WDW snobs going to Universal

[pxydst]

I am not sure where to begin to find information about Universal! I know WDW like the back of my hand and have been going there for years! We are thinking of going 1-2 days do you think that is enough to see almost everything? do they have early entry and FP??? could someone give me a good site to do my research or give me a quick lesson and I can go from there?!?!?! Thank you for your help! We are excited to go to Universal. (i did start looking at this forum but not sure what all the abbreviations are!)

 

[kbelle8995]

There is express pass and early entry. Express pass you can get if you stay at any Universal hotel except Cabana Bay. You can also pay for an express pass if you wish to. All Universal hotels offer early entry to Harry Potter.

Go through some of the threads on this Universal area and you will find some excellent advice.

 

[CPanther95]

Are you going with the intent of just seeing everything, or are you going for a vacation? If you just want to see everything and ride the bulk of the rides, 2 days is probably enough - especially if you are staying onsite and you are just focused on the 2 parks.

If you are going for a vacation, just picture a vacation about 5 times more fun/enjoyable and relaxing and 10 times better food than what you can possibly experience at Disney. Then just decide how much of a real vacation you can tolerate/afford and schedule accordingly.

Disclaimer: The math is just an estimate.

 

[bawamz]

I found orlandoinformer.com very helpful.

 

[dixonsontour]

I'd stay onsite and allow at least 2 days. Aswell as the 2 parks there is citywalk with lots of restaurants and 2 mini golf courses.

 

[WDWFLGirl]

I'm in a similar boat. I haven't been to Universal in about 5 years and even then it was just a quick trip to IOA and Hogsmead. I'm still trying to figure out if I should get an AP or just the 3 day pass. My DS is excited to go, but I'm unsure if he will want to come back enough to make an AP worth it.

 

[Robo56]

Pxydst welcome to what I think are the most fun parks ever. I love the Universal experience and that's what keeps me coming back time after time.

As noted above the RPR, HR, PBH are the 3 resort hotels onsite that offer the Express pass with your stay there. Cabana Bay is their budget resort and it does not offer express pass. But ALL resorts offer early entry to the park that is having early entry on the given day you are going.

Cabana Bay is the newest resort and it is beautiful and one of the nicest budget park resorts I have ever scene. Each resort is themed. Go to Universal Orlandos official site online and you will be able to read up on all the resorts, look at site maps, see all restaurants in the parks, resorts and City Walk.

Each Park regular usually has a resort favorite they like. Mine is the PBH. There is a new resort coming summer of 2016 called Sapphire Falls, as well as a new water park Volcano Bay projected for summer 2017.

If possible I would stay on site at either PBH, RPR or HR so you can get your express pass included in your stay. You can walk to the parks from these three resorts or take the boat water taxi over (it's free for the guests). PBH would be the farther walk. You have to walk from Cabana Bay or take the bus over (which is free to guests). I would suggest staying longer if you can so you can really enjoy the parks.

You will need a park to park ticket to be able to ride the Hogwarts Express between Hogsmeade in IOA and Diagon Alley at Universal. This is a must do for Potter fans.

The food is very good at both parks and city walk with a lot of options. You are able to go to Universals site online and look at all the restaurants, menus and prices.

For the Potter fans a meal at Three Broomsticks in Hogsmeade or Leaky Cauldron in Diagon Alley is a must. My favorite is the Three Broomsticks. Also a butterbeer while out strolling. In either Potter park. Also another nice restaurant is Mythos in IOA.

Universal usually has deals at times were you can get 3 days for the price of 2 etc, a lot of people also look at undercover tourist, AAA and a few other sites to price compare on tickets.

Forbidden Journey in Hogsmeade and Escape from Gringotts in Diagon Alley are the two potter rides that will be busy so hit these first on early entry.

Minions ride in Universal is pretty busy too.

Check out the maps and rides online at Universal Orlando site. Have a great time

 

[wookiebeck]

I'm in a similar boat. I haven't been to Universal in about 5 years and even then it was just a quick trip to IOA and Hogsmead. I'm still trying to figure out if I should get an AP or just the 3 day pass. My DS is excited to go, but I'm unsure if he will want to come back enough to make an AP worth it.

We have done 4-day passes (not much more $$ than 3-day) and done more than our share of touring the parks. If you want to upgrade to an AP during your stay, you can get bridging on your pass.

