Universal Newbie - Day in December

[CaliKT]

We'll be headed to WDW for the third December in a row and are interested in doing Universal for a day. My sons (8 and 6) are big Harry Potter fans, and my 8 year old is also a big coaster fan. Right now I think he's 52" and willing to ride just about any coaster. Our younger son is about 48" and more of a coaster chicken.

I'm a bit overwhelmed. Right now, I'm thinking of spending Monday, December 9 over there. It looks like a low crowds day. I don't even know where to begin planning, so here are my newbie questions:

1. I was thinking about renting a car for the day to get over there. Could get a car for $55 total from the Alamo at the Car Care Center. We'll be staying at the Wilderness Lodge. We don't mind driving, and it seems like that would be cheaper and simpler than a taxi, town car, or the bus. Do you agree?

2. If so, would it be best to get the car as late as possible on Sunday night or would it be fine to pick it up first thing Monday morning? We would like to be at Universal for "rope drop," so not sure when we should plan on leaving WDW to get there, park, etc.

3. Should I just focus on IoA, or do you think on a day with very low crowds it would be doable to do attractions at both theme parks? We would like to explore the WWoHP (all attractions, the shops, Ollivanders, etc.) I realize there's no way to see everything, but I'm just not sure whether we should pay the extra for the two-park day passes or not.

What else do I need to think about? Any other advice?

 

[macraven]

buy your tickets in advance to avoid the wait in line to purchase them when you get to the darkside.

buy the one park one day ticket.
you can always upgrade to the park to park ticket when you are in the park in case you do have time to do both.

garage parking is $15.
be parked in the garage around 8:30 as it is a long walk to the parks from there. could take you about 10 minutes or so once you park your car.

i would be in line at the entrance gate by 8:30.
sometimes the TM's will allow guest to enter at 8:50 am.

i don't know what time the car center opens at the motherland.
so i'm at a loss of when you should pick it up.

if i was doing something new for the first time, i would make it as simple as possible.
i would get the car the night prior so it would be one less thing i would have to be concerned timewise about.

you can use the family/child swap rooms in case the younger son does not want to do the coaster rides.
one adult and older son do the ride while you and other son wait in swap room.
change adults after the first adult/son ride.
same son can ride again with the second adult.

 

[buckeev]

If driving, I would plan on leaving extra early, the traffic can be a bear! If you get there way ahead, you could grab a bite real close, if you don't eat before leaving The Diz. There are a few options (i.e. Burger King-) That way you don't spend valuable park time in a line to grab breakfast.

Since HP is very important for y'all, I'd head there at opening. There will already be folks with a one hour head start on you for that-(on site guests).

Have fun and don't fret about doing everything. We've been going for quite a while now, and still haven't done all of the attractions.

 

[Herbie]

Renting a car just to go to UO sounds like a giant pain to me. I would arrange the town car service, or taxi. your time is precious, and the rental will use a lot of it.

You will be amazed at how much you can do in a day compared to Disney.

definitely buy the tickets online.

 

[cgattis]

Barring any traffic backups for accidents or whatnot, and depending on where you're staying, it will take you about 30 min to get over there and parked. I'd definitely pick up the car the night before, although for one day I'd be tempted to use a service instead.

Our first trip to the dark side was that same week and crowds were nice. Spent half a day in HP section, including lunch at 3B (which is as good as any restaurant in either park IMHO), soaking it all in. After doing both parks twice now, I'd get the hoppers (but as mentioned, you can do that onsite and choose for yourself). Our faves are HP, Simpsons, MIB, Mummy, Spidey, and Desp Me, prob in that order. Missed Transformers soft open by ONE day so would prob add that as well. So we really enjoy more in US overall.

 

[CaliKT]

Excellent advice, everyone! I may price out the town car to avoid the hassle of the rental.

 

[Metro West]

Excellent advice, everyone! I may price out the town car to avoid the hassle of the rental.