Universal/adventure island newbie...need help!!

[rsjj]

Hi there disboards family! I am completely new to universal/adventure island..a newbie!! And I totally need your help!!!

So our family is going to universal for the first time ever!! Our 2 dss are teenagers, and they are super Harry potter fans!!! Needless to say, they are supper excited to visit the theme parks! Now, I am not a hp fan...never read any of the books, only seen the movies here and there, in bits and pieces...so I have no clue!! But of course...being the planner that I am..and I automoatically is in charge of our family planning...I thought I better ask for some advice here!!

So pls give me all your tips, secrets, advice you may have regarding visiting universal/adventure island. And specifically, any hp tips would be greatly appreciated!

Just so you know...I did start binge watching the movies! And I do know what is diagon alley now! (I think that's what it's called..)

Thank you all in advance!!

 

[RMulieri]

when are you going and are you staying onsite?

 

[rsjj]

when are you going and are you staying onsite?

In 2 weeks. Hope I'm not too late in the game as far as planning goes...

Unfortunately, we are not staying onsite! Found out about the perks of staying onsite, after we already booked our accommodations.

But any tips you may have is greatly appreciated! Thanx!

 

[CerysG]

Yes staying on site makes a huge difference. If not and you are going at a busy time I would budget for a front of the line pass as they are so worth it. We stayed at Universal on our last trip and we really liked have front of the line and early entry.

 

[rsjj]

Unfortunately, we can't justify spending over $1000 just for the express passes. So that is not an option for us...

And if I had known about the perks of getting those passes included as their resort guests, I would've booked our stay there.

But again, unfortunately, that's not an option for us now..

Any other tips (money saving?) and advice you may have..I'd gladly read thru them!

 

[JustCallMeMommy]

That's ok. Most of the busy rides also have single rider lines that you can use with your teens. Make sure you do the full queues of the Harry Potter rides once because they are worth seeing, but use single rider if you want to reride.

 

[CerysG]

Yes use the single ride lones as they move way faster and often you get to sit together. Get there for gate opening and head for the HP stuff right away. Also head back to HP near the end of the day as it seems to quiet down and you can enjoy it more if it isn't crazy busy.

 

[schumigirl]

Read all the stickies that on the Universal threads......lots of good info on there.

Have a look at www.universalorlando.com

On there you will find lots of the information you will need. Park hours, layout and so on.

 

[Tigerlulu]

When we went last summer, HP areas were insane all day. We went back late afternoon, and while it was still busy, it was totally manageable. And it was definitely more immersive and pleasing than being there when the crowd was literally shoulder to shoulder.

 

[disneylove69]

Drink a lot of water! Universal doesn't have as many trees and coverage from the sun. IOA has water involved it seems like in every ride. Some a sprinkle to a down right soaking. BUTTERBEER! My friend and I went a few months back and she was not into the HP prior to going but she really liked it when we got there. Lard doughnut rocks over in the Simpsons area. Universal is very doable in one day each so pace yourself and have fun. I would do HP later in the day since most people will rush over there. Have a blast.

 

[ForMyBoys]

You could book one night on-site for your family to get two days of fast pass benefits (that would be way less than $1000). I've never been, but that is what I'm reading on the boards. I hope you have a good day, our first stay starts in 6 days

 

[rsjj]

Thank you everyone for all your wonderful tips!!

That's ok. Most of the busy rides also have single rider lines that you can use with your teens. Make sure you do the full queues of the Harry Potter rides once because they are worth seeing, but use single rider if you want to reride.

Yes use the single ride lones as they move way faster and often you get to sit together. Get there for gate opening and head for the HP stuff right away. Also head back to HP near the end of the day as it seems to quiet down and you can enjoy it more if it isn't crazy busy.

Single rider lines sounds like the way to go!!! Good point! Thank goodness the boys are old enough for that!

Read all the stickies that on the Universal threads......lots of good info on there.

Have a look at www.universalorlando.com

On there you will find lots of the information you will need. Park hours, layout and so on.

Yes, I will move on over there to read as much as possible! Thank you for directing me there!

You could book one night on-site for your family to get two days of fast pass benefits (that would be way less than $1000). I've never been, but that is what I'm reading on the boards. I hope you have a good day, our first stay starts in 6 days

I looked into that...but unfortubately, it's not an option for us...

Have a great time on your trip!!!


Again, thank you all for taking the time!

 

[hpfan100]

Which hotel are you staying at? Did your hotel package include an early entry day? How many park days do you have planned?

I've been to universal several times in the summer without express and managed just fine. You can too with some simple plans in place.


