*Tips for First Timers

[DisneyaHolic23]

We are huge Disney fans, and even though we have visitied Disney World more than 30 times, we have never visited Universal Studios...

We decided it is time. But, we are taking baby steps. We are going for ONE day.

We really want to experience as much fun as possible, but my husband is NOT a big ride guy. I am assuming we want US, not IOA...

1. Is there "magic" like at Disney World?
2. What MUST we do?
3. How can we see as much as possible?
4. If I want to go on one big ride, which one should I choose? (I don't want hubby having to spend too much time waiting for me.)

 

[Metro West]

We are huge Disney fans, and even though we have visitied Disney World more than 30 times, we have never visited Universal Studios...

We decided it is time. But, we are taking baby steps. We are going for ONE day.

We really want to experience as much fun as possible, but my husband is NOT a big ride guy. I am assuming we want US, not IOA...

1. Is there "magic" like at Disney World?
2. What MUST we do?
3. How can we see as much as possible?
4. If I want to go on one big ride, which one should I choose? (I don't want hubby having to spend too much time waiting for me.)

Answers below:

1.) There is no Disney magic at Universal...Universal has it's own special atmosphere. Once you go you'll see what I mean. Quite a few people go to Universal expecting a Disney experience and are disappointed by the lack of "magic". Universal has a more modern feel than the MK. Again...you will see what I mean once you've visited.

2.) If you're doing the Studios, I would suggest The Simpsons and Revenge of the Mummy as not to miss attractions.

3.) Depending on when you're going, you might be better off buying an Express Pass to skip the lines. If you're going during the slower periods, you can get by w/o the EP.

4.) If you had to choose one big ride, I would suggest Revenge of the Mummy...especially if you like coasters!

 

[inkkognito]

1. Is there "magic" like at Disney World?
There is "magic," but not like Disney's. I find USF to have a much more engaging atmosphere in some ways than Disney. For example, you might see Lucy and Ricky Ricardo walking down the street or Doc Brown hanging out near his old Delorean. Seeing Shrek, Donkey and Fiona in person is a must. Donkey is a riot, and he never shuts up just like in the movie.

2. What MUST we do?
The Mummy for sure, especially if you like Everest. Mummy is so much more richly themed and a great ride to boot. MiB is also awesome, although it spoiled Buzz for me forever more and I like it better than Toy Story Mania too. If you want to see an innovation 3-D show that combines live actors in a very clever way, don't miss Terminator. Twister is unique, although some people don't think it's worth the long pre-show. The Simpsons is quite cute, especially if you're a fan.

3. How can we see as much as possible?
Get there early and buy an express pass if the park is really crowded (if you're not staying on site, which gives you FOTL automatically).

4. If I want to go on one big ride, which one should I choose? (I don't want hubby having to spend too much time waiting for me.)
Mummy for sure!

 

[kirbsam]

best tip you will receive is to stay onsite. all your other questions fade away after that. no waits, do whatever you want, whenever you want.

 

[DeblovesPoohbear]

Best Tips:

The Mummy! For sure
Express Pass
The Croissant Moon Bakery , we adore their cookies, especially the
white chocolate macadamia nut ones

If you have kids, Suess landing is a must
Have Fun!

 

[BuckeyeGuy28]

Universal Studios would be better for your husband if he doesn't like rides. IOA is awesome though, I am not going to lie.

The Don't Misses Are:
The Simpsons Ride (it's a kind-of rough simulator, so your husband might not be okay with it)
Men in Black
Disaster!
Twister
Terminator

The Ride You Shouldn't Miss:
Revenge of the Mummy (intense, awesome)

Way to See It All:
If you avoid summer months and Dec. 18-January, you shouldn't have to worry about crowds right now. Express passes aren't expensive when it's not crowded, and if you don't mind a (at the most) 20 minute wait for a couple things, you should see it all (I've done IOA and Universal both in about 4 hours with no Express)

No magic at Universal. When you walk into Disney, you 'feel' something magical, at Universal, you don't. But it's very immersive and atmospheric, so what you feel, while it may not match what you feel at Disney, is a definite sort of 'difference' compared to other parks

Other Tips:
Pick Simpsons over Jimmy Neutron for simulator rides

Don't rush from ride to show to ride (there's not that many of them anyway) but instead, take your time and explore...the street sets between Mummy and Shrek are very neat to walk through

If you find yourself walking to Simpsons from the left side of the park, you may pass E.T. It's a fun ride. But even if you don't miss that, you may not see what's past that big building. In the back of that little area is a mini-roller coaster that's vastly underrated, a playground, waterpark, AND ball fort where you shoot foam balls at other people (it sounds gay, but it's FUN) That's a great way to get a little downtime from all that riding

Don't plan your day--playing it by ear is a lot more fun

The best table service restaurant is Lombard's, while the best counter-service is Mel's Drive-In (if you don't like what they serve, only International Food Festival by Simpsons has everything in counter-service)

Explore CityWalk after your day...neat little place to hang out

If the park is open into night hours while you're their, do JAWS at night--it's a totally different ride, and it's amazing in the dark!

