Universal FAQ's

[macraven]

either way, you can't go wrong.

one day tickets should be the same cost at both places.

if you plan on multiple days for tickets, UT would save you a few bucks.

 

[Nickb23]

We will be heading to Universal for the first time with kids and both girls are very interested in meeting the super heroes. My question is: are there set times and locations to find them in IOA? Best spots? Is there a list? Thanks, Nick

 

[schumigirl]

Did I read on here a few weeks ago that you can get Grimm merchandise at Universal now.....or am I mistaken

DH loves Grimm, and likes mugs and shot glasses so would love him to get some things while we`re there

 

[macraven]

We will be heading to Universal for the first time with kids and both girls are very interested in meeting the super heroes. My question is: are there set times and locations to find them in IOA? Best spots? Is there a list? Thanks, Nick

i answered your questions in another thread.

 

[Halloween Baby]

Our trip is a surprise for our son! I was wondering if there's a good e-book or downloadable app I could get that has pictures of all of the rides at IOA/US? I have a nook color. I would like to let him look through it after telling him so he can decide what he wants to ride!

Thanks!

 

[DryCreek]

Howdy Folks,

Looks like our trip to Disneyland last February burned the wife out on all things Disney for a while. She did say that she would like to go to Universal Orlando to see The Harry Potter Wizarding world thingy. So, me being the vacation planner, I am looking for information, lots of information, so please bear with me.

I like to travel to Orland in February, but this was based on being a low-crowd and best price time of year for WDW and DL. Does this hold true for Universal? I also like the weather during that time, cool nights and mild days, some rain, but not unmanageable.

It looks like staying onsite is the best choice, like at WDW (but not DL, as we found out). When we stay on site at WDW, the wife prefers Port Orleans Riverside (Alligator Bayou) or Port Orleans French Quarter. I take it that the Royal Pacific is closest in cost comparison then? There will only be the DW and I this time, unless the MIL & FIL decide to meet us there (not likely). I was looking at one map and it showed the Days Inn Orlando-International Drive as being right at the park entrance in one map, but then about 5 blocks away on another. What is the reallocation? Are there offsite (but partner) hotels within walking distance to the park? The reviews for that Days Inn were kinda hit or miss though......

Meal plan. Tell me about it, prices, options, etc. I couldn't find much information about it on the Universal Studios site. In fact, when I tried to price out a vacation package for next February the site basically returned no options at all. Do they not book that far in advance? I know that I have no problems at all booking WDW vacations as much as a year in advance. We like the meal plans at WDW (the one offered at DL was, well, a joke).

Transportation. What is the best way to get to our lodging? Mears shuttle? Does the hotel have a pickup van? I would prefer to not rent a car as we probably won't be going any where else but to the park and then back to the room to crash.

What else do I need to know? We are seasoned WDW/DL vets, but the DW has determined that she is "Disneyed-Out" for a while. I am familiar with the area (was stationed there back in the early 80's, when they had a U.S. Navy base) and MCO. I just am not able to make much headway planning this US trip by using their website.

Thanks for any insight y'all can offer.


ETA - after some poking around on their site, I finally was able to pull up the page describing their meal plan. Kinda underwhelming, to say the least. You get a choice of only three restaurants in each park, if I am reading this page correctly. According to that page, it looks like it will cost $20.99 per person (adult) for the one park option, and $24.99 per person if we decide to "park hop" while there. So, please tell me what y'alls opinions are as to whether or not this plan is worth the cost. I try to avoid fried foods, and tend to gravitate towards vegetarian due to them usually being lower in fat. My wife, will eat anything though.....

 

[macraven]

i see you found the info on the meal deal.
if you like the food at those places, then that will help you make a decision.
it's not something i would recommend to anyone staying at the parks for a couple of days.
check out the sticky about where to eat/menus in the forum

i prefer onsite hotels for the convienience to get where i am going.
if you go in a low season, staying off site works for many if they are on a budget.

suggest you look thru the uo website and use the search for some of the topics you had general questions for.

i'm not sure when you ask about mears shuttles if you are talking about offsite hotels to the parks or from the airport to the hotel?

many that stay offsite walk to the parks, use their star service shuttle that circles to many hotels or use a cab.

check out the uo website for partner hotels.
i can't remember which ones are grouped in that promo.

i would not suggest to go with the package as when you break it down, you usually come out cheaper by purchasing everything separately.

 

[DryCreek]

i see you found the info on the meal deal.
if you like the food at those places, then that will help you make a decision.
it's not something i would recommend to anyone staying at the parks for a couple of days.
check out the sticky about where to eat/menus in the forum

i prefer onsite hotels for the convienience to get where i am going.
if you go in a low season, staying off site works for many if they are on a budget.

suggest you look thru the uo website and use the search for some of the topics you had general questions for.

i'm not sure when you ask about mears shuttles if you are talking about offsite hotels to the parks or from the airport to the hotel?

many that stay offsite walk to the parks, use their star service shuttle that circles to many hotels or use a cab.

check out the uo website for partner hotels.
i can't remember which ones are grouped in that promo.

i would not suggest to go with the package as when you break it down, you usually come out cheaper by purchasing everything separately.

