What do I need to know?!

CaseyMouse

Earning My Ears
Joined
May 4, 2012
Messages
36
Hello everyone!
I have chosen to go to Florida for our honeymoon trip! We will mostly be staying at Disney(because I've been there before) but I also wanted to take a couple days and head over to Universal! I have recently found this site, and LOVE it! Everyone has been so nice and helped me out a lot!!

Ok! So, I've never been to Universal, and from what I can tell there are two theme parks..? We will do Universal Orlando first, and then the Islands of Adventure the next day! Since we've never been, what are the 'must do's?' We'll be going in the last week of September..are there special event days like they have at Disney? I'm one of those people that likes to see and do as much as possible!
Also, from anyone's experience, is it worth it to get some kind of meal plan in the park? I just figured we'd pay for it unless the meal thing is recommended. And what are some of your favorite restaurants at the City Walk?

Thank you all for your help!!
-Casey
 
Oh! And I forgot something!
We will be staying at Disney the whole time we are down there and my travel agent said we could get transportation to Universal once we buy our tickets, but that was all she said....How exactly will that work? Will I have to call some bus transportation that morning or something? And will I have to pay extra for it? She never explained it to me...
 
There are two theme parks, Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure. Wizarding World of Harry Potter is within IoA.

Late September is a great time to go crowd-wise, though park hours will probably be shorter.

I think Halloween Horror Nights might have started by late September? Others here will know.

Most posters here advise against the meal plan.

There is no complimentary transportation between Disney and Universal that I know of.

There is a restaurant-based thread sticky at the top of this forum full of advice and info.

Must-do's vary by person. Recommend you visit Universal Orlando's website and see what appeals to you.
 

universalorlando.com
is a great way to start reading about what there is at Universal for your trip.

check out the rides and shows that appeal to you.
what i find awesome, you might not.

read as much as you can about UO and figure out what will be your
'can't miss items'

hope we will be seeing you back here !
 
Thank you all for the help!
Although, I have been to Universal's website and find it a bit more confusing, since I'm used to Disney's website..
I think my boyfriend would like that Halloween Horror Nights event, but do they have the schedule for 2012 posted somewhere? If so, I haven't found it yet!
And are there any other events going on in September?
 
So far our favorite sit down restaurants have been Marguaritaville, Hard Rock Cafe and Mythos.

I've got the All Access card for Hard Rock so I didn't making reservations but I did call ahead for priority seating to Marguaritaville and used open table for Mythos.

Hard Rock Cafe and Marguaritaville are in Citywalk. Mythos is in Islands of Adventure.

We like to do the following every trip in Universal Studios: Terminator 3D show, Simpsons Ride, Men in Black Ride, the kids like the Mummy Roller Coaster and my teenager likes Rip Ride Rocket.

For Islands of Adventure: We like to ride the High in the Sky Trolley in Suessland, all the Harry Potter stuff but we did skip the Ollivanders Wand Shop this time because of lines, Spiderman, and my son loves the Hulk, and the Sinbad show - my DD12 loves this. We skipped most of the water rides this time. We got wet enough from the weather but the kids normally love to get soaked on Bluto's Bilge Ride.

There's more - these are just our favorites. We don't do the meal deal. I'm not a fan of dining plans of any type. I did save money by showing our AAA card everywhere - each meal, each souvenier purchase.

I think if you google Halloween Horror Nights 2012, you'll find lots of info. I've never been able to go in September or October so I'm not sure what that is like.
 
Thank you all for the help!
Although, I have been to Universal's website and find it a bit more confusing, since I'm used to Disney's website..
I think my boyfriend would like that Halloween Horror Nights event, but do they have the schedule for 2012 posted somewhere? If so, I haven't found it yet!
And are there any other events going on in September?

when the uo website opens, click on Orlando.
the site opens and you can choose to explore ioa or the studios.
 
Must dos will be different for everyone. I got a copy of the Unofficial Guide Beyond Disney just to get their take on all the rides. I liked their presentation and analysis of the WDW rides when we went there, and I'm pleased so far with the Beyond Disney info as well. The book is $12 at Amazon.
 

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