Unplanned end of April trip - help?

[Raya]

We're unexpectedly going to be Orlando at the end of April and have decided to spend 3 days at Universal. I'm bummed that Epic Universe won't be open, but don't want to miss this chance at have fun. We haven't been to Universal since before Covid. Any tips or warnings? We leave in la month so I'm feeling unsure of just about everything.

 

[Kit Jackson]

You have been to Universal before but you didn't mention which one (was it Hollywood or Orlando); do you remember what you liked and what you didn't?

There's the new Dreamworks area for little kids, the new Minions mini-land (it's two rides and two places to get food). Poseidon's Fury has closed. I can't think of any other massive or significant overhauls or closures of rides since the pandemic. (If I'm forgetting something important someone can correct me).

When was the last time you were there? Was Diagon Alley open and running? Since the pandemic, Mobile Order has become more common.

Are there Harry Potter fans in the travel party? How casual or serious are they in terms of level of fan? How well do the people in the travel handle motion simulators? What is the ride tolerance of people in the travel party? Do you have thrill seekers and ride cowards?

 

[CAPSLOCK]

I'd suggest downloading the App for ride wait times, menus, mobile ordering, map, and show schedules.

Velocicoaster is new since Spring 2021 I believe.
The lockers are smaller since then too, but not all that noticeable if you are only carrying a reasonable amount.

Are you staying onsite?

 

[Raya]

I'd suggest downloading the App for ride wait times, menus, mobile ordering, map, and show schedules.

Velocicoaster is new since Spring 2021 I believe.
The lockers are smaller since then too, but not all that noticeable if you are only carrying a reasonable amount.

Are you staying onsite?

Just got rooms at Royal Pacific.

 

[Raya]

You have been to Universal before but you didn't mention which one (was it Hollywood or Orlando); do you remember what you liked and what you didn't?

There's the new Dreamworks area for little kids, the new Minions mini-land (it's two rides and two places to get food). Poseidon's Fury has closed. I can't think of any other massive or significant overhauls or closures of rides since the pandemic. (If I'm forgetting something important someone can correct me).

When was the last time you were there? Was Diagon Alley open and running? Since the pandemic, Mobile Order has become more common.

Are there Harry Potter fans in the travel party? How casual or serious are they in terms of level of fan? How well do the people in the travel handle motion simulators? What is the ride tolerance of people in the travel party? Do you have thrill seekers and ride cowards?

We did Universal Orlando in '19 and Universal California in '09. Everyone will be over 18 on this trip and we're all big roller coaster fans. Motion simulators tend to make at least one of us sick, so that's not a high priority. Definitely won't miss Velocicoaster. We were really impressed by Diagon Alley last trip, so we'll give it another look for sure.

 

[Rory607]

You will be missing Epic, but I think end of April is going to be a great time to go! Spring break will pretty much be over and with Epic not open yet you’ll probably have low crowds and good weather. And if you’re staying at RP you’ll have EP.

I would download the app and look at ride locations and wait times, although it’s spring break right now so those will probably be high. Also, load your credit card before you go as many places have gone to mobile order only. We had issues getting our card to load on our last trip once we were there and couldn’t mobile order the first day.

 

[Skippyboo]

Just got rooms at Royal Pacific.

Basically all you need to know is room key is your express pass that works for everything except Hagrid’s. I would recommend getting in line at end of the night for Hagrid’s.

The Hogwarts Express is different each way.

Like Disney, you can use the app to mobile order and make dining reservations. Ride lockers aren’t super tall so have a bag that will smoosh flat .