Quantcast First time at Universal - what are your tips??
 
INTERCOT: Walt Disney World Vacation Planning Guide Walt Disney World Disney Cruise Line Mousehut Mail WebDisney News INTERCOT: Walt Disney World Vacation Guide
News Discussion Theme Parks Resorts Info Central Shop Interactive Podcast INTERCOT Navigtion
Site Sponsors
  magical journeys travel agency
  INTERCOT shop

INTERCOT Affiliates
  disney magicbands & accessories
  disneystore.com
  disney fathead
  disney check designs
  amazon.com
  priceline.com

News
  site search
  headlines
  past updates
  discussion boards
  email update

INTERCOT Other
  advertising
  sponsors
  link to us
  contact us
     

INTERCOT Ads
 

 
 

Results 1 to 14 of 14
  1. #1
    Join Date
    Nov 2006
    Location
    Ithaca, NY
    Posts
    2,432
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default First time at Universal - what are your tips??

    We are headed to the "dark side" at the end of April! Just Husband and me, no kids to cramp our style, two full days and park-to-park tickets. Staying at Royal Pacific so will take advantage of early entry at least one of the days and using the Express Pass. We are very much looking forward to Harry Potter, Springfield, Minions, Spiderman, and roller coasters! What are your best tips for maximizing time? Where are the good places to eat? What should we avoid?

    Thanks!
    ~Nikki~
    Last Trip: February 2024
    Next Trips: April 2024

  2.     Please Support INTERCOT's Sponsors:
  3. #2
    Join Date
    Sep 2002
    Location
    LONDON / ENGLAND
    Posts
    2,863
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    Do one park at a time to get the best ...you must do kong and harry potters gringotts
    And eat at toothsomes which is on the boardwalk..that is an amazing restaurant
    ---------------------------------------------------------
    Offsite 1996 to 2005
    Dec 2006 2007 2008 CBR
    Dec 2009 2010 2011 2013 2014 2017 BLT
    Dec 2012 2015 2016 2018 OKW
    Dec 2017 2018 S/S
    June 2010 BCV
    June 2012 OKW

  4. #3
    Join Date
    Aug 2008
    Location
    Morristown NJ
    Posts
    7,146
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    If you partake in adult beverages you have to stop at Moe's for a Duff's beer (Springfield) and Hog's Head Pub for a Fire & Strongbow (HP IoA). For a snack the Apple Fritter ($6) at Lard Lad Donuts (Springfield) is quite yummy but could serve 4 people as could the the Giant Pink donut.
    - Lynn -
    INTERCOT Staff: Theme Parks, DVC

  5. Thanks BriarRose0708 thanked for this post
  6. #4
    Join Date
    Mar 2006
    Posts
    345
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    I would also recommend doing one park each day, but make sure to take HE back and forth since the trips themselves are both different. With Express you should have no problem doing everything in both parks in two days and should even have time for some re-rides of your favorites.
    Vivo is very good as well as Antojitos, while Toothsome is more of an overall experience. I do not recommend HRC after a bad experience we had there.

  7. #5
    Join Date
    Sep 2005
    Location
    New York
    Posts
    2,257
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    A little off topic but is there any way to get good discount tickets for Universal Studios in Hollywood...Thanks
    Offsite...(12/97 & 10/99)
    DL...(10/02 & 5/05)
    CBR/Disney Wonder 2004, AllStar Music 2004, AKL 2006, POP 2006, POP 2007, Poly 2007, BWI 2007, WL 2008, CSR 2009, Poly 2009, CBR 2010, AKL 2011...

  8. #6
    Join Date
    Dec 2002
    Location
    NE PA
    Posts
    3,041
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    FOOD:

    Vivo Italian is one of my favorite places in CityWalk to eat.
    Sal's Pizza at Portofino is very good, as are their sandwiches.

    Quick Stuff In the parks:
    Studio's I usually grab a shake at Mel's, a loaded baked potato at the street stand near London. Not a huge fan of Leaky Cauldron, but the Egg, Leek, and Mushroom Pastry is good.

    IOA is a kebob at Doc Sugrue’s Kebab House in Lost Continent, chicken and ribs in 3 Broomsticks or Thunder Falls Terrace and next trip will be a cotton candy the size of a beach ball at Honk Honkers in Suess Landing.

    For sit down meals in the parks I was not impressed with Lombard's. Mythos is good, but service can be spotty, Confisco's is usually good as is Finnegan's.

    I think Margaritaville and Bubba Gumps in CityWalk are overrated.

    The Kitchen at Hard Rock has a nice buffet breakfast and dinner is always good there as well.

    Nanc
    Nanci Rossetti
    Vacation Specialist
    Magical Journeys
    http://www.yourmagicaljourneys.com
    The Magic begins with YOU!
    The Official Travel Agency of INTERCOT.com

  9. Thanks BriarRose0708 thanked for this post
  10. #7
    Join Date
    Dec 2002
    Location
    NE PA
    Posts
    3,041
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    Park Tips:

    Most offsite people leave around 4-5pm. If the park is open until 7, stick around and enjoy the Potter areas with MUCH lower crowds. We usually leave mid afternoon and eat our big meal over at CityWalk or one of the hotels. Then when we see the mass exodus (really, that is what it looks like), we head back into the parks until closing. When it gets dark early, Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade are gorgeous lit up.

