Spontaneoustrip to Universal / never been

[Consumer2017]

Dear All;

My husband threw one on me and my two girls (9/12) with a trip to Universal. While excited I don't know where to begin to plan. Wasn't ready for it. We've been to Disney twice in the past and I handled everything, dinners, adventures, etc. But, for some reason I can't get into planning this one. The only thing we did was book out room at the Loews Sapphire Hotel since the trip is in the very, very near future. In any event, can someone help me with the best route to go for purchasing tickets? Should I have gotten the hotel/tic package, would that have been cheaper? Can you get tickets at the hotel? Are they more money? Is there such a thing of discounted tickets. We are going for five days and we would like to see Harry Potter/Volcano/Adventure Island. I'm so not familiar w/Universal ticketing process.

Any help would be appreciative, thank you. Lisa

 

[bobbie68]

Hi congrats on your trip. We have gone to Universal many times and will be heading there again in two weeks for 7 days. I think it is good you didn't get a package. There is really no benefit to it. With everything separate you can make changes and purchase things else where with no fees.

I don't know when you are going but Sapphires' Falls does not offer the express pass with their lodging. The express pass is an awesome perk to help with the lines especially at busy times. You can purchase express pass separately but that can be very expensive. The three deluxe hotels (Royal Pacific, Portofino and Hard Rock) offer the express pass and it is really worth it. We are staying at Cabana Bay this time but will be spending one night at Royal Pacific to get the express pass for two days. You get this for your check in day and check out day. It comes out cheaper than purchasing them separate for one day. Their tickets are the same as Disney where the longer you go the cheaper. I just purchased 5 day 3 park to park tickets and my 5th day only cost $10.00 per person. You seem to want to do everything so I would suggest the same ticket that I just purchased unless you want to do only 4 days and do a resort day. You can do this through Universal or check out Undercover Tourist. Honestly, I don't see much difference in price and just bought them online through Universal. We will spend 2 days at Volcano Bay and 3 at the the Studios and IOA. We enjoy the parks so we like to buy a 5 day this way it gives us freedom to come and go and not be so rushed.

If you decide you don't need the express pass that is okay. You will be able to do what you want in 4 or 5 days it will just take a little longer. You will have to have a little more strategy to your touring. Meals you don't have to worry about making reservations like Disney. You basically can have freedom where you want to eat on a given day. This is a much more relaxing vacation because you don't need to plan as much.

You will get an hour early entry for the parks for staying at one of the on-site resorts. Parks change depending on the time of year. Since you want to go to Volcano Bay you will need that extra hour.

Any other questions please ask lots of helpful posters here

 

[bobbie68]

Hi I forgot you will need the park to park tickets to be able to ride the Hogwart's Express.

 

[Consumer2017]

OMG, so much to do. Thank you for the information. We are going last week in August. Wasn't too keen on that either, since it'll be extreamely HOT. Another reason why I'm still in shock, lol. Should I still get the express pass? I've heard alot of schools are back in. . We've always gone to Disney in March or May. I may need to change my hotel???

 

[damo]

If you husband doesn't care, then definitely stay at Royal Pacific, Hard Rock or Portofino. Those unlimited express passes are awesome in the hot weather.

 

[bobbie68]

Hi I have heard that time of the year is a lot more manageable. You will still have waits but not as much as now. The popular rides now can go for 90 minute wait each. It really depends on how you want to tour. If you are okay with waiting in line a bit and just taking your time you really don't need the ep. If you want to do as much as you can all those days then it is a good idea. Honestly, I like the ep anytime. That is why I will stay at Royal Pacific for one night this trip to get the ep for two days. The other day I am there for IOA/US I will just wander and do whatever. We enjoy going to the parks and riding the rides over so for us the ep gives us more time to do that.

 

[macraven]

Staying at one of the 3 deluxe hotels is well worth it

You could start out at Sfalls your first day and change to a deluxe sometime during your vacation stay

The 3 deluxe allows everyone in your group free unlimited express pass for your stay and also covers the day you check out

If you bought 5 of the unlimited ep, it would cost probably more than a one night stay at a deluxe

Play with the numbers and see if you could do nights 2 and 3 at a deluxe
Or another combo of nights
Check out day would be covered with for the ep

Know you said you had a five night trip
But don't know how much park time you would have on check out day

Read the hotel stickys to learn the basics for all the onsite hotels

Check out some trip reports for personal experiences by the posters

I'm one that stays deluxe for each visit
I go solo and prefer being close to the parks and city walk

Going in August you will feel the heat
Walking surfaces will hold heat in too
Can't avoid that

Staying at rpr or hrh would be so close to one of the parks
You could easily return to the hotel for a break from the heat and relax in your room or hotel lobby
Or do a break from the parks at 1:00 and hit the pool for the afternoon a bit then return to the parks around 5:30

Whatever you decide, hope your vacation is fabulous and the bestest ever!

Citywalk.com will give you details of city walk entertainment and eateries

 

[gotomu212]

If the cost isn't out of reach I second (third?) the idea of staying at one of the 3 EP hotels. You don't NEED EP that time of year, but they work as unlimited fast passes to almost every ride (just to give you a Disney comparison). That time of year with EP we didn't wait more than 15 minutes in a line and many were walk on. Its hard to think of going without now that we've experienced walking onto every ride. Those 3 hotels are also amazing. If the cost is too much for the whole time, getting the room for 1 night gives everyone 2 days of EP (check in and out day) so you could do that for the days you plan to go to IOA and US.

Volcano Bay doesn't have EP so you could plan that day when you're at the other hotel.

Oh and pool hopping is okay at Universal and it's so easy to get from hotel to hotel with the water taxis (free) so you can spend time checking out the other pools.

Once you figure out your hotel and get your tickets you really ca relax. The pace is slower and at most we make a restaurant reservation the morning of (you can usually walk up to any restaurant). We walk through the parks, stopping to ride a ride as we get to it and don't have to plan ride order or anything.

Hope you have a great trip- and let us know what you think afterwards!