Whats your best tip or recommendation?

[tampabrat22]

Hi everyone! We are planning a last minute trip, we are avid cruisers but the group we were going with canceled on us so we are switching gears and going back to Universal & IOA after an 8 year hiatus!! Can't believe its been that long since we've been there, especially considering they are my favorite theme parks! My kids are older now...almost 15 & 19 and I know they will enjoy the parks even more now.

We will be going April 22nd or 23rd for 4 days...undecided between Cabana Bay or Portofino/Hard Rock. We already have tickets, 2 day 2 park base tickets (so no train ride ). We want to see and do as much as we can but also want to relax a little if possible, I'm normally the type who gets to the theme park at opening and is one of the last out the gate at closing!

So what would you suggest as MUST dos? I'm interested in everything from touring plans, ride suggestions, restaurants and shows, to even the small things like pool suggestions or snacks we must try! Thanks in advance, can't wait to hear your suggestions!

 

[wagman67]

If you are just looking for suggestions, the two I would recommend are upgrading to park to park and staying at Hard Rock or Portofino...a single night's stay nets you Express Passes for two days...upgrade to park to park and you can really relax.

 

[tampabrat22]

If you are just looking for suggestions, the two I would recommend are upgrading to park to park and staying at Hard Rock or Portofino...a single night's stay nets you Express Passes for two days...upgrade to park to park and you can really relax.

I didn't realize we could upgrade the ticket!! Is this done at guest services?

 

[schumigirl]

Best tip, is read the website.........www.universalorlando.com

It has everything the parks, hotels and Citywalk have to offer. You know your family and what they like......we all have different favourites.........ride descriptions, restaurants, park maps will show you where everything is.

You really don't need a touring plan for universal. A basic knowledge of where everything is will be enough.

Also, read the stickies on here, they are amazing tools..........we have hotel stickies full of info and pictures, there is a quick access sticky and damo has a fabulous restaurant sticky that has every menu from hotels, parks and Citywalk including snack items. Good reading for someone who hasn't been for a while......

https://www.disboards.com/threads/quick-access-links.3494264/

https://www.disboards.com/threads/w...do-including-menus-updated-regularly.2681315/

 

[Seeker615]

I agree that your should do one of the resorts that offer express pass and also get a park to park ticket.

We loved that we could hop between parks throughout the day. If one park seems busy it is a quick walk over to the other one. (Or the Hogwarts express)

We loved express pass! We accomplished so much by having it. Left us plenty of time to be able to relax and enjoy the resort and Citywalk in the evenings.

 

[bchbetha]

1. Read here for great tips and suggested itineraries http://orlandoinformer.com/
2. Finish your evening on Diagon Alley.
3. Lockers really aren't a big deal but don't go crazy with big stuff bc they are on the small side. Travel light.
4. Get the Universal Resort app for wait times, show times and maps.
5. Go with the flow. Stop and watch shows. Play in Camp Jurassic.

If express passes (or the hotels that offer them) fit into your budget, great. But, I know that's not always the case and I think your dates you'll be ok without them. I'm sure they're lovely but they haven't been in our budget.
Have fun!!

 

[macraven]

All fantastic replies
Exactly what I would have said!


Only thing I would add is stay at one of the 3 main hotels for free unlimited ep

For a short trip of 2 days, you will cover a lot that is in the parks

To save money, read wagman s post

To save time from changing hotels, stay at the deluxe for both nights

 

[Disxuni]

You got plenty of time to cover everything and everyone has already given out some good tips. I'd normally offer my single rider tips and advice, but since there's more than one of you and you got plenty of time, I do not think you'd be needing that.

That being said, you asked for must dos and things to try? Everyone is going to say butter beer, but I personally love pumpkin juice. Also, Hard Rock Cafe is personally my favorite restaurant in City Walk (perhaps on property, a lot of peoples big favorite is Mythos @ IoA, try that too). If you want to do Kong, the earlier the better. Not a must do (in my opinion), just saying if you want to do it, do it early so you do not have to wait forever for it later. If you want to do Minions (once again not a must do), do it early as no matter whether it's slow, or peak season it's a long wait time later in the day. There are plenty of must-do's, but mine would be WWoHP, Spiderman / Transformers, and Horror Make Up Show. There are tons more that are amazing and things I always do when I go into the park, but honestly, don't want to write a novel.

