Taking 2 Kids to Universal - Advice on Hotel/Tix?

[fis]

In a couple of weeks, I am taking two 12-year-old girls (my daughter and her best friend) to Orlando to fulfill their dream of seeing the new World of Harry Potter, and am looking for advice/tips.

We've planned 2 nights: Arriving Thursday evening 11/4, return very late Saturday 11/6.

I'm struggling with
1) Where to stay, and
2) What to do other than HP World

WHERE TO STAY: Staying on-premise at a Loews seems like an obvious choice, but I'm seriously considering the WorldQuest Orlando instead. For half the price, we would get a large suite with a separate bedroom for the 2 girls. I'm also thinking that on Friday 11/5, we might be fine crowd-wise without the extra park privileges. Is that just wishful thinking?

WHAT TO DO OTHER THAN HP WORLD: We've been to Disney several times, but I have not been to Universal Studios in 15 years, and have never been to Islands of Adventure. The kids aren't into action movies or superheroes or thrill rides, and based on that, from what I can tell, there aren't many reasons to visit Universal other than to see HP World.

So I don't know whether to buy tickets in advance or just wing it and pay more when we get there. I'm wondering if a Universal pass is worth it, or if the kids would prefer to do IoA on Day 1 and WDW on Day 2. Or will they just want to go back and repeat HPWorld on Day 2? Or should I wait and make my decision based on whether it will be hot (pool, water parks...)?

Advice?

 

[rcraw45425]

Personally, I prefer onsite. You can walk to both parks from any of the three resorts, you get early entry to WWoHP and Front of the line is great, regardless of how busy the parks are, you don't have much of a wait. With 12 year olds, they'll surprise you. You may think they don't enjoy "thrill" rides, but get them there and they may decide to do "the Hulk" 20 times. With onsite, you can take a break and go back to your resort if you choose. You'll be surprised how much you can find to do.

As for crowds, that's "Jersey Week" which is busier than you would anticipate. I know with Disney, it seems like the entire state of New Jersey decended on us when we were there a few years back.

US/IOA is a more laid back atmosphere than WDW, there are lost of fun things to do in both parks

What I like about onsite is not having to drive to the parks. Parking is like $15 or more per day ( although you still have to pay for parking at the resorts as a resort guest), then you have to physically get from the deck to the entrance. Plus, you get more "into the vacation" by staying onsite.

Good luck, whatever you choose to do. My odler daughter will be staying offsite in December with her marching band. I booked a room at the Royal Pacific for the rest of us!

 

[busymom_of5]

This is so funny! I can't believe how close your situation is to mine! I, also, am bringing my 12 yr old daughter and her BFF. We are going to US/IofA for 2 days and SW 1 day. We were thinking we would be at SW on 11/3 and US/IofA on the 4th & 5th. My mom, i and the 2 girls are flying in and I am the only one who has been to Florida, but never US. We are staying offsite, so hopefully it wont be a problem.
We have no idea what we are doing, but we are gonna have a blast doing it! LOL

 

[aleighjc]

Can you tell me why you say "Staying on-premise at a Loews seems like an obvious choice"? I'm a noob to Universal and feel like my head is spinning learning all about the parks and hotels.

 

[damo]

Can you tell me why you say "Staying on-premise at a Loews seems like an obvious choice"? I'm a noob to Universal and feel like my head is spinning learning all about the parks and hotels.

When you stay at an on-site hotels there are some great perks. First of all, your room key gets you into the express lane however many times you would like. Also, you get into the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at 8:00 instead of 9:00.

You can walk to both parks from all the onsite resorts and also to Citywalk. You can also take the boat or bus transportation that is also provided.

 

[fis]

Agreed. We decided to stay on site, despite the huge premium.

Still, I'm not sure how we'll spend our time other than HP World.

Maybe we need to meet up with BusyMom_of5!
(that is quite the coincidence)

 

[aleighjc]

I guess I thought maybe there was a reason to stay there over the other 2 hotels they have onsite... Trying to figure out where to stay out of the three. I don't really care about the pool so I can't figure out what the real difference is...besides the bathroom size.

 

[busymom_of5]

That would be great fis!

 

[damo]

I guess I thought maybe there was a reason to stay there over the other 2 hotels they have onsite... Trying to figure out where to stay out of the three. I don't really care about the pool so I can't figure out what the real difference is...besides the bathroom size.

The Loews benefits are only available at the two Loews hotels. You might want to check out You First if you intend on visiting often.

 

[fis]

I guess I thought maybe there was a reason to stay there over the other 2 hotels they have onsite... Trying to figure out where to stay out of the three. I don't really care about the pool so I can't figure out what the real difference is...besides the bathroom size.

First make sure there are rooms available at both -- that might make the decision quick. If there are, the price difference between the two isn't great, so I let the kids choose. Was surprised how strong a preference they expressed for Royal Palms over Hard Rock. For a reservation next week, I couldn't find any steep discounts but saved about 12% booking the AAA rate through Perfect Escapes.

 

[aleighjc]

Thanks, we ended up booking Royal Pacific. It was actually a 50 dollar price difference.