General advice...read over attractions online and decide what must dos, bring water and snacks, wear sunscreen and comfy clothes, water rides will soak you, get there early...park will open 15-30 minutes before official time listed on website

 

[rsjj]

Which hotel are you staying at? Did your hotel package include an early entry day? How many park days do you have planned?

I've been to universal several times in the summer without express and managed just fine. You can too with some simple plans in place.


General advice...read over attractions online and decide what must dos, bring water and snacks, wear sunscreen and comfy clothes, water rides will soak you, get there early...park will open 15-30 minutes before official time listed on website

We are staying at a disney resort. So there are no early entry into universal/adventure island. We plan to go to universal for 3 days. Have the park to park (park hopper?) tix.

What kind of "plans" should I have in place?

Our plan is to get there first thing when it opens, and do hp mostly..that's about it, as far as our "plan" goes...

I will look into the various attractions and see what are our "must do"s...since we are from so cal, and we've been to our universal (Hollywood) several times, we can skip some of the attractions, b/c I assume they are the same.

Would you recommend going to one park first over the other? Or maybe it really doesn't matter?

 

[johde]

With 3 days, I'd normally say 2 days RD USF and 1 day RD IOA. Despicable Me is a ride you want to hit first if at all possible, even more than Diagon Alley and Gringotts. But, since you mentioned going to USH several times, it might not be on your list.

Most people here recommend waiting to do Gringotts. It tends to get a big rush of people at RD then the lines drop as the day progresses. When I went in January, I normally tried to hit Gringotts late morning or in the evening. I would recommend going through the regular queue at least once before switching to the SRL. The queue has great theming and is nearly as good as the ride itself.

About skipping rides, The mummy is different at the 2 parks and Jurassic Park is slightly different.

 

[rsjj]

With 3 days, I'd normally say 2 days RD USF and 1 day RD IOA. Despicable Me is a ride you want to hit first if at all possible, even more than Diagon Alley and Gringotts. But, since you mentioned going to USH several times, it might not be on your list.

Most people here recommend waiting to do Gringotts. It tends to get a big rush of people at RD then the lines drop as the day progresses. When I went in January, I normally tried to hit Gringotts late morning or in the evening. I would recommend going through the regular queue at least once before switching to the SRL. The queue has great theming and is nearly as good as the ride itself.

About skipping rides, The mummy is different at the 2 parks and Jurassic Park is slightly different.

Thank you!! But if I may ask...what is rd?

So you'd recommend 2 days at universal studios and 1 day at island of adventure?

And one more question...what is gringotts? I'm sorry...just not very familiar w/all this universal lingo...

 

[nkereina]

Just keep in mind that some of the single rider lines won't allow you to see the full queues. On the HP rides especially, the queues are really something to see. Particularly at Gringott's. We do the headliner rides first thing in the morning at rope drop, and will use single rider for re-riding later on only so we don't miss anything.

 

[rsjj]

Rope drop!!!! Thanx! But that means get there early, right? Before the park opens to the general public...just making sure.

 

[johde]

Thank you!! But if I may ask...what is rd?

So you'd recommend 2 days at universal studios and 1 day at island of adventure?

And one more question...what is gringotts? I'm sorry...just not very familiar w/all this universal lingo...

Yes, RD is Rope Drop. With the parks as close together as they are, and the Hogwarts Express going between the 2 parks, I'd recommend starting 2 days at USF and 1 at IOA but hitting both parks every day taking the Hogwarts Express between the parks.

Gringotts is Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts. It's the main ride in Diagon Alley in USF. Gringotts is the goblin bank featured mainly in books 1 and 7. The ride is based on the events in book 7. It has Single Rider Line but also a fantastic queue that's worth seeing at least once. Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey is the main HP attraction in IOA. During most times of the year you can take a "Castle Tour" to see most the theming in the queue if you want to do the single rider line.

 

[rsjj]

Yes, RD is Rope Drop. With the parks as close together as they are, and the Hogwarts Express going between the 2 parks, I'd recommend starting 2 days at USF and 1 at IOA but hitting both parks every day taking the Hogwarts Express between the parks.

Gringotts is Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts. It's the main ride in Diagon Alley in USF. Gringotts is the goblin bank featured mainly in books 1 and 7. The ride is based on the events in book 7. It has Single Rider Line but also a fantastic queue that's worth seeing at least once. Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey is the main HP attraction in IOA. During most times of the year you can take a "Castle Tour" to see most the theming in the queue if you want to do the single rider line.

You seem (sounds?) like a huge hp fan...

So diagon alley is in both parks? And I understand if you opt for the single rider line, you'll miss many of the "exhibits" that you'll see as you meander thru the lines. How do I do the castle tour you speak of? Is that extra? Where would I go to book it, if I'm interested..
I know our dss would absolutely love to see all those theming while waiting in line...