Universal newbie - please help! About This Page:

[HakunaMatata]

DH and I have been to Universal only once, over 11 years ago. This will be over first visit with our kids, DS and DD (both 10) and DS (19 months).

We never venture outside the World BUT, this trip we are staying 13 nights (our longest trip ever!) because we purchased DVC and are using developer points combined with some of our own points to treat ourselves to a longer trip! We are traveling in late Aug. / early Sept.

Sooo, we want to go to Universal this time. Should we go with the 7 day pass (not sure how many days we would go - honestly I initially thought only 1 day, but since we are also traveling with a baby, not sure how efficient we will be and with the heat, we want to take a more relaxing pace - we prefer to do things in the morning). It looks like the best deals are on the parks webiste as opposed to AAA, etc. (since you can't get the 7 day pass there)?

Also, what is express pass - is it like a fast pass you buy? I saw a few posts - some say you can do without it, but not sure given our group

Thanks for any feedback you can offer

[Skatetigger]

I think you'll enjoy Universal/IOA, I had never gone till I started dating DH and he introduced me to the parks. I like going, I have a couple favorite rides including ET and Men in Black (although don't try going 2-3 times in a row if you have motion sickness and it's like 90 degrees). At IOA you should definitely do the water rides but plan on getting WET!! SpiderMan is also an awesome ride too. DH likes the coasters but I just watch

We usually only do about 1 day in each park and can hit basically everything, but it can depend on the time of year that you are going. I don't think you'll need a 7 day pass but maybe a 3 or 4 day.

With regards to the express pass, again depends on the time of year and how long you have in each park. the first couple times we went to universal together we stayed on property so we had it included. I think we did buy it in October but didn't really need it. Where it looks like you are going this summer it might be crowded so you might want to get it more for IOA than Universal. I think if you go early enough in the AM you can hit Shrek/Jimmy Neutron and Mummy (if interested) before it gets too packed.

I hope that helps. I am a Disney freak and I really do enjoy going to Universal/IOA.

[jimmymac]

Yes, go with the 7 day pass. I believe it'as the same price as a 2 park pass. If you stay at one of the US hotels, you get what is called "front of the line" privileges - no wait at any of the rides. You can buy an express pass, which allows you front of the line privilege for each ride one time, but for 4 of you it will be pricey. If you can an orlando flexpass, you can also go to Seaworld and Busch Gardens

[Shell_of_the_South]

Welcome to the Universal/Islands of Adventure forum! We love to talk about Universal parks here!

I think the 7 day pass is the best deal, even if you don't plan to visit 7 days. I don't know if the 7-day pass is currently offered through AAA, but we boughts ours on the AAA website in 2007. It saved us a few dollars off each ticket.

For more info on the Express Pass, check out this page:

Universal Orlando - Ticket Details

I don't think you would really need the Express pass in late August/early September. We went during Labor Day weekend in 2007 and we had no problems with crowds at all. On Labor Day we walked on a lot of rides that morning. And if you do get the 7 day pass you can tour at a more leisurely pace and wouldn't need the Express Pass. You can buy it inside the park at a number of locations (most gift shops), so if you got there and felt it was necessary you could purchase it then.

Mornings are the best time to hit the Universal parks. You can get there early and get the most popular rides done before the crowds arrive.

Have fun planning!

[Skatetigger]

I had never realized the 7 days were the same pricing. Our tickets were usually part of the package we had to stay and I think last time we got deal and now we got Annual passes cause it was the same as a two day rate.

Sorry I misled you on the pricing.

[HakunaMatata]

Thanks for the responses I'm thinking it may be worth it for us to go for the 7 day pass, as it seems worth it to have the flexibility in case we don't get to see everything we want in a day, have to leave early for the kids, etc.