Some last minute questions...

[indimom]

Hello! We're heading to Universal in two weeks. We'll have three days/two nights at the Royal Pacific.

I know we won't need to over-plan, but I want to make sure I do not have any glaring errors in my general game plan since we only have three days and we won't make early entry on our first day. (We have to check out of Ft. Wilderness, check in at Royal Pacific, and pick up our tickets that morning, I figure we'll be lucky to make the parks by 9-10 a.m.)

Here are some facts I've picked up and I just want to confirm they are accurate...

1. Start with Ollivanders during early entry at WWoHP. Then ride Forbidden Journey. The other two rides have express, so if we want to explore the stores with the least crowds, would you recommend doing those next?

2. Get Butterbeer at the Hogshead to avoid lines that form at the cart in the walkway.

3. Three Broomsticks takes reservations for breakfast, but we can walk in/wait for a table for lunch or dinner.

4. Our kids are too tall for Pteranadon Flyers, so Forbidden Journey and Minion Mayhem are the only rides we need to worry about lines and timing our visits. I believe I read that RRR and Transformers have express (kinda surprised to read that for Transformers since it's so new...)

5. Both parks have early entry this summer. Same schedule, one hour before park opening. Get there early, sometimes they open earlier.

6. We can still avoid the lockers if we use fanny packs with the triple prong catch. (Yep, I'm a "tourist" lol. I don't like dealing with all that hassle.)

And a few general questions:


7. Is evening still a good time to visit WWoHP with lower crowds? How are the stores at that time of day??

8. Is the water effect running at Poseidon?

9. On our last trip, we picked up our tickets in front of the park gates (ordered online in advance). Is that still where we need to go, or can we get them at RPR?

10. I think there have been some changes with express? Do we get a special ticket for that now? So, we'll have room keys, express passes and park tickets? Can we hole punch our roomkey/express pass like we did in '08, or do we need to have the clear plastic lanyard pouches for those now? (On our last trip, one of the kids lost the entire plastic pouch on Disaster and when we went back to the resort to replace it, they suggested the hole punch idea. I liked that better, to be honest.)

11. I don't know if we'll have time, but I'd love to visit the new putt putt courses. Do you have any tips or suggestions for those. Time of day, good deals, preferred course, whatever??

12. Is there a preferred spot to see the new evening show?


Thanks so much! I appreciate any and all advice! Can't wait, it's been soooo long since our last visit!!!

 

[MDer2FL]

We were there 6/29-7/6, first time at Uni.

1. Start with Ollivanders during early entry at WWoHP. Then ride Forbidden Journey. The other two rides have express, so if we want to explore the stores with the least crowds, would you recommend doing those next? That's the plan we used for O's and FJ. I'd say do the rides, the crowds at the stores, except Owl & Post after O's, weren't too bad early in the day.

2. Get Butterbeer at the Hogshead to avoid lines that form at the cart in the walkway. Yes, you can also get it at Three Broomsticks even though it isn't listed on the menu. If you have an AP, you get a discount buying inside vs. the cart.
3. Three Broomsticks takes reservations for breakfast, but we can walk in/wait for a table for lunch or dinner. Yes, but you can walk in for breakfast too.

4. Our kids are too tall for Pteranadon Flyers, so Forbidden Journey and Minion Mayhem are the only rides we need to worry about lines and timing our visits. I believe I read that RRR and Transformers have express (kinda surprised to read that for Transformers since it's so new...) Yes they have express.
5. Both parks have early entry this summer. Same schedule, one hour before park opening. Get there early, sometimes they open earlier. I've heard that but when we were there they didn't open any earlier than early, Lol.

6. We can still avoid the lockers if we use fanny packs with the triple prong catch. (Yep, I'm a "tourist" lol. I don't like dealing with all that hassle.) I don't know what triple prong catch is -- I wore a regular belt-style except instead of the belt I used 2 carbiners to clip it to my belt loops. Nobody cared as far as the rides, even Mummy & FJ.
And a few general questions:


7. Is evening still a good time to visit WWoHP with lower crowds? How are the stores at that time of day?? IMO, it was extremely crowded in the evenings. I liked it best from opening until about 10:00-10:30.
8. Is the water effect running at Poseidon? Do you mean the tunnel thing? It was when we were there.
9. On our last trip, we picked up our tickets in front of the park gates (ordered online in advance). Is that still where we need to go, or can we get them at RPR? Don't know, had ours mailed by Undercover Tourist. We had to pick up our AP at the will-call stand.
10. I think there have been some changes with express? Do we get a special ticket for that now? So, we'll have room keys, express passes and park tickets? Can we hole punch our roomkey/express pass like we did in '08, or do we need to have the clear plastic lanyard pouches for those now? (On our last trip, one of the kids lost the entire plastic pouch on Disaster and when we went back to the resort to replace it, they suggested the hole punch idea. I liked that better, to be honest.) We used lanyards, I don't know if they let you hole punch. I'm sure the check-in people can help with that.
11. I don't know if we'll have time, but I'd love to visit the new putt putt courses. Do you have any tips or suggestions for those. Time of day, good deals, preferred course, whatever?? Can't answer

12. Is there a preferred spot to see the new evening show? Can't answer

 

[Bluer101]

Early entry for Studios started July 1 st.

