Universal Plan

[Tgl2011]

Can anyone help me figure out a plan for Universal Studios? We won't have front of the line tickets, so need to hit the rides/shows without too much wait times. We want to see and do everything, is there a better way in doing it all?

Thanks!

 

[Ryan120420]

1. Go on a weekday or Sunday.

2. GET TO THE PARK AT OPENING.

3. Go straight to the Lower Lot and ride Transformers, Mummy, and Jurassic Park first.

4. Go up to the Upper Lot and do the Studio Tour.

5. Do all the shows. Before or after WaterWorld, do House of Horrors.

6. Ride Simpsons towards the end of the day. The line is usually a 10-20 wait in the last 45mins of park operation.


Take advantage of Single Rider Lines:

Revenge of The Mummy
Transformers
Jurassic Park.


Have fun!

 

[Tgl2011]

We are going on a Friday and there are 4 adults and 2 kids.

 

[samserena]

1. Go on a weekday or Sunday.

2. GET TO THE PARK AT OPENING.

3. Go straight to the Lower Lot and ride Transformers, Mummy, and Jurassic Park first.

4. Go up to the Upper Lot and do the Studio Tour.

5. Do all the shows. Before or after WaterWorld, do House of Horrors.

6. Ride Simpsons towards the end of the day. The line is usually a 10-20 wait in the last 45mins of park operation.


Take advantage of Single Rider Lines:

Revenge of The Mummy
Transformers
Jurassic Park.


Have fun!

perfect plan!

does anyone have any advice for going with a 3 year old? i'll be travelling with my niece and nephews, the older two will be fine regarding ride heights but the youngest, who is 3, won't be. there will be multiple adults in the group thank goodness, so will our best bet just to be to take turns?

 

[StageTek]

so will our best bet just to be to take turns?

That's your best bet. There are several rides the 3 year old can't go on at all and some that may be too scary.

 

[Ptwob]

does anyone have any advice for going with a 3 year old? i'll be travelling with my niece and nephews, the older two will be fine regarding ride heights but the youngest, who is 3, won't be. there will be multiple adults in the group thank goodness, so will our best bet just to be to take turns?

To answer your question directly, many of the rides offer the opportunity to use "Child Switch," which allows one parent to wait with the child while the other parent and family members ride, and then switch when they depart, without having to wait in line again. Of course, your child has to meet minimum height restriction to go on that ride (typically 40 inches and up).

As far as other advice goes, I go to Universal a LOT with my 7-year old son (we are annual pass holders), so there are several places that would be really fun for your 3-year-old to check out:

On the Upper Lot, go through the entrance until you find an outdoor place called "Adventures of a Curious George." It is a playground for kids with water guns all over it. It's a fun place for little kids to run around and get soaked (bring a swim suit for your kid if you want since there is a changing area nearby, as well as extra pair of dry clothes for them and a towel to dry them off afterwards). There is also an indoor place, right next to that water playground, where kids can go to shoot plastic balls all around the room (great place to dry off too).

Secondly, on the Lower Lot, there is a little place called "DinoLand" that's perfect for your 3-year old to play. Quite a bit of walking to get to it though. It's right next to the "Jurassic Park" ride.

As far as other stuff for kids goes, there is a "Universal's Animal Actors" that's fun for little kids. "Shrek 4D" might be another fun one to take your 3-year old to, or even "Special Effects" show which is close to "Shrek." Just be aware that some attractions have a height restriction for kids (40+ inches), i.e. the Simpsons Ride, etc, so your 3-year old won't be able to go on those rides.

Best of luck.

 

[pigby]

We just came back and spent two Mondays there - one much quieter than the other.

I agree that Ryan's plan is the one we followed but did come unstuck on the second Monday leaving Simpson's until the end of the day - waited at least 45 minutes - long lines probably due to only three lines open inside. I think they planned for small crowds and it wasn't.

