stayed offsite but WOW!

[shoney]

We didn't have FOTL access because we were staying offsite. My parents own timeshare and we traded it for the Hilton on I drive (for free!). We upgraded to VIP 7 day passes and couldn't be happier.

We loved having the freedom of FOTL. For us, it is the only way to go. The express pass that they sell only allows one time per ride. That isn't good for our kids. They must have been on the mummy atleast 25 times!!!!! While Jaws had only a 15 wait...we went right on...not a moment to wait! We loved it!!!! My kids just want to ride a ride immediately, so this worked out well for us.

We also bought the lanyard holder for the passes because it made it easier to show each time.

We ate at Finneagans and Mythos...both were great. I just love those Scotch eggs because they are warm. English pubs on LI or in Manhattan, that we have been to, only serve them cold.

We payed for preferred parking and that was worth the extra $5...it did get you a bit closer.


When we exited the Horror Makeup show (great, by the way!) we were asked to go to a magic show. This was just a big commercial for their tricks. Easy to say no for an adult....but we had 2 boys begging for everything!!!

The character interaction was great...Homer burped right in my 7 year old's face..he thought it was so funny! There is a phone outside the Kwiki mart...answer it...several times!!! They also sell "Duff" iced cold in a can...but it is an energy drink, not beer. My boys went crazy for it.
When they took another picture with the Simpson's, homer stole their cans and "drank" them! They just loved it! How many times do you need to ride the Simpsons to get all of the jokes? Some of them are quite entertaining!!!!

If you are a wine drinker and you order it "to go" from Finnegan's, you will get twice as much than ordering it "to stay". They do pour it in a plastic cup, but it is double the amount for the same price.

Buying the soda refill cup wasn't economical for us...grandma left it by the Simpson's ride!

The fire hydrient in NY wasn't working...boohoo..the boys were looking forward to that one!

We really love US over IOA just for the relaxed atmosphere. Please don't get me wrong we love both, but US is just so relaxing and IOA is sensory overload...but fun.

Both parks have so much for so many...we traveled with 60 year olds, late 30 year olds, and 7 and 9 year olds...and every one was entertained. My mom went on more thrill rides than my 9 year old!!

When Harry Potter opens we will be there. If we don't stay onsite , we will be buying VIP passes again...it is the only way to go!

The new coaster looks amazing, so sorry we missed it. It was a great vacation and I can't say enough good things about the parks! For anyone going...Enjoy!!!!

 

[inkkognito]

How many times do you need to ride the Simpsons to get all of the jokes? Some of them are quite entertaining!!!!

Did you see the clip about how Doc Brown lost the Institute to Krustyland?

 

[shoney]

Did you see the clip about how Doc Brown lost the Institute to Krustyland?

was that the "polishing his...?" I just died laughing at that one...
We also had my father (60) with us, so we kept telling him he needs to go watch Maggie!!!

 

[Metro West]

Nice little TR...thanks for sharing!

 

[Planogirl]

"They must have been on the mummy atleast 25 times!!!!! "

That sounds like heaven to me.

I couldn't justify the cost of the VIP passes, not this trip anyway. Maybe next time.

 

[Ddennis37]

Shoney,

There is a VIP, 2park, 1 day unlimited express plus pass. We bought these because we're going next month and staying at a Disney World Resort. It includes your ticket to both parks on one day, and express entrance on the rides as many times as you want.

There is always a debate if it's worth buying the Express pass and I feel like there's nothing like it, either. Regardless of the crowds, we will ALWAYS get an express pass when we go to Universal.

Busch Gardens Tampa has something similar called a Quick Queue for one time entrance per certain attractions and we're doing that, too. I have to agree with you that it's AWESOME.

Perhaps I didn't read your entire post but since you were just there, how were the crowds? We always go during the week day because we will have already had 4 or 5 days at Disney and going to Universal breaks it up for us. I'm just curious if crowds are down or if people are still traveling.

 

[shoney]

We went on 5/23, 5/24, 5/25 and the crowds were fairly heavy. IOA was more crowded. When we went on 5/28 the crowds were extremely light. One employee said they were even lighter than normal. Wait times were no more than 15 minutes or so and walk up for FOTL.
On a side note, we went to Seaworld on 5/27 and it was much more crowded than the US parks.