 

[felixdacat]

We stayed at the Royal Pacific this past weekend. We actually spend most of friday at the pool there! (we were going to go to wet and wild). They have many fun activities and this is what the kids wanted to do. My almost 12 year old hates thrill rides, but we managed to do IOA for a day. Granted it was a beautiful day and she went on the water ride 3 times!!! There are a couple of shows , and the always corney Dr. Suess stuff. the express pass is wonderful!!! as is the walking to the parks. Universal has some tamer rides as well.
We ended up at WWOHP right at 8am to get on "the ride" and get a wand.and then later in the day we went back when it was crowded just to shop and walk around. The 2nd time had a different feel than the first time.

Also, when you stay onsite you can have your purchases sent back to the hotel so you dont have to carry them around.

On a final note, if you do the water rides, bring a "change" of clothes for them, aka bathing suits /tank/shorts. Then after the water ride change back.

Was staying onsite for that price worth it.. yes, if you can stay one night and get two days worth of express pass (stay friday night for example, but get there 7am friday morning to get your room key). We did two nights and dont regret it though, as we did relax by the pool.

 

[fis]

We stayed at the Royal Pacific this past weekend. We actually spend most of friday at the pool there! (we were going to go to wet and wild). They have many fun activities and this is what the kids wanted to do. My almost 12 year old hates thrill rides, but we managed to do IOA for a day. Granted it was a beautiful day and she went on the water ride 3 times!!! There are a couple of shows , and the always corney Dr. Suess stuff. the express pass is wonderful!!! as is the walking to the parks. Universal has some tamer rides as well.
We ended up at WWOHP right at 8am to get on "the ride" and get a wand.and then later in the day we went back when it was crowded just to shop and walk around. The 2nd time had a different feel than the first time.

Also, when you stay onsite you can have your purchases sent back to the hotel so you dont have to carry them around.

On a final note, if you do the water rides, bring a "change" of clothes for them, aka bathing suits /tank/shorts. Then after the water ride change back.

Was staying onsite for that price worth it.. yes, if you can stay one night and get two days worth of express pass (stay friday night for example, but get there 7am friday morning to get your room key). We did two nights and dont regret it though, as we did relax by the pool.

Thanks felixdacat!
Sounds like a great itinerary. So you only spent one day in the park? Would you change the way/order you did anything?
Re the water rides, are you saying you brought a backpack with a change to the park? Are there lockers?
Thanks.

 

[christophfam]

Thanks felixdacat!
Sounds like a great itinerary. So you only spent one day in the park? Would you change the way/order you did anything?
Re the water rides, are you saying you brought a backpack with a change to the park? Are there lockers?
Thanks.

What we did when we were there last month was to hit HP with the early opening. Then we did the three water rides. We were soaked to the bone! At this point, we headed back to RPR and put on our suits. Had lunch by the pool and just enjoyed a little RandR. We headed back to IOA a few hours later and did the other rides. Hit HP again as it was getting dark and the afternoon crowds had died down. So beautiful at night!!

My daughter loves the thrill rides, but my son does not. They both love IOA and the Studios. I think you'll find plenty to do with just two days. I would just enjoy your time at Uni this trip and not try to squeeze WDW in. Part of the pleasure of a Uni trip is not having to rush or stress to be somewhere, and not having to deal with parking, buses, trams, etc. Just check into the RPR and either walk or boat to wherever you want to go.

Also, if you find you need a shower before your late flight, you can use the gym at the RPR. Very nice showers, towels, soap, shampoo, all there for your convience. Just leave your luggage with the bellhop at checkout and they'll hold it until you leave.

 

[fis]

What we did when we were there last month was to hit HP with the early opening. Then we did the three water rides. We were soaked to the bone! At this point, we headed back to RPR and put on our suits. Had lunch by the pool and just enjoyed a little RandR. We headed back to IOA a few hours later and did the other rides. Hit HP again as it was getting dark and the afternoon crowds had died down. So beautiful at night!!

My daughter loves the thrill rides, but my son does not. They both love IOA and the Studios. I think you'll find plenty to do with just two days. I would just enjoy your time at Uni this trip and not try to squeeze WDW in. Part of the pleasure of a Uni trip is not having to rush or stress to be somewhere, and not having to deal with parking, buses, trams, etc. Just check into the RPR and either walk or boat to wherever you want to go.

Also, if you find you need a shower before your late flight, you can use the gym at the RPR. Very nice showers, towels, soap, shampoo, all there for your convience. Just leave your luggage with the bellhop at checkout and they'll hold it until you leave.

Sounds like good advice. I didn't realize the hotel was that convenient! Unfortunately, it looks now like the temperature's going to tank for us on Friday, so we may have to seek alternatives to the pool/water scene.

 

[fis]

Well, the weather was terrible, but the kids had a great time, and much to my amazement, chose to spent 80% of our time in the WWOHP. They could not get enough of it, even as the crowds got insane in the afternoons.

We stayed at at the Royal Pacific, and while we spent virtually no time at the hotel, it was completely worth it for the early entry and the express privileges.

Thanks to all for your advice!