I love these boards 
as they have helped me sooo much with my trips to WDW, Disney Cruise, and now Universal. I thought I'd give a little of my trip and some things that I thought might help others.
Our family is myself, my husband, my daughter (11), and my son(10). I am a huge HP fan and have turned my daughter and son into one too. My husband could take or leave it but he usually goes with the flow!
My daughter had just finished with state 4H shooting competitions and this was her reward. It has all she has talked about for months.
We stayed at RPR and got in Saturday night. We were in Tower 2. I thought it was a really nice hotel. Although I was completely surprised you had to pay for wireless in your room. We headed out to City Walk and had dinner at Bubba Gumps. I think this was actually our best meal. We did have to explain the themeing behind Forrest Gump and promised them we would watch it once we got home. (um yea we did that last night and then realized not the most appropriate movie for their age...we had only remembered the funny sweet parts!
)
Sunday we got up bright and early and headed to park around 7:45. We walked and it really is a pretty walk. There was already a huge line to get in and we all made our way to HP world. We went to Olivander's first. Even with the early in we still waited about 30 minutes. But it was well worth it. My daughter was picked (ok how sad is it that I got teary that she was picked?) So happy we got some mummy dust!!
Our whole plan was to keep going to Olivander's till she got picked and we did it the first time. It was a cool experience but I could see where if you didn't get picked it would not be so cool . The one funny thing was when he asked her birthdate. She said September 11th. He stopped and looked at her and asked "really?".
Even though all the guides say don't buy anything before you go on forbidden journey, I had to buy the wand but I had it delivered to our hotel (I now know you can have all packages delivered to front of park to pick up on your way out..this would have been better; delivery to your room isn't until another day). I then told everyone they couldn't look at anything we had to go to FJ.
I had read all the guides so I knew to not have any bags. I made everyone wear shorts with lots of pockets! So we bypassed and went into the castle and found where the castle tour started. We did a nice long tour of the castle and then went back to get in the single rider line. We were through the tour and line in 30 minutes. We then went and enjoyed the rest of the park.
As we had FOTL passes, we were able to get on all the rides with little to no wait. We even lucked out and ate at Mythos with no ressies right at 11. Our meal was about $90. Portions were small but it was good. We left the park around 6 having rode FJ three times and all our favorite rides at least twice. My son liked FJ best, My daughter the whole shop experience at HP, and my husband loved the dueling dragons coaster. We rode and did everything in the park but the glider ride in Jurrasic Park (more on that ride later).
And btw they aren't kidding about the rides in toon land getting you wet. You aren't just wet you are completely soaked so I would not recommend new tennis shoes or thin shorts. We saw lots of see through pants that day...including mine!
Our only bad part of the day was where after ride the dueling dragons once my husband and son went to ride again while we shopped. The ride was broken down but they waited around for it to get back up. Probabaly about 45 minutes (it was the last ride of the day). After waiting and having rode the ride already they told my son he was too short. We measured him at the opening of the ride and he was fine but now they said that the stick at the actual ride is more accurate and he wasn't tall enought. My husband found someone to complain to and they said sorry that the height lines found when you walk in were not the final say and not accurate
As my son was right on the line the very nice attendant walked them back to the front of the line told them he could ride it and let them ride in the first car. So be wary of the height lines!
The next day we spend at Univeral studios. It is definately less crowded and a little dated. We liked all the rides. Their favorite was def RRR. I even liked it but my husband still said the best ride was the dueling dragons. The RRR looks scary but I found it to be the least scary roller coaster of them all. We did RRR first since it does not have a FOTL pass. We then headed out to all the other attractions. We loved the horror makeup show. The kids were a little leary but ended up thinking it was great. I do have to say this is def not Disney because all the shows use the word suck and P*ss. I was a little surprised by this...
Jimmy Neutron was open but was going to be closed in a week.
Our luck at being picked continued as my husband got a part in Disaster...this made this attraction quite fun for me and the kids while my husband continued to stare daggers at me for pointing to him to get picked
After doing all these rides we realized our kids have never seen most of them...ET, MIB, Simpsons, Jaws, Jurassic Park, twister...so we had to explain a little back story. I told them we would watch them later but I'm thinking we may have to wait a little longer
We ended up done around 3 after riding a couple of items twice. We went and ate at Pastamore. (Kids buffet for $10 but there are 20% coupons online). Ron was tired so headed back to room to take a nap. We went to Islands of adventure and tried FJ. Even the single rider line was crazy so we gave up and just walked around and shopped. On the way out we found Dr. Seuss Zoo. My kids are older but they had a great time in there at the end of the day. A good way to blow off steam and relax a little.
