Thinking of trying Universal? Read this first timer’s impressions (kinda long)

[damo]

Thanks I didn't know that. Is it far by boat from the Hard Rock?

You'd have to go to citywalk and then change boats. It is only about a five minute walk. Well worth it. They serve great pizza there too!

 

[wicket2005]

Thanks Damo. Do you mean it is five minutes walk from Hard Rock or 5 minutes walk from the landing platform at PBH?

 

[LadyJeanPirateQueen]

But what is Front Of The Line and how does one go about getting it? My husband is considering taking me, our son and his mom to US/IOA in late Setember. He's been..but it was 20 years ago and I've never been.


I can't seem to get excited about it, because it's not Disney. Maybe if US/IOA had a vacation planning video it would help. It also doesn't help that somebody told me US/IOA is a 'glorified Six Flags with better characters'.

Ladyjean

 

[wicket2005]

Front of the line is a perk for staying onsite, you show your room key and enter the express line, more often than not getting straight on to the ride. Instead of lining up.

You can also buy them at the parks but they only allow you FOTL for one go on each of the rides.

Also APs have the unlimited priviledge for visits after 4 pm I believe.

It is an excellent perk.

I prefer Universal/Islands to the Disney parks. They have a much more grown up, more up to date feel about them.

 

[LadyJeanPirateQueen]

So other than Portofino Bay and the Hard Rock Hotel, which hotels are considered 'on site'? Do they have busses that run continually all day to/from the hotels the way Disney does? That's going to be VERY important for us because we'll be dragging our son (3 1/2) along with us if we end up going.

Ladyjean

 

[breebella]

But what is Front Of The Line and how does one go about getting it? My husband is considering taking me, our son and his mom to US/IOA in late Setember. He's been..but it was 20 years ago and I've never been.


I can't seem to get excited about it, because it's not Disney. Maybe if US/IOA had a vacation planning video it would help. It also doesn't help that somebody told me US/IOA is a 'glorified Six Flags with better characters'.

Ladyjean

When you stay on-site in one of Universal's 3 hotels, your hotel room key is your front of the line pass (FOTL) for the rides.

If you don't stay at an on-site hotel, you can purchase a fast pass for an additional $20 (I think that's what it cost), but you can only get FOTL one time per ride. When using your room key as your Express pass you get unlimited FOTL. Its worth staying on site if its within your budget.

Also, I'm a huge Disney fan too, that's why I split my stay. I was worried I might not enjoy Universal as much as Disney, but I was very wrong!

 

[breebella]

So other than Portofino Bay and the Hard Rock Hotel, which hotels are considered 'on site'? Do they have busses that run continually all day to/from the hotels the way Disney does? That's going to be VERY important for us because we'll be dragging our son (3 1/2) along with us if we end up going.

Ladyjean

The third hotel is the Royal Pacific Resort and probably the least expensive of the 3.

There are no buses because all of the hotels are within walking distance, but they do offer boat shuttles too.

There are shuttle buses that will take you to the other on-site hotels and also to Sea World and Wet & Wild.

When we stayed at the Royal Pacific, we walked to the parks everyday. We only took the boat once.

 

[wicket2005]

Being so close to the parks is one of the reasons why I found it so relaxing, no bus/car ride back to the hotel - a simple 5 minute walk along a pleasant path lined with tropical plants. As mentioned you could get the boat back if you wanted but if it was busy by the time you had waited to get on the boat you could have been back.

We stayed at the Royal Pacific and though it was close to the park, once back at the hotel you could have been away at some tropical island. I totally loved it.

I have never stayed at Disney and don't ever intend to but from what I understand if you don't have a car you have to catch a bus to the parks from the majority of the hotels. Universal and Islands is a lot more compact area.

I am constantly surprised that a lot of people only stay at Disney and don't venture out to Islands, Universal or Sea World. Coming from England I want to experience as much as I can so visit all the Disney, Universal and Sea World parks on each visit. Each and every one has such original attractions.

 

[RVGal]

But what is Front Of The Line and how does one go about getting it? My husband is considering taking me, our son and his mom to US/IOA in late Setember. He's been..but it was 20 years ago and I've never been.


I can't seem to get excited about it, because it's not Disney. Maybe if US/IOA had a vacation planning video it would help. It also doesn't help that somebody told me US/IOA is a 'glorified Six Flags with better characters'.

Ladyjean

No, it doesn't help when someone makes a comment like that. Especially if it something you were already sorta thinking to begin with.

Universal is NOT Disney. There is a different feel to the parks. That's not a bad thing, if you are in the mood for different. All of the parks (Disney, Universal, Sea World) have great things to offer. However, if you are not in the mood for something different than Disney, then wait until you ARE.

If you want to ride all the rides with your son, check the height requirements on the Universal website. Most of the rides require that a child be able to sit on their own, beside the adult... so if he is still in the lap-sit for new things phase, it won't be a good idea.