 

[DisneyaHolic23]

Thanks to everyone for the help! I have three questions about some of the advice:

1. If we are there on a Sunday in November (the one before Thanksgiving weekend), will it be really busy? I would have liked to avoid a weekend, but it was the only day that worked...

2. The last poster mentioned seeing things at night. Does it close early in November? I had planned to be there all day and night...

3. Any chance US will be decorated for Christmas?

4. Seuss Landing, mentioned by a previous poster, is at IOA, right? I would so like to see that, but for my husband, I think we must do US...

Thanks again for your suggestions and help!

 

[Metro West]

Thanks to everyone for the help! I have three questions about some of the advice:

1. If we are there on a Sunday in November (the one before Thanksgiving weekend), will it be really busy? I would have liked to avoid a weekend, but it was the only day that worked...

2. The last poster mentioned seeing things at night. Does it close early in November? I had planned to be there all day and night...

3. Any chance US will be decorated for Christmas?

4. Seuss Landing, mentioned by a previous poster, is at IOA, right? I would so like to see that, but for my husband, I think we must do US...

Thanks again for your suggestions and help!

Answers below:

1. It shouldn't be too bad before Thanksgiving but avoid the weekend after.

2. The parks usually close at 6pm during the slower times and November is generally slow...except for the holiday weekend. You could head to CityWalk after the parks close for a nice dinner, shopping or dancing.

3. Yes...the parks will be beautifully decorated for Christmas by then.

4. Yes...Seuss Landing is located at IOA.

 

[BuckeyeGuy28]

Thanks to everyone for the help! I have three questions about some of the advice:

2. The last poster mentioned seeing things at night. Does it close early in November? I had planned to be there all day and night...

Thanks again for your suggestions and help!

Before Thanksgiving, the park might close at 7--in fact, I think I saw that somewhere. Even if it closes at 6, it gets pretty dark (not pitch black) by 5:50 or so. If you get in line then, you'll be waiting until probably after closing at 6 and will get a wonderfully dark ride!

 

[Metro West]

Before Thanksgiving, the park might close at 7--in fact, I think I saw that somewhere. Even if it closes at 6, it gets pretty dark (not pitch black) by 5:50 or so. If you get in line then, you'll be waiting until probably after closing at 6 and will get a wonderfully dark ride!

After checking the website...the parks close at 6pm until 11/22 and then it's 7pm until 11/28 and then it's 8pm on 11/28 and 11/29.

 

[dolphindan1]

Universal Studios would be better for your husband if he doesn't like rides. IOA is awesome though, I am not going to lie.

The Don't Misses Are:
The Simpsons Ride (it's a kind-of rough simulator, so your husband might not be okay with it)
Men in Black
Disaster!
Twister
Terminator

The Ride You Shouldn't Miss:
Revenge of the Mummy (intense, awesome)

Way to See It All:
If you avoid summer months and Dec. 18-January, you shouldn't have to worry about crowds right now. Express passes aren't expensive when it's not crowded, and if you don't mind a (at the most) 20 minute wait for a couple things, you should see it all (I've done IOA and Universal both in about 4 hours with no Express)

No magic at Universal. When you walk into Disney, you 'feel' something magical, at Universal, you don't. But it's very immersive and atmospheric, so what you feel, while it may not match what you feel at Disney, is a definite sort of 'difference' compared to other parks

Other Tips:
Pick Simpsons over Jimmy Neutron for simulator rides

Don't rush from ride to show to ride (there's not that many of them anyway) but instead, take your time and explore...the street sets between Mummy and Shrek are very neat to walk through

If you find yourself walking to Simpsons from the left side of the park, you may pass E.T. It's a fun ride. But even if you don't miss that, you may not see what's past that big building. In the back of that little area is a mini-roller coaster that's vastly underrated, a playground, waterpark, AND ball fort where you shoot foam balls at other people (it sounds gay, but it's FUN) That's a great way to get a little downtime from all that riding

Don't plan your day--playing it by ear is a lot more fun

The best table service restaurant is Lombard's, while the best counter-service is Mel's Drive-In (if you don't like what they serve, only International Food Festival by Simpsons has everything in counter-service)

Explore CityWalk after your day...neat little place to hang out

If the park is open into night hours while you're their, do JAWS at night--it's a totally different ride, and it's amazing in the dark!

Why do you think crowds will pick up on the 18th....thats a Thursday a week before Christmas....I didnt think the crowds would pick up till the sat or Sunday....I was planning a US day on Friday the 19th...you think it wil be that busy?