 

[KeroKero]

We only recently started spending more than the usual 1 day over at Universal and probably will continue for all future trips to Orlando. We do 3 Univeral days, 2 for the parks and 1 relax day, checking out on the 4th day. Like pp's mentioned, I also find being over at Universal more of a vacation than I do when I'm at Disney. I just find there is more down time and we're not always on the go like we are when we're at Disney. We like Cabana Bay, and since we usually go in the off season, we don't ever need the Express Pass, so we save money that way. We are also morning people so are always at the WWoHP (Wizarding World) for opening and out of the parks by 2ish when we head back to the resort for down time. Literally in that short space of time we can see all the attractions/shows we love (sometimes more than once). Make sure to have a park to park pass so you can experience the Hogwarts Express attraction which goes back and forth between both the Studios park and IOA (Islands of Adventure). The Hogwarts Express is something not to be missed.

I find the food choices much better over here, counter service and sit down. We really enjoy both HP restaurants Three Brooksticks and the Leaky Cauldron (we are big Harry Potter fans) and on City Walk we really enjoy Bob Marley's, Emeril's and Antjotios. City Walk is literally right outside both park gates, so even if you're in the parks, you can just hop out to get something to eat. I've never eaten at Mythos, but it has rave reviews - so we'll be having lunch there net month.

The only thing bad I have to say about Universal is the locker/bag situation for the rides. Unlike Disney, most attractions at these parks you have to put your loose articles in a locker, that includes bags, purses etc. The lockers are free for the the length of time you'll be in line (updates with the wait time), but it's a hassle - especially since I'm so bad at remembering my locker number by the time I get out of the attraction!

You'll have a great time ... this forum is a great resource for information, you can find everything you need to know between the few Universal boards on here.

 

[wookiebeck]

I am not sure where to begin to find information about Universal! do they have early entry and FP??? (i did start looking at this forum but not sure what all the abbreviations are!)

The abbreviation for universal's system is EP, for Express Pass. It differs from FP+ in that it allows you into the express line (a short, preferred line just like FP) on nearly all rides. No time slot needed.

There are a few headliners that don't have an EP line, so we all wait together (or go single rider).

Some refer to this system as a FOTL (front of the line) pass. You might begin to see the advantages as your search for information broadens.

Have fun and keep asking specific questions if you have them!

 

[WDWFLGirl]

We have done 4-day passes (not much more $$ than 3-day) and done more than our share of touring the parks. If you want to upgrade to an AP during your stay, you can get bridging on your pass.

I saw that, but the payment plan is so appealing. It's enough of a savings that I really have to weigh my options.

 

[pxydst]

Thank you Thank you Thank you for all of this info!!! I have some time to research this info but you all have given me a jumping off point! Thank you

 

[sharona]

I highly recommend staying onsite at one of the resorts that gives you EP. Deals can be found making it similar in cost or sometimes even less expensive than staying offsite and buying EP (depending on how many in your group). I think United.com and Cheaptickets.com both had recent discount codes available.

It's a completely different experience than WDW (which I also love). UOR is just much more relaxing - no buses to wait for, no FP reservation times to rush to, no advance ADRs needed, less time in line = more pool time, many attractions with cutting edge technology, very nice resorts at reasonable prices. 2 days is the bare minimum I would plan on. You can definitely see it all if you don't plan on any down time but you would be missing out on some of UOR's best perks - ability to go at a leisurely pace, easy access to take breaks and really nice pools.

There really is not much planning needed. Decide onsite vs. off site, deluxe vs. Cabana Bay, which park to hit first. That's it.

 

[klmall]

I agree with most of the advice given above. We usually spend 5 or so days at Disney and then move over to Universal for two nights. As adults we enjoy the FOTL experience and manage to get all our favorites done by 1 or 2; then relax back at the room before heading back into the parks for the evening. As WDW gets more and more programmed with FP+ and hard to get ADRs we can't wait to get to Universal! This past December we noticed that everyone at Universal seems to enjoy being there; no running to get in lines for your FP+ or a parade spot one hour ahead of time. People seemed just so much more relaxed and happier there! This was our 6th Universal visit and I'm thinking that we won't return to Disney for at least 5 years if ever but I'd like to go back to Universal in December 2016!

 

[DisneyOma]

Are you going with the intent of just seeing everything, or are you going for a vacation? If you just want to see everything and ride the bulk of the rides, 2 days is probably enough - especially if you are staying onsite and you are just focused on the 2 parks.

If you are going for a vacation, just picture a vacation about 5 times more fun/enjoyable and relaxing and 10 times better food than what you can possibly experience at Disney. Then just decide how much of a real vacation you can tolerate/afford and schedule accordingly.

Disclaimer: The math is just an estimate.

We found the food at Universal to be pretty much the same as at WDW, some was great, some was disgusting. Both places are expensive too.

