Universal Newbies

[d1gitman]

We are Disney veterans but Universal virgins. We are making our first trip (me, DW, DS11,DS6) during Easter weekend. We arrive Thurs 5pm at MCO and depart 8pm out of MCO on Sunday.

We booked transfers from airport to hotel. Staying at Royal Pacific. Our game plan is as follows:

Thurs: Travel, Check In, Chill
Fri: WWHP early entry + Islands of Adventure
Sat: Universal Studios
Sun: WWHP + Free Choice

We haven't booked any restaurants as it seems most do not take reservations.

Any must do's, shows or fireworks or anything else that we should plan on?

 

[damo]

We are Disney veterans but Universal virgins. We are making our first trip (me, DW, DS11,DS6) during Easter weekend. We arrive Thurs 5pm at MCO and depart 8pm out of MCO on Sunday.

We booked transfers from airport to hotel. Staying at Royal Pacific. Our game plan is as follows:

Thurs: Travel, Check In, Chill
Fri: WWHP early entry + Islands of Adventure
Sat: Universal Studios
Sun: WWHP + Free Choice

We haven't booked any restaurants as it seems most do not take reservations.

Any must do's, shows or fireworks or anything else that we should plan on?

Just about all restaurants take reservations. They are all on www.opentable.com

I would book a few just to be on the safe side. I have a thread will all menus on the main universal board. It is a sticky. I suggest you take a look and book some dinners as Easter weekend will be extrememly busy.

Not sure if the night-time show is going to be on. They are in dry runs right now. With the three days you should be able to see everything. Spiderman is also open during early admission.

Make sure you visit the Horror and Makeup Show at Universal. It is often passed by and is a great attraction....very funny. Your kids would also probably like the Animal Actors on location show at Universal. It is a great place to take a little break. There is a kids area right in that general vicinity beyond ET (another must do). There is a ball throwing area that young kids (and adults alike) seem to love.

 

[RMulieri]

I agree with Damo..Make a few ressies on Opentable. Mythos at IOA is FANTASTIC and pretty inexpensive. We really enjoyed the Sindbad stuntshow at IOA ( HATED Poseidens FURY) and LOVED Beetlejuices graveyard review at the Studios.

 

[caroline1851]

The one thing i liked about Universal over Disney was the ability to eat whenever we wanted and didn't need a reservation. We liked Hard Rock, NBA and Jakes at RPR. But.....the CS we ate at Studios was awful...the International place and the italian place. Pretty gross food and dirty environment.

I went with DS9 and DD6 and one day was pretty much enough at Studios but 2 days was needed for Islands of Adventure because its' such a phenomenal park.

What my kids thought....

Studios:
Favorites: men in black, simpsons, horror make up show, ET, blues brothers
Liked: Woody Woodpecker coaster, Beatlejuice, Terminator, Shrek
Didn't like: Mummy

Islands of Adventure:
Favorites: Harry Potter Forbidden Journey, Spiderman, Pteradon Flyers, river barge thing
Liked: Sinbad Stunt show, dr. seuss cat in the hat, dr seuss train, harry potter roller coaster (forget the name), jurassic park
Didnt' like: Psodein's Fury