Two days at Universal

[Metro West]

I'm glad your second day went smoother. It's always a hassle when the scanner won't accept your ticket...

Universal's scanner are the worst I've seen in Orlando. I don't know why something isn't done about them...management has to know of the problem.

 

[rlduvall]

Universal's scanner are the worst I've seen in Orlando. I don't know why something isn't done about them...management has to know of the problem.

I actually thought about writing Universal about it - I was that irritated at the time. BUT, we quickly started having so much fun and the next day I really watched it so we didn't have that problem. Maybe I should send a friendly letter, but explain how frustrating it can be. Don't use the technology if it doesn't work!!!!

Honestly, it seems so minor now . . .

 

[damo]

We had no problem this last time (June 2-6) with the scanners at Universal. It was actually Disney's that were more the issue. That darned light just did not want to turn green!

What we made sure to do every time was rub our index finger on our pants or shirt just before getting it scanned. Worked like a charm.

 

[Travel Mum]

When we have finished our 9 nights at POR in October, we are moving to Staybridges Suites International Drive for 7 nights. During that week I also have Royal Pacific booked for a night so we are going to leave most of our things at Staybridge and then just take overnight bags to Royal Pacific, check in early in the morning and head to Universal. The next morning we will be there to do IOA early entry and we'll go back to Staybridge that night. Hope it works as well for us as is has for you all

 

[g-dad66]

Just a follow-up to say that this plan worked perfectly, thanks to everyone's advice.

A taxi van picked up 6 of us at Pop Century at 6:30 am. We were checking in at Royal Pacific by 7:00 am and we reached the Islands of Adventure turnstiles at 7:43 am, just a couple of mintues before they opened.

Went straight to Ollivander's, and we were in the second group for the show.

This was oldest granddaughters' first visit to Universal, and they loved it. I have a feeling we will be going back again soon.

Thanks again for everyone's help.

 

[mrs06chris]

Just a follow-up to say that this plan worked perfectly, thanks to everyone's advice.

A taxi van picked up 6 of us at Pop Century at 6:30 am. We were checking in at Royal Pacific by 7:00 am and we reached the Islands of Adventure turnstiles at 7:43 am, just a couple of mintues before they opened.

Went straight to Ollivander's, and we were in the second group for the show.

This was oldest granddaughters' first visit to Universal, and they loved it. I have a feeling we will be going back again soon.

Thanks again for everyone's help.

Glad to hear you had a great trip! How were the crowds and weather? We will be there in 2 weeks! Did you go on FJ after Ollivander's?

 

[Sandy321]

Thanks, everybody, for your help.

I have learned from experience that it saves money to buy airline tickets for our busy Spring Break week early. So if a good deal comes along in the next month or two, I will be buying our tickets for March.

Looks like we will be doing Universal on Wednesday, March 21, and Thursday, March 22.

Thanks for your follow-up We're headed there for our first time - and its this coming week, Spring Break!

ITA about the flight prices - we were shocked watching the price of our flights go up by the end of the week the price doubled, by the end of the month tripled, then all flights were sold out! We're flying southwest - first time ever we checked in at precisely at 24 hours (to the second) and got a B boarding pass -

I do think it will be crowded this coming week!

 

[g-dad66]

Glad to hear you had a great trip! How were the crowds and weather? We will be there in 2 weeks! Did you go on FJ after Ollivander's?

I thought the crowds were not too bad, considering the time of year. It was crowded in the Harry Potter village and in the stores, just as it apparently always is. But no crowds in the Three Broomsticks restaurant where we ate three times.

I'm afraid crowds may be higher for you since it sounds like you will be there right around Easter. We did Islands/Universal on a Tuesday and a Wednesday, so I think that probably held the crowds down somewhat.

Weather was warm for this time of year -- high near 85 every day. But I gotta say 85 in March is a whole lot different from 85 in early October. In October, I was always dripping with sweat. But no sweating at all during this relatively low-humidity time of year. Love it.

And not a drop of rain in 9 days. Loved that too.

Yes, we did FJ after Ollivander's. I can't remember if the wait said 20 minutes or 30 minutes, but the line kept moving along, and only the first 5 to 10 minutes were in the greenhouse. After that, we were in the castle, and plenty to look at in there.

Have a good trip!

 

[mrs06chris]

I'm hoping it doesn't heat up too much by then. It has been warmer here as well.

 

[mrs06chris]

Thank you! Yeah, we get there right after Easter. We're spending our first couple days over by Sea World then on to Universal and then Disney. We've never stayed on site at Univeral but we're staying at Portofino Bay this time and are so excited about getting the Express Passes. Thanks again for updating!

 

[disney4us2002]

Thanks for your follow-up We're headed there for our first time - and its this coming week, Spring Break!

ITA about the flight prices - we were shocked watching the price of our flights go up by the end of the week the price doubled, by the end of the month tripled, then all flights were sold out! We're flying southwest - first time ever we checked in at precisely at 24 hours (to the second) and got a B boarding pass -

I do think it will be crowded this coming week!

I just noticed your ticker says WWoHP and Ft. Myers Beach! We are also visiting WWoHP (4/2 & 4/3) and then headed to Ft. Myers as our oldest son is working at Florida Rep theater in Ft. Myers. We've never been. Is Ft. Myers Beach nice? We're hoping to find a nice beach on one of our days there along with seeing one of his plays, of course. I figured between Ft. Myers and Sanibel Isl. we can find some place to lay on the sand, play in the water, and soak up some sun.