1st Visit About This Page:

[taymaesmom]

Ok I have finally caved and said we could go to Universal, dh and both girls ganged up on me. So dh and I both have time off after Christmas and are thinking of surprising the girls with a 2-3 day trip to Universal. So I have a few questions.

First I can't find much information online about Universal, like restarunts, menus, and info about other activities (besides rides) any ideas of where to look.

Two- Is Universal going to crazy busy the week after Christmas like Disney gets.

Three-I want to stay at Disney but I am thinking on staying one night on Universal property to get the front of the line passes for two days. Will I be able to check in early in the morning to get the passes and then use them again the next day even after check out time. US hotels are very pricey but if its gonna be super busy than it would be worth it to stay one night.

Four-what are the MUST sees for everyone. None of the 4 of us have ever been so we want to see as much as possible. Figure we will do one full day at each park and have a third day to see what we missed.

TIA!!

[puente0629]

Glad you caved in, Universal is my favorite theme park next to Disney.

You can go to Universal Studios Orlando, Universal Studios Orlando Florida Hotels - wdwinfo.com, they have information on the resorts, rides, dining etc. Also, remember International Drive, SeaWorld, Aquatica (water park) and Wet n' Wild is just a short drive away.

If you go after New Years, Universal and Islands of Adventure are practically empty. Do not go on New Years, it's insane!

I would not stay in Disney if you are not even going to any of the Disney parks. I would stay at Universal's Royal Pacific which is there more affordable resort. You obviously know that you receive fast passes for both theme parks for the length of your stay. But you get the whole Universal experience and they have direct transportation to the theme parks (water taxi).Plus, City Walk is right next to Royal Pacific where you can go shopping, dining, etc. If you are on a budget then I would suggest the Hyatt Place Universal or DoubleTree Universal, they have great prices and are directly across the entrance to Universal.

Must Do's in Universal:

Rides
Mummy -The Ride
Jaws
Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit
Men in Black -Alien Attach
Shrek 4-D

Shows
Terminator 3-D
Horro Make-up show
Fear Factor Live


Must Do's in Island of Adventure:

Rides
Spider-Man
Hulk Rollercoaster
Dueling Dragons
Jurassic Park River Adventure
Dudley Do-Right's Ripsaw Falls
Dr. Doom's Fear Fall

Shows
Poseidon's Fury
The Eight Voyage of Sinbad

Islands of Adventure you probably will be able to do in one day.

If you want to see the rides just head to youtube and check them out.

Oh and remember if the kids can wait until summer of next year to go you will be able to experience The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.


Have Fun!!!
Have fun!

[jimmymac]

You'll be glad you caved. The rides at US / IOA are much more fun than at WDW. I second puente0629's must do list. Lots of fun

[Shell_of_the_South]

Universal Orlando Resort Overview has some Universal info. Here's another site with Universal menus: Universal Orlando menus

The Unofficial Guide to WDW has a good Universal section:

Buy the Book — The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World

I second the vote to not stay at Disney - it's at least a 20 minute drive, longer if there is traffic. Universal's onsite resorts are fabulous, and they often offer discounts if you know where to look. Check out mousesavers.com's Universal page for any available discounts. MouseSavers.com - Discounts at Universal Studios / Islands of Adventure Orlando - tickets, hotels, meals

Also sign up on Universal's website to get emails on promotions. Universal Orlando Backstage

There are several offsite hotels that are much much closer than Disney too. We stayed in the Doubletree, and it was gorgeous - huge rooms that are much bigger than any standard Disney hotel room. You could stay offsite your first night, then check in at the Universal resort that morning, pick up your room keys, and head to the parks. Your room key will be good for front of the line access the whole day you check out.

I think your plan to visit 3 days is perfect: one full day at each park, then a 3rd day to redo your favorites. Universal resorts have fabulous pools, and if you are a Universal resort guest, you can hop to their other resort pools. The pools usually have some childrens' activities going on. Royal Pacific has a beach area for volleyball or just play time. Other things to do: Universal has character meals. CityWalk has a movie theater, shopping, restaurants, etc. It's also close to Wet and Wild and Sea World, so those could be options as well.

I haven't been the week of Christmas, but we went to both Disney and Universal the week before Christmas in '06, and Universal was practically empty. Disney was more crowded than Universal.


Our must dos:

US:
Men in Black
Shrek
Terminator 2:3D
The Horror Make Up Show
ET
Jaws
The Mummy

IOA:

Hulk
Spiderman
Dueling Dragons
Cat in the Hat
Jurassic Park

One last tip: Go with an open mind and don't compare it to Disney. It's different than Disney, but it's still loads of fun and a fabulous place to visit. If you go in with no pre-concieved ideas of how it should be, you'll have a better time.

Happy Planning!! Feel free to ask any Universal questions here. We've got a very helpful group of members who often stop by the Universal forum.

[jhoshowski]

I recommend Kelly Monaghan's Universal Orlando 2009: The Ultimate Guide to the Ultimate Theme Park Adventure. We are planning our first trip to Universal this December and it has been very helpful. We decided to stay at the Hard Rock; the AAA rate was only around $25 more than the Royal Pacific per night for our dates, and it is closer to the parks. Plus, my boys think it looks much "cooler".

[Sue M.]

Don't forget The Simpsons Ride, it was fantastic! I agree with staying near Universal if you're not going to WDW. Stay at one of the Universal resorts for the front of the line access, then move to another nearby hotel. We stayed at Doubletree too and loved it. Great hotel, nice rooms, and as mentioned, large, with floor to ceiling windows. They also have excellent shuttle service to Universal if you don't want to have to pay for parking every day, and it's within walking distance.

[karadisney]

I think US is completely different than Disney. You can't compare. It has different rides that are amazing. I love Twister and E.T. you feel like you are in those locations for the movies. City Walk is great! Bubba Gumps is great and you can't miss the world's largest Hard Rock Cafe!!!!! Have a great time.

[bsblady01]

we are going to universal for the first time in january we are going to at the world from dec 29th to jan 12th.

[ANGSWIN]

I prefer WDW, but have been to US & IOA several times (April 2009 being the last). They have many more thrill rides than WDW, but they lack the little details that make Disney so special.

How old are your girls?
Mine were 6 and 7 when we went in April. Their favorite part was Seuss Island of IOA. It was a rainy day with no crowds, so they just rode "The Cat in the Hat" over and over. They loved it! The also love the Jurassic Park ride (DH did, too!). Those are the two things they talked about the most. Neither one of them was thrilled with US. US is also my least fave park in Orlando. It just doesn't have any "special" qualities to me.