    Do not miss Monster Make-up Show, it is a hoot.

    Pull up a bench and really LOOK at the themeing in the different areas. Talk to some of the Team Members, they can give you great tips and tricks that will work at that specific time.

    Ride the Hogwarts express both ways.

    The Simpson ride can cause motion sickness LOL

    Nanc
    Nanci Rossetti
    Vacation Specialist
    Magical Journeys
    http://www.yourmagicaljourneys.com
    The Magic begins with YOU!
    The Official Travel Agency of INTERCOT.com

  11. Thanks BriarRose0708 thanked for this post
  12. #8
    Join Date
    Dec 2002
    Location
    NE PA
    Posts
    3,041
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    Royal Pacific Resort:

    Rooms are very nice and were just redone in the last year or so.

    At the Pool they have Cups and Ice Water, and sunscreen that is complimentary. Food at the Pool Bar is good and the Nachos are HUGE.

    You can bring your own small floats

    You can pool hop to any other resort.

    It can be faster to walk to IOA than to take the boat.

    Nanc
    Nanci Rossetti
    Vacation Specialist
    Magical Journeys
    http://www.yourmagicaljourneys.com
    The Magic begins with YOU!
    The Official Travel Agency of INTERCOT.com

  13. Thanks BriarRose0708 thanked for this post
  14. #9
    Join Date
    Dec 2002
    Location
    NE PA
    Posts
    3,041
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by luvdiznee View Post
    A little off topic but is there any way to get good discount tickets for Universal Studios in Hollywood...Thanks
    Not Really. Technically, that is a different company than UOR

    Nanc
    Nanci Rossetti
    Vacation Specialist
    Magical Journeys
    http://www.yourmagicaljourneys.com
    The Magic begins with YOU!
    The Official Travel Agency of INTERCOT.com

  15. Thanks luvdiznee thanked for this post
  16. #10
    Join Date
    Nov 2006
    Location
    Ithaca, NY
    Posts
    2,432
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    Nanc, you're a wealth of information as always! It's true you can now use Express Pass for the two Harry Potter rides? Park hours are posted, they are only open until 6 p.m. Why close so early?
    ~Nikki~
    Last Trip: February 2024
    Next Trips: April 2024

  17. #11
    Join Date
    Dec 2002
    Location
    NE PA
    Posts
    3,041
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    Yes, express pass works for Forbidden Journey, Gringotts and the Hogwarts Express!

    Universal does a lot of private after park events. I do not know your dates, but end of April has Grad Bash nights, the last 2 being the 27th and 28th.

    Their parks are never open as late as WDW parks except during peak season

    Nanc
    Nanci Rossetti
    Vacation Specialist
    Magical Journeys
    http://www.yourmagicaljourneys.com
    The Magic begins with YOU!
    The Official Travel Agency of INTERCOT.com

  18. #12
    Join Date
    Nov 2006
    Location
    Ithaca, NY
    Posts
    2,432
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Tink1 View Post
    Yes, express pass works for Forbidden Journey, Gringotts and the Hogwarts Express!

    Universal does a lot of private after park events. I do not know your dates, but end of April has Grad Bash nights, the last 2 being the 27th and 28th.

    Their parks are never open as late as WDW parks except during peak season

    Nanc
    Aha, that explains it. We are there the two Grad Bash nights. I didn't know those still happened at theme parks! We will just get up early and leave when the hoards of teenagers gets unbearable. Thank goodness for Express Pass!
    ~Nikki~
    Last Trip: February 2024
    Next Trips: April 2024

  19. #13
    Join Date
    Nov 2002
    Location
    Pennsville, NJ
    Posts
    754
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    Another vote for Mythos at IOA....And if you think you may get motion sickness from some of the simulator rides, take a Bonine each morning! I did and it was a lifesaver....

  20. #14
    Join Date
    Jul 2011
    Location
    Fort Worth, Tx
    Posts
    2,410
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    The wettest rides I've been on, IOA. JP, Dudley and Popeye. Whew, you will be soaked. Great rides, great themes. Love them all. Dudley is amazing on how wet you get. Make sure your wallet/phone are in a ziplock bag. Something I always bring to places with water rides, though useful too if you caught in the showers in Fla.
    ===================

    2016 POR
    2015 CS
    2014 WDW-Offsite
    2014 Disneyland-offsite
    2014 CBR
    2013 Dolphin
    2012 POR
    2012 WDW-Offsite
    2011 ASMusic, POR

    1998 Dixie Landings
    1990's, Dixie Landings, Misc Offsite

Share This Thread On Social Media:

Share This Thread On Social Media:

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  

 
Company
Advertising
Guest Relations
Community
Discussion Boards
Podcast
Newsletter
Shop
Social
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
YouTube
Pinterest
Subscribe to our Newsletter
Enter your email address below to receive our newsletter:
INTERCOT Logo PRIVACY STATEMENT / DISCLAIMER | DISCUSSION BOARD RULES
© Since 1997 INTERCOT - a Levelbest Communications Website. This is not an official Disney website.
> Levelbest Network Site