Universal basics for 2 or 3 19 year old guys?

[Aliceacc]

My son is most likely not going to be able to accompany us on our family vacation to WDW this summer.

But I want to get a ballpark idea of the price for him and one or 2 friends to go to Universal for a few days--- maybe Monday - Friday??-- in August. I'm a total Disney girl, with no real knowledge of Universal, so my questions are pretty basic.

- Where would you suggest they stay? They wouldn't be renting a car.
- What would you suggest in terms of tickets, meal plans, transportation to and from MCO, whatever else?

Basically, if he was your 19 year old son who left all the planning to you-- and was on a limited budget-- what would you suggest?

 

[Skippyboo]

I would suggest staying in Cabana Bay, doing the three parks multi day tickets- Islands of Adventure which has a coasters and is more grown up, Volcano Bay- new waterparks, Universal Studios. Like Disney longer the ticket better the deal. You don’t really need a meal plan. Uber/Lyft from airport. The universal parks are much closer together than anything at Disney. Cabana Bay is Retro 1960s looking hotel, with a bowling alley, two big pools, lazy river. You want to get park to park ticket to go between the two parks. Just to to the Universal Orlando and look around. Unlike Disney, you don’t have to do a lot of advance planning. Might want to look at crowd levels for dates to see if getting a Express would be needed.

 

[damo]

Unfortunately, you have to be 21 to be able to check into a Universal hotel. So they would have to stay offsite unless someone in the room is at least 21.

 

[CAPSLOCK]

Check out one of the hotels across from Universal (Holiday Inn, DoubleTree) as they are easily walkable to/from the parks.

 

[damo]

Check out one of the hotels across from Universal (Holiday Inn, DoubleTree) as they are easily walkable to/from the parks.

Doubletree is 21 as well but the Holiday Inn Across from Universal is 18.

 

[hhoope01]

It might be worth calling one of the on-site hotels and ask to speak to a manager. It might be possible to work out a way for them to stay on-site even if neither is over 21 (i.e. the hotel calls you when they check in, they pay a refundable deposit, etc.). The worst that can happen is they say no.

I mention the on-site hotels since you are talking about a weekend in August maybe fairly crowded and kids may still not yet be back in school for the first half of August, I'd recommend checking PBR, HRH or RPR. This not only provides them with an on-site hotel and water taxi service to/from City Walk and the parks, but also comes with Unlimited Express Passes (EPs).

I agree with the previous poster that the meal plans aren't really worth it in most situations at Universal. For tickets, it would depend. First, will they want to do the VB water park? If so, then you would probably need to get them a 3-park ticket. Second, is there a chance they would be coming back within a year of this stay (i.e. August)? If so, you might look at purchasing them an AP instead of park-to-park tickets. Not only would they be able to use the APs to get in the parks for a later trip, but you might even be able to get an AP discounted rate at the on-site hotels. Note that while a Seasonal AP might be the least expensive of the various AP options, you would want to verify there are no Blockout days when they would be coming.

For regular tickets you will probably get as good a deal as anywhere else at Undercovertourist. But I would suggest you get at least a 2-park ticket to allow them to ride the HP train between the parks. It is an experience all by itself.

 

[macraven]

Age Requirements
The minimum age to book a hotel room at Universal Orlando is 21, and valid ID is required at check-in. At least one guest staying in the room must be 21 or older.



This is listed on one of the websites.

No idea if your suggestion would work.

 

[Aliceacc]

OK, thanks folks.

Maybe I'll run the idea of Bush Gardens by him.

 

[bchbetha]

I would suggest staying in Cabana Bay, doing the three parks multi day tickets- Islands of Adventure which has a coasters and is more grown up, Volcano Bay- new waterparks, Universal Studios. Like Disney longer the ticket better the deal. You don’t really need a meal plan. Uber/Lyft from airport. The universal parks are much closer together than anything at Disney. Cabana Bay is Retro 1960s looking hotel, with a bowling alley, two big pools, lazy river. You want to get park to park ticket to go between the two parks. Just to to the Universal Orlando and look around. Unlike Disney, you don’t have to do a lot of advance planning. Might want to look at crowd levels for dates to see if getting a Express would be needed.

ITA with the advice and info here.

OP- why are you reconsidering now? Universal could still be doable. BG is fun but I don’t know if it’s worth traveling to the same way Universal is.

I’ve never had Express Passes. I’m sure they are lovely but if on a budget, they’ll be just fine without them. Don’t let that put you off. My ds just went over Easter with school and while he didn’t ride much without EP (I gave him $ to buy but he chose not to), he and his friends had a blast. There are single rider lines sometimes too.

 

[DisMom256]

I agree with the single rider comments. I'm not sure Express Passes would be vital at that time of year, particularly after mid-August when many schools are back in session, especially if they are willing to do single rider. We might have tried that without the EPs, those were mostly zipping along during Spring Break (crowded, long wait times) for the rides that had them (many).

 

[Lynne G]

Check the hotels near Universal, most offer shuttles and some you can walk from/to. Then uber/lyft from the airport. If they like amusement parks, and water parks, I'd definitely get a 3 park pass for universal. While BGT is nice, there's not much around there but a water park. No near or want to stay around BGT park either. Plus, would not fly into Orlando, better to fly into Tampa if doing that. If they want less rides, and more shows, see what the hotels around Sea World, and do SW and Aquadica. Then can also bundle it with BGT, but even if they do, the ride to BGT from SW is about an hour or so. I think there is free bus from the SW parking lot.

See what your guys want to do. August will be hot, so if they are water park kids, I'd make sure the tickets include a water park. And will be busy, until the last week or so of August. Most local kids go back to school before the last 2 weeks of August, but Northern families tend to have kids go back after Labor Day, so some crowds. I used to go the last 2 weeks of August for years. It was hot, and not as crowded as it could be if earlier in the summer.

If you see the parks closing earlier than you think, then they expect lower crowds.