Staying onsite for the first time.....need guidance about what to do first?

[edk35]

The last time we went to Universal was in Jan. 2012 and we were staying at Disney and went to US for one day. It was a low crowd time and we did everything without any FOTL passes. However this time we are staying on property (april 6th at Royal Pacific). I know Disney parks like the back of my hand. I know which rides to ride in what order and all that stuff. However I know NOTHING about US. I have been to US a total of 3 times. This will be the 4th.


Any suggestions on which park first?? Is there a suggested ride order to do at park opening? With us having FOTL passes are we good to just relax and not be on commando mode the 3 days we are at the parks?? Thanks.....

 

[schumigirl]

Read the stickies on here.......full of info.

www.universalorlando.com is a great source of info on both parks, Citywalk and hotels.

No planning necessary especially with having Express Pass. As for which park to do first, personal choice.......have a look at the maps on the Universal website and see any appeals to you and your family.

If you are doing Early Entry head to Diagon Alley as Gringotts gets busy and is excluded from EP. Also do the Potter areas late at night as they are beautiful all lit up.

 

[Robo56]

Spring break should pretty much have ended with all the US Universities so during the week you should be great with your express passes.

Universal is more laid back as far as planning. No hyper planning needed. Your staying onsite so you will have advantage of early entry. Which ever park opens early that day IOA or UO its usually just the Potter areas that are open.

If Hogsmeade opens early you can get the Forbidden Journey and other two rides in that area done. Browse Hogsmeade and then take the Hogsmeade Express (need park to park ticket to do this)over to Diagon Alley do the Escape from Gringotts and browse Diagon Alley.

If you want to look at touring plans Undercover Tourist has some as well as a crowd calendar and usual weather pattern.

Suggestions: Look at the map on Universal site much more compact then Disney. Look at resturants and menus. They are all listed under dining. It you are a foodie this will help with options. As onsite resort guest you have priority seating also. Just let them know you are stating onsite if there is a wait.

Suggestions:a meal at Three Broomsticks in Hogsmeade or Leaky Cauldron in Diagon Alley. Meal at Mytho's in IOA.
IF you are a real Potter head, interactive wand to do the magic tricks at the designated spots in Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley. Maps is included in wand box for sites.

Most popular rides in IOA after Hogsmeade, Hulk (closed for refurb) Spider-Man, Jurasic River Adventure etc... The water rides Pluto's Bilge barge and Dudley Doo-rite falls will get you wet. We usually do these before we head back to the resort and the pools. Then we head back to the parks later.

Most popular rides in UO after Diagon Alley Minions, Rip-ride rocket, dr doom, Mummy etc...

Getting back and forth to parks much easier.

Lay back and enjoy the Resort and park life at Universal. You will be fan forever

 

[macraven]

a few harry potter rides do not have express lines.
those lines will fill up quickly in the EE period.

I usually bite the bullet and do those first.
once the park is open, i go to HE and travel to the other HP park.
There will be lines for HP there, but not as bad then as it can get in the afternoon.

even though i go regularly, i do a list of tenative order for early entry period for rides.
when i have long stays onsite, i make no lists as i will hit everything sometime or another during the stay.

With only one day for both parks, you might consider HP to be a priority especially if you want to take a lot of pictures with that area not packed with people.

look at the uo website and get an idea of the park layout so you know the locations of all rides in both parks.
you will save time if you have an idea which way to go in the park for the rides then.

you will love rpr with that lovely lobby they have.

hope you have a grand time on your trip !

 

[edk35]

Thanks so much.

 

[edk35]

Spring break should pretty much have ended with all the US Universities so during the week you should be great with your express passes.

Universal is more laid back as far as planning. No hyper planning needed. Your staying onsite so you will have advantage of early entry. Which ever park opens early that day IOA or UO its usually just the Potter areas that are open.

If Hogsmeade opens early you can get the Forbidden Journey and other two rides in that area done. Browse Hogsmeade and then take the Hogsmeade Express (need park to park ticket to do this)over to Diagon Alley do the Escape from Gringotts and browse Diagon Alley.

If you want to look at touring plans Undercover Tourist has some as well as a crowd calendar and usual weather pattern.

Suggestions: Look at the map on Universal site much more compact then Disney. Look at resturants and menus. They are all listed under dining. It you are a foodie this will help with options. As onsite resort guest you have priority seating also. Just let them know you are stating onsite if there is a wait.

Suggestions:a meal at Three Broomsticks in Hogsmeade or Leaky Cauldron in Diagon Alley. Meal at Mytho's in IOA.
IF you are a real Potter head, interactive wand to do the magic tricks at the designated spots in Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley. Maps is included in wand box for sites.

Most popular rides in IOA after Hogsmeade, Hulk (closed for refurb) Spider-Man, Jurasic River Adventure etc... The water rides Pluto's Bilge barge and Dudley Doo-rite falls will get you wet. We usually do these before we head back to the resort and the pools. Then we head back to the parks later.

Most popular rides in UO after Diagon Alley Minions, Rip-ride rocket, dr doom, Mummy etc...

Getting back and forth to parks much easier.

Lay back and enjoy the Resort and park life at Universal. You will be fan forever

THANKS SO MUCH!! Looking forward to the trip!

 

[edk35]

Read the stickies on here.......full of info.

www.universalorlando.com is a great source of info on both parks, Citywalk and hotels.

No planning necessary especially with having Express Pass. As for which park to do first, personal choice.......have a look at the maps on the Universal website and see any appeals to you and your family.

If you are doing Early Entry head to Diagon Alley as Gringotts gets busy and is excluded from EP. Also do the Potter areas late at night as they are beautiful all lit up.

Thanks so much.