Universal Planning*Please Help*-Newbie :)

[NICE8x]

Hello,

So we were planning to go to Universal Studios for our first time this February break. We have been to Disney World before and recently went to Disneyland. We are only staying over one night in Orlando. We are driving up from my grandmother's place in Port Charlotte FL, so the ride is about 2-3 hours.

We are staying at the Nick Suites, so we planned on driving up Monday, enjoying the water park and pools Monday night and then going to Universal Studios all day Tuesday and then driving back to Port Charlotte.

But, we just heard that if we are going to Universal, it is a must to spend time at both parks. We originally were only going to go to the one main park.

We now want to go to both parks. The park-to-park pass for one day is about the same cost as a 2 day single admission park pass.

So now we don't know if we should do a park-to-park for our full day on Tuesday or if we should drive up really early Monday and spend a part/half day at one park Monday and the next full day (Tuesday) at the other park.

If we were to do two days which park should we go to on the partial day (Monday) and which on the full day (Tuesday)? Should we do the one day with the park-to-park?

When we went to Disneyland we felt doing one full day at each park was perfect but heard going between the two parks at Universal is really easy. When we went to Disney World we did everything we wanted doing a full day at Magic Kingdom, a full day at Hollywood Studios, and a full day at Epcot.

We don't know anything about Universal and just need some advice.

Thanks!!!!

NICE8x

 

[macraven]

Hello,

So we were planning to go to Universal Studios for our first time this February break. We have been to Disney World before and recently went to Disneyland. We are only staying over one night in Orlando. We are driving up from my grandmother's place in Port Charlotte FL, so the ride is about 2-3 hours.

We are staying at the Nick Suites, so we planned on driving up Monday, enjoying the water park and pools Monday night and then going to Universal Studios all day Tuesday and then driving back to Port Charlotte.

But, we just heard that if we are going to Universal, it is a must to spend time at both parks. We originally were only going to go to the one main park.

We now want to go to both parks. The park-to-park pass for one day is about the same cost as a 2 day single admission park pass.

So now we don't know if we should do a park-to-park for our full day on Tuesday or if we should drive up really early Monday and spend a part/half day at one park Monday and the next full day (Tuesday) at the other park.

If we were to do two days which park should we go to on the partial day (Monday) and which on the full day (Tuesday)? Should we do the one day with the park-to-park?

When we went to Disneyland we felt doing one full day at each park was perfect but heard going between the two parks at Universal is really easy. When we went to Disney World we did everything we wanted doing a full day at Magic Kingdom, a full day at Hollywood Studios, and a full day at Epcot.

We don't know anything about Universal and just need some advice.

Thanks!!!!

NICE8x

since you don't know anything about the darkside, i suggest you go to www.universalorlando.com and familiarize yourself with the layouts of both parks.
can't say there is only one main park as they both are full of rides, shows, etc.

read about the rides and shows so you can decide what you want to do in each of them.

if you have kids with you, check the height restrictions for the rides.

 

[johde]

I'm going to agree with macraven that there is no one "main" park. I know you didn't park hop at Disneyland but it is almost as easy. Instead of being right across from each other, the 2 parks are right next to each other. As far as the choice between park to park or 2 days, I say "Yes". I would do the 2 day park to park tickets for about $18 more. That would give you the most flexibility.

One option would be "early" start, Hopefully arrive 10:00ish start a one park and stay until 5-6. That give you time to enjoy the Nick Hotel that evening. The next day, Start at the other park knowing if you get done, you can hop back to the first park to finish up things you missed on your "half" day.

Second option would be to hop both days. On the first day, see what you can get done in each park in 3-4 hours. On the second day, hit RD at the park of the biggest headliner you missed the first day than hop to the other one after lunch. Hitting both parks both days.

The ages of the people in your group and their interests will decide the best course of action.

 

[tlady]

If you like rides, the better park for a full day would be IOA in my opinion. The other park does have rides, just not as many.
But my main piece of advice would be to definitely get to IOA as soon as it opens, since you are not staying at a Universal hotel. Staying at their hotels gives you "front of the line" privileges at both parks on ALL rides, except HP and Rip Ride Rocket. And you can use this privilege without limit all day long. Makes a MAJOR difference in wait times.
So, if you are not able to take advantage of this becaise you are staying offsite, you need to be at the park when it opens. Because the regular lines will get long from about late morning on, especially on the more popular rides.

 

[schumigirl]

If you like rides, the better park for a full day would be IOA in my opinion. The other park does have rides, just not as many.
But my main piece of advice would be to definitely get to IOA as soon as it opens, since you are not staying at a Universal hotel. Staying at their hotels gives you "front of the line" privileges at both parks on ALL rides, except HP and Rip Ride Rocket. And you can use this privilege without limit all day long. Makes a MAJOR difference in wait times.
So, if you are not able to take advantage of this becaise you are staying offsite, you need to be at the park when it opens. Because the regular lines will get long from about late morning on, especially on the more popular rides.

Rip Ride Rockit has had Express pass since last year.

Only things not to have EP are Forbidden Journey, Pteranadon Flyers and the Olivanders show.


Op...........you should really have a look at the Universal Orlando website and decide what your group would enjoy more and what park you would all want to spend more time in.

Both are a lot of fun