FYI I know the experience of buying in HP land is great but its crowded and they get sold out of sizes. If you go to the big Universal stores when you first walk in both parks they have all the same stuff and more and with less crowds! Also Fleur's wand was completely sold out everywhere and they may not get it in till September some time.
We went back to the hotel and all went down to the pool to watch HP on the big screen by the pool. We had a great time and really just ended up playing volley ball with one of the inflatable balls they have available. It was a nice family night.
The next day we got up early again and decided to do the true FJ experience and ride together. We did the full line and that was when my husband decided that my reading ahead was a good thing. Even one of the first ones in we waited about 30 minutes just to get in. We did get a picture together but really the way to go is the single rider line. FYI, I didn't find this out till later but grab a photo connect card from one of the photo boths during your visit then just have them add your photo at any ride to your card. This way you don't have to buy there but just look at at your leisure once you get home.
After FJ, we went over to the gliders in Jurassic park. My son was short enough and my daughter kinda slumped over and they went ahead and said she could go to. So all four of us got to go on. This was perfect timing since this does not have a FOTL pass. We got to walk right on. It's a cute little ride and has good views. AFter the kids had a great time playing in this area as no one was there - they are all at HP world. So I would recommend this course if you are staying at least three days.
My husbands favorite ride, the dueling dragons was down and ended up being down all day. Every day it seemed to have problems so I would recommend riding when you see it open becuase otherwise you might not have another chance.
We went back and did all our favorite rides at IOA and then went to US and rode all our favorites there again. I would have to say the one and only thing we would not recommend is the Sinbad show. I am not even sure why they even keep it. It's pretty cheesy. We ended the day at Margaritaville...good atmosphere but eh food.
I think I covered most everything. Sorry it was soo long. If you have any questions let me know. I would def say Universal was much more laid back then Disney just because of the FOTL passes. It made you only have to "plan" for one or two rides. The hotel was nice and it was great to have the option to walk or ride the boat. Everyone was very friendly and I would totally recommend
as they have helped me sooo much with my trips to WDW, Disney Cruise, and now Universal. I thought I'd give a little of my trip and some things that I thought might help others. Our family is myself, my husband, my daughter (11), and my son(10). I am a huge HP fan and have turned my daughter and son into one too. My husband could take or leave it but he usually goes with the flow!
My daughter had just finished with state 4H shooting competitions and this was her reward. It has all she has talked about for months. We stayed at RPR and got in Saturday night. We were in Tower 2. I thought it was a really nice hotel. Although I was completely surprised you had to pay for wireless in your room. We headed out to City Walk and had dinner at Bubba Gumps. I think this was actually our best meal. We did have to explain the themeing behind Forrest Gump and promised them we would watch it once we got home. (um yea we did that last night and then realized not the most appropriate movie for their age...we had only remembered the funny sweet parts!
)Sunday we got up bright and early and headed to park around 7:45. We walked and it really is a pretty walk. There was already a huge line to get in and we all made our way to HP world. We went to Olivander's first. Even with the early in we still waited about 30 minutes. But it was well worth it. My daughter was picked (ok how sad is it that I got teary that she was picked?) So happy we got some mummy dust!!
Our whole plan was to keep going to Olivander's till she got picked and we did it the first time. It was a cool experience but I could see where if you didn't get picked it would not be so cool . The one funny thing was when he asked her birthdate. She said September 11th. He stopped and looked at her and asked "really?".
Even though all the guides say don't buy anything before you go on forbidden journey, I had to buy the wand but I had it delivered to our hotel (I now know you can have all packages delivered to front of park to pick up on your way out..this would have been better; delivery to your room isn't until another day). I then told everyone they couldn't look at anything we had to go to FJ.
I had read all the guides so I knew to not have any bags. I made everyone wear shorts with lots of pockets! So we bypassed and went into the castle and found where the castle tour started. We did a nice long tour of the castle and then went back to get in the single rider line. We were through the tour and line in 30 minutes. We then went and enjoyed the rest of the park.
