Figuring out our Universal strategy

[shosh1530]

Hello! We are planning to make our first Universal Orlando trip in late May before our cruise out of Port Canaveral. We've been to Universal Hollywood twice and to Disnelyand/WDW, but never to UO.

We are looking at 3 day tickets including one day at Epic Universe starting May 28 and are considering staying at Cabana Bay. At Universal Hollywood we've used Express Pass since we've been during spring break/summer. The cost of that at UO during our stay is like $230 pp per day!

It is me, my husband and our 13-year-old son. The kid is not hugely into thrill rides, so I'm pretty sure he won't do things like Hulk or Velocicoaster. He has ridden Incredicoaster and Expedition Everest, but was one and done. He is obsessed with the Simpsons, so he'll likely want to spend a few hours in that area.

Some questions:

• With the 3 day tickets with Epic Universe, do you pick which day you want to go to which parks? Is it a reservation system like Disneyland? Or is it open? I assume the hours on the Friday would be the longest so maybe the best day for Epic?
• Is it worth the park to park tickets to be able to do the Hogwarts Express? We are moderate Potter fans. I'm also not sure how many rides at IOA will interest me and DS so maybe park to park is best?
• How much should we prioritize Express Pass for USF and IOA? Should we switch our stay to an EP hotel for one night (and if so, which night)? I'm trying to minimize costs as much as I can, so don't want to stay multiple nights at a more expensive place, and I also don't love the idea of moving hotels a bunch of times (our flight gets in at 12:30 am on 5/27, so that first night feels like a waste for doing anything more deluxe).
• Do all hotels get early entry into Epic Universe? Or just the new ones near Epic Universe? Is it worth considering the new hotels near Epic? I believe Helios is already booked out that week.
• Has there been any details about EP for Epic Universe yet? I've seen that they will be available sometime before the opening date, but no other info.

Thanks for any info!

 

[CAPSLOCK]

No reservations. Normally I'd think Fri will be the busiest day, but for Epic that soon after opening it might not matter. Might as well take advantage of the longer hours.

You don't actually have to stay in the EP hotel to get the EP benefit, if you really don't want to move. Although then you are paying for two hotels simultaneously. Since you're leaning towards Wed/Thus at IoA/US, you'd want the premier hotel Wed night for EP both Wed & Thurs. If you decide on Epic Wed instead, you'd want the Thurs night at the premier. It seems like you have an orphan night either way, since I imagine you're staying at a Universal hotel Fri night prior to the cruise?

All hotels will be getting early entry to Epic (and Islands at the moment). The only reason to do a hotel near Epic would be if you want to walk instead of being bused.

I haven't heard any details about Epic EP, nor have I heard that they'll be selling it before opening date. I have only heard that it will be available at some point.

Park hopping - I think this will be worth it for you, because you are likely to spend significantly more time in Studios than Islands. There are more shows in Studios, more street entertainment, and more "medium thrill" rides. At Islands, you pretty much have Spider-Man, Kong, Jurassic Park River Adventure, Forbidden Journey, Hagrids (depending why your son isn't a big roller coaster fan - Hagrids has lots of speed but no major drops and it's a very smooth, detailed, story-oriented ride. I'd suggest he ride in the side car to feel more "secure" if he's nervous), likely skip Seuss Landing (?), and the two water rides IF you want to be absolutely soaked. Or maybe also skip Jurassic Park River Adventure and possibly the log flume if drops are a concern.

When my non-thrill-ride Mom went with me, we did 1/2 day at Islands (skipped Hagrids, did everything in Seuss Landing, skipped all water rides including Jurassic Park) and 1.5 days at Studios and still missed stuff in Studios. Granted we had no EP but that won't help for shows regardless. And you'll spend extra time in Springfield USA.
Park hopping is generally not worth it solely for the Hogwarts Express.

 

[shosh1530]

Thanks for the reply! I might consider the option of booking a premier hotel but not staying just to get the pass. I'll price it out. Or maybe I just resign myself to a few hotel switches. DS is older now and can probably manage it better. Plus I saw that the premiere hotels can do luggage transfer to other resorts. Once we make it to the Treasure, we'll have 7 nights without having to pack up again.

Right now I'm thining MCO Hyatt (since we get in so late) > Royal Pacific > Cabana Bay for last two nights > Port Canaveral/Treasure (possibly taking bus from MCO or private car service)

I appreciate the feedback that USF is worth more than one day. I think I'll go for the park to park for maximum flexibility. And then if DS decides he wants to try more thrill rides we can do that too. He typically shies away from inversions and really big drops, but has done Jurassic River Ride at UHS, the Mummy, and loves Tron. And he did finally just ride Guardian's Mission Breakout at California Adventure after debating (and dashing out of the gantry right before the doors close several times) for years. Plus my more daredevil DH can go ride the bigger things why I spend hours and hours in Springfield.

 

[DL1WDW2]

I just watched a video about Universal getting their renewal patent on their Virtual Line ….
I knew they had virtual band for Volcano Bay and when Hagrids opened , they only had guests enter during a certain return time with virtual reservation.
I go to Universal often. I guess I completely forgot about VL

But I plan to be there Open Day May 22 and definitely looking for a strategy!

 

[DL1WDW2]

If you go to Universals Homepage in search in their upper right hand corner, search for podcast and videos .

They have professional Team for their Ride and Dine videos consisting of 2 Ride Guys and 2 ladies for the dining called Natalie & Brandi
Both are excellent describing everything offered.
I also just discovered another team that discusses the creative , design teams interviews , etc.
I am hooked !