Universal First Timers!

[Lees3rwe]

Hey folks!

As you can tell by my picture, we are Disney folks.
We are heading down to Florida in June (8th-14th) for a walk on the wild side!

We are staying at the Drury Inn ( a partner hotel).
We arrive on a Saturday but are going to have our first park day on Sunday or Monday. Here is where I need your expert help!

Should we do IOA on Sunday or Monday? We will get in an hour early to IOA with the partner hotel. Which day would be better?

We have 2 day get 1 day free tickets. Our plan is to do IOA twice and the Studios once.
I thought we would do this:

Saturday: Arrive and get settled in
Sunday: IOA with 1 hour early entry
Monday: Studios (they said we don't get early entry there, I didn't realize that before we booked).
Tuesday: Break/Pool Day
Wednesday: LegoLand
Thursday: Go back to IOA with 1 hour early entry.
Friday: Head home

Any suggestions on how you would alter our plan?
We also thought we would scope out the meal deal plan once we got to the park. I didn't pre-purchase it.

Any tips will be appreciated! We are really excited!

 

[GenGen22]

I followed the disers advice & headed straight for the harry potter ride as the lines can get crazy & to me that was great advise & I'm glad I followed it as there we sooo many people there when we got off the ride & we didn't wait long at all. Another thing is there are really long lines to get butter beer so you may wanna research a stratagy for that as well if your wanting to try it. And the honey dukes also has quite a line to get into it. So maybe on one of your early days hit honey dukes & get a butter beer. Also the spiderman ride is also amazing..

 

[Tinachichi]

My only suggestion on your schedule would be for Harry Potter. We too always have the early admission and head right for HP. We usually can get thru at least two times before it starts getting crowded. The lines later can get really, really long. Other than that I will leave up to the others on this board to chime in. Have a great trip. We are going again for the fourth year in July.

 

[Lees3rwe]

Thanks for the tips... so, we are planning to hit Potter first, should we go straight to Spiderman after that? That seems to be the second longest wait from everything that I am seeing.

 

[GenGen22]

I don't remember a long line w/spiderman... another thing I did was downloaded an app for universal orlando ride lines. I think it was from undercovertourist.com. I would look at their website for more tips.

 

[macraven]

there are too many great places to eat then to be using the meal deal.


beverages are not included in that promo.



check the menu/food sticky for help in selecting places to eat while at the park.

 

[Lees3rwe]

So, Macraven... what are your favorite places to eat?
I have looked over the menu threads (wish there were more food pics!)

 

[RMulieri]

The Studios generally does NOT have early entry for anyone.BUT with Transformers opening this summer, they may very well add it there like they did last summer when Despicable ME debuted

 

[glocon]

So, Macraven... what are your favorite places to eat?
I have looked over the menu threads (wish there were more food pics!)

Sorry- not Mac here, but my family likes Mythos, Thunder Falls Terrace and the Three Broomsticks at IoA. Check out the menus on the sticky.

At US we like Finnegans and Monsters Café.

Hope this helps!

 

[Lees3rwe]

Great info... we will def. check out the sticky threads for menu options.

Since we are offsite, what are your favorite shows to catch a break in the afternoon and get out of the sun, sit down???

At Disney, we stay onsite, so we usually break for a couple of hours in the afternoon then go back for late night fun... We probably won't do that at Universal.

My son has Osgood-Schlatter so his knee will need a break in the afternoon for some ice.

 

[Metro West]

Since we are offsite, what are your favorite shows to catch a break in the afternoon and get out of the sun, sit down???

At the Studios, I like Animal Actors and the Horror Make-Up show. Both are fun and out of the sun. The Horror Make-Up show is indoors and the a/c is always cranking.

At IoA, make sure you stop by the Mystical Fountain in The Lost Continent area. He's a lot of fun and loves to inneract with guests. You can get wet around the fountain so keep that in mind.

