Thinking of finally going to Universal, need advice, tips etc!

[BigGreen73]

We are the typical WDW nuts. Been 9 times since 2004. Never been to Universal or outside the WDW "bubble". With all the changes/updates at Universal I really would like to go now.

I'm a big guy at 6'4" 360 so I know that I won't be able to go on some of the the rides and I am okay with that. My wife has a back issue and is not a big fan of extreme rides and roller coasters so there are some that she won't ride either. No biggie. But we want to see HP, Springfield, Transformers, Despicable Me and the like.

Are there any free touring sites for univeral like there are for WDW w/ crowd calendars, reviews, tips etc?

I would like to read some reviews on the rides and check out some crowd level calendars. I am trying to decide when to go. Right now I am between a couple of options for May and September.

1. Go for two weeks in May or September, splitting the vacation between US and WDW.
2. Do two separate vacations one in May and one in September. US would be one week (w/ a day at Seaworld) and a week at WDW.

I do know that I would like to stay on site at US to take advantage of the perks.

Since we've never been, how many days for US/IOA (+ Seaworld) would be recommended to "talk it all in"?

Any tips, tricks, and advice will be greatly appreciated.

 

[RMulieri]

There is a really good free site, but it is prohibited to mention on the boards.If you google Universal Orlando crowd calendar it should come up.
Touringplans.com also has a site, but it is a paid site and not as comprehensive.Undercover tourist also has a crwod calendar.For a good guidebook, Universal Orlando by Seth kubersky/Kelly monaghan is a very good one.A few things to keep in mind...The Harry Potter expansion opens summer 2014.That will definitely drive up crowds and change park dynamics for a long time.
I would concentrate on Universal/Seaworld separately.4 days should be enough.1 for each universal park, and 1 for redoing the favorites. 1 day for seaworld..

 

[damo]

September is an excellent time to go. If you go next May, you will miss the new Diagon Alley expansion.

I would also suggest 4 days to do both Universal/IOA/SeaWorld.

There is a bus that will take you from your onsite Universal to SeaWorld in the morning and return around dinner time. So you can stay onsite at Universal for the whole thing.

 

[KapBoy77]

Does anyone know why certain sites are prohibited from being mentioned around here? I keep hearing about this and it doesn't make sense. Does it have something to do with sponsors and stuff!?

 

[bumbershoot]

It just has to do with the message board being a private board and they can make those decisions. I know that sometimes it has to do with advertising for free or the perception of that happening. I don't know what site the previous poster is mentioning so I'm absolutely not talking about them specifically, but it's behind some sites being banned. Also it can be about continued bad service but that's mainly transportation service companies.

There are some message boards that don't allow any other websites to be mentioned. The dis is far more lenient than that.

 

[Metro West]

It just has to do with the message board being a private board and they can make those decisions. I know that sometimes it has to do with advertising for free or the perception of that happening. I don't know what site the previous poster is mentioning so I'm absolutely not talking about them specifically, but it's behind some sites being banned. Also it can be about continued bad service but that's mainly transportation service companies.

There are some message boards that don't allow any other websites to be mentioned. The dis is far more lenient than that.

That's a pretty fair explanation.

 

[KorbensMomma]

I guess it would depend when in May and September. Also it matters if you are big HP fans as the new area in US is set to open in July.
It also matters if you plan to go back any time soon.

If you are big Halloween fans I would hit the parks in Sept to be able to do the Halloween party's. I am to chicken for HHN but love MNSSHP. So in sept you will have the new HP land and the Halloween party's depending when you go.

Just remember to do WDW before US/IoA or you will be frustrated waiting in line at Disney.

 

[KapBoy77]

That's a pretty fair explanation.

Yep I agree!

 

[damo]

I think the board in question got banned because of the rule that you can't use the company's name as your username because it is viewed as advertising. The owner was a member here and his username was the company's name and I think that led to the banning of the company name.