 

[Lynne G]

Hello! We're heading to Universal in two weeks. We'll have three days/two nights at the Royal Pacific.

I know we won't need to over-plan, but I want to make sure I do not have any glaring errors in my general game plan since we only have three days and we won't make early entry on our first day. (We have to check out of Ft. Wilderness, check in at Royal Pacific, and pick up our tickets that morning, I figure we'll be lucky to make the parks by 9-10 a.m.)

Here are some facts I've picked up and I just want to confirm they are accurate...

1. Start with Ollivanders during early entry at WWoHP. Then ride Forbidden Journey. The other two rides have express, so if we want to explore the stores with the least crowds, would you recommend doing those next?Since only hotel guests get the one hour early in the potter area, after doing the rides and o show, shop. Doing all the rides and the wand show will not take you an hour, and the rest of the park is not open until the park is open to the public. Thus, use that rest of the hour to shop, and then get to the entry to the land you want to explore when the rest of the park is open. We go to Dino land as the bridge is an entry to potter land, and the bridge is a good place to take a picture of the castle that looms on the right side of the bridge as you are leaving the potter area

2. Get Butterbeer at the Hogshead to avoid lines that form at the cart in the walkway. [Yes, and we usually get ours at Three Boomsticks. Easier as well, and they also take my AP discount.

3. Three Broomsticks takes reservations for breakfast, but we can walk in/wait for a table for lunch or dinner. Yes, we ususally do an early dinner or early lunch, but plenty of tables and the food is good.[/COLOR]4. Our kids are too tall for Pteranadon Flyers, so Forbidden Journey and Minion Mayhem are the only rides we need to worry about lines and timing our visits. I believe I read that RRR and Transformers have express (kinda surprised to read that for Transformers since it's so new...) Yes, the hotel's unlimited express pass is a great thing. My kids can ride Spiderman ten times in a row using the express pass.

5. Both parks have early entry this summer. Same schedule, one hour before park opening. Get there early, sometimes they open earlier. They do open early, sometimes. I found for early entry, they didn't open more than a few minutes early. It may depend on the time of year.

6. We can still avoid the lockers if we use fanny packs with the triple prong catch. (Yep, I'm a "tourist" lol. I don't like dealing with all that hassle.) Yes, I have a very unfashionable fannypack, but it does the job, and I ride all the rides without having to take it off.And a few general questions:


7. Is evening still a good time to visit WWoHP with lower crowds? How are the stores at that time of day?? Not really, I like to go back to the area to take nightime pictures. Won't want to shop, as there's lots of people shopping then, and the stores are very small.8. Is the water effect running at Poseidon? I was when we were there last year, can't say this year.

9. On our last trip, we picked up our tickets in front of the park gates (ordered online in advance). Is that still where we need to go, or can we get them at RPR? Need to go to the will call, so yes, not at the hotel

10. I think there have been some changes with express? Do we get a special ticket for that now? So, we'll have room keys, express passes and park tickets? Can we hole punch our roomkey/express pass like we did in '08, or do we need to have the clear plastic lanyard pouches for those now? (On our last trip, one of the kids lost the entire plastic pouch on Disaster and when we went back to the resort to replace it, they suggested the hole punch idea. I liked that better, to be honest.) I don't know, I never had a hole punched card. What I do, is after entry, I put my hotel and park tickets in my wallet, and keep the express pass on the outside pocket of my bag. I hate lanyards.

11. I don't know if we'll have time, but I'd love to visit the new putt putt courses. Do you have any tips or suggestions for those. Time of day, good deals, preferred course, whatever?? We liked the putt putt. My DD and I played in the early evening, and the line was not bad. And, we got half way done, and the rain started. The manager stamped our score sheet, and we came back another early evening and got to play a whole game. The courses are fun.

12. Is there a preferred spot to see the new evening show?
I am not sure. We saw it near the Jaws shark. I don't think there is really a bad spot, anywhere you can see from around the water is good. There are several screens.Thanks so much! I appreciate any and all advice! Can't wait, it's been soooo long since our last visit!!!

Have a great time! We love USO and my kids are ride junkies, so we stay at the on site resorts for the unlimited express pass, and I get to relax in a really nice hotel.

 

[vacation_junkie]

6. We can still avoid the lockers if we use fanny packs with the triple prong catch. (Yep, I'm a "tourist" lol. I don't like dealing with all that hassle.)

!!

whats a triple prong catch?

 

[TheAviator]

Unless this has recently changed, you just need to carry your hotel room keys for your fast passes. Have not been in a few years but that was how it has always been on all my visits

 

[rowan555]

whats a triple prong catch?

As a total newbie to Orlando trip planning, I am SO glad to know I'm not the only one who has no clue what in the world that is. I just broke down and ordered a small fanny pack for our upcoming trip, and upon reading the OP I was thinking oh, no, I'm SURE mine doesn't have whatever in the world that is!

