Universal newbie

[autismgoesdisney]

We have been going to Disney every year for the past 8 years. This year my Harry Potter loving kids are talking me into Universal/Sea World for a week instead....I know NOTHING about Universal. Went to Sea World years ago (before Aquatica) so I'm not even that up to date on that, but I can figure it out. I need Universal help.

Anyone know of a book that explains Universal well?!

 

[pad406]

Can't help about a book I'm afraid, but happy to give our 3 cents worth. Many people will disagree with us I'm sure, but.....

Last Christmas/New Year, we had out first visit to Universal, and although we all enjoyed it and will definitely be visiting again, for us it's not a long stay option, probably 3N/4D at most, whereas we can easily do 3 weeks in Disney. The rides, particularly the thrill ones, are excellent and the HP area is really cool and well done, but it doesn't have the same atmosphere. As well as the rides we like to just chill, people watch and take in the shows&fireworks in Disney, we found Universal to be less relaxed in that respect. We did stay on site, so had the benefit of the express pass (NB does not work for the HP rides), which is wonderful. There is not as much planning involved in Universal, that is for sure, and for some that, in itself, could make it a more relaxing holiday, no meeting FP+ times that had been scheduled months out etc. Even at Christmas you really didn't need reservations for restaurants, with the exception of Mythos, most had plenty of free tables. I really can't put my finger on it, but we always felt you had to be going to the next ride and most people 'seemed' to be rushing around doing just that. Overall we thought the food was better, the rides excellent, the Hotel (Hard Rock) was fab, and we did really like it, just not love it. But, as I said earlier we are going back.

I did a trip report http://www.disboards.com/threads/home-again-another-great-trip.3368796/ also.

 

[Meredith]

That's the beauty of Universal, you don't need a book. You can make it as relaxing or hectic as you like. We (myself, husband and young adult children) sleep late, walk leisurely to the boats, cruise over to the parks and what is great about Universal is you don't even have to pick a park until you get off the boat. Then you just head one way or the other depending on how you're feeling that day. You don't need reservations at restaurants, you just eat what you feel like having that day. If you decide you want to go to the other park, you can just walk over or hop on the Hogwart's Express. It really is that easy most of the time. I'm sure at super busy times, you might need to check out early entry and plan accordingly. The same goes for the weather, if it is super hot, plan on IOA and hit the water rides in the afternoon. The hotels are so close you can get soaked and head back to hotel and change and be back in an hour or so. Or hit the pools for the afternoon and then head back to the parks at night. No need to plan out your whole visit, you can just go with the flow. And you absolutely cannot beat the Express Pass perk that comes with the on-site hotel stay. Oh and NO WAITING ON BUSES!!

 

[schumigirl]

I agree with Meredith....you don't need a book at all.......read the forums on here and sites like OrlandoUnited......full of info, as is the Universal website itself......you can find everything on there including the park layouts which will give you an idea of what there is for your family and where it is.

It is the most amazing place and would definitely disagree with pp that it's not a long stay vacation........we stay for 18 nights and never get bored. The resorts are all beautiful and it's a real perk to be able to walk back and forth from the parks to hotel in no time at all.......everything is so close and accessible.

If you were staying for a week onsite, you get to do the parks at your pace with EP which is worth its weight in gold.......and have some time to enjoy whichever resort you choose to stay in. Cabana Bay only gives you early entry not EP.

We plan absolutely nothing, ever........play it by ear and do exactly as we feel like......no having to be at a ride or restaurant at set times.......that's not a vacation for us at all.........

You'll have a blast I'm sure.........

 

[wookiebeck]

Out first time going with HP lands, I researched, read, filled out touring plans, everything a WDW visitor has to do. I threw the plans out after 30 minutes. You just don't need them in that fashion. What a weight off my shoulders. I let the kids decide what they want to go on next. Such fun!

We also went for 2 days the first time, 4 days the next, 7 days last year and next year we are looking at 10 days! You get out of it what you put in. There is plenty to keep you busy, yet 'busy' means rides, entertainment and pool hopping, lol.

 

[macraven]

Last stayed 14 days onsite and has to scramble the last day to do all that I planned on

I don't do mornings but managed early entry at 8:25 on of the mornings

It was a total vacation and came back home totally relaxed and refreshed

 

[Squirlz]

The Unofficial Guide book and its Lines app are great tools.