 

[BigGreen73]

There is a really good free site, but it is prohibited to mention on the boards.If you google Universal Orlando crowd calendar it should come up.
Touringplans.com also has a site, but it is a paid site and not as comprehensive.Undercover tourist also has a crwod calendar.For a good guidebook, Universal Orlando by Seth kubersky/Kelly monaghan is a very good one.A few things to keep in mind...The Harry Potter expansion opens summer 2014.That will definitely drive up crowds and change park dynamics for a long time.
I would concentrate on Universal/Seaworld separately.4 days should be enough.1 for each universal park, and 1 for redoing the favorites. 1 day for seaworld..

I think I found the website that you were tlking about. It looks pretty good.

 

[BigGreen73]

I guess it would depend when in May and September. Also it matters if you are big HP fans as the new area in US is set to open in July.
It also matters if you plan to go back any time soon.

If you are big Halloween fans I would hit the parks in Sept to be able to do the Halloween party's. I am to chicken for HHN but love MNSSHP. So in sept you will have the new HP land and the Halloween party's depending when you go.

Just remember to do WDW before US/IoA or you will be frustrated waiting in line at Disney.

When we go in May to WDW, it's usually within the 1st two weeks. So if we went next may, it would be sometime between 4/27 - 5/9. Give or take a day or two.

We really like Halloween and I would really enjoy HHN. But I think that my wife is were you are, just a little too chicken. We both like MNSSHP though.

We do like HP, not crazy fans or anything. We saw all the movies, never read any of the books. The new section opening isn't a huge selling point on when we want to go, but it would be a bonus for sure.

Is there anywhere I can read about the new on property resort opening at Universal? When I look at booking online, it shows it as an option opening ealy in 2014. Seems to be a little cheaper than the current resorts but with all the perks.

Is the new resort in walking distance like the current resorts or will you need to be shuttled to the parks?

And, how long does it take to tour City Park? How much time is a good amt of time to check it all out?

 

[damo]

When we go in May to WDW, it's usually within the 1st two weeks. So if we went next may, it would be sometime between 4/27 - 5/9. Give or take a day or two.

We really like Halloween and I would really enjoy HHN. But I think that my wife is were you are, just a little too chicken. We both like MNSSHP though.

We do like HP, not crazy fans or anything. We saw all the movies, never read any of the books. The new section opening isn't a huge selling point on when we want to go, but it would be a bonus for sure.

Is there anywhere I can read about the new on property resort opening at Universal? When I look at booking online, it shows it as an option opening ealy in 2014. Seems to be a little cheaper than the current resorts but with all the perks.

Is the new resort in walking distance like the current resorts or will you need to be shuttled to the parks?

And, how long does it take to tour City Park? How much time is a good amt of time to check it all out?

The new resort will not offer the unlimited express.

https://www.universalorlando.com/Hotels/Theme-Park-Hotels.aspx

Citywalk is small. There are several restaurants and a few stores. Nothing really to block out time for.

 

[RMulieri]

The new resort is cheaper, but does NOT have all the perks, particularly the express passes

 

[BigGreen73]

The new resort will not offer the unlimited express.

https://www.universalorlando.com/Hotels/Theme-Park-Hotels.aspx

Citywalk is small. There are several restaurants and a few stores. Nothing really to block out time for.

No Express @ the new resort. Definitely good to know.

I just checked the map for CityWalk, looks like we could check it all out in a few hours.

Right now I am thinking of 5 days total for a UO trip. 1 Seaword, 4 for the U two parks and CityWalk.

 

[damo]

No Express @ the new resort. Definitely good to know.

I just checked the map for CityWalk, looks like we could check it all out in a few hours.

Right now I am thinking of 5 days total for a UO trip. 1 Seaword, 4 for the U two parks and CityWalk.

That sounds perfect. There are two mini golf courses at Citywalk that you might want to try out.

 

[Planogirl]

If you are pool people, you might want to set aside time for that too. You can pool hop and my family spent a whole day just enjoying the pools at the different resorts.

 

[BigGreen73]

That sounds perfect. There are two mini golf courses at Citywalk that you might want to try out.

Are those usually busy or can you just walk up and play w/o much of a wait?

 

[RMulieri]

Are those usually busy or can you just walk up and play w/o much of a wait?

In the afternoons it isnt bad.There was almost a 45 min wait in the evening when we went