Wanna help a Universal Newbie?

[LiteBrite]

Hi all,

I'm very literate concerning WDW, but in a couple of week my family and I will be making our very first foray into the world of Universal, about which we know very little.

Here are some details: It's me, my hubby, and our 17yo daughter. We'll be doing a mostly WDW trip and staying at POR. We're planning one day only at Universal, taking advantage of the current Florida Resident special that offers a one day ticket to both parks for the price of one. We're going to be on the Dining Plan at Disney, so we'll probably do breakfast and a late dinner there, meaning lunch only at Universal.

We've made a list of all the attractions we'd like to do, and I'd love it if you guys would help us with an itenerary. I don't know if it's even possible to do all this stuff in one day - all advice is welcome.

Here's the attraction list:
IoA:
Hulk
Spidey
Dr. Doom
Jurassic Park
Dueling Dragons (both Fire and Ice)
Suess Landing (just to look around and probably not ride anything)

Studios:
The Mummy
T2
Back to the Future
ET
Earthquake
Jaws

So, anybody?

 

[aengus]

You wont have a problem getting that done in one day at this time of year I bet unless you are going on a weekend. I would go to IOA first and right to marvel island on the left as it gets half of your IOA rides quick. Dr. Doom is a slow loading ride but again for this time of the year it shouldnt be a big deal. Jaws is shut down I think over at studios, but get to mummy quickly as that is the definite draw there.

I have definitely gotten all that done in a day several times plus more.

 

[momof3disneyholics]

T2 has a really long preshow, so make sure you allow enough time for that. You should have no problem accomplishing what you want to do, but you will probably want to do more things once you get in the park and see them. Try to allow time for Shrek. It is definately worth catching.

 

[tbird89]

momof3 beat me to the punch...Shrek 4D is a definate must see.

 

[LiteBrite]

Cool, thanks for the replies. Anybody care to lay out a plan of attack for me, keeping in mind that we've never even laid eyes on the place before?

 

[phamton]

Here's the attraction list:
IoA:
Hulk
Spidey
Dr. Doom
Jurassic Park
Dueling Dragons (both Fire and Ice)
Suess Landing (just to look around and probably not ride anything)

Studios:
The Mummy
T2
Back to the Future
ET
Earthquake
Jaws

First of all Jaws is closed and may be closed when you are going. Without a specific date an itnerary might be hard to make.

Be at Universal gate at 8:45 that means to be in the parking lot by 8:15. Go to the studios:
Mummy
Shrek
Earthquake
Men in Black: (I know it's not on your list but it is must see)
Back to the Future
ET
Terminator
(this will take you in a circle around the park except for the short backtrack for Shrek)

Exit park and head for IOA:
Hulk
Dr. Doom (I'd skip this if I were you)
Spiderman
JP
Dueling Dragons
Cat in the Hat

This is the order I would do the parks but you can do it the same way if you start with IOA. The only problem with doing IOA first is the line for Mummy is usually the longest line for any rides. Grab lunch on the go when you get hungry. You won't have time for a long sit-down meal.

 

[LiteBrite]

Thanks, that's just what I was looking for! Sorry about the lack of date - we'll probably be there Monday or Tuesday, the 3rd or 4th of October.

 

[phamton]

You shouldn't have any trouble doing all of that Oct. 3 or 4th as it won't be crowded then.

 

[gschmerl]

YOu can also get express pass for most of those attractions. It works like fast pass at WDW, but gives you a choice of two alternate times to return. You choose the one you want.

 

[phamton]

The free express passes are not available at this time. They are experimenting with eliminating the express pass machines during non-peak time. The express pass machines have been covered up for the last two weeks. The good news as they haven't been needed as most rides are a walk on.

They may or may not be available when you go in October.

 

[dudedisney]

LiteBrite,
How do you plan to get there? We're going in Oct. too for the first time and I'm debating how to get to Universal early enough and still be semi-cheap!

 

[LiteBrite]

LiteBrite,
How do you plan to get there? We're going in Oct. too for the first time and I'm debating how to get to Universal early enough and still be semi-cheap!

We'll have our own car, so that makes it easier for us. We'll still have to be up at the crack of dawn!

 

[F-L-A]

No love for Toon Lagoon?

 

[metsfan11]

No love for Toon Lagoon?

lol toon lagoon is just water rides
if u have time definetly do dudly do right
popeye you could miss unless you want to get SOAKED

they're both fun

 

[phamton]

I love Dudley and Popeyes myself but since the original poster had listed the rides they wanted to go on, I just listed a plan for those rides. I personally would skip Earthquake and hit Horror Makeup.

 

[LiteBrite]

Thanks so much for all your help. One more question - if I want to follow Phamton's advice and be at the parking lot by 8:15, what time should we leave POR (driving our own car)?

 

[phamton]

Since 7-8 AM is rush hour traffic, I would suggest you leave POR by 7:30 AM. Also, I just noticed that you were looking to buy the FL resident special of 2 parks for the price of one park. That promotion has ended. The regular one day/two park ticket is $69.95 plus tax. A one day/one park is $59.95 plus tax.

 

[clownboy007]

This is a great time of year to be going to the Universal parks...the crowds are small (relatively) and the weather is beautiful. Just a few "insider" tips in no particular order:
ride in the front of the Hulk at least once...it's worth the wait;
Dueling Dragons: front of Fire, back of Ice for maximum impact; i
If you're going to skip a ride make it Dr. Doom (go if you have time but if you don't you won't REALLY be missing anything);
Dudley Do-Right's Ripsaw Falls is an absolute hoot...but be assured you WILL get VERY wet;
Don't cheat yourself out of Seuss Landing by missing Cat In The Hat (true, it's aimed at the kids but you'll enjoy it on a completely different level) and be sure to try some Green Eggs and Ham;
Don't miss the Enchanted Fountain outside of the Sinbad show;
Be sure to see Poseiden's Fury;
If you have time, take in a meal at Mythos;
Make time to ride the Mummy at least twice (the only thing wrong with the ride is it's too short);
Men In Black: hold the trigger down all the time to get a higher score;
If you have time, take in the Horror Makeup Show late in the day...the show is slightly corny but it's fun and a nice way to cool off and rest your feet;
Don't miss the Animal Planet Live show.
Have a great time!

 

[phamton]

I agree with Clownboy's suggestion. Just one little change though: Poseiden's Fury is closed for all of October as it is being used for Halloween Horror Nights.

 

[LiteBrite]

Since 7-8 AM is rush hour traffic, I would suggest you leave POR by 7:30 AM. Also, I just noticed that you were looking to buy the FL resident special of 2 parks for the price of one park. That promotion has ended. The regular one day/two park ticket is $69.95 plus tax. A one day/one park is $59.95 plus tax.

Phamton, I just purchased the one day/two park tickets online for $59.95 plus tax (Florida Resident rate). Maybe online is the only way you can do it now.

Thanks again for all the help, everybody! We're leaving in a couple of hours - I'll be sure and let you know how it went when we get back.