Universal planning help needed

[cmsb]

My teen son is heading to Florida next week with his school marching band and will be spending two days at Universal. We have done Disney, but never Universal, so he has no clue how to tour the parks. He will have park hoppers and is staying at Endless Summer resort, so they are taking advantage of early entry (or as early as they can get a bunch of teens to the park). He likes all rides, especially thrill rides. I greatly appreciate any touring advice that you can provide so that he can maximize his days. Thank you!!

 

[Cottoncandylove]

Have him download the app. The map is a godsend to find your way around.

 

[Swidner]

I agree with having the app on his phone to track ride wait times and have a map. We never really plan Universal, we kind of go with the flow based on wait times. Early in the day and late in the evening are going to be the shortest wait times for thrill rides. We never wait more than an hour for Hagrids getting in line right at park closing. If he has an option to keep a credit card in the universal app, he can place food orders through the app as well to save time waiting in line and ordering.

 

[cmsb]

Are there specific rides that he should do first? I really don't know anything about the parks.

 

[Jangles]

Are there specific rides that he should do first? I really don't know anything about the parks.

I suggest Hagrids first, then Velocicoaster, maybe Hulk next, then just wander as he wishes.

 

[martikus]

Use single rider lines when he can. I’ve found when my son visits anything with his friends they don’t mind the waits as much. They will have a blast and probably wander and get on what looks good to them.

 

[Skywalker3]

Find out what the rules will be for the group too, Like are they allowed to go off on their own, or check in at certain times?
It's hard, but if he can get up early, that'll help a lot with Hagrid's especially. Hagrid's seems to keep the longest lines during the day, vs Velocicoaster. We did 60 mins for VC one afternoon, but line keeps moving along. wasn't that bad of a time. VC and Hagrids dont' take express, so lines move steadily if ride is not down. Plus he'll be w friends, which is more fun/tolerable.
Hulk. Spiderman, FJ also must dos at IoA, At US, Gringotts, Simpsons, MiB. Rip Ride Rocket has insane waits all day. Super fun since you get to choose music to listen to while on the coaster, but long lines. Several rides are simulators, than can cause motion sickness tho. Even my son, who rarely get motion sickness, had a little bit on FJ.
And they will get soaked on Ripsaw falls, so may not be good if they dont' have something to keep phones dry.
Bus drops off at City walk, go through security there, then walk to either US or IoA
we had some good luck w single rider lines, but not all are open all day, they open and close them often. Like at MiB, we used the Sr line, then went right after to do it again, but it was closed...
Did SR at Gringotts, but you'll miss most of the queue. but I'd say we waited about 35 min. I think the regular line was either 60-70 mins.
Hope he has a wonderful trip!!! we are just back from a trip, and teens loved it.

 

[thevolcanogod]

Both parks are kinda like big circles around a central pond/lake so the layout is easy to get.

He needs to get up and rope drop. For Islands try and do Velocicoaster first then Hagrid. After that bounce around to whatever has the shortest lines. For Studios try and either do Gringotts or Rip Ride Rocket first then bounce to whatever is shortest but stay away from the front of the park at rope drop.

Reserve sit down lunch and/or dinner in CityWalk and avoid counter service.