Universal Advice

[Jax]

Hello,

We are going to DL for a few days in Aug. We are currently trying to decide if we want to add an extra day to our vacation so that we can spend a day in Universal.

How long does it take to get from DL to US?

We are hoping to stay at the CandyCane Inn, what is the best method of getting to/from DL to US? How much?

TIA for the help

 

[spazzyjazzy]

It all depends on the traffic. It has taken us from 30 minutes to 1 hour and half on different occasions. My brother lives 5 minutes away from Universal. When we take our non summer trips to Disneyland we stay with him. I would try to go on one of the tour buses that you pay for to get there. Your hotel can usually give you info on those.

 

[blackjackdelta]

Spazzyjazzy is right. All depends on what day of the week, time of the year. We were there mid-August last year and it took 1.5 hours each way. Patience is the name of the game.

Jack

 

[Judy from Boise]

I would consider spending all of the time at DLR, or adding Knotts on if you really want to experience something else......

 

[Albertan mom]

When we went in May 04, it took 45 minutes to get there, and a little less then 1.5 hours to get back to the hotel (rush-hour!!)
That was on a shuttle bus.

I like it much better then Knotts. But it depends on how old your kids are.

(funny story--we were talking to someone in LA, and they told us "Everyone wants to work at DL. If they aren't good enough to get a job there, they go to Universal. If they can't get a job there, they go to Knotts"

 

[Jax]

Thanks for the tips!

We are going to LA last week of August (As of right now the 28 to Sept1). We would be heading to Universal on Monday August 28. According to Universal's website the Park opens at 9 and closes at 7.

How much time do you think we would need at Universal? Would 8 hours be enough (if we get to the park around 11 and leave at 7)? Would this help us avoid alot of the rush hour traffic?

Thanks again for all of the tips it is good info to pass onto my family members who are now also looking into adding a couple of days to our family trip (so much for getting some alone time before all of teh family arrives at Disney )

P.S. Albertan Mom no kids to worry about yet, this Alberta weather is just to cold for it

 

[blackjackdelta]

You may avoid the rush hour a bit, but the crowds will be picking up big time. Best time to be there is when it opens, rides do not have lines at the earlier times. I was there last August.

Jack

 

[Albertan mom]

P.S. Albertan Mom no kids to worry about yet, this Alberta weather is just to cold for it

Exactly!!

 

[almacdonald]

We (2 adults) went on a 9 day trip last year (6 @DL, 1 @ Universal, 1 @ seaworld, 1 @ SanDiego zoo. We had a BLAST at Universal. We booked a tour with Coach USA before we even left home. The shuttle bus picked us up right outside of our hotel (across the street from the Candy Cane) and took us to the depot. There we transfered to the Universal bus. From bus stop to park gates it took about 2 hours but it was a relaxing ride, we didn't have to worry about getting lost, or cab fare or traffic. The driver also gave us tips on how to maximize our time. We even saw the Holywood sign! We got there right at park opening and the bus left shortly after park closing (and dropped us off right at our hotel!) We LOVED the Jurassic Park and Backdraft. If you can swing the time off work i'd definitely hit up Universal and take the bus!!!! Oh, and there's an awesome shopping area near the entrance, we ran out of time for shopping so if you want to do that make sure to allot enough time. Trust me on this one!!!

 

[disneynutt1225]

You may avoid the rush hour a bit, but the crowds will be picking up big time. Best time to be there is when it opens, rides do not have lines at the earlier times. I was there last August.

Jack

Not to hijack the thread...but... We'll be there the same time for our honeymoon (August 28-September 5th). What will the temperatures be like during this time?

 

[Jax]

disneynutt1225

Wow glad that we won't be the only honeymooners there at this time

As for temperatures, so far I have heard that it will be HOT. The Weather Network as the average temp at 24 degrees Celcius with Average high of 29. (Average High of 85 and Low of 66 Fahrenheit). Not to much rain I don't think.

almacdonald

How much did you pay for your the bus ride from the Candy Cane Inn to Universal?

Thanks again to everyone for all the great advice (please keep it coming ) it is definately helping me make a decision.

 

[disneynutt1225]

Thanks Jax. Hopefully it won't be humid - I can deal with heat, not humidity.

It's nice to know there will be other honeymooners there that we might "know".

 

[almacdonald]

disneynutt1225


How much did you pay for your the bus ride from the Candy Cane Inn to Universal?

Thanks again to everyone for all the great advice (please keep it coming ) it is definately helping me make a decision.

Sorry, I'm not too sure. We booked our entire trip through expedia and just checked off a box to add the bus ride. Honestly though, even if it were $100, it'd be cheaper than a taxi and the fact that you don't have to worry about where you're going and getting lost and losing half a day trying to find where you're going was well worth it. I do know it was through CoachUSA, maybe they'll have a price guide on the website?

 

[Laz]

Universal CA does not look that big. Do you really need the whole day to see and do everything if you arrive at opening?

 

[blackjackdelta]

Depends on what you want to do. We spent 1/2 day there in August and we should have spent more. We just migrated between DL and CA. We missed many things.

Jack

 

[almacdonald]

When we went in february last year it was dead. We go there at opening and did everything at least once. We rode Jurassic Park and the Mummy like 5 times each with no line up. It was a nice paced day. We were there til the park closed and would have liked more time for shopping. If you're a person who's satisfied with riding things once and moving on then it is entirely possible that you won't need a whole day. We, however thought that an entire day was just about right.

 

[blackjackdelta]

US is built on the Hollywood hills. There are a couple of levels with people movers between the levels. The studio itself is lower than the park and is accessed via tram. There is also is the City Walk with numerous shops and eateries.
If your just doing everything once and go during the slower months it is very easy to do in 6 hours or so. When we were there in August the wait for The Mummy was 110 minutes at 1400 in the afternoon. Waterworld was jammed to the gills.
All depends on what you want to do. The 5 ladies I travel with like to shop and eat on top of the rides.

Jack

 

[MamaKate]

Hopefully it won't be humid - I can deal with heat, not humidity.

Southern California rarely gets humid and when it does, it's nothing like the humidity on the East Coast.

During August it will be hot, but it will be a dry heat.

,
Katie