 

[ukool]

Its my first time thier in September, and my plan is straight to HPW and on to FJ, im not that in to Harry potter, but if i missed it i wouldnt feel 'right'

 

[TheAviator]

I agree with dedicating more time to IOA, I do think its the best park in the world. However, having said that, don't discount the old universal park. There are some awesome things to do there, The Mummy, MIB, Rip Ride Rocket, the Terminator (old but I still like it), and I love ET, especially if you have kids you will not want to miss ET, and Lombards is a great place to eat while in the old park.

 

[macraven]

So, Macraven... what are your favorite places to eat?
I have looked over the menu threads (wish there were more food pics!)

at the studios, i never miss getting the tuna sandwich at Beverly Hills Boulangerie.
it includes potatoe salad, slice of cantaloupe and a strawberry.
the other sandwiches there are great too.

and they have the cheese cake factory desserts...


at Louie's i get the salad/pizza or the meatball sandwich.

l like the layout and rooms at monsters cafe but not the food.
ate there twice last fall and returned the food both times.
this is a place for ambiance rather than an appetite.

Finnegans is another favorite for me.
i'll eat there about 3 times each trip as there is a varied assortment on the menu.

for sweets, i hit ben and jerrys and the main merch store for fudge.

i'm looking forward to Cafe La Bamba since it is reopening.

Lombards i have been too. some days it is great and other times it has been meh for me. depends on what i order.


at Port of Entry, i go to Confisco Grille and Crossiant Moon Bakery.


at ioa, i love Blondies for the homemade sandwiches.
at Mythos, i do enjoy some of the dishes, especially the appetizers.
i like the hot dogs at Fire Eaters Grill.


for the hotels, which anyone can go to to dine, i like the Kitchen at hrh, Bula Bar and Jake's at Rph, and Sal's for pizza at pbh.

at City Walk, i love Latin Quarters.
i have other places at cw i usually hit on vacations.


i'm at the parks for a longer stay than some others.
Last year it was 10 days, this year it will be 11 days.
that's why i do repeats at some of the park places during the days.


i'm sure i am missing a few places but just trying off the top of my head of my usual dining digs.


i have to been to most, if not all, eateries in the park.
there are a few that i will hit every other year.
Green eggs and Ham, Thunder Falls Terrace, Richters, Schwabbs, Comic Strip, etc.


there are a few places that i won't return to.
(Mel's and a couple more)

 

[mssong85]

I don't like roller coasters bigger than big thunder mountain. I have never been to US or IOA. Will there be rides for me and my 3 yr old?

 

[GenGen22]

I don't like roller coasters bigger than big thunder mountain. I have never been to US or IOA. Will there be rides for me and my 3 yr old?

Yes, there is the harry potter ride, the spiderman ride and many others. I also don't like roller coasters & like btmrr so I am like you & totally enjoyed myself at IOA.

 

[glocon]

For an afternoon break, you can always take a boat to one of the resorts and have a sit down lunch at one of their restaurants also. The boat ride is short and relaxing, the resorts are beautiful (and air conditioned).

 

[oneplustwo11]

Lees3rwe. We will also be there 6/9-6/10 staying at the Drury. ( if you have never stayed before it is a great hotel with an awesome breakfast) maybe I'll see you at the hotel or in line for HP. My teen only wants to ride HP so we are starting our Disney trip a day early to hit IOA.

Have fun!!

 

[Lees3rwe]

Lees3rwe. We will also be there 6/9-6/10 staying at the Drury. ( if you have never stayed before it is a great hotel with an awesome breakfast) maybe I'll see you at the hotel or in line for HP. My teen only wants to ride HP so we are starting our Disney trip a day early to hit IOA.

Have fun!!

Oh cool!
I did stay in one for one night on a business trip. We enjoyed the kickback and the breakfast! Have fun on your trip... If you see us, say hi!

 

[Planogirl]

We like Confiscos, Mythos, Thunder Falls Terrace and Margaritaville.

I would definitely suggest going to Spiderman after Harry Potter. It tends to get real busy when we go.