 

[samserena]

As far as other advice goes, I go to Universal a LOT with my 7-year old son (we are annual pass holders), so there are several places that would be really fun for your 3-year-old to check out:

On the Upper Lot, go through the entrance until you find an outdoor place called "Adventures of a Curious George." It is a playground for kids with water guns all over it. It's a fun place for little kids to run around and get soaked (bring a swim suit for your kid if you want since there is a changing area nearby, as well as extra pair of dry clothes for them and a towel to dry them off afterwards). There is also an indoor place, right next to that water playground, where kids can go to shoot plastic balls all around the room (great place to dry off too).

Secondly, on the Lower Lot, there is a little place called "DinoLand" that's perfect for your 3-year old to play. Quite a bit of walking to get to it though. It's right next to the "Jurassic Park" ride.

As far as other stuff for kids goes, there is a "Universal's Animal Actors" that's fun for little kids. "Shrek 4D" might be another fun one to take your 3-year old to, or even "Special Effects" show which is close to "Shrek." Just be aware that some attractions have a height restriction for kids (40+ inches), i.e. the Simpsons Ride, etc, so your 3-year old won't be able to go on those rides.

Best of luck.

fantastic! thank you!

ive got a list of all the ride heights so I can prepared when he won't be able to go on a ride, when i know he'll want to!

any thoughts on the studio tour for him? he doesnt scare easily...

 

[saleshopper]

I have the same issues with my 12 year old and a three year old. Thanks for the suggestions. I'm also curious to hear opinions on the studio tour for a 3 yr old.

 

[SMD]

FYI, Curious George closed last year. There is a similar area in the new Despicable Me themed area. I imagine the new minion ride is pretty popular right now.

 

[WTFetus]

FYI, Curious George closed last year. There is a similar area in the new Despicable Me themed area. I imagine the new minion ride is pretty popular right now.

Popular, but still not as popular as The Simpsons.
I used to think the Lower Lot Strategy was the best, but after my recent visit, I'd probably change things up.

Still get there at Park Opening, but
1. The Simpsons
2. Despicable Me
3. Transformers
4. Mummy
5. Jurassic Park
6. Studio Tour

 

[DLfan4]

crowds/waittimes will depend when you go. We went in mid-January, on a Saturday, and were able to do all the rides by 4:00 pm. we had a little wait on simpsons, and a longer wait on studio tour, but most others there was no wait.

they have a neat Flintstones themed counter service which is cool. I recommend eating there.

The King Kong 3D experience of the Studio Tour can be scary for kids. it is made to look as if King Kong and Godzilla are fighting above and on-top of the tram.

 

[WTFetus]

The King Kong 3D experience of the Studio Tour can be scary for kids. it is made to look as if King Kong and Godzilla are fighting above and on-top of the tram.

I think the Jurassic Park portion of the ride might be the scariest. When one of the dinosaurs popped out and sprayed water at a little girl in front of me, she started crying.

 

[GenGen22]

I also agree with Ryans plan. The transformer ride last July had over a hour wait (an amazing ride tho). The good news is when you walk around the park there are didital signs that tell you howlong the wait times are so it can help with planning your day. I would do the studio tour during daylight as oppesed to the end of the day.

As far as rides not good for kids the mummy is very fast pitch dark & scarry. And jurassic park has a extremely steep drop that I didnt realize & scared me to death so im stay away from those two for the kiddos.

 

[sharona]

1. Go on a weekday or Sunday..

Our only option for USH is a Saturday late June. Are Saturdays typically larger crowds due to local AP holders? We are debating FOTL passes for our visit since we only have the 1 day. Should we wait to see crowd level before buying FOTL? Do they ever sell out (like the website suggests)?

We'll be there at park opening. We don't expect to see everything but we do have a wishlist: Studio Tour, Despicable Me, Mummy, Simpsons, Animal Actors

Advice welcome!

 

[Ryan120420]

Our only option for USH is a Saturday late June. Are Saturdays typically larger crowds due to local AP holders? We are debating FOTL passes for our visit since we only have the 1 day. Should we wait to see crowd level before buying FOTL? Do they ever sell out (like the website suggests)?

We'll be there at park opening. We don't expect to see everything but we do have a wishlist: Studio Tour, Despicable Me, Mummy, Simpsons, Animal Actors

Advice welcome!

Saturdays have larger crowds because its not a work/school day or night for most people.