Yup, I think that the meal deal may work for us - I found some stuff that I would be able to eat (salads, rotisserie chicken, etc.), I was just hoping for a little more variety (i.e. Three Broomsticks).

I have been looking at the Partner Hotels as well as on-site. While I would love to stay at the Royal Pacific, is it really worth double the cost of staying at a nice offsite hotel that is nearby? The only reason I would use a package is to get the early entry to Spiderman/Harry Potter. It just kinda surprised me that I wasn't able to price out a package for arrival in late January or early February.

As far as transportation - I am not deterred at all by walking 15 to 20 minutes to get to the parks, or riding the local shuttle (I guess it is like A.R.T. around Anaheim?) to get to the parks. I was wondering if Universal offered a similar perk like DME to its guests, but it looks like they don't. I priced out Mears Shuttle and for $30 R/T per person, that seems reasonable to me. It has to be cheaper than renting a car, and they run to all of the onsite and offsite hotels.

Are the "value seasons" for Universal Studios pretty much during the same times as WDW? Low crowds and moderate weather is why we choose Jan/Feb for travel to WDW.

 

[macraven]

on the uo website, it lists the seasons and typical rack rates.
the dates are listed for each time period.

that can help you decide to go for the onsite or offsite hotel.

many enjoy the Doubletree hotel that is offsite.
it is about a 15 minute, depending on your walking pace, from the hotel to the parks.

i thought at one time you could book one of the partner hotels without the package and still get the early entry.

maybe that is no longer in existance??

 

[damo]

The only hotel deals that aren't posted would be the annual pass rates.

 

[jmw3294]

I purchased tickets online for my family and have ID for myself and husband but I have nothing (at all) for my children. The tickets have our names on them and say we must show ID. I'm not sure what I can show them. Thoughts? I can understand having to show ID for adults but for children I think is a little much..

Thanks

 

[fizbobunny]

I'm searching for information about preferred annual pass. If I get one do I have to activate it before booking with an annual pass rate? How do I find out what the annual pass rates are? I'm trying to decide if it will save me money to purchase a preferred annual pass.

The preferred annual pass does or does not give me free overnight parking at an onsite hotel (RPR or HRH)?

I am planning for an October 2013 trip. It will be me and DH. We will be staying onsite for 4 nights. We will be doing both parks and will be doing 2 nights of HHN.

Thanks for any help.

 

[damo]

I'm searching for information about preferred annual pass. If I get one do I have to activate it before booking with an annual pass rate? How do I find out what the annual pass rates are? I'm trying to decide if it will save me money to purchase a preferred annual pass.

The preferred annual pass does or does not give me free overnight parking at an onsite hotel (RPR or HRH)?

I am planning for an October 2013 trip. It will be me and DH. We will be staying onsite for 4 nights. We will be doing both parks and will be doing 2 nights of HHN.

Thanks for any help.

No, you don't have to have it activated. You can check to see if there are any pass rates available by entering the code APH on the website http://www.loewshotels.com/en/booking/uo?hotel=UEPBH,UEHRH,UERPR

Parking is not included. APH rates for October 2013 won't be up until next summer.

 

[Metro West]

I purchased tickets online for my family and have ID for myself and husband but I have nothing (at all) for my children. The tickets have our names on them and say we must show ID. I'm not sure what I can show them. Thoughts? I can understand having to show ID for adults but for children I think is a little much..

Thanks

Children don't have to show IDs.

 

[fizbobunny]

Which rides do not currently have an express line?

 

[damo]

Which rides do not currently have an express line?

Forbidden Journey, Rip Ride Rockit and Pteranadon Flyers.

 

[jamzmama]

I'm sorry if this question has been asked in this thread already but I wanted to ask this. It's our first trip to Orlando next June 8 - 15 2013. But is Sunday a good day to go to US/IOA? We only have one day to experience both parks. Let me know what your thoughts are for the best day of the week to go to this park in June. Thanks in advance!

 

[damo]

I'm sorry if this question has been asked in this thread already but I wanted to ask this. It's our first trip to Orlando next June 8 - 15 2013. But is Sunday a good day to go to US/IOA? We only have one day to experience both parks. Let me know what your thoughts are for the best day of the week to go to this park in June. Thanks in advance!

Sunday is an excellent day to go!

 

[jamzmama]

Perfect! Thank you very much for the input!

 

[jamzmama]

Sorry. More questions from newbie here. Since someone suggested that Sunday is a good day for us to visit US/IOA in June 2013, which park should we do first? We are a family of six: me, dh and four dd ages 14,13, 8 and 6. We want to be able to see most of the must see attractions at both parks. Dh and I aren't harry potter fans but my teenage daughters would probably want to see it. I'm open to seeing the Harry potter castle but wouldn't be crushed if we could ride the rides since my youngest one probably wouldn't be tall enough to ride those rides. Anyway any suggestions on touring the two parks will be appreciated by the first time newbie here. Thanks!