 

[ky07]

Great to hear you had such a good time
We have been to Universal several times now and I never get tired of hearing someone having a great time there and makes me more excited about our up coming trip there in 3 weeks

 

[Gingernut]

Pleased you's had a good time

 

[Metro West]

On a side note, we went to Seaworld on 5/27 and it was much more crowded than the US parks.

Manta is bringing a lot of people into Sea World right now. Once the HR3 opens, you will find the same thing happening at the Studios. I don't even want to think about the crowds when HP opens next year!

 

[inkkognito]

Manta is bringing a lot of people into Sea World right now.

And for darned good reason! Hulk and Kraken are dead to me now (I still love Mummy tho' and reserve the right to change my opinion when Rip Ride Rockit opens).

 

[APB513]

We didn't have FOTL access because we were staying offsite. My parents own timeshare and we traded it for the Hilton on I drive (for free!). We upgraded to VIP 7 day passes and couldn't be happier.

We loved having the freedom of FOTL. For us, it is the only way to go. The express pass that they sell only allows one time per ride. That isn't good for our kids. They must have been on the mummy atleast 25 times!!!!! While Jaws had only a 15 wait...we went right on...not a moment to wait! We loved it!!!! My kids just want to ride a ride immediately, so this worked out well for us.

Glad to hear that you and your family had a great time!

I have a few questions about the VIP 7 day passes. Where did you purchase them? And if you don't mine me asking, how much did they cost?

Thanks!

 

[shoney]

We purchased them from the universalstudios florida website. You get a confirmation number and you pick them up from the machine by the entrance. I believe they were 260.00 each...an extra 160 per ticket, compared to the 99.00 deal they have been running. It was really well worth it if you aren't able to stay on site.

 

[APB513]

We purchased them from the universalstudios florida website. You get a confirmation number and you pick them up from the machine by the entrance. I believe they were 260.00 each...an extra 160 per ticket, compared to the 99.00 deal they have been running. It was really well worth it if you aren't able to stay on site.

Thanks!!! I had never noticed these tickets. I'll definitely keep them in my for our next trip.

 

[Metro West]

Thanks!!! I had never noticed these tickets. I'll definitely keep them in my for our next trip.

Here's a link to the Express page...you can read the description of the VIP EP's:

http://www.universalorlando.com/tickets/express-pass-plus.html?intcmp=ban.uo.tickets.express

 

[APB513]

Here's a link to the Express page...you can read the description of the VIP EP's:

http://www.universalorlando.com/tickets/express-pass-plus.html?intcmp=ban.uo.tickets.express

Thanks, Metro!

 

[tlinus]

Glad to hear you had a great time!

I agree that US is more laid back and IOA is more adrenaline-pumping. We live to live both parks and right about now I am missing them

 

[QT Pooh]

We purchased them from the universalstudios florida website. You get a confirmation number and you pick them up from the machine by the entrance. I believe they were 260.00 each...an extra 160 per ticket, compared to the 99.00 deal they have been running. It was really well worth it if you aren't able to stay on site.

Shoney, thanks for the info and so glad you had a good time!! We are doing the same thing - staying offsite on hotel points (free!!). We purchased these VIP passes but our confirmation letter came without a bar code (I got a few red x's and I'm not sure what they were supposed to be). Do I just punch the confirmation number into the machine and it will spit out tickets? How does that work?

THANKS!

 

[shoney]

Shoney, thanks for the info and so glad you had a good time!! We are doing the same thing - staying offsite on hotel points (free!!). We purchased these VIP passes but our confirmation letter came without a bar code (I got a few red x's and I'm not sure what they were supposed to be). Do I just punch the confirmation number into the machine and it will spit out tickets? How does that work?

THANKS!

You swipe the credit card you used to purchase them and enter the confirmation number and it spits out the tickets. You may want to purchase the lanyard as well when you get there (or bring if you have). Otherwise you have to keep taking the tickets out. The tickets were the same price, adult/child, and we did purchase 4 adults and 2 kids, but it spit out 6 adult tickets. I mentioned it at the entrance gate, but they said it didn't matter.

Have fun!

 

[Disneyhappy]

Thanks for the tip about "to go" wine at Finnegan's. That is a tip I will definitely remember!