Spring break

[princess stich]

We are going to Orlando for spring break (3/16-3/23) staying at my in laws timeshare (Vistana resort). We have been to Disney MANY times, but this will be our first time at Universal. I am just starting to read through the Universal boards. If you have any tips - especially for this time of year, I would love to hear them! I am going to buy the 2 days - get 3rd day free tickets next month.

[RMulieri]

Since it is Spring break it is going to be VERY busy.Start looking at the park maps to familiarize yourself with layouts ..Get to the parks before opening .If Harry Potter is something you are interested in, hit it first thing in the morning or later in the day.Keep in mind onsite resort guests get in an hour earlier than the general public, so by the time you get into the parks, WWoHP will have plenty of people in it.

[Metro West]

Originally Posted by RMulieri

Since it is Spring break it is going to be VERY busy.Start looking at the park maps to familiarize yourself with layouts ..Get to the parks before opening .If Harry Potter is something you are interested in, hit it first thing in the morning or later in the day.Keep in mind onsite resort guests get in an hour earlier than the general public, so by the time you get into the parks, WWoHP will have plenty of people in it.

[macraven]

i went to the darkside once during spring break.


never again.



too crowded for my tastes.




suggest you go early, be at the gate a good 30 minutes prior to opening.


go to www.universalorlando and make notes on the parks layouts.
that would be helpful for handling the crowds, finding restrooms, restaurants,
ride restrictions, etc.


eat lunch/dinner at off times.
most places are very busy from about 11:30 to 1:00.


use single rider lines when possible for shorter waits.


pick up the park guide map when you enter the parks for finding out show times, character meet ups, special events, park hours...


check at the front gate for any ride closings or late openings.


if you buy any merch in the parks, use the pick up service so you won't have to lug your bags around with you all day.

[princess stich]

Thanks for the tips so far! I looked up the hours. US is open 9-7, IOA 9-9 the week we are there. The next week the hours expand to 2 hours later at each park. I'm hoping that this is a good sign. Our spring break is on the early side this year, so hopefully we'll miss a lot of the crowds.

[macraven]

Originally Posted by princess stich

Thanks for the tips so far! I looked up the hours. US is open 9-7, IOA 9-9 the week we are there. The next week the hours expand to 2 hours later at each park. I'm hoping that this is a good sign. Our spring break is on the early side this year, so hopefully we'll miss a lot of the crowds.

that is a very good sign.

there have been a few occasions where the hours have increased due to crowds.
keep checking the hours site before you leave.

[Metro West]

Originally Posted by princess stich

Thanks for the tips so far! I looked up the hours. US is open 9-7, IOA 9-9 the week we are there. The next week the hours expand to 2 hours later at each park. I'm hoping that this is a good sign. Our spring break is on the early side this year, so hopefully we'll miss a lot of the crowds.

The longer the hours, the higher the anticipated crowd.

[flfun]

Originally Posted by macraven

i went to the darkside once during spring break.


never again.



too crowded for my tastes.




suggest you go early, be at the gate a good 30 minutes prior to opening.


go to www.universalorlando and make notes on the parks layouts.
that would be helpful for handling the crowds, finding restrooms, restaurants,
ride restrictions, etc.


eat lunch/dinner at off times.
most places are very busy from about 11:30 to 1:00.


use single rider lines when possible for shorter waits.


pick up the park guide map when you enter the parks for finding out show times, character meet ups, special events, park hours...


check at the front gate for any ride closings or late openings.


if you buy any merch in the parks, use the pick up service so you won't have to lug your bags around with you all day.

[glocon]

If there is any way possible, you should stay on site. You get in early, and your room key is a fast pass for most rides. It makes a difference- really.

[princess stich]

Originally Posted by glocon

If there is any way possible, you should stay on site. You get in early, and your room key is a fast pass for most rides. It makes a difference- really.

No, we are staying the week for free on my in-laws time share points.

[macraven]

Originally Posted by glocon

If there is any way possible, you should stay on site. You get in early, and your room key is a fast pass for most rides. It makes a difference- really.

i know what you are saying but last spring, the express line systems changed for onsite guests.

the hotel room key is not valid for express line usage.

once you check into the hotel and receive your room key, you go to the kiosk in the lobby to have your picture id made.
that paper/tyvek, is what is valid for express line usage in the parks.

[kkendle]

Originally Posted by macraven

i know what you are saying but last spring, the express line systems changed for onsite guests.

the hotel room key is not valid for express line usage.

once you check into the hotel and receive your room key, you go to the kiosk in the lobby to have your picture id made.
that paper/tyvek, is what is valid for express line usage in the parks.

Thanks for posting this. We were there last year in March over Spring Break and we used our room keys. Is the new picture ID thing they make you made of paper or plastic? Just wondering about it getting wet.

Thanks...Kelly

[RMulieri]

Originally Posted by kkendle

Thanks for posting this. We were there last year in March over Spring Break and we used our room keys. Is the new picture ID thing they make you made of paper or plastic? Just wondering about it getting wet.

Thanks...Kelly

Thin paper..But its pretty strong.It is the Tyvek type paper that some of the paper tickets are made of..Doesnt tear or get ruined when wet.

[kkendle]

Originally Posted by RMulieri

Thin paper..But its pretty strong.It is the Tyvek type paper that some of the paper tickets are made of..Doesnt tear or get ruined when wet.

Thanks!

[macraven]

Originally Posted by kkendle

Thanks for posting this. We were there last year in March over Spring Break and we used our room keys. Is the new picture ID thing they make you made of paper or plastic? Just wondering about it getting wet.

Thanks...Kelly

RMulieri beat me to it.


when you look at the camera in the kioski, look up some (but still at the camera) to get a better pic of yourself.
once the picture is taken, you are given the option of printing it or do a redo.

some guests will just accept the pic as is and print it off.
me, i did 5 retakes until i figured out where i should be looking......

if you do lose the pass, you can have it remade at guest services in the parks.
go to the desk so the TM can cancel out your original pass and you can then make a new one.
the kiosk for that is located in the corner of that room.


the new system started after spring break.
it was announced earlier that year but took awhile to get the kinks worked out and running.