Universal Trip Planned - Have no idea what to do

[takstarr]

Need some help figuring out some "must do" attractions/ meals. This is 1st Universal trip in 10 years, usually go to Disney but decided to try something different. We are staying at Portofino Bay and have 3 days with express passes. Please give me some tips, want to make the most of this experience. Thanks so much!

 

[Skippyboo]

Do you like Harry Potter? When are you going? Mardi Gras is going on now until April. Halloween Horror starts in the Fall.

Are you a coaster fan? If so, you will want to do VelociCoaster and Hagrid’s Motorbike at IoA. This 2 are the only ride that don’t use the Express pass.

If you are a big HP fan, there’s are 2 sections of HP stuff. Hogmeade in IoA where there’s a Hogwarts castle ride you can do. Diagon Alley is in the Studio side. There’s a Gringotts bank ride there. The Hogwarts Express goes between the two sections. It’s different ride in each direction.

There’s a HP QS in both sections which is cool to eat at.

Most of the sit down restaurants are in City WalK. Toothsome Chocolate Emporium is pretty popular to eat at.

 

[IslandAdventure4]

 

[Jennkneefir]

Do you have park-to-park tickets, and do you plan on visiting volcano bay?
On my last trip i spent 4 days in the parks. Spent one full day in each then the other two days were spent revisiting highlights, relaxing at the pool, and enjoying a couple of sit-down restaurants, etc.

The express passes should make it easy enough to hit pretty much all of the rides you want within each park. If spent one day per park then your third day going back and re-riding or catching anything you didn't fit in.

I (like many folks who enjoy universal) am a harry potter fan. I prioritized those rides on my first day in each park (+ early entry will help), then on my "extra days" i went back and did the themed areas a little slower to enjoy the ambiance. Eating at 3 Broomsticks is also fun. Food isn't amazing, but the theming is A+ and worth it.

I guess it kinda depends on your priorities and likes/dislikes? The boats to the park gates is a huge perk of staying at Portofino!

 

[kbelle8995]

Portofino is a beautiful hotel. If you have good weather use this and eat outside. They have a opera singer that comes out most evenings and performs. It's really lovely. Also save some time for the pools.

Express pass is incredibly useful and good for the majority of Rides. Hagrid's coaster is one of the few that you can't use the express pass on. Agree on the boats, they are wonderful.

Also if you are a HP fan or have one make sure you get a park hopper so that you can use the train.

 

[Kit Jackson]

More than happy to help as are most people here. To give better reccomendations, what is your tolerance for rides ( total thrill seeker, ride coward, or somewhere in between? What franchises are you into? Are you a Harry Potter fan, a Simpsons fan, a Jurassic Park fan, a Marvel fan)?

I can give some food recommendations on where to eat because they have great food whether or not you are a fan of the franchise.

Food:
NBC Sports Grill & Brew (City Walk)
Toothsome (City Walk)
BumbleBee Man's Tacco Truck (Universal Studios)
Florean Fortescue's Ice-Cream (Universal Studios)
Banana ICEE near King Kong ride (Islands of Adventure)

 

[GoofyDad_4427]

Ages of the participants will probably elicit better advice than without.

 

[CAPSLOCK]

Honestly, you want to at least try out all the main attractions - should not be a problem with EP. I only skip the "cookie cutter" rides - ie Storm Force (teacups), One Fish Two Fish (Dumbo), and the kiddie Woody Woodpecker coaster.

Do be aware that the Dudley Do-right flume and Popeye raft ride will leave you soaked, so plan accordingly for those two.

The Bourne Stuntacular is great too, a very unique show.

 

[Newbie500]

Must dos
Hagrid motorbike ride
Harry Potter Gringotts ride
Velocicoaster
King Kong
Hogwarts train
Eat at Mythos and Cowfish
Swim at the Portofino pool(s)

That's what we're doing when we go except we'll be at the Hard Rock pool.

Stayed at Portofino once. Very classy! You'll have a blast!