Universal FAQ's

[Harry Potter]

I know a lot of you have been wanting to hear some good quality version of the IOA BGM that plays near the lighthouse outside the park.

I personally requested this audio from YouTube user PopSong1.

He captures much of the BGM in this video by standing right next to the speakers, with virtually no ambient noise.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oJNkrQ9sYfY

If you can convert YT to MP3 then viola!

 

[Julie521]

Fiance and I are honeymooning at Disney World, but plan on doing one day at Universal in the middle of the week. Haven't chosen which park yet, but thinking IOA. My question is, we wanted to have dinner at Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville. If we get the one day, one park ticket, and go to either IOA or US, can we go to the City walk and be able to go here for dinner with this ticket?

 

[BrinkofSunshine]

Fiance and I are honeymooning at Disney World, but plan on doing one day at Universal in the middle of the week. Haven't chosen which park yet, but thinking IOA. My question is, we wanted to have dinner at Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville. If we get the one day, one park ticket, and go to either IOA or US, can we go to the City walk and be able to go here for dinner with this ticket?

Yes- you'll be able to re-enter the park with your ticket after you have dinner at Margaritaville, if that's what you're asking.

You don't need a ticket to go to CityWalk

 

[Julie521]

Yes- you'll be able to re-enter the park with your ticket after you have dinner at Margaritaville, if that's what you're asking.

You don't need a ticket to go to CityWalk

We probably won't go to dinner until after the park is closed. But thank you for letting me know we would be able to get back in if we go earlier. I just wanted to make sure we didn't need to pay anything extra to be able to go to CityWalk. One more question... Would it be work getting a 1 day, 2 park pass? Is it possible to do?

 

[BrinkofSunshine]

We probably won't go to dinner until after the park is closed. But thank you for letting me know we would be able to get back in if we go earlier. I just wanted to make sure we didn't need to pay anything extra to be able to go to CityWalk. One more question... Would it be work getting a 1 day, 2 park pass? Is it possible to do?

CityWalk is free, you have to walk through it to get to the parks.

And I'd say that if you started out the moment the park opens and don't mind hustling to get everywhere and probably skipping a few shows and attractions, it can be done if you're going during the slow season. I'd say if you have your heart set on attractions in both parks it'd be worth it I guess it depends on what you feel like- being able to really soak in everything or getting in all the rides and two parks.

I'm probably not the best person to ask, though- as a UO Team Member I haven't bothered to try and squeeze everything in for a long time!

 

[Julie521]

CityWalk is free, you have to walk through it to get to the parks.

And I'd say that if you started out the moment the park opens and don't mind hustling to get everywhere and probably skipping a few shows and attractions, it can be done if you're going during the slow season. I'd say if you have your heart set on attractions in both parks it'd be worth it I guess it depends on what you feel like- being able to really soak in everything or getting in all the rides and two parks.

I'm probably not the best person to ask, though- as a UO Team Member I haven't bothered to try and squeeze everything in for a long time!

We plan on getting there right at open, if not earlier. Mainly, my fiance wants to do Harry Potter World and Jaws. That is why we were torn on only having to pick ONE. I have done so much for our wedding and it is so much for me, that I wanted to let him do what he wanted for our honeymoon. I am okay with not doing literally EVERYTHING in every park. I know i want to go on Hulk again, AMAZING. And I think a bulk of our morning would start in IOA, then head to US and probably at least hit Jaws and a couple other things until park close. Then do a later reservation for dinner once the parks close. Would that be a decent plan? For Harry Potter, exactly how much time is needed for it?

 

[Metro West]

We plan on getting there right at open, if not earlier. Mainly, my fiance wants to do Harry Potter World and Jaws. That is why we were torn on only having to pick ONE. I have done so much for our wedding and it is so much for me, that I wanted to let him do what he wanted for our honeymoon. I am okay with not doing literally EVERYTHING in every park. I know i want to go on Hulk again, AMAZING. And I think a bulk of our morning would start in IOA, then head to US and probably at least hit Jaws and a couple other things until park close. Then do a later reservation for dinner once the parks close. Would that be a decent plan? For Harry Potter, exactly how much time is needed for it?

Sounds like a good plan. You can even make reservations at the CityWalk kiosk when you arrive...if you'd like.

There is no way to estimate how much time you will need to do all of WWoHP. Crowds vary every day so there's just no way of guessing.

 

[Thumper_Man]

In the midst of planning our trip for December 2012. We'll be going the following weekend after Thanksgiving weekend (December 1-5, 2012). This will be our first time staying on-site. Possibly thinking of staying at Royal Pacific since we only really need the room to sleep and get ready. I know pool hopping is allowed, so we would do that. Doing my homework, I have discovered it's cheaper to buy our tickets through UT (thinking 3 Park Unlimited Ticket) and pay for room only, rather than a whole package deal. Have a few questions that may have already been asked/answered, but I haven't been able to find the answers yet.

Will we still get EP privileges even though we don't buy the package deal through US and buy our tickets from UT?

Will we still get early entry into IoA?

Last but not least, would we be able to book the 3BS breakfast? I've read some people were able to add it on when they got there. No big deal if we can't; but would like to at least have the early entry and EP privileges if nothing else.

