Tell me exactly what to do!!

[MAGICX2]

We are arriving late the day after tomorrow (myself and my DD10.) We have a Harry Potter Package at the Cabana Bay resort that includes a 3 day PTP pass with the Unlimited Express Pass. We also have 2 breakfasts included (1 at LC, 1 at 3BS).
We plan to exchange our vouchers at the hotel kiosk when we arrive Friday night so we don't have to mess with it Sat. morning. Can we also get our EP at the kiosk? I thought we had to have our picture taken?
Also, Sat. morning, the park opens at 9am. Where do we go for early entry? We want to do EfG first, then ride HE over to do FJ. We have breakfast at 3BS at 9am on Sat.
Tell me what we should do! I have no idea where to go for EE. No idea what happens once we get there for EE. I have tried reading different things on this forum and also US website, but can't seem to find specifics. Any help with a plan of attack would be greatly appreciated!

 

[macraven]

We are arriving late the day after tomorrow (myself and my DD10.) We have a Harry Potter Package at the Cabana Bay resort that includes a 3 day PTP pass with the Unlimited Express Pass. We also have 2 breakfasts included (1 at LC, 1 at 3BS).
We plan to exchange our vouchers at the hotel kiosk when we arrive Friday night so we don't have to mess with it Sat. morning. Can we also get our EP at the kiosk? I thought we had to have our picture taken?
Also, Sat. morning, the park opens at 9am. Where do we go for early entry? We want to do EfG first, then ride HE over to do FJ. We have breakfast at 3BS at 9am on Sat.
Tell me what we should do! I have no idea where to go for EE. No idea what happens once we get there for EE. I have tried reading different things on this forum and also US website, but can't seem to find specifics. Any help with a plan of attack would be greatly appreciated!

first let me say that i am not familiar with the hp packages for cabana bay.
you said they include unlimited ep?
or did you do an option of add on for buying the unlimited ep?
for those that buy the unlimited express passes, you can have the photo ep card made at guest services.

usually when you check into the deluxe hotels and bought a package, the packet is issued to you at check in.
it includes your tickets.

i assume when a person stays at the value hotel, the same process will be done.

packages do change with promotions.
check your confirmation email you were sent to find any instructions given to you in advance.
all i can do is give you general information as i do not purchase packages.
well, i have done a package here and there for my sons when they come with me, but it has been a year since i last did that.


early entry will be one hour prior to the officially opening time.
if the parks open at 9, then ee will be 8 for hotel guests.

at the front of the park prior to the turnstiles, you will see a sign that states
"hotel guests only"
that is where you enter to the park to go to the ticket turnstiles.
TM's usually there at that line to help with ee.

 

[MAGICX2]

first let me say that i am not familiar with the hp packages for cabana bay.
you said they include unlimited ep?
or did you do an option of add on for buying the unlimited ep?
for those that buy the unlimited express passes, you can have the photo ep card made at guest services.

usually when you check into the deluxe hotels and bought a package, the packet is issued to you at check in.
it includes your tickets.

i assume when a person stays at the value hotel, the same process will be done.

packages do change with promotions.
check your confirmation email you were sent to find any instructions given to you in advance.
all i can do is give you general information as i do not purchase packages.
well, i have done a package here and there for my sons when they come with me, but it has been a year since i last did that.


early entry will be one hour prior to the officially opening time.
if the parks open at 9, then ee will be 8 for hotel guests.

at the front of the park prior to the turnstiles, you will see a sign that states
"hotel guests only"
that is where you enter to the park to go to the ticket turnstiles.
TM's usually there at that line to help with ee.

The HP package at Cabana Bay offered the PTP pass with EP as one of the package components. (I know that EP is not usually offered at the moderate resort.)
Do we have to go to Guest Services at the hotel or at the Park for the EP?
We did receive a packet emailed to us. We printed out all our vouchers we would need for passes, breakfast, etc. but it didn't really give clear instructions.
I plan on having us to the entrance gates by 7:30am. My question is, it says that which park will have EE is at US discretion and it can change,will we be able to enter US early? Is there only one entrance (the front?)
Should we take the water taxi, is it fastest?
We only have Sat & Sun to do everything and want to make sure and hit it all. I don't see us making a return trip. This was DD10 Christmas gift. She is a HP nut and I want her to be able to hit everything she wants. Just trying to get a game plan!

 

[macraven]

Also, Sat. morning, the park opens at 9am. Where do we go for early entry? We want to do EfG first, then ride HE over to do FJ. We have breakfast at 3BS at 9am on Sat.
Tell me what we should do! I have no idea where to go for EE. No idea what happens once we get there for EE. I have tried reading different things on this forum and also US website, but can't seem to find specifics. Any help with a plan of attack would be greatly appreciated!

if your breakfast reservaration with the hp package is at 9, be in the park early say 8;50 so you can enjoy and the breakfast in that tme period when done you go on the ride gtingots then when done with breakfast
it could be about 9 :930 and time for you go take the HE to the other side

you can google the park map and get an idea of there you need to go next to the age i order to enter thy

i think you will do fine
e other park

 

[BrinkofSunshine]

Early Park admission is currently only at Diagon Alley at Universal Studios. You can hit Gringotts first during that, then you can either walk or take the train over to Hogsmeade at Islands of Adventure for your breakfast. Since it is so early, you may want to walk.

It's not a very busy time at the parks right now; you shouldn't have trouble getting everything done.

 

[ssuro11]

Not saying you are wrong, but I could not find a package that offered unlimited express at Cabana Bay. Could you point out which one, I am going soon and might pick this one if they have unlimited express.

I am pretty sure you would have to go to the park to get the express pass as they dont have the machines at Cabana Bay to issue them.

