Planning first trip to Universal - and Oh So Confused!!

[amscherm]

I feel like I've spent years planning for all our Disney trips...But now we are doing Universal. Driving down on 1/1 (get there late afternoon), have all day on 1/2 and leaving around lunch on 1/3. Pretty sure we are definitely doing Islands of Adventure. But give me your thoughts! Best hotels, packages, other parks, anything in that short time frame! I'd like to understand it all and I just don't feel like I do right now! Thanks for the help!!

 

[CAPSLOCK]

They just posted the Jan hours on the App. Both parks 9am-9pm, early entry at Islands. I would do your full day at your preferred park (sounds like Islands) and the half day at the other park. For the busy time of year and such limited time, I probably wouldn't bother with park-to-park tickets.

Any of the onsite hotels will give you early entry, and the 3 premier hotels would also net you unlimited Express Passes (though those hotels will be pretty pricey that week). The buses & boats from the hotels are very efficient no matter which hotel you pick. Normally packages don't save you much, so you can pick & choose the hotel/tickets you prefer.

Do be aware that Popeyes raft ride & Dudley Dooright log flume will get you legit soaked. Jurassic Park River Adventure will get you spritzed to somewhat splashed, but not anywhere near the drenching of the other two.

If you want to do Hagrids first thing, you are probably looking at being to the gate 45min+ before the 8am early entry. If you are not near the front of Early Entry, don't go for Hagrids in the morning. Normally the Hagrids line wanes around lunchtime or mid-afternoon, or you can hop in line shortly before park close. Early Entry not-right-at-the-front works nicely for Forbidden Journey, Velocicoaster, and checking out Hogsmeade with lower crowds.

If you want to eat table service meals in CityWalk, particularly around park close or popular dinner/lunch times, it would be a good idea to make a reservation. The menus & prices are posted online. CityWalk is literally right outside the parks, so don't feel like you need to stay in the parks for lunch.

 

[Kit Jackson]

You are going at an incredibly busy time and I have never been to the park on a day like that, so I will let people who have more experience with holiday crowds help answer your questions.

I used an earlier edition of this book when I planned my first trip and it was incredibly helpful. If you want to wait, the 2025 edition comes out next month.

https://www.amazon.com/Unofficial-G...cphy=9007538&hvtargid=pla-2281435180498&psc=1

 

[Skippyboo]

I would think you definitely want to make a dining reservation for January 1 if you want to eat at City Walk.

My general suggestion is treat the 2 parks as one big park. They are right next to each and in the security bubble so it’s not like WDW where it takes time to park hop.

Bring a small bag that can fit in the ride lockers that you have to use for a lot of Universal rides.

 

[DL1WDW2]

If price is no problem stay at Hard Rock Resort for really easy walk thru security and entry into Universal Studios.
I love Cabana Bay for good value but usually prefer poolside family suite .
I am going for 12/30&12/31 for a different New Years after a lifetime of Disney NYEs.
USO and IofA offer excellent transportation options with bus or boat ride.
Also can walk from many of their resorts …
Usually have early one hour entry for their resort guests . Check their calendar for specifics because sometimes it will be USO and other days it is IofA …but guests start lining up very early.
You might want to scan and print out your own enlarged maps because they do not offer Park Guide Maps at entry anymore.
Both sides have a Starbucks and also a Starbucks in City Walk .
If you stay off property or at the Dockside Summer Set Resorts you will be further away and take a bus for quick trip and then enter security and walk past Hollywood Drive In miniature golf course and Starbucks and CineMark Theatre and restaurants. They have a new store that has a huge interactive EPIC UNIVERSE that resembles the city of the future on the TTA People mover at WDWMK ..
but you walk around it to see it close up. Do Not Touch but they have those scan virtual QR codes to see movement, etc.
So you definitely want to go into that store!
US entry is to your right where you see that traditional big globe circling and everybody gets their picture standing in front of.
You can also go to the left to enter Islands of Adventure.
If you are a AAA member you might find some maps or discounted tickets at your local office location. Also ask about hotel discounts. I’m not sure but they probably have discounts for Military and teachers .
I usually eat at Starbucks for quick service but I love the” Kitchen” Buffet for breakfast at the Hard Rock and love their hamburgers sittin poolside at Hard Rock .
I also think they have really good food service courts at all their value resorts because they are managed by Lowe’s ( Loews ?) and have better quality and standards than Disney Deluxe…

I think Cow Sushi Restaurant is fun because I like to sit upstairs outdoors at night for all the lights and people watching.I don’t eat sushi but their hamburgers and French fries are so good ! Also CityWalkhas a huge Mexican Restaurant with upper level view of their stage with nightly mariachi performers .. I forgot the name .
I’ll try to remeber the other restaurant names tomorrow and report back…
You will love Universal !

 

[KatieCharlotte]

If you can't afford staying at the hotels with express passes (which is much pricier during busier times of the year) or buying individual express passes, one thing I strongly recommend is using single rider lines. That's much easier of course if you're not traveling with young children, and you're most interested in the big rides with single rider. And you are happy to ride separately. We especially love single rider on Gringotts, Mummy, Men in Black, Forbidden Journey. All the coasters have it also. Occasionally Spider-Man has single rider open.

Our favorite hotel is Royal Pacific for express passes and atmosphere, but our favorite budget on-site hotel for a quick trip is Aventura. The tower layout is nice after a long day at the parks, and you can take the boat to/from Sapphire Falls. SF is very nice but usually more expensive than Aventura. The other budget hotels are not an easy walk/boat ride.