Was just wondering about these few things before I book the room. TIA

 

[damo]

In the midst of planning our trip for December 2012. We'll be going the following weekend after Thanksgiving weekend (December 1-5, 2012). This will be our first time staying on-site. Possibly thinking of staying at Royal Pacific since we only really need the room to sleep and get ready. I know pool hopping is allowed, so we would do that. Doing my homework, I have discovered it's cheaper to buy our tickets through UT (thinking 3 Park Unlimited Ticket) and pay for room only, rather than a whole package deal. Have a few questions that may have already been asked/answered, but I haven't been able to find the answers yet.

Will we still get EP privileges even though we don't buy the package deal through US and buy our tickets from UT?

Will we still get early entry into IoA?

Last but not least, would we be able to book the 3BS breakfast? I've read some people were able to add it on when they got there. No big deal if we can't; but would like to at least have the early entry and EP privileges if nothing else.

Was just wondering about these few things before I book the room. TIA

Early entry and express are tied to your hotel and not your park tickets. So as long as you stay onsite, you will receive both.

There doesn't seem to be an issue these days with getting into 3BS for breakfast. You can just talk to the concierge when you get to the hotel and they should be able to arrange something.

 

[Julie521]

For Disney I plan on carrying a larger Coach wristlet into the parks. I was just wondering what should my plan be for Universal? I am sure there are some rides that don't allow bags to be brought on to them. Should I worry about leaving my bag while I ride at all?

 

[damo]

For Disney I plan on carrying a larger Coach wristlet into the parks. I was just wondering what should my plan be for Universal? I am sure there are some rides that don't allow bags to be brought on to them. Should I worry about leaving my bag while I ride at all?

You don't need to worry about putting your bag in a locker as long as you follow the instructions and make sure you press the lock button before you leave the locker.

At Universal, only a fanny pack will be allowed on all rides. The locker line at Forbidden Journey can get quite long.

 

[Miriade]

Hello there!
Next year we are going to travel to Orlando for most of the time enjoy Universal and IoA my hubbydon't want to hear me out begging to go to WDW again - Three times in 3 years but I am getting concerned (and confused) about Mardi-Gras and about times for college graduations parties. I've read about nights when the park is closed for these venues !
And I also want to know if we are going to crash down in a too crowed time for visiting Universal and IoA as we are going to arrive in March 29 and we left on April11, 2012!
Thanks!

 

[macraven]

Hello there!
Next year we are going to travel to Orlando for most of the time enjoy Universal and IoA my hubbydon't want to hear me out begging to go to WDW again - Three times in 3 years but I am getting concerned (and confused) about Mardi-Gras and about times for college graduations parties. I've read about nights when the park is closed for these venues !
And I also want to know if we are going to crash down in a too crowed time for visiting Universal and IoA as we are going to arrive in March 29 and we left on April11, 2012!
Thanks!

anytime during spring break will bring its crowds.
if you stay onsite, you won't have long waits for the rides and attractions.
onsite guests are allowed to use the express lines w/ no limitations.

 

[Julie521]

Hey folks! Back for some more help I am going to be going to DW september sunday the 2nd - saturday the 8th and was just wondering what the crowds are going to be like then? The 3rd is labor day. I know most kids will probably be starting school, or if not already back. Are the Universal and Disney crowds pretty similar? And we plan on doing a one day trip, and particular day during this week that would be best for us to go? I was hoping for tuesday or wednesday as a mid-week getaway from our resort.

 

[Metro West]

Hey folks! Back for some more help I am going to be going to DW september sunday the 2nd - saturday the 8th and was just wondering what the crowds are going to be like then? The 3rd is labor day. I know most kids will probably be starting school, or if not already back. Are the Universal and Disney crowds pretty similar? And we plan on doing a one day trip, and particular day during this week that would be best for us to go? I was hoping for tuesday or wednesday as a mid-week getaway from our resort.

Tuesday or Wednesday would be fine since the crowds really take a nose dive after Labor Day weekend.

 

[Julie521]

Tuesday or Wednesday would be fine since the crowds really take a nose dive after Labor Day weekend.

Thank you! That is our hope. Does anyone have experience during this week?

My fiance wasn't too happy when I had to tell him the Jaws ride was shut down. That is in the top 2 of his favorite movies, "Three Amigos" being the other.

We plan on doing just a one day trip. Hit the best things from both parks. Then doing a dinner at Margaritaville so my fiance can get some land shark! With parking, I know Citywalk closes at 2am. How late can you leave the parking lots? There won't be any trouble leave around then will there?

 

[mesaboy2]

Does anyone have experience during this week?

I was there over Labor Day weekend this past year, staying onsite, and we found the crowds to be very manageable even if we didn't have Express privileges. The weeks just before--but especially after--Labor Day is historically a lightly-attended time of year.

 

[Metro West]

With parking, I know Citywalk closes at 2am. How late can you leave the parking lots? There won't be any trouble leave around then will there?

I'm not sure what time they technically close but I know you can't park overnight. With all the people who routinely leave CityWalk around 2am or later, you should not have any issues with your car.

 

[disneydarling07]

Is there a guide book (Universal Studios for Dummies) that I could purchase with more details about the parks?

 

[Shlooma]

I really like "Universal Orlando 2012" by Seth Kubersky.