Universal and Carnival Cruise in May

[Seeker615]

Hi all

I am working out some details for May to take a 4 night cruise and then do 3 nights at Universal.

I have been to Universal several times but mostly in the lower crowd season. How is early May for crowds?

I was going to stay at Royal Pacific to get the express pass but being we are going to experience the new Potter attractions and the Kong ride I don't know if we will need them since it appears that they are not express pass eligible. We will certainly ride the other attractions but being as we already experienced them it is not a huge deal if we decide not to wait in line.

so we are debating on staying at Cabana Bay or Sapphire Falls to save a bit of money.

Also what is the easiest way to get to the pier for the cruise?

thanks in advance!

 

[Robo56]

Hi Seeker615 . I am usually at Universal around the last three weeks of May. I have noticed the last two years that crowds have increased during that time. During my trip this year the resorts were sold out for the full seven days we were there. Having the express pass was a must.

Royal Pacific is a beautiful resort. It would be nice to stay there and have the option of getting the unlimited express pass included.

You also get early entry to the parks with all the resorts.

It depends on which park is having early entry during the time you are there. Once you know that you can plan which park you want to hit early. Head to the no express pass rides first in the park that has early entry get those out of the way.

The Potter parks are very popular so everyone onsite usually hits the Potter parks first. Hogsmeade in IOA and Diagon Alley at Universal Studios.

I like having the express pass. So I always stay at Portofino.

All the resorts except Cabana have water taxi to CityWalk. Cabana has a bus that transports to the parks.

If your asking about Cape Canaveral the simplest route is the 528 East. You will run right into the Cape that way. Follow the signs to your particular terminal.

Hope this helps

 

[keishashadow]

Hi all

I am working out some details for May to take a 4 night cruise and then do 3 nights at Universal.

I have been to Universal several times but mostly in the lower crowd season. How is early May for crowds?

I was going to stay at Royal Pacific to get the express pass but being we are going to experience the new Potter attractions and the Kong ride I don't know if we will need them since it appears that they are not express pass eligible. We will certainly ride the other attractions but being as we already experienced them it is not a huge deal if we decide not to wait in line.

so we are debating on staying at Cabana Bay or Sapphire Falls to save a bit of money.

Also what is the easiest way to get to the pier for the cruise?

thanks in advance!

How many people in your party? Big factor in cost of transportation.

Flying into MCO, you could book via a shared shuttle if you don't want to rent a car/pay to park it @ both the port & resort. Most cruiseline offer their own shuttles to/from the pier, typically pricer for convenience sake. You'd have to arrange other transport @ airport to get to hotel after the cruise.

You could book a towncar. Many recommendations here on transportation & cruise boards. Cruisecritic another good source for recommendations.

We use uber often in Orlando. Not sure of their rates to the port from the airport. You could check on their app. Their rates back to MCO from U are lower than a cab. From the airport to the resort, their rates are comparable to a taxi due to regulations.

A rental car may turn out to be the lowest price point, even with parking, depending on the codes/coupons you find.

Make sure to price out taking a shuttle from the airport to the ship, then renting a car @ the port (via a quick shuttle ride) to take back to Universal with a final drop off @ the airport. Make sure to factor in the onsite parking fee at the resort.

We were @ Universal this year from the Saturday before Mother's Day to Tuesday. It wasn't as crowded as I had expected, even being a holiday. Monday & Tuesday the crowds were light.

We typically visit Universal for a spring trip anywhere from the 3rd week in May to end of June. I agree 100% with Robo that it has gotten busier the last few years.

Three nights at the onsite hotels can give you four days in the parks, plenty of time to enjoy a relaxed pace. Nice to read somebody posting with reasonable expectations btw!

Jmho we often visit the parks after a cruise due to how the cruises are scheduled, but I do think doing the parks first, then relaxing onboard is ideal.

Enjoy, sounds like a great trip!

 

[Seeker615]

Thanks!

I do like Royal Pacific. We stayed there a couple of years ago and loved the resort and the express pass. It will be hard to pass that up for one of the hotels that do not have it.

thanks Robo and Keisha for your suggestions!