I agree with the advice to do a day at IoA and your half day at US. Without park-to-park passes, you can't ride the Hogwarts Express, but if you don't have express passes, the line will be very long and only worth your time if you're a Harry Potter fanatic or have a Harry Potter fan who can't ride the bigger rides.

 

[amscherm]

Thanks everyone!! This is super helpful. I almost hate putting this in writing, but we are not Harry Potter Fans, so I think skipping all that will be ok - although I have heard it's pretty cool regardless. I'll look at restaurants now to make reservations and figure out the hotel options... appreciate l the feedback!

 

[MrBellatrixLestrange]

Thanks everyone!! This is super helpful. I almost hate putting this in writing, but we are not Harry Potter Fans, so I think skipping all that will be ok - although I have heard it's pretty cool regardless. I'll look at restaurants now to make reservations and figure out the hotel options... appreciate l the feedback!

I'm sure everyone has covered things pretty well but this is an important note as the Harry Potter stuff tends to be the most congested so not being interested in that certainly impacts your plans.

A few quick questions, 1) what are your ride preferences? Do you want to avoid/focus on the high intensity rides? Your feelings on heights/drops? Is motion sickness a concern? Do you love/hate the simulated rides? 2) Is there a specific area that does interest you? 3) What are your plans in terms of doing both parks (determined to/willing to/prefer to focus on one)?

 

[CAPSLOCK]

I do recommend Forbidden Journey (and Hagrids) for non-Harry Potter fans also, Forbidden Journey in particular is just such a unique and interesting ride mechanism that you can't experience elsewhere. Since you don't necessarily care about the back story & you can't really see each other on the ride anyways, I would strongly suggest single rider line for Forbidden Journey. You'll ride separately but usually within 2min of each other & meet up at the exit/gift store.

Hagrids is of course awesome & also a unique ride, but much less so and the waits may make it skippable for you, especially working with limited time.

 

[kbelle8995]

Even if you are not Harry Potter fans I would check out Diagon Alley. Just the creativity in that area is amazing but these areas can be avoided, if you want to. I love Cabana Bay myself if you are on a budget. Just a great hotel. it does not feel Like a value hotel.. There is much to do at this resort.

I can't say much on the Hard Rock, I have had two families who I know stay there and they didn't think much of it. I have stayed at Royal Pacific and Portofino and both these hotels are fantastic. For quick service I love the Today Show cafe and Thunder falls. I also love NBC Sports bar. I have tried the Green Eggs and Ham tots and they were freshily made and delicious. It will busy when you are there but Buses and boats are easy to catch and a quick trip. I personally love the boats for moments of occasional zen.

You will have a great time.

 

[disneyseniors]

We just got back from a trip to Universal while staying at RPR.
Our favorite park was the Studios side. The Bourne Stuntatcular can't be missed. It is amazing. Then there is the Horror Makeup Show which is a lot of fun. The rides are Men in Black, our favorite, the Mummy, Transformers, ET Adventure, and others I may have forgotten.

I would recommend trying the Studios side if you can. It is awesome.

We ate lunch at the Hard Rock Cafe and it was the Best meal we had while at Universal. Great service, huge helpings, and absolutely delicious food. We also ate at both HP restaurants. Both have very good food and the prices are cheaper than other sit down restaurants. The resort hotels have very good restaurants too if you want to venture out and check them out. Jakes Bar and Grill at RPR is wonderful.

 

[Kit Jackson]

I almost hate putting this in writing, but we are not Harry Potter Fans, so I think skipping all that will be ok - although I have heard it's pretty cool regardless. I'll look at restaurants now to make reservations and figure out the hotel options... appreciate l the feedback!

This is incredibly helpful information because it will allow people to give you better advice that is more relevant to your interests. Not everyone is a fan, and that's totally okay. If it's not your must do/main reason for the trip, that changes a bit of your park strategy.

 

[RanDIZ]

I’m kinda in the same boat as OP. Been going to Dis for last 5yrs and now trying Universal for the first time. My concern is the dining. Our favs at Dis are Boma, Steakhouse 71 and all of Epcot. We’re staying at Portofino Bay. I don’t really hear good things about Universal dining so I’m not opposed to eating off property for a good meal. Any suggestions would help. Thanks!

 

[Planogirl]

There is a restaurant sticky at the top of the forum that might help.

If you stay at a budget hotel, I wouldn’t worry too much about not using the boats to go back and forth. I can only speak for Cabana Bay but we never waited but a few minutes for a bus and usually there was one at the stop.

Also, even if you’re not a Harry Potter fan I would consider at least walking through the area(s). They are both very well themed.

 

[greeneyedchick]

I would stay at Portofino Bay, Hard Rock or Royal something (the other premium hotel that offers free Express passes). They are an easy walk/ boat ride to City Walk and both parks. I would get park hopping passes. Utilize the Express pass for both parks. Note that Hagrids does not have an Express Pass line. I wouldn't worry about waking up early to get in line for that ride. It's a better ride at night. Your best bet is to duck into the line shortly before closing. Do that the first night in case it does go down for some reason. The line will move steadily. Otherwise, enjoy! You don't need to do more planning than that for Universal.

You can usually get dining reservations the day-of. I've enjoyed Mythos in IoA and the Irish Pub in UO. Both Harry Potter restaurants are tasty. I also like the big donut at the Simpons. The pizza and burgers in the Simpson's area are ok too.

You will get wet on the Falls and River ride at IoA. Although I had passes for 2 years, I never managed to get on the Jurassic Park flume. My daughter got soaked on that one once. I went on it in Hollywood and didn't get wet.

Also, don't wait in line for Voodoo donuts at CityWalk. You can order them through the app and pick them up at a kiosk outside. Usually that's much faster than standing in line.