Universal questions for a first-timer

[mommy2paisley]

Okay, we're going to be there for what I have heard is a busy time, but I'm not sure how busy that is. We've never been to Disney during this time either, so have nothing to compare it to. We will be at Universal Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday before Thanksgiving. If you've been during this time, how busy is it? Are we talking couple hours wait for one ride or what? Someone a while back had answered a similar post with it's about the same as Disney during that time, but IDK what that's like either! LOL

We haven't decided yet, but is it really worth it to stay on property to get the express pass and the hour early entrance for the park with the HP ride?

I just need to get a feel for what I can expect those days. I'll be there with DH, DD (6) and DS (15 months), so we'll also need to do the child swap (or whatever it's called) for some rides. How does that work at Universal? We've never done it at Disney so not sure what to expect at all!!!!

If your opinion is that it's not really worth it to stay on property, any suggestions where to stay? If you think it is worth it, which one should we stay at?

 

[mesaboy2]

Okay, we're going to be there for what I have heard is a busy time, but I'm not sure how busy that is. We've never been to Disney during this time either, so have nothing to compare it to. We will be at Universal Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday before Thanksgiving. If you've been during this time, how busy is it? Are we talking couple hours wait for one ride or what? Someone a while back had answered a similar post with it's about the same as Disney during that time, but IDK what that's like either! LOL

We haven't decided yet, but is it really worth it to stay on property to get the express pass and the hour early entrance for the park with the HP ride?

I just need to get a feel for what I can expect those days. I'll be there with DH, DD (6) and DS (15 months), so we'll also need to do the child swap (or whatever it's called) for some rides. How does that work at Universal? We've never done it at Disney so not sure what to expect at all!!!!

If your opinion is that it's not really worth it to stay on property, any suggestions where to stay? If you think it is worth it, which one should we stay at?

For those days yes, I think it is worth it. Monday will be probably see moderate crowds at best, and the crowds will only go up steadily through the week.

I've only stayed at Royal Pacific (twice) and loved it, it also tends to be the least expensive. Portofino Bay is beautiful (I've only toured it), but costs a little more generally. I have no opinion on Hard Rock.

 

[damo]

It really is personal preference for the hotels. I really feel you get your money's worth staying on site.

 

[mischief32]

We were there during this time last year and it was well worth staying on site for FOTL pass. WE pretty much walked on to the rides that except this and that is everything but Forbidden Journey and Rip Rock. We love staying on site to get the pass. We also went last year over memorial day and not crowded at all. We also walked on most of the rides. WE did Forbidden Journey late on the first day we arrived and we did single rider/child swap and also just walked on almost. I will always stay on site.

 

[ryanally]

Just got back from our trip April 20-24 and we had never stayed on site but we loved it. We stayed at Hard Rock on club level. Definitely worth getting the FOTL pass. Our waits were minimal but the standby lines were over 30 minutes most of the time and some were closer to 60 minutes and that's without a holiday crowd.

The walk to the parks was very short 5-7 minutes and if we were tired we took the water taxi.

As for swapping, we didn't do that as our kids are 8 and 12 and we had grandmom along to sit out the looping coasters with our youngest but Universal does their swapping at the front of the line. Meaning the whole family goes through the line together then just before you board, the one parent sits out with the little one and goes to a room close by and then other parent will go on the ride when the first is done.