Univeral....I'm clueless...HELP!!!

[letthewookiewin]

So, I'll admit that when it comes to planning a trip to Universal that I am more worried about planning a 2 day trip for my family of 4 than a week long Grand Gathering to WDW. The closest I have even been to Universal was the one time my DH got us lost between DTD and returning a rental car back to MCO and we drove past it. I have so many questions, but if you Universal experts see something that I have left out, any extra advice would be great!!

First we are a family of 4 with two DS's ages 13 & 11 (at time of trip). I get motion sick, so we will most likely skip the hard core coasters. We are planning our trip for May 2010 to WDW for 10 to 11 days, but want to take 2 days in the middle of the trip to go to Universal for the first time. It will either be the 1st or 2nd week of May (most likely the 2nd), so most kids should still be in school. We are crossing our fingers that the WWoHP will be open by the time of our trip.

1. Would it be worth the hastle checking out of a WDW resort into a US resort then back into a WDW if you are only going to stay at the US resort for one night? Also with checking out and back into the WDW resort there would be the extra hastle of having DDP points split between two stays instead of them all lumped together. I know we could just either do Universal first or last and then do WDW all at one time. However, my DH refuses to do this b/c he loves using DME, as do I. Plus since this will be the longest trip we have ever taken to WDW, he wants a break in the middle from Mickey and all the Princesses.

2. If we do not stay at a US resort is it worth the ticket upgrade to (a) the Express Plus Pass or (b) the Express VIP ticket?

3. We are planning on doing the Dlx DDP while at WDW, and I noticed that Universal offers a Meal Ticket. Is that worth the extra money or if we are still staying at a WDW resort and on the Dlx DDP just eat breakfast and dinner on WDW property and then pay OOP for lunch at Universal? Also if we get the Meal Tickey, do we need to make ADR's for any table service meals like we will for WDW? Actually even if we're not on the Meal Ticket and we want to eat a table service lunch, do we need to make ADR's?

4. It may not make any difference at all, but are there any days of the week that are better, as far as crowds go, during the week to go to Universal? Our trip will most likely be a Friday (or Saturday) through a Sunday.

5. Both our boys love the drums and both plan to play them as soon as they get in the 6th grade (the grade lvl our district starts band at). Has anyone taken children around the ages that our DS's will be (13 &11), and how did they like it? My DH and I saw the BMG in Las Vegas and loved it and just wondering if children enjoy it as much. Yes, I know each child is different and I know my children better than people on a message board, I just want more of a personal experience type of info on that one.

6. I know that I won't want to go on any of the more intense coaster. Since I get motion sick I will avoid them like the plague. However my DH loves them. I know that WDW is more accomidating than our local Six Flags for Pooh sized guests. How is Universal? Are there rides that b/c of his size (wears about 5 to 6 XL t-shirts) that he will not be able to ride. If there are I would rather be able to help them avoid them all together. He was really embarrassed at Six Flags when he tried to get on the Texas Titan. My nephew and my DS11 convinced me to ride it with them and my DH. When my DH couldn't fit, he was embarrassed to the point that he refuses to go back again. I on the other hand stayed on the ride to prove the point to my son that you have to try everything once. Luckily I was only motion sick (and green) for a little while. However, I don't want my DH to have the same problem at Universal and then vow to never go back.

Like I said before I am more nervous about planning our two Universal days than the WDW part of the trip, which I could probably do in my sleep. Any advice that you can give me would be a great deal of help. Remember I am clueless when it comes to Universal Studios, so anything that you experts might think of as common knowledge is new to me, so let me know. Thank you, thank you, thank you for any and all advice and help!!

 

[Darcy03231]

1. I would stay at WDW and then do US/IOA the last two days of your trip. Once your teens have experienced US/IOA they won't want to go back to WDW (at least that's been my experience). I would stay on-site to get unlimited FOTL access.

2. If you don't stay on-site I would get there for park opening and see how busy it is. If its not bad you won't then you won't have to buy the Express Pass.

3. While I love the meal plan at WDW I prefer to pay out of pocket for meals at US/IOA. Unless you're a really big eater and love burgers, pizza, etc. for all your meals I don't think its worth it. With AAA you can save 10% on your meals in the park. I find I do just as well (if not better) paying OOP.

4. Weekends are busier, but as I said earlier I would go the last two days of your trip.

5. We took DS#1 and a friend to see Blue Man Group in Boston when he was 13 (his birthday present). They both loved it! I'm planning on taking my two youngest (15 & 17) to see it when we go in April.

6. Sorry, can't help you with this one.

 

[Metro West]

6. I know that I won't want to go on any of the more intense coaster. Since I get motion sick I will avoid them like the plague. However my DH loves them. I know that WDW is more accomidating than our local Six Flags for Pooh sized guests. How is Universal? Are there rides that b/c of his size (wears about 5 to 6 XL t-shirts) that he will not be able to ride. If there are I would rather be able to help them avoid them all together. He was really embarrassed at Six Flags when he tried to get on the Texas Titan. My nephew and my DS11 convinced me to ride it with them and my DH. When my DH couldn't fit, he was embarrassed to the point that he refuses to go back again. I on the other hand stayed on the ride to prove the point to my son that you have to try everything once. Luckily I was only motion sick (and green) for a little while. However, I don't want my DH to have the same problem at Universal and then vow to never go back.

The coasters at Universal have modified seating for those who have larger body dimensions. Dueling Dragons and Hulk have one seat on rows three and six of each train and test seats out front so he can try them out before going through the line. At RoTM, there is a test seat out front as well. The back row has more leg room and since there is no shoulder harness, you just have to be able to pull back the lap bar to a certain point. I'll post pictures of the modified seats when I get home.

 

[Planogirl]

I would stay at Universal at the end of your trip too. I would not break up the trip for just one night plus it's a hassle to move back and forth in that manner.

If you like guidebooks, you might want to grab Kelly Monaghan's guide to Universal available at bookstores or online. I found it invaluable when I was clueless.

 

[macraven]

i suggest you read through the stickies for the 2 forums and also the trip report section.


you will find a wealth of information that will help you there.


have a fun trip to universal!