Shortcut from Studios to IOA?

[cigar95]

I ran across a reference somewhere in one of the threads about a shortcut from the Universal Studios park to IOA - I think it was from somewhere near the Nickelodeon area out a "back door", behind the Hard Rock Cafe, and to the front of IOA.

Am I just imaginging this, or is it real? And if it's real, can it be used in the other direction, to get to the Studios *from* IOA?

Thanks for any help here. I've only been to Universal a few times, and I'm not nearly as familiar with the geography as I am at WDW.

 

[the Dark Marauder]

It is real. It's in the old Nickelodeon area. Just take the path and it will bring you right by the HRC. It can be used as an entrance and/or exit to USF.

 

[D3K]

Are you permitted in that area? Last time we were @ U.S (05-21-05) that area was closed off. Have they opened it back up?

 

[phamton]

It's open. Maybe they had it closed for awhile when they were taking down the Nick stuff.

 

[Eclpz314]

If you do take that shortcut, you can see a piece of the Berlin Wall that's behind Hard Rock.

 

[Motherfletcher]

That gate doesn't open until around 11 when HRC opens.

 

[kellymonaghan]

I long ago suggested the best shortcut: A thrill ride that would begin in one park and end in the other. And vice versa.

But does Universal listen to me?

 

[dvc_john]

Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't believe that they want you to use the Studios entrance behind HRC for your 1st park entry of the day. They only want it used for re-entry. At least that's what I was told one time. Of course, going from IOA to the Studios would be considered 're-entry').

 

[phamton]

Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't believe that they want you to use the Studios entrance behind HRC for your 1st park entry of the day. They only want it used for re-entry. At least that's what I was told one time. Of course, going from IOA to the Studios would be considered 're-entry').

You are correct. They don't care if you exit through there though. You aren't supposed to enter there if you are just arriving at the parks, thus the late opening. It's fine if you've been at IOA and then head to Universal though. They never seem to care if you have an annual pass though because with an AP you don't need a handstamp. It's technically for re-entry for those who have been at Hard Rock Cafe but they have no way of knowing if you've been to HR Cafe or not.

They just don't want a long line enetering the park for the first time there because there is only one turnstile instead of multiple turnstiles at the regular gates. Plus if your ticket doesn't scan right they can't send you to guest services from that gate.

 

[cigar95]

Thanks, all, for the replies. One final question - when I get to IoA via this back route, where does this put me? Will I be at the main entrance, or at another secondary entrance?

 

[phamton]

If you leave Universal through the shortcut it will put you behind Hard Rock cafe. You then walk toward the front of Hard Rock cafe and take a right in front of Hard Rock and then follow the walkway and it will put you at the main entrance to IOA. It is just shorter than exiting out the main exit at universal and heading to IOA.

If you return to Universal and enter through the shortcut, you will end up in the Nick Studios area across from Shrek.

 

[muffyn]

If you leave Universal through the shortcut it will put you behind Hard Rock cafe. You then walk toward the front of Hard Rock cafe and take a right in front of Hard Rock and then follow the walkway and it will put you at the main entrance to IOA. It is just shorter than exiting out the main exit at universal and heading to IOA.

If you return to Universal and enter through the shortcut, you will end up in the Nick Studios area across from Shrek.

can you go through there after visiting US in the morning & then IOA is the 2nd park of the day ( or do you need to have visited IOA already?..ok I am confused) do they stamp your hand there also upon leaving park?
there is a "GATE" by nick studios (?) so you exit the park & , go down a path?
when you get to the back of Hard rock cafe, can you enter the park there? (isn't this by feivels play area??? or where?) do you just show your stamped hand & ticket from what you just used in US??
gee I wish I would have known about this the many times we crossed parks before!!! any problems using a ECV this route? this can be done in reverse order? you can re-enter at the nick gate?

 

[pauldents]

I long ago suggested the best shortcut: A thrill ride that would begin in one park and end in the other. And vice versa.

But does Universal listen to me?

What a fantastic idea. Obviously riders would need tickets to both parks, but I doubt any other theme park(s) in the world could do this. Are there any other theme parks in the world so close to each other?

 

[the Dark Marauder]

can you go through there after visiting US in the morning & then IOA is the 2nd park of the day ( or do you need to have visited IOA already?..ok I am confused) do they stamp your hand there also upon leaving park?
there is a "GATE" by nick studios (?) so you exit the park & , go down a path?
when you get to the back of Hard rock cafe, can you enter the park there? (isn't this by feivels play area??? or where?) do you just show your stamped hand & ticket from what you just used in US??
gee I wish I would have known about this the many times we crossed parks before!!! any problems using a ECV this route? this can be done in reverse order? you can re-enter at the nick gate?

-The HRC isn't by the Fievel's play area anymore. It's by the former Nickelodeon Studios building. You can go through that gate anytime after it opens (11a).
-Once you exit that gate, which is ECV accessible, you're behind the HRC. Just followe the paved path and you'll be in front of the HRC. They do offer a handstamp at that gate.

 

[F-L-A]

IMO, this really doesn't save much time at all. After navigating that route that's behind Hard Rock and going down the steps, the amount of time it saves compared to simply leaving the front gate could probably be counted in seconds.