Universal Virgin!

[Blanche_Neige]

I have been to Disney many times always last week of january, but never to Universal. I was thinking of either trying Universal or combining it with Disney.

What can you tell me about Universal?

-Is March (2-3rd week) really crowded ?
-do they have fast pass system?
-Do they offer a GAC for kids with special needs?
-how many days do we need to visit the parks?
-do they have free bus to/from airport like ME?
-do they have buses for parks-hotels?
-is it worth staying on site?

any thing else you can think of...

thank you

 

[jworkkul]

I have been to Disney many times always last week of january, but never to Universal. I was thinking of either trying Universal or combining it with Disney.

What can you tell me about Universal?

-Is March (2-3rd week) really crowded ?
-do they have fast pass system?
-Do they offer a GAC for kids with special needs?
-how many days do we need to visit the parks?
-do they have free bus to/from airport like ME?
-do they have buses for parks-hotels?
-is it worth staying on site?

any thing else you can think of...

thank you

Hopefully, I can enlighten you with Universal. March is crowded but mostly on the weekends. They do have a "fast Pass" system for most of the popular attractions and also you can buy a coupon booklet at the park to get you through the attractions so you don't have to wait until the fast pass time.
They do offer GAC for special needs children. I would plan on one day for one park. If you want to visit both Universal and IOA, plan on 2 days. They do not have bus service from the airport to the parks. But if you are staying on Disney property, they can provide bus service to the parks from your hotel.
I don't personally think staying on property at Universal makes that much difference only it gets you onto the attractions quicker. The prices at the hotels there are pretty expensive.

 

[Bluer101]

Universal has Express Pass but you need to buy it or stay onsite. The pass you buy allows one express entrance per ride, onsite guest can use the express as many times as you would like. Staying onsite for my family is worth it. It's not just for unlimited FOTL pass but for the convience and relaxing time. Think of all the time you waist driving to the parks, walking in from the lot or tram. We used to stay offsite because the price of onsite was too much until we tried it, never will stay offsite again.

 

[keanda]

I thought that they stopped the fastpass system about 3 years ago. I know that you can pay extra to get a book of fastpasses but I think that they only do a certain number in a day, I may be wrong so please correct me if I give the wrong information but I think you can only fastpass each ride once with the book. You can ride again but you have to join the normal queues. People staying onsite use there key and can fastpass as often as they want for free, but I think the accommodation is expensive. We were last there two years ago so maybe it has changed since we were there.

 

[Metro West]

I thought that they stopped the fastpass system about 3 years ago. I know that you can pay extra to get a book of fastpasses but I think that they only do a certain number in a day, I may be wrong so please correct me if I give the wrong information but I think you can only fastpass each ride once with the book. You can ride again but you have to join the normal queues. People staying onsite use there key and can fastpass as often as they want for free, but I think the accommodation is expensive. We were last there two years ago so maybe it has changed since we were there.

The free Express Plus system was stopped in 2006 or there abouts because the lines got too long but there are still the Express Plus passes you can buy at either park. They are not sold in books...it's a single ticket that is good for each participating attraction but only once per attraction. The unlimited Express Plus access is solely for onsite guests.

 

[tlinus]

And the onsite hotels frequently run specials on their rooms. You can also use AAA (if you have it) for room discounts, plus at the stores and most food establishments in both parks and City Walk.

 

[the Dark Marauder]

I have been to Disney many times always last week of january, but never to Universal. I was thinking of either trying Universal or combining it with Disney.

What can you tell me about Universal?

-Is March (2-3rd week) really crowded ?
-do they have fast pass system?
-Do they offer a GAC for kids with special needs?
-how many days do we need to visit the parks?
-do they have free bus to/from airport like ME?
-do they have buses for parks-hotels?
-is it worth staying on site?

any thing else you can think of...

thank you

1) March is a month that varies greatly. It depends on when Easter/Spring break fall that year. Usually, it's medium-light crowd levels.

2)Not quite. By staing at an onsite resort, your room key (each person needs their own key) gets unlimited express access. You can buy Express passes at the parks, but their price varies (anywhere from $20-$45 per PERSON) and are only good once per attraction.

3)They to provide a GAP. Just to to Guest Services inside the park and talk to one of the TMs.

4)One day per park is the generally accepted "rule". Three days is also common, as it allows you to diversify & go at a more comfortable pace.

5)Not sure.

6)Off-site hotels will often offer shuttle service. Check with the hotel for times. (this question will be trumped by the next one)

7)Absolutely yes. The resorts are wonderful and are very close to the parks. You can walk from the hotels, or take the free water taxi. Staying onsite allows you to get unlimited express with your room key for the length of stay. Staying for one night gets you two full days (check in and check out) of unlimited express. If you're staying onsite, your room key allows you to pool hop to the other resorts. You can even charge to your room key if you so desire.

 

[dragonfly32837]

First, A "GAP" is a guest assistance pass and does not necessarily mean fast access to the attractions. It just means that you will be accomodated according to what your needs are.

Second, There is an unlimited Express pass that is good for both parks in one day that can be purchsed for $70.99 plus tax per person.