Some advice I would say is, whenever you eat, do not stuff yourself that way you don't feel heavy when you walk, or when you're about to go on a ride. It might be a good idea that during the day to split lunches and what not, that way you're not stuffed, but also save. I'd save a decent, big meal for when you're trying to be casual (not wanting to do a lot, or not rushing to a ride), or relaxing in general. These rides are a lot more intense and more motion than typical Disney rides (only making the comment since I'm assuming you're a huge Disney fan with your icon).

There is plenty more I'd say, but I'm sure other people will give even better and more tips, as well as must-dos.

 

[tampabrat22]

Wow, thank you all for the great tips! I really appreciate it!

If express passes (or the hotels that offer them) fit into your budget, great. But, I know that's not always the case and I think your dates you'll be ok without them. I'm sure they're lovely but they haven't been in our budget.
Have fun!!

The Express Pass sounds great but I'm not sure if I want to spend the extra, only because we have been here before and will return again.

That being said, you asked for must dos and things to try? Everyone is going to say butter beer, but I personally love pumpkin juice. Also, Hard Rock Cafe is personally my favorite restaurant in City Walk (perhaps on property, a lot of peoples big favorite is Mythos @ IoA, try that too). If you want to do Kong, the earlier the better. Not a must do (in my opinion), just saying if you want to do it, do it early so you do not have to wait forever for it later. If you want to do Minions (once again not a must do), do it early as no matter whether it's slow, or peak season it's a long wait time later in the day. There are plenty of must-do's, but mine would be WWoHP, Spiderman / Transformers, and Horror Make Up Show. There are tons more that are amazing and things I always do when I go into the park, but honestly, don't want to write a novel.

Some advice I would say is, whenever you eat, do not stuff yourself that way you don't feel heavy when you walk, or when you're about to go on a ride. It might be a good idea that during the day to split lunches and what not, that way you're not stuffed, but also save. I'd save a decent, big meal for when you're trying to be casual (not wanting to do a lot, or not rushing to a ride), or relaxing in general. These rides are a lot more intense and more motion than typical Disney rides (only making the comment since I'm assuming you're a huge Disney fan with your icon).

Thank you, there are some great tips here! And I will definitely keep in mind the meal time tips. At Disney we always did character meals and those are usually buffet style and you tend to over eat and then feel so sluggish. I will be sure to avoid that.

And yes, we are Disney fans, but I like Universal & IOA a little more (just don't tell my daughter, lol)! Our main love is cruising though so we only get around to the parks every other year or so.

 

[keishashadow]

Wow, thank you all for the great tips! I really appreciate it!



The Express Pass sounds great but I'm not sure if I want to spend the extra, only because we have been here before and will return again.



Thank you, there are some great tips here! And I will definitely keep in mind the meal time tips. At Disney we always did character meals and those are usually buffet style and you tend to over eat and then feel so sluggish. I will be sure to avoid that.

And yes, we are Disney fans, but I like Universal & IOA a little more (just don't tell my daughter, lol)! Our main love is cruising though so we only get around to the parks every other year or so.

Price out the tix upgrade, you may be surprised at the cost to upgrade to 2 park/day. Might even want to run the numbers on an AP upgrade for hotel discount and if you will be returning in a year. U is a nice option to visit pre or post cruise before/after a flight when sailing out of PC

Book one of the hotels with the free FOTL perk, well worth it.

Several of the hotel restuarants have character's pop up during dinner (no extra charge) information on their websites.

The spongebob breakfast @ Studios is under-rated! Amazing face-time and interaction ps Squidward is a great dance partner

 

[Patch'sD]

My best tip. Stay at Portofino, Use Front of the Line, Leave the planning to those at Disney, and Have a blast

 

[kohlby]

Since you're going for four days, there's a chance you might be fine without express. Check Orlando Informer's crowd calendar. My hunch is that it will say your first two days are busy and then it will significantly drop off. I would upgrade to park-to-park. My reasoning isn't just the train - it's for maximum flexibility. With kids, I felt like this was needed even more. And, it means less planning if you can go park-to-park.

I'll be there that weekend myself!