?s for first trip to Universal

[klynnmommy]

In a week or two, we will be going to Univ. for the first time. It is a wish trip through Make a Wish for our six year old daughter. (Our other kids are 14, 8, and 15 month old twins.) We will be spending 1/2 a day at USF and 1/2 a day at IOA. I know this isn't ideal, but it's what we can do. For USF, we definitely want to take her to the Barney show. Are there shows in the morning or just later in the day? Is there anywhere we can get the times of the show before our trip? She is afraid of some animals, so we're going to skip the Animal Planet Live show. We thought she would like Woody Woodpecker's Nuthouse coaster and the play areas. I would like to take the older two on The Mummy. If we go in the afternoon because of show times, will we still be able to get times through their version of Fast Pass. I would go through the single rider line, but I think my 8 year old needs me with her for this ride (to help it feel less scary). I also plan on letting the 14 year old do Men in Black on his own while the little kids are playing. At IOA, we thought we would do the Dr. Seuss rides and area with the little kids and also the Flying Unicorn ride. DH, older two, and I also would like to do Spiderman. I was thinking of doing their version of fast pass for that first thing in the morning and do baby switch for that. Then we'll do the kids' stuff. Do you think that plan would work?

AM IOA....Spiderman first then Dr. Seuss area and flying unicorn ride

lunch

PM USF....The Mummy if you think we would still be able to get "FP" time,
Barney show, WW's nuthouse coaster, and play areas (while 14
year old rides Men in Black, I guess through the single riders line.)
We would also possibly do ET if DD(6) wasn't too afraid. (Do you
have to ride a real bike, that is pedal it, during the ride?)

Note: It is our understanding that we'll have FOTL access for the rides DD want to go on, so our time concerns are only with the bigger rides and in particular The Mummy being done in the afternoon.

Thanks for all of the advice!

 

[yaytezIOA]

There is no "fastpass" at Universal. At least no free fastpass. My advice is let the bigger kids go on the stuff they want to when they first get to the park. Also, it sounds as if you are going to have the disability pass.....you may be able to do a child swap in the areas that you cant take your daughter on, or the ones she doesnt want to do. The shows usually start later in the day, and as far as I know there isnt a place to see the times online...though someone may be able to put up a list of what the current times have been. Also there are not a whole lot of animals in animal planet live, and you do not get that close to them. Its mostly like Dogs and chimps.....but again, you dont get that close to them.
Et is a small bike coaster, and you dont have to pedal anything, just sit there and it takes you along the track....its much different than what you have probably seen. For Mummy, you may want to send everyone in on the single riders lines as well.....again, no "fastpass" and express costs extra.

On a side note, I love what Make A Wish does for families, and they are really great people. Are you by chance staying at the Give Kids the World Village? If so, that is a theme park in and of itself.

 

[klynnmommy]

Thanks for your response. I had read that the only "fast pass" thing you needed to buy, but I had forgotten that part. The price for the day we're going for the express pass thing is $55.99. That's definitely not worth it for the one or two rides we'll be doing without her. It's helpful to know about the Animal Planet Live show and ET.

Yes, we are staying at GKTW, and we are trying to build in time to just enjoy everything at the village. I just know my daughter is going to LOVE it!

Thanks again for your help!

 

[damo]

If your son is going on Men in Black alone, make sure he uses the single rider line (oops sorry you already said that!). It will save him a ton of time. I also suggest you have him read the thread that is at the top of this board about Men in Black. It has some great tips. It would be best if he could ride it a few times.

 

[yaytezIOA]

Here are a few pics from Give Kids the World, when we volunteered:

 

[phamton]

If you are going through Give Kids the World, you will most likely have a special express pass that everyone in your party can use. Universal does everything possible to make GKTW guests an easy and stress-free visit.

 

[Ariel07]

Wow...that place looks like a great place for the kids

Now I too plan on going sometime in Sept. It will just be for a day (hoping for two nights on property). Any suggestions on must-do rides, that are not the thriller rollercoasters?? It will be just my Mom and myself - she is claustrophobic, so I will be alone on most of the rides. Just want to know what I should hurry to do. And I guess at that time of the year the parks close at 6:00PM - may put a damper on trying for any sit-down meals - don't think I want to waste the time.

 

[BettyCv]

You might want to give your 8 and 6 year olds a "heads-up" about the ET ride... The theming includes the police trying to catch you. My kids have never seen the movie and I swear I spent the entire day trying to explain to them why the police were after us.

Also, I have a set of maps leftover from our recent trip. It won't have show times, but you could get a general layout of the park (I know you can look at it on-line, but I think it's so much easier with an actual map.) PM me if you want me to send it out. (I won't be able to mail it until Monday.)

I hope you have a wonderful trip.

Betty

 

[klynnmommy]

damo: Thanks for the info about MIB. I will definitely have him read the tips.

yaytezIOA: Thank you so much for sharing the pictures! It looks like such a wonderful place. On behalf of myself, my family, and all those who have benefitted, thank you for volunteering. That is so thoughtful of you.

 

[yaytezIOA]

damo: Thanks for the info about MIB. I will definitely have him read the tips.

yaytezIOA: Thank you so much for sharing the pictures! It looks like such a wonderful place. On behalf of myself, my family, and all those who have benefitted, thank you for volunteering. That is so thoughtful of you.

We have fun doing it. Places like that need volunteers, thats how they operate. They are amazing people, and care only about the kids who need a little joy during tough times. But I would imagine like Phamton said, they will provide passes for the whole family. They are really great with wish kids, and in fact Universal built half of the Village...disney built the other half.

 

[Ariel07]

You might want to give your 8 and 6 year olds a "heads-up" about the ET ride... The theming includes the police trying to catch you. My kids have never seen the movie and I swear I spent the entire day trying to explain to them why the police were after us.

Also, I have a set of maps leftover from our recent trip. It won't have show times, but you could get a general layout of the park (I know you can look at it on-line, but I think it's so much easier with an actual map.) PM me if you want me to send it out. (I won't be able to mail it until Monday.)

I hope you have a wonderful trip.

Betty

Betty - I sent you a PM

 

[Holly Goheavy]

Off the top of my head I remember that the first Barney show is at 11 am. I have the guides for both parks in the car - as soon as DH gets back I'll get them and let you know other show times if you want.

 

[klynnmommy]

Thanks for the heads up about ET. I could see how that would be a problem.

Thank you, too, for your very kind offer of the maps. My brother is visiting this weekend and bringing his. That was very sweet of you to offer them.

 

[klynnmommy]

Thanks, Holly Goheavy, I'd like to know the times!