down that one may be intense ....if ur not looking to ride roller coasters...

4.)i dunno many deals for the UNiversal hotels...but i hear they are all very nice and very cool

5.)advantages of staying at a universal hotel is that u get to go in the Express lines Instantly if you show thm ur room key....my suggestion is that u carry room keys for every person in ur party...i dont see any disadvantages....of course..i absolutley love that park


i hope this helps!!! YOU WILL HAVE A bLaSt!!!!!!

Jared

"I live my life a quarter mile at a time; nothing else matters. Not the mortgage or my team, cuz for those 10 seconds or less I AM FREE"-Vin Diesel, The Fast and the Furious

 

[shpedly]

I think you can stay at a very comparable hotel to the deluxe resort at Disney. In fact, IMO HRH was great, PBH looks WONDERFUL. Rates at ent rate are easily $100/night cheaper than disney deluxe. I paid $125/night for HRH in April. Also, the two park passes are so much cheaper. Disney's five day park hoppers were $230 or thereabouts?? per person, while the five consecutive day passes were $89.95. My kids 11 and 15 actually like universal better, especially the fotl. they had more fun with that, made them feel special.