If you have to visit on a weekend, Sundays are the best because its a work/school night for most people and many people go to church in the mornings.

If you get to the park at least 1-hour prior to opening and have a plan of attack, you will not need a Front of Line pass. Save your money.


1. Go on a weekday or Sunday.

2. Get to the park 1-hour before scheduled park opening. Universal during the busy season will open Despicable Me: Minion Mayhem and Transformers 30min prior to listed park opening.

3. Go Straight to Despicable Me: Minion Mayhem and if interested, Silly Swrily first.

4. Go to the Lower Lot and ride Transformers, Mummy, and Jurassic Park

5. Go up to the Upper Lot and do the Studio Tour.

6. Do all the shows. Before or after WaterWorld, do House of Horrors.

7. Ride Simpsons towards the end of the day. The line is usually a 10-20 wait in the last 45mins of park operation. If you don't want to wait until the end of the day to ride, the line is usually a 45-60min wait during most of the day.


Take advantage of Single Rider Lines:

Revenge of The Mummy
Transformers
Jurassic Park.

Despicable Me: Minion Mayhem- Single Rider Line not always available.

Have fun!

 

[LisaT91403]

Saturdays have larger crowds because its not a work/school day or night for most people.

If you have to visit on a weekend, Sundays are the best because its a work/school night for most people and many people go to church in the mornings.

If you get to the park at least 1-hour prior to opening and have a plan of attack, you will not need a Front of Line pass. Save your money.


1. Go on a weekday or Sunday.

2. Get to the park 1-hour before scheduled park opening. Universal during the busy season will open Despicable Me: Minion Mayhem and Transformers 30min prior to listed park opening.

3. Go Straight to Despicable Me: Minion Mayhem and if interested, Silly Swrily first.

4. Go to the Lower Lot and ride Transformers, Mummy, and Jurassic Park

5. Go up to the Upper Lot and do the Studio Tour.

6. Do all the shows. Before or after WaterWorld, do House of Horrors.

7. Ride Simpsons towards the end of the day. The line is usually a 10-20 wait in the last 45mins of park operation. If you don't want to wait until the end of the day to ride, the line is usually a 45-60min wait during most of the day.


Take advantage of Single Rider Lines:

Revenge of The Mummy
Transformers
Jurassic Park.

Despicable Me: Minion Mayhem- Single Rider Line not always available.

Have fun!

If we go on a weekday in July (in the next week or two) and get there for the early opening of Minion Mayhem, how long do you expect the line to be? Is it possible to ride it a few times in a row before the line gets long?

 

[WTFetus]

If we go on a weekday in July (in the next week or two) and get there for the early opening of Minion Mayhem, how long do you expect the line to be? Is it possible to ride it a few times in a row before the line gets long?

Probably. I was able to walk-on to Minion Mayhem in March and that was already a little after opening. You could definitely do it a number of times even after opening if you guys do single-rider.
I didn't do the early entry thing last Friday, but the wait still wasn't too long at opening (~20 minutes). It got to 85 minutes later in the day.

Not too sure if they'll keep up the early entry thing though. When I went on July 4th, Transformers didn't open until 9.

 

[LisaT91403]

Probably. I was able to walk-on to Minion Mayhem in March and that was already a little after opening. You could definitely do it a number of times even after opening if you guys do single-rider.
I didn't do the early entry thing last Friday, but the wait still wasn't too long at opening (~20 minutes). It got to 85 minutes later in the day.

Not too sure if they'll keep up the early entry thing though. When I went on July 4th, Transformers didn't open until 9.

My son is only 6, so we can't really do single rider. Thanks for the tip, though

 

[WTFetus]

My son is only 6, so we can't really do single rider. Thanks for the tip, though

Ah, makes sense.
The option is there if you need it though (maybe later in the day when DS feels comfortable after riding it with you a few times?). If you haven't ridden it before, Despicable Me's single-rider is a bit different from the other rides at USH and DL. The ride seats like 80+ people per ride, so you'll technically be "with" him the whole time. You might even be able to sit next to him if you're lucky.
If you have ridden it before, sorry for the repeat.