As we had FOTL passes, we were able to get on all the rides with little to no wait. We even lucked out and ate at Mythos with no ressies right at 11. Our meal was about $90. Portions were small but it was good. We left the park around 6 having rode FJ three times and all our favorite rides at least twice. My son liked FJ best, My daughter the whole shop experience at HP, and my husband loved the dueling dragons coaster. We rode and did everything in the park but the glider ride in Jurrasic Park (more on that ride later).
And btw they aren't kidding about the rides in toon land getting you wet. You aren't just wet you are completely soaked so I would not recommend new tennis shoes or thin shorts. We saw lots of see through pants that day...including mine!
Our only bad part of the day was where after ride the dueling dragons once my husband and son went to ride again while we shopped. The ride was broken down but they waited around for it to get back up. Probabaly about 45 minutes (it was the last ride of the day). After waiting and having rode the ride already they told my son he was too short. We measured him at the opening of the ride and he was fine but now they said that the stick at the actual ride is more accurate and he wasn't tall enought. My husband found someone to complain to and they said sorry that the height lines found when you walk in were not the final say and not accurate
As my son was right on the line the very nice attendant walked them back to the front of the line told them he could ride it and let them ride in the first car. So be wary of the height lines!The next day we spend at Univeral studios. It is definately less crowded and a little dated. We liked all the rides. Their favorite was def RRR. I even liked it but my husband still said the best ride was the dueling dragons. The RRR looks scary but I found it to be the least scary roller coaster of them all. We did RRR first since it does not have a FOTL pass. We then headed out to all the other attractions. We loved the horror makeup show. The kids were a little leary but ended up thinking it was great. I do have to say this is def not Disney because all the shows use the word suck and P*ss. I was a little surprised by this...
Jimmy Neutron was open but was going to be closed in a week.
Our luck at being picked continued as my husband got a part in Disaster...this made this attraction quite fun for me and the kids while my husband continued to stare daggers at me for pointing to him to get picked
After doing all these rides we realized our kids have never seen most of them...ET, MIB, Simpsons, Jaws, Jurassic Park, twister...so we had to explain a little back story. I told them we would watch them later but I'm thinking we may have to wait a little longer
We ended up done around 3 after riding a couple of items twice. We went and ate at Pastamore. (Kids buffet for $10 but there are 20% coupons online). Ron was tired so headed back to room to take a nap. We went to Islands of adventure and tried FJ. Even the single rider line was crazy so we gave up and just walked around and shopped. On the way out we found Dr. Seuss Zoo. My kids are older but they had a great time in there at the end of the day. A good way to blow off steam and relax a little.
FYI I know the experience of buying in HP land is great but its crowded and they get sold out of sizes. If you go to the big Universal stores when you first walk in both parks they have all the same stuff and more and with less crowds! Also Fleur's wand was completely sold out everywhere and they may not get it in till September some time.
We went back to the hotel and all went down to the pool to watch HP on the big screen by the pool. We had a great time and really just ended up playing volley ball with one of the inflatable balls they have available. It was a nice family night.
The next day we got up early again and decided to do the true FJ experience and ride together. We did the full line and that was when my husband decided that my reading ahead was a good thing. Even one of the first ones in we waited about 30 minutes just to get in. We did get a picture together but really the way to go is the single rider line. FYI, I didn't find this out till later but grab a photo connect card from one of the photo boths during your visit then just have them add your photo at any ride to your card. This way you don't have to buy there but just look at at your leisure once you get home.
After FJ, we went over to the gliders in Jurassic park. My son was short enough and my daughter kinda slumped over and they went ahead and said she could go to. So all four of us got to go on. This was perfect timing since this does not have a FOTL pass. We got to walk right on. It's a cute little ride and has good views. AFter the kids had a great time playing in this area as no one was there - they are all at HP world. So I would recommend this course if you are staying at least three days.
My husbands favorite ride, the dueling dragons was down and ended up being down all day. Every day it seemed to have problems so I would recommend riding when you see it open becuase otherwise you might not have another chance.
We went back and did all our favorite rides at IOA and then went to US and rode all our favorites there again. I would have to say the one and only thing we would not recommend is the Sinbad show. I am not even sure why they even keep it. It's pretty cheesy. We ended the day at Margaritaville...good atmosphere but eh food.
I think I covered most everything. Sorry it was soo long. If you have any questions let me know. I would def say Universal was much more laid back then Disney just because of the FOTL passes. It made you only have to "plan" for one or two rides. The hotel was nice and it was great to have the option to walk or ride the boat. Everyone was very friendly and I would totally recommend
