Universal Newbie! Have some questions :)

[Sugar Jones]

We are planning a September 2012 trip to Disney and we want to do a day at Universal. I know nothing about Universal at all.

I have three kids who love Harry Potter, The Simpson's, & Shrek. Is it possible to do the Harry Potter park, and see other things all in one day? My kids are not super big on thrill rides, but they are soo excited to buy a wand and have their picture taken with the Simpsons if possible. They will be 10, 8 & 5 at the time of the trip. (yes we let our kids watch the Simpsons )

I guess my questions would be is it possible to do what we need to do in one day? Would you take a cab from Disney or book a shuttle? What kind of ticket would we need? And any other advice you care to offer. I'm open to any advice you have!

 

[KeroKero]

Last time we were there, we managed to do both parks in one day (Feb 09 - low season) - however that was before the Wizarding World.

We finished touring both US and IOA with apx 20 minutes left before closing. So, if the Wizarding World had of been around then, one day wouldn't have been sufficient.

We're planning on two days for US and IOA for our upcoming trip in 35 days!! Super excited about the Wizarding World and getting to taste some butterbeer!

 

[Melanie230]

We are planning a September 2012 trip to Disney and we want to do a day at Universal. I know nothing about Universal at all.

I have three kids who love Harry Potter, The Simpson's, & Shrek. Is it possible to do the Harry Potter park, and see other things all in one day? My kids are not super big on thrill rides, but they are soo excited to buy a wand and have their picture taken with the Simpsons if possible. They will be 10, 8 & 5 at the time of the trip. (yes we let our kids watch the Simpsons )

I guess my questions would be is it possible to do what we need to do in one day? Would you take a cab from Disney or book a shuttle? What kind of ticket would we need? And any other advice you care to offer. I'm open to any advice you have!

I would suggest US/IOA for 2 days. If you can swing it...book a room onsite and use the FOTL pass for both days. Having 2 days with 3 kids will make your trip so much more fun...no rushing around. We have been to US/IOA 3 times and headed down for our 4th trip. We go for no less than 5 days! The rides are so much fun! Enjoy your trip! It is lots of fun!

 

[Metro West]

I have three kids who love Harry Potter, The Simpson's, & Shrek. Is it possible to do the Harry Potter park, and see other things all in one day? My kids are not super big on thrill rides, but they are soo excited to buy a wand and have their picture taken with the Simpsons if possible. They will be 10, 8 & 5 at the time of the trip. (yes we let our kids watch the Simpsons )

I guess my questions would be is it possible to do what we need to do in one day? Would you take a cab from Disney or book a shuttle? What kind of ticket would we need? And any other advice you care to offer. I'm open to any advice you have!

September has moderate crowds so it would be possible for you to do the attractions you've listed but if you want to do other attractions like Spiderman, Jurassic Park River Adventure and additional ones at the Studios, you will likely run out of time. Keep in mind the parks close early that time of year so you won't have the extended hours. If you purchase the one day two park ticket and decide you need more time, you can upgrade at Guest Services and pay the difference.

 

[mesaboy2]

September has moderate crowds so it would be possible for you to do the attractions you've listed but if you want to do other attractions like Spiderman, Jurassic Park River Adventure and additional ones at the Studios, you will likely run out of time. Keep in mind the parks close early that time of year so you won't have the extended hours. If you purchase the one day two park ticket and decide you need more time, you can upgrade at Guest Services and pay the difference.

WWoHP is in IoA, and Shrek and Simpsons are at the Studios. You would need at least a one-day park-to-park pass. If those three experiences are your only goals, then one day is enough easily. If you want to do much more though, you might need a second day as Metro suggests.

 

[macraven]

We are planning a September 2012 trip to Disney and we want to do a day at Universal. I know nothing about Universal at all.

I have three kids who love Harry Potter, The Simpson's, & Shrek. Is it possible to do the Harry Potter park, and see other things all in one day? My kids are not super big on thrill rides, but they are soo excited to buy a wand and have their picture taken with the Simpsons if possible. They will be 10, 8 & 5 at the time of the trip. (yes we let our kids watch the Simpsons )

I guess my questions would be is it possible to do what we need to do in one day? Would you take a cab from Disney or book a shuttle? What kind of ticket would we need? And any other advice you care to offer. I'm open to any advice you have!

the mears shuttle from your disney hotel to universal is:
$19 rt for adults
$14 rt for children
or it might have raised to $15 for kiddos as the adult cost changed recently.

that would be $83 if you took a shuttle.
you have to go with the mears schedule then.
they usually have two pick up times in the morning.

if you took a cab, it could be $35 each way.
that could be $70 rt.

none of the above have tips included in the prices.

if you took a cab, you could have an early pick up time around 7:00 and be at the park by 7:25.
you are charged by time in the cab and mileage.
if you use a cab, don't go during the rush hour as it will cost more.

last time i looked, the mears pick up times were about 7:15 and 8:15.
the mears shuttle can stop at other disney resorts for pick ups.

the mears shuttle can be good also.

you have to ask yourself, do you want to be in the park as early as possible?
or go the most economical way.

if you are going only one day, there are no discounts for a one day ticket.
you might be interested in a one day two park ticket.
if you buy a one day one park ticket only and go to the studios, then want to do ioa, you can upgrade your ticket at guest services to a 2 park ticket.

same with extending to a 2 day ticket.
upgrade at guest services.
you are paying the difference of the tickets.




i'm a rebel.
my boys started watching the simpsons at the age of 4..........

 

[Sugar Jones]

Thanks so much for the info.

I'm thinking we will do the one day two park ticket and see how it goes. If we think we need another day we will upgrade. The only sucky thing is paying to get there by cab two days. Oh well I'll just budget it in and if we end up only going one day that's extra money to spend on souveniers!!


Not only will I have three kids, but I will have two grandma's so between those 5 people right there we won't be moving to fast

Hmmmm maybe I should even consider a split stay. Two nights onsite at universal and 5 nights at Disney.

 

[kochmd1]

Hmmmm maybe I should even consider a split stay. Two nights onsite at universal and 5 nights at Disney.

Go gor it

 

[macraven]

what that person said...............



but you would have to get 2 rooms as only 5 in a room allowed.