Universal & IOA

[cliveywolves]

Hi all.. How many days do you think we'd need to get most attractions done at Universal & IOA ?? Just the 3 of us and we like hitting the parks early ?? Cheers ....

 

[darthtatty]

we plan 2 days and manage to get everything done.
Usually we can do Universal Studios in just over half a day and the rest of the time we use for IOA.
We do usually get the express passes though and they help.
Last time we went in August and stayed at a Universal hotel overnight-you get free express passes staying at some of their hotels (I don't think you get them at the newest hotel)

 

[Kath2003]

Hi all.. How many days do you think we'd need to get most attractions done at Universal & IOA ?? Just the 3 of us and we like hitting the parks early ?? Cheers ....

You could do it in two, personally we like to revisit! 14 days unlimited access is £122/adult - not bad when you consider that a two-day pass at the gate is £113/adult.

 

[cliveywolves]

Thanks.. Was hoping to spend 2/3 days but will prob buy the 14 day pass so we could pop back for a afternoon or evening ..

 

[peajay18]

Thanks.. Was hoping to spend 2/3 days but will prob buy the 14 day pass so we could pop back for a afternoon or evening ..

That's exactly what we do - allow a full day for each Uni park, then pop back in the evening on a couple of "Disney days" or after we've had a lazy day by the pool.

 

[chmurf]

I would suggest to stay at least one night at one of the 3 onsite deluxes. (Royal Pacific, Hard Rock Hotel or Portofino Bay). PP was correct in assuming that the newest hotel (Cabana Bay) does not get you the unlimited express passes.
Only the first three hotels will get you those passes for both your check in and your check out day (staying one night), plus you get early admission to IoA for Harry Potter.

OP, you'll just be visiting in the aftermath of Diagon Alley's opening, there will be crowds.
Even if you purchase the 14 days tickets, you will probably greatly enjoy the unlimited express (it's a front of the line pass)
this pass is obtained by staying at one of those 3 hotels. You only need a room only reservation, and can use your 14 days tickets.

That's what we did on our last visit. 2 days with one night at PB, and then 2 other visits while we were staying at Disney's.
Tne unlimited express is a way to make sure you make the best of both parks in 2 days with enough park days left on your ticket to return whenever you feel like it.

 

[lgp1]

I would suggest to stay at least one night at one of the 3 onsite deluxes. (Royal Pacific, Hard Rock Hotel or Portofino Bay). PP was correct in assuming that the newest hotel (Cabana Bay) does not get you the unlimited express passes.
Only the first three hotels will get you those passes for both your check in and your check out day (staying one night), plus you get early admission to IoA for Harry Potter.

Hi chmurf,

Am I reading this right?

If we stay at the Royal Pacific for one night we will get the unlimited express passes for the day we check in and the day we check out?

Lyndon

 

[flortlebap]

Hi chmurf,

Am I reading this right?

If we stay at the Royal Pacific for one night we will get the unlimited express passes for the day we check in and the day we check out?

Lyndon

Yes, this is exactly what we are planning to do on our next trip - we are doing one night at HRH for FOTL access.

 

[lgp1]

Yes, this is exactly what we are planning to do on our next trip - we are doing one night at HRH for FOTL access.

Thank you, definitely worth doing.

Lyndon

 

[chmurf]

best way is to check in super early, room probably won't be ready. Leave luggage with bell services. Print Unlimited Express as soon as you get your room keys, and head to the parks, possibly for the Early Entry at IoA.

then at some point after 3 go back to the hotel to claim your bags and your room.
Then after the night spent at the hotel, check bags again with bell services (or put them in the trunk of the car) and head to IoA for your second Early Entry

of course you need a 2 day ticket.

parking at Universal hotels is $18 per night (even if you're a guest at that hotel, unlike at WDW)
but that's per night, so you get 2 days of parking for the price of 1 day of regular parking at the parks.

 

[lgp1]

best way is to check in super early, room probably won't be ready. Leave luggage with bell services. Print Unlimited Express as soon as you get your room keys, and head to the parks, possibly for the Early Entry at IoA.

then at some point after 3 go back to the hotel to claim your bags and your room.
Then after the night spent at the hotel, check bags again with bell services (or put them in the trunk of the car) and head to IoA for your second Early Entry

of course you need a 2 day ticket.

parking at Universal hotels is $18 per night (even if you're a guest at that hotel, unlike at WDW)
but that's per night, so you get 2 days of parking for the price of 1 day of regular parking at the parks.

Thanks for all the info

Lyndon

 

[Pegasus928]

We are planning on doing this on the night that we go to HHN. Finish a late night at the park by a short trip to our room, then follow it with an early morning to beat the crowds for HP.
I would be interested to know peoples thoughts on which hotel they consider to be the best.

 

[lgp1]

We are planning on doing this on the night that we go to HHN. Finish a late night at the park by a short trip to our room, then follow it with an early morning to beat the crowds for HP.
I would be interested to know peoples thoughts on which hotel they consider to be the best.

We have never stayed at any of them, but seeing as it is only for one night we will stay at the Royal Pacific simply because it's the cheapest.

Lyndon

 

[chmurf]

I would be interested to know peoples thoughts on which hotel they consider to be the best.

I will be honest, Royal Pacific just doesn't rate as the Deluxe they want to charge you for.
it's like staying at POR and paying AKL prices.
But if it's only for one night, and to get the onsite perks, I would probably choose RPR.

My personnal favorite is Portofino Bay, which is also the most expensive of the 3. But if you want to cut costs, RPR is the way to go. It will probably be hard to justify paying a higher price if it's only to crash in the bed at night and check out early the next morning without taking the time to visit, enjoy the pools, and the hotel in general.

 

[Dad2Buzz]

Quick question - As a UK citizen, am I allowed the buy '2-day base Ticket' for Universal/IOA? or does 'base' refer to some kind of residents deal and you need to be based in Florida. Just want to make sure I don't mess it up. Lol. Thanks

Edit - I have just read elsewhere that base simply means no park hopping. Anyone confirm that is correct so I can book the tickets. TIA.

 

[chmurf]

Quick question - As a UK citizen, am I allowed the buy '2-day base Ticket' for Universal/IOA? or does 'base' refer to some kind of residents deal and you need to be based in Florida. Just want to make sure I don't mess it up. Lol. Thanks

Edit - I have just read elsewhere that base simply means no park hopping. Anyone confirm that is correct so I can book the tickets. TIA.

you're right.
Base = no option

you have either "Base" or "Park to Park" tickets
Base does not allow to change parks during the day, Park to Park does.

 

[Dad2Buzz]

Great - thanks chmurf

 

[ukool]

We spent 3 days thier, one in each park then a park hop day. We got everything done in our full days in the park but the third was nice to re do things and take a really good, chilled out look around.

 

[Portugal1000]

You could do it in two, personally we like to revisit! 14 days unlimited access is £122/adult - not bad when you consider that a two-day pass at the gate is £113/adult.

Expedia currently have a 14 day pass for £112 minus 12% cashback so works out just under £100.

We are staying Royal Pacific one night so will have two full days on the park but plan to go back on 2 other days evenings and take it easy.