My family had a great time at WDW and Universal for our trip in May. My sons were just as excited to meet Barney (at US) as they were to meet Pooh (at CP in the MK). It was a good time for us to explore both places with them. Choose the time that is right for you to explore something other than Disney... and that's something only you can decide. (and it probably needs to be a time when you aren't thinking "this isn't Disney... they don't do things just like Disney...")

I hope your vacation is a wonderful one!

 

[damo]

The third hotel is the Royal Pacific Resort and probably the least expensive of the 3.

There are no buses because all of the hotels are within walking distance, but they do offer boat shuttles too.

There are shuttle buses that will take you to the other on-site hotels and also to Sea World and Wet & Wild.

When we stayed at the Royal Pacific, we walked to the parks everyday. We only took the boat once.

Actually there are also buses onsite. They run from the hotels to the parks just like the boats.

 

[damo]

Thanks Damo. Do you mean it is five minutes walk from Hard Rock or 5 minutes walk from the landing platform at PBH?

Five minutes from Hard Rock to PBH walking and it is sooooo pretty.

 

[damo]

But what is Front Of The Line and how does one go about getting it? My husband is considering taking me, our son and his mom to US/IOA in late Setember. He's been..but it was 20 years ago and I've never been.


I can't seem to get excited about it, because it's not Disney. Maybe if US/IOA had a vacation planning video it would help. It also doesn't help that somebody told me US/IOA is a 'glorified Six Flags with better characters'.

Ladyjean

Here are some online videos for you that serve as a vacation planning video.

http://www.uomeetingsandevents.com/Universal_Experience/experience.asp

 

[bubba's mom]

In addition, there are rickshaws from CityWalk to the hotels... they are at the end of the paths when you exit CityWalk. They are free, but do work for tips. Use your discretion

 

[Ileana]

I should be there today!!!!!

 

[wicket2005]

In addition, there are rickshaws from CityWalk to the hotels... they are at the end of the paths when you exit CityWalk. They are free, but do work for tips. Use your discretion

Just as a matter of interest, what would be the going rate to tip the rickshaw people? We always walked back to RPR but wouldn't have minded using them once, just to do something different but didn't know what the going rate for a tip would be and didn't want to not give enough.

 

[Metro West]

No, it doesn't help when someone makes a comment like that. Especially if it something you were already sorta thinking to begin with.

Universal is NOT Disney. There is a different feel to the parks. That's not a bad thing, if you are in the mood for different. All of the parks (Disney, Universal, Sea World) have great things to offer. However, if you are not in the mood for something different than Disney, then wait until you ARE.

Listen to Tricia...she speakth the truth! I would wager that the person who told you that Universal = Six Flags was a person who either didn't like Universal or hasn't even been there.

Universal and Sea World are great in their own rite so don't let people talk you out of it.

 

[macraven]

But what is Front Of The Line and how does one go about getting it? My husband is considering taking me, our son and his mom to US/IOA in late Setember. He's been..but it was 20 years ago and I've never been.


I can't seem to get excited about it, because it's not Disney. Maybe if US/IOA had a vacation planning video it would help. It also doesn't help that somebody told me US/IOA is a 'glorified Six Flags with better characters'.

Ladyjean

universal orlando is not 20 years old yet.

Just as a matter of interest, what would be the going rate to tip the rickshaw people? We always walked back to RPR but wouldn't have minded using them once, just to do something different but didn't know what the going rate for a tip would be and didn't want to not give enough.

where is jodie and mother fletcher at this time..........
check out the rickshaw thread. it's been a couple of months but still there in the forum




i do both parks when i am in orlando. it is like having two separate vacations.

so good to hear you enjoyed your vacation at UO.

 

[huskies90]

I can't seem to get excited about it, because it's not Disney. Maybe if US/IOA had a vacation planning video it would help. It also doesn't help that somebody told me US/IOA is a 'glorified Six Flags with better characters'.

LadyJean - Read the first post on this thread. I wrote it just for people like you who love Disney but you are not sure about Universal. I was in the same boat two weeks ago. I am not going to say I like it more than Disney but as we have been home talking to people about our trip, Universal is dominating the conversation. I am so glad we did both. They are so similiar yet so different, it was really like having two vacations. I have heard people call Disney a glorfied six flags, too (not on disboards.com of course), so always take what you hear with a grain of salt.

 

[bubba's mom]

RE: Rickshaw tipping:

The 3 of us "squoze" (if that's even a word!) into one and went to RPR. DH said he felt bad being 200lbs+ (which is still more than DS and me COMBINED), so we tipped $10. DH hoped he wasn't being cheap....but for about 5 minutes (not even!) of work, $10 is pretty good money imho. You can do $2 pp or a flat $5 or whatever you think is reasonable. We always give extra, since they have to pay to rent the rickshaw and are only working for tips.

 

[LadyJeanPirateQueen]

DS is still a lap-sitter and he'd probably be too little for everything except maybe Seuss Landing (is that right? Is that the kiddo section?).

I also have this weird feeling it would be disloyal to go to Universal since they are in such competition with Disney.

Ladyjean