 

[MDer2FL]

Unless this has recently changed, you just need to carry your hotel room keys for your fast passes. Have not been in a few years but that was how it has always been on all my visits

When you get your room key, you go to a little kiosk near the concierge desk to create your express pass. It will have your picture on it. At the rides they'll ask to see the pass to allow you into the express line.

 

[Lynne G]

whats a triple prong catch?

it's a fanny bag that closes with a clip that has three prongs on one side that is then clipped into the other side that accepts the three prongs. What USO is concerned with is that is doesn't fall off easily and is secure and will not interfer with the restraints of the ride, small in size.

The one I have I can't remember the name, but it's the one that has the furry monkey as a key chain on it. I can carry my phone, small point and shoot camera, money, and tickets. I also put a ziploc bag in it, to keep my paper things dry if needed. I don't go on the water rides with it. One morning, we do all the water rides with one of us using a waterproof lanyard. I would not like my fanny pack to get wet.

 

[Bluer101]

Unless this has recently changed, you just need to carry your hotel room keys for your fast passes. Have not been in a few years but that was how it has always been on all my visits

It changed before last summer.

 

[TheAviator]

OK thanks that is good to know, did not know of this change

 

[rowan555]

When you get your room key, you go to a little kiosk near the concierge desk to create your express pass. It will have your picture on it. At the rides they'll ask to see the pass to allow you into the express line.

I just realized we need to pick up our APs our first morning at the parks - so will we need to check into the hotel, then go to the park entrance to get our AP's, then go back to the hotel to get our express passes? I'm so confused, lol!

 

[MDer2FL]

I just realized we need to pick up our APs our first morning at the parks - so will we need to check into the hotel, then go to the park entrance to get our AP's, then go back to the hotel to get our express passes? I'm so confused, lol!

No, no -- no need to backtrack. You only need your room key to get the express pass. AP is a whole separate thing.

So check in, get key & pass, go to will-call at the park and get your AP and you'll be a all set. Be sure you have the credit card you bought the AP with because the machine will ask for it.

 

[macraven]

if you shop on your first day in the parks, have the merch you buy sent to your hotel room.
it will be delivered the next day to your room with you present or not.


you plan to be at the darkside 3 park days but 2 nights.
you need to be staying overnight on the day you shop and not be checked out that next day to have room delivery.

if you shop on the day before check out, have the merch you buy in the parks sent to the front of the park to be held until you decide to leave the park.

this way, you won't have to carry bags with you or use a locker to store what you bought.

this service is free for all park guests, day or hotel peeps.


if you are flying and buy something that is fragile, tell the TM when bagging your purchase to wrap it for a flight.
they will use extra tissue, box, etc to help the item not become damaged in your luggage.


some food items can not be sent to the front holding store for you.
things can melt or deteriorate so they are restricted from this process.

 

[macraven]

I just realized we need to pick up our APs our first morning at the parks - so will we need to check into the hotel, then go to the park entrance to get our AP's, then go back to the hotel to get our express passes? I'm so confused, lol!

if you lose your express pass or left it in the room and do not want to back track, you can have a new one made at guest services.

they have to void out your original express pass you made and create a new one.

this can be time consuming depending on how many park guests are in guest services at the time.

you can see the photo kiosk machine in guest services.





i reread your post...
oops..

pick up your ap then have your express pass made at guest services.

 

[indimom]

Thanks so much for all the responses. Sounds like I was heading in the right direction, except for the idea of window shopping at WWoHP at night. I'll be sure to get that done during the early morning hours!

And thanks for the tip about guest services, I had no idea you could take care of express passes there.

Feel free to share any other tips or experience you think helpful! It's been five long years and a lot of changes since we were there last.

 

[indimom]

Another question:
I just noticed an error I made on the Universal park hours. I guess I was looking at IOA's hours and never realized you had to scroll down for USF's. I thought they were the same. Doh!
Anyway, if IOA is open 8a-9p, I assume their early entry is at 7 a.m.?
And USF is open 9a-10p, so their early entry is at 8a.m.?

So, could a person actually manage to pull off both early entries in one day, starting at IOA, then skipping over to USF? Not sure we'll want to, but just confirming this is remotely possible??

Thanks Again!!

 

[RMulieri]

Another question:
I just noticed an error I made on the Universal park hours. I guess I was looking at IOA's hours and never realized you had to scroll down for USF's. I thought they were the same. Doh!
Anyway, if IOA is open 8a-9p, I assume their early entry is at 7 a.m.?
And USF is open 9a-10p, so their early entry is at 8a.m.?

So, could a person actually manage to pull off both early entries in one day, starting at IOA, then skipping over to USF? Not sure we'll want to, but just confirming this is remotely possible??

Thanks Again!!

Yes it is possible ...Just remember that Early Entry for Universal Studios ENDS Sept 2nd.It is only for the summer months that both parks are open early.( this is more info for those that don't realize early entry isn't year round at both parks)

 

[2girlsmom]

Also Despicable Me DOES have Express as well. I think the only normal ride that doesn't is Forbidden Journeys.

 

[RMulieri]

Also Despicable Me DOES have Express as well. I think the only normal ride that doesn't is Forbidden Journeys.

Forbidden Journey, Pteranodon Flyers and Ollivanders wand show do not have express pass