 

[pixeegrl]

Should we take the water taxi, is it fastest?

Just so you know, there is no water taxi from Cabana Bay. Have a great trip! Come back and do a Trip Report

 

[Planogirl]

Not saying you are wrong, but I could not find a package that offered unlimited express at Cabana Bay. Could you point out which one, I am going soon and might pick this one if they have unlimited express.

I am pretty sure you would have to go to the park to get the express pass as they dont have the machines at Cabana Bay to issue them.

You can include Express when you customize your own package. I checked out the packages and the Universal website threw the Flex Ticket in with Cabana Bay. I deleted that and got the option of picking which tickets I wanted.

This is what I ended up with after deleting some offers and other things:

Checkout step 1 of 3 - Review vacation details

Customer Service

We are available by phone EST Mon-Fri 8AM to 10PM and Sat-Sun 9AM to 8PM for:

Vacation Planning assistance, questions, or comments at
877-801-9720.

Groups needing 10 or more rooms contact
800-447-0663.
Email us a questionRetrieve a reservationFAQs
Click to Chat With an Online Representative


Itinerary 1

$1,873.31
3/14/2015-3/21/2015
UNIVERSAL'S CABANA BAY BEACH RESORT

Checkout is a three step process. Please review your vacation details in step one. Once you complete this step click the Continue button and fill out your traveler information in step two. Finally click the Continue button and fill out your billing information.


Your trip to Orlando
Saturday, March 14, 2015 - Saturday, March 21, 2015

Total Package Price
$2,588.89
Price Per Person $1,294.45

Enhance Your Vacation Experience With These Recommended Services Airport Transfers - the most valuable way to get you to and from your hotel quickly and comfortably.
Travel Protection - change or cancel your vacation for any reason with no fees plus during travel insurance & more.

HOTEL

UNIVERSAL'S CABANA BAY BEACH RESORT


Hotel Rating 3 Rating
4 of 5 stars
TripAdvisor Traveler Rating
Based on 2905 reviews
UNIVERSAL'S CABANA BAY BEACH RESORT
Room 1: 2 Adults

Check in: 3/14/2015 Check out: 3/21/2015


Room Type:

Room-Specific Promos

Price per Stay

STANDARD ROOM - THESE TOWER ROOMS ARE A GREAT PLACE TO SHIFT YOUR VACATION INTO

(Discount- Stay More, Save More)

Early Park Admission† to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™ one hour before the theme park opens!

Current Selection

POOLSIDE ROOM - 2 QUEEN BEDS, FLAT SCREEN TV, RETRO THEME. OPEN THE

(Discount- Stay More, Save More)

Early Park Admission† to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™ one hour before the theme park opens!
+ $92.33
STANDARD ROOM - THESE TOWER ROOMS ARE A GREAT PLACE TO SHIFT YOUR VACATION INTO

(Seasonal Rate)


Early Park Admission† to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™ one hour before the theme park opens!

+ $375.97


3-Day Park to Park + Universal Express Unlimited
Date - March 16
2 Adults


CityWalk Party Pass
Date - March 14

Included

Ignore the prices! My formatting is so wonky that I'm not sure what this included any more.

 

[macraven]

planogirl, i was looking at the packages that was mentioned here and don't see the advantage of it.
for the figure you came up with in blue, is more that what i am going to pay for a 12 night stay at a deluxe in a king suite.
i'm including the renewal cost of my preferred ap in what i am going to pay with the SMSM rate.

i'm comparing a 7 night stay at the value hotel against my stay of 12 nights with the same hotel perks.

some like doing packages.
if you customize, you can get exactly what you want for the price you pay.

 

[ssuro11]

Looks like your express is for one day(March 16th), not your entire stay. For that price you might look at RPR.

 

[Planogirl]

My formatting is horrible (!) so I suggest that whoever is interested price it out online. The date in the prior post is the date I selected to start the passes. I actually chose the Park to Park with 3rd day free:

Park-to-Park Ticket with 3rd Day Free + Universal Express Unlimited (Peak)

Enjoy BOTH Universal's Islands of Adventure® AND Universal Studios Florida® each day, PLUS Universal Express Unlimited access. (more)

Category: Universal Tickets - Best Value

Location: Universal Orlando® Resort

It actually costs $724.18 for two people. Yes, expensive.

 

[macraven]

PG, you'll have a great time !!

 

[Planogirl]

I won't be doing it with Unlimited Express though.

 

[Pembo]

The HP package at Cabana Bay offered the PTP pass with EP as one of the package components. (I know that EP is not usually offered at the moderate resort.)
Do we have to go to Guest Services at the hotel or at the Park for the EP?
We did receive a packet emailed to us. We printed out all our vouchers we would need for passes, breakfast, etc. but it didn't really give clear instructions.
I plan on having us to the entrance gates by 7:30am. My question is, it says that which park will have EE is at US discretion and it can change,will we be able to enter US early? Is there only one entrance (the front?)
Should we take the water taxi, is it fastest?
We only have Sat & Sun to do everything and want to make sure and hit it all. I don't see us making a return trip. This was DD10 Christmas gift. She is a HP nut and I want her to be able to hit everything she wants. Just trying to get a game plan!

First I want to say - relax, Universal is nothing like Disney as far as planning. It's so much more chill. You'll take the bus to the park. It's a 3 minute ride. When you get off the bus, take the escalator up to the walkway, with everyone else, follow the crowds to the parks. Right to US, left to IOA. We were there in December, low crowds. EE opening at 8, we got to the gate at 7:45 and walked right in. Once in the park, follow the crowds to Harry Potter. You are going to have a great time!!!! And if HP is your focus, you'll get everything done in two days. That was our focus, we barely wandered out of HP for anything.