OP, we do just the HP areas for the most part. We have walked around both parks though. We found the theming at IoA to be on par with Disney, but the studio side (except the HP area) was rather rough and boring, like walking through Six Flags. So as long as you are not expecting WDW detail, you should have some fun. Also, expect to see a lot of backsides of buildings. For example, the attraction building at Hogwarts is very visible in the outdoor queue, along with backstage trash bins and dumpsters. If you go not expecting it to have the WDW detail, you should be fine.

We can do both HP lands in one day. I think 2 days would be plenty of time to do both parks completely. If you stay onsite in deluxe, you get the free express pass. Or you could buy it for one day, and go on the most important rides that day. Since the pass does not work for anything HP (except DD?) you could save HP for the day without the pass. Just make sure you get park-to-park tickets. The price is worth it just to ride the Hogwarts Express! make sure to ride it in both directions

 

[kbelle8995]

I used to be a WDW snob as well. There is much to enjoy at Universal beyond the Potter area. Men in black is very enjoyable and the Simpson section is interesting to walk through and many people love the dining options there. IOA is also really great. Suess Landings is really nice and there are some fun rides in there. Universal is working on their parks and making changes here and there.
There are lots of entertainers around the park performing. So you might stumble across a few in the park.

Universal is nice and relaxing and is more appreciated the more WDW turns towards pre-planning so far ahead. I will say this on the AP's at Universal. I have been impressed by the way Universal treats their AP holders.

 

[hdnwaters]

We just got back from a week long stay in Orlando. It had been 18 years since our last trip to Universal. We have been to WDW several times and the last being Nov. '14. We scheduled 2 days for US/IOA. Purchased Park to Park tickets. No Express Pass. Our first day was a Wednesday, we arrived about 9:30 and headed straight to Forbidden Journey. Our plan was to do all of IOA then head to US if we had time. We had a list of must dos and by 1:00 we had done everything as planned at IOA. Headed to City Walk, lunch and drinks at Margaritaville...the burger was pretty good! Headed back to IOA...stopped at Seussical Landing (really cute) then rode the Hogwarts Express. We rode Diagon Alley and the Mummy. Left the park around 4. Really a casual day. On Thursday we went to Epcot. Except for Test Track (our favorite ride) .....I hate to admit is was pretty mundane. I almost went to sleep on Soarin! I guess it's always more exciting do ride something new!

We loved IOA....the theming between the different areas is really nice. Sorta like Animal Kingdom (the prettiest WDW park) We went back to US on Saturday and it was more crowded for sure. We did do all on our list and even watched the animal & Beetlejuice show. Rode ET for memories. Rode Mummy, DA, and Forbidden Journey a second time. Plus rode Transformers twice! So much fun!

You need 2 days for sure.....the Express Pass would be nice if there is a big crowd expected. We are going back! Plus planning a day at MK and want to ride all 22 rides!

 

[johde]

We found the food at Universal to be pretty much the same as at WDW, some was great, some was disgusting. Both places are expensive too.

OP, we do just the HP areas for the most part. We have walked around both parks though. We found the theming at IoA to be on par with Disney, but the studio side (except the HP area) was rather rough and boring, like walking through Six Flags. So as long as you are not expecting WDW detail, you should have some fun. Also, expect to see a lot of backsides of buildings. For example, the attraction building at Hogwarts is very visible in the outdoor queue, along with backstage trash bins and dumpsters. If you go not expecting it to have the WDW detail, you should be fine.

We can do both HP lands in one day. I think 2 days would be plenty of time to do both parks completely. If yous tay onsite in deluxe, you get the free express pass. Or you could buy it for one day, and go on the most important rides that day. Since the pass does not work for anything HP (except DD?) you could save HP for the day without the pass. Just make sure you get park-to-park tickets. The price is worth it just to ride the Hogwarts Express! make sure to ride it in both directions

For me, I thought CS felt slightly more expensive than Disney once you get away from the Hamburgers and Chicken Strips. TS seems to be a little cheaper than Disney.

As far as the themeing goes. I think both parks are on par with Disney. USF is themed to a movie studio like parts of DHS. Looking at it through that prism, USF is just as good if not better themed than DHS. For example, part of the New York section of the park near Finnegan is themed after sets and locations in Gangster movies like The Godfather. The Building HRRR pokes out of is the Ghostbusters Office. The details are there, they just aren't as in your face as Disney often is. And there themeing is often more "gritty" in nature and not the pristine look Disney goes after. It is far from being a Six Flags.

Disney is guilty at times of some of the same "sins" as Universal. People don't talk about being able to see the Swan and Dolphin and Soarin's hangers from all over world showcase. And, for many years, you could see the show building for Haunted Mansion from the queue.