Universal Studios Touring Plan - Please help!

[CJK]

You guys have gotten me excited for this trip! I've started a possible itinerary for our Universal day. Please feel free to critique it! I realize that this isn't written in stone and we could easily change it as the day progresses. I'm also not sure how many express passes we will need in mid September. Also, is it possible for me to find out showtimes before the trip? I'm not sure when the shows are on so it's hard to work them into the itinerary. I thought of doing the park counterclockwise. Here's the plan for 2 adults:

1)At opening, get express pass for Mummy.
2)Go to Shrek.
3)Go to Mummy and Jimmy Neutron (depending on when express pass window opens)
4) Ghostbusters
5) Blue Brothers
6)Earthquake
7)lunch at Richters if the timing works out
8) Jaws
9)MIB (singles line if busy)
10)Animal Planet Live
11)ET
12)Horror Make-up show
13) Terminator 3D
14)Lucy: A Tribute
15)Repeat any favourites if time

This sounds pretty commando, but I'm open to more relax time if possible. Any thoughts? Again, I may get express passes if they're available/necessary as the day goes on. Thanks for any input.

 

[Slacking]

A couple suggestions:

Even though you'll be in that area, its a good idea to see the street shows such as Blue Brothers and Ghostbusters later in the day when the park is crowded. Same with Earthquake. Earthquake usually has a smaller wait than the other rides, so my advice would be to experience Earthquake after the other rides (same with Twister which isn't on your list, but I highly recommend.)

IMO, with the exception of Shrek, its smartest to experience all rides before seeing the shows.

 

[Planogirl]

Don't miss Twister! I personally think that it's better than Earthquake but they're both interesting. Twister has a great queue. Stand on the front row in the show area if it's a hot day.

One bottleneck you might run into is Jaws. The line there can get awfully long and seems to move as slow as molasses. ET can become kind of long too but the queue is amazing IMO.

I'm not sure about show times. We never paid any attention and still never had a problem seeing them because they're shown frequently. Definitely don't miss the Horror Make-Up show! We saw this for the first time during our last trip and I was surprised at how much I enjoyed it.

 

[CJK]

thank you! I'm definitely taking your advice. We'll definitely see Twister. I think I just missed it accidentally when I typed the above list out. Thanks!

 

[Motherfletcher]

According to your plan you'll be out of Jimmy Nuetron by about 10 or before. After Jimmy I would go to MIB, BTTF, Jaws, Earthquake, then lunch at Richters. In Sept you probably wouldn't need to Mummy Express as planned but it would allow you the second ride at a specific time.

Showtimes until 8/14 were:
Horror Makeup 11:45, 12:30, 1:15, 2, 3:30, 4:15, 5, 5:45, 7:15, 8
GB 11:30, 12:45, 2, 3:45, 5
BB 11, 12:45, 2:15, 3:30, 4:45
T2 9:30-8:40
BJ 12:30, 1:45, 3, 5, 6:15

Re-do your plan and let us tear it apart again

 

[26555]

Is the Monster Rock and Roll review still there? My kids haven't caught any of the shows yet and I thought they'd like the Monster theme.

 

[Motherfletcher]

Flyfly reported that the Beetlejuice theater had some storm damage and was closed. I don't know if it has reopened.

 

[Flyfly_Eclipse]

Originally posted by Motherfletcher
Flyfly reported that the Beetlejuice theater had some storm damage and was closed. I don't know if it has reopened.

Yes. It was closed only the Saturday after the storm. By Sunday, the show reopened.

As far as seeing street shows later in the day, if there is a chance of rain later in the afternoon, try to see the earliest showing possible. If no bad weather is in the forecast, I always enjoy the 5:00 GB Show best...it's the last show, and the guys' attitudes are totally different.

 

[momof3disneyholics]

Man, I would hate to be stuck to a touring plan. I think it is much more fun to ride some rides, catch some street shows, have an ice cream or beer, and just have fun. The first time I went to Universal I had a touring plan and it was out the window by 10:00am.

 

[CJK]

Revised touring plan thanks to all your help!!

Check for weather throughout the day to see if we should see shows early in day or save to later.
Tentative Touring Plan
1)At opening, get express pass for Mummy.
2)Go to Shrek.
3)Go to Mummy and Jimmy Neutron (depending on when express pass window opens)
4) Ghostbusters? (if supposed to be rainy in afternoon)
5) Blue Brothers? (if supposed to be rainy in afternoon)
6) Send dh to get express pass for Jaws if necessary
7) Beetlejuice
8) Jaws
19) go get express pass for ET if necessary
10)MIB (singles line if busy)
11)ET
12)Horror Make-up show
13) Terminator 3D
14)Earthquake
15) Twister
16) Ghostbusters street show if haven't seen it yet
17) Blues Brothers if haven't seen it yet
18)Animal Planet Live
19)Lucy: A Tribute
20)Repeat any favourites if time and I may brave BTTF if not busy!!
21) Try to fit lunch in at Richters whenever hungry!

 

[Motherfletcher]

4 thru 7 are still a little early. If the first GB is 11:30 you will be waiting over an hour for it to start.
The first 19 will be quite a walk to get express for ET.
I think you will be amazed at how fast you can do the tour if you are there when the park opens. A good rule of thumb is rides first, shows after.
I don't think you will have any problems with lines when you are going though. It is pretty slow now.

 

[CJK]

Thanks for the tips yet again! We're doing quite a bit of backtracking with this itinerary, but we really don't mind that at all.

Check for weather throughout the day to see if we should see shows early in day or save to later.
Tentative Touring Plan
1)At opening, get express pass for Mummy.
2) Shrek.
3) Mummy
4) Jimmy Neutron (depending on when express pass window opens)
5) Jaws
6)MIB (singles line if busy)
7)ET
8) Terminator 3D
9)Earthquake
10) Twister
11) Beetlejuice
12) Ghostbusters?
13) Blues Brothers?
14)Horror Make-up show
15)Animal Planet Live
16)Lucy: A Tribute
17)Repeat any favourites if time and I may brave BTTF if not busy!!
18) Try to fit lunch in at Richters whenever hungry!

 

[Motherfletcher]

I think you've got it! Let us know how it worked including changes you made or would make. Just for proximity you might switch 10 with 11. If you add BTTF it should go behind MIB. Wear old, comfortable shoes and drink lots of water. Good luck!

 

[CJK]

Thanks so much!!!!!!! I'll be sure to post when we get back!!

 

[rhysd2]

just my personal opinion but being a party of only 2 adults you might consider skipping ET, twister, or earthquake if you need a break part the way through the day.

ET isnt that good and is geared more towards children IMO, and twister... while cool is really nothing more than a strong wind being blown in your face. Earthquake, how to put it, it feels very set up to me when i ride it. the choreography of the whole thing is to obvious.

No doubt many people feel otherwise but thats just my personal opinions on the rides themselves.

if you still want to do the rides then perhaps just consider them as expendable should you need a break or your timing run not to plan