How to Universal Studios/ Florida
Discussion
Thinking next year of taking the kids ( 10 / 14 ) to Universal Studios for 3/4 days and staying at the Hard Rock Hotel which i believe is in the development. After I was planning on getting a rental property for 10 days. Ive never been before but does anyone have some good tips on how long i would need at Universal and where best to aim for afterwards for a more relaxing spot ?
Planning Easter break next year and was thinking of using Virgin holidays but totally flexible.
Many thanks
Planning Easter break next year and was thinking of using Virgin holidays but totally flexible.
Many thanks
Hard rock is already open but I'd say 2/3 days for universal theme park as you get ultimate fastpasses by staying at Hard Rock, 1 day for Volcano bay. Get the 14 day 3 day park passes and your golden. Gatorland is good, Kennedy space center is great. are you not doing any Disney? if so avatar, Guardians of the galaxy, Rise of the resistance and Tron are all great rides.
Edited by phil-sti on Tuesday 18th April 12:46
It really depends how fully you want to do them and how busy it is
I have done all of universal studios in like 4 hours but that didn't include shows because not interested. that was on a night and the park was bloody empty
I'd say 1 day studios 2 days ioa and 1 day volcano bay
If really depends if you want to do everything of not
With it being Easter you could need 2 days studios 3 days Ioa
You will have fast passes so it helps.
I'd suggest pay the fine for taking them out of school and going another time
If they prefer coasters to rides that are basically moving films then I'd suggest SeaWorld and Busch as being better for rides
Universal has too many of the film rides rather than thrill rides
I'd also suggest Discovery cove tied in with the above 2 parks makes it almost free but it's superb as a first day as you can just relax after the flight
We decided after going this year we wouldn't be going back again for a few years but what do you know we are in the process of booking it again as 1k for direct return business class seats can't be passed up
But we won't be doing the parks again this time
I have done all of universal studios in like 4 hours but that didn't include shows because not interested. that was on a night and the park was bloody empty
I'd say 1 day studios 2 days ioa and 1 day volcano bay
If really depends if you want to do everything of not
With it being Easter you could need 2 days studios 3 days Ioa
You will have fast passes so it helps.
I'd suggest pay the fine for taking them out of school and going another time
If they prefer coasters to rides that are basically moving films then I'd suggest SeaWorld and Busch as being better for rides
Universal has too many of the film rides rather than thrill rides
I'd also suggest Discovery cove tied in with the above 2 parks makes it almost free but it's superb as a first day as you can just relax after the flight
We decided after going this year we wouldn't be going back again for a few years but what do you know we are in the process of booking it again as 1k for direct return business class seats can't be passed up
But we won't be doing the parks again this time
Edited by Trustmeimadoctor on Tuesday 18th April 13:31
Im an annual pass holder for universal and head out 6-8 times a year.
I’d say budget at least 2days per park if going in a major holiday. Easter is a perfect storm for people as there is everyone who’s headed in from the UK plus it’s also the end of US Spring Break and also combined with the culmination of the annual Universal Mardi-Gras celebrations so it’s not unusual for the parks to be rammed.
This week however (as im here now) the parks are very quiet and I managed to get on all the major big rides with between 5mins and 30mins waits when often they can be 60-120mins each.
I’d recommend having a look at some crowd-calendars online for guides.
If you have any questions feel free to DM me
I’d say budget at least 2days per park if going in a major holiday. Easter is a perfect storm for people as there is everyone who’s headed in from the UK plus it’s also the end of US Spring Break and also combined with the culmination of the annual Universal Mardi-Gras celebrations so it’s not unusual for the parks to be rammed.
This week however (as im here now) the parks are very quiet and I managed to get on all the major big rides with between 5mins and 30mins waits when often they can be 60-120mins each.
I’d recommend having a look at some crowd-calendars online for guides.
If you have any questions feel free to DM me
Alorotom said:
Im an annual pass holder for universal and head out 6-8 times a year.
I’d say budget at least 2days per park if going in a major holiday. Easter is a perfect storm for people as there is everyone who’s headed in from the UK plus it’s also the end of US Spring Break and also combined with the culmination of the annual Universal Mardi-Gras celebrations so it’s not unusual for the parks to be rammed.
This week however (as im here now) the parks are very quiet and I managed to get on all the major big rides with between 5mins and 30mins waits when often they can be 60-120mins each.
I’d recommend having a look at some crowd-calendars online for guides.
If you have any questions feel free to DM me
I'm there again next year at end of april, how busy are the parks?I’d say budget at least 2days per park if going in a major holiday. Easter is a perfect storm for people as there is everyone who’s headed in from the UK plus it’s also the end of US Spring Break and also combined with the culmination of the annual Universal Mardi-Gras celebrations so it’s not unusual for the parks to be rammed.
This week however (as im here now) the parks are very quiet and I managed to get on all the major big rides with between 5mins and 30mins waits when often they can be 60-120mins each.
I’d recommend having a look at some crowd-calendars online for guides.
If you have any questions feel free to DM me
I have a home there and spend about 3 months a year in orlando, Easter is by far the busiest time of year.
You'll need two days for each park and 1 for volcano bay, Usually the Universal tickets will include Sea World, Aquatica and Busch Gardens each which will require a day but are worth visiting.
I wouldn't bother with Disney its simply too much to do (that's 6 parks on its own) whilst its absolutely worth a visit its a separate holiday imo.
KSC and Gatorland also a bit of good fun.
Id definitely get a car as there's so much to see and do outside of the parks (happy to make some recommendations) although beware traffic is terrible and you'll witness some of the worst driving on the planet.
You'll need two days for each park and 1 for volcano bay, Usually the Universal tickets will include Sea World, Aquatica and Busch Gardens each which will require a day but are worth visiting.
I wouldn't bother with Disney its simply too much to do (that's 6 parks on its own) whilst its absolutely worth a visit its a separate holiday imo.
KSC and Gatorland also a bit of good fun.
Id definitely get a car as there's so much to see and do outside of the parks (happy to make some recommendations) although beware traffic is terrible and you'll witness some of the worst driving on the planet.
phil-sti said:
I'm there again next year at end of april, how busy are the parks?
Very very quiet - most of the rides are topping out at 40mins (other than Hagrids motorcycles), especially later in the day. Last night I got to US at about 17:30ish and walked straight onto all rides - MIB / Minions / ET / Jimmy Fallon / Mummy / Escape from Gringotts / Simpsons - no wait for any of themWe're booked for our 23rd visit since 1997, going June '23.
From experience we'd book a villa with pool, then spend one day at the parks, one day off shopping/relaxing, then another at the parks... and so on. We've always stayed in villas in Davenport, near Champions Gate.
If you're only in Fl for 3-4 days you have no choice but to cram of course.
If you did a park every day for 7/14 days you'd need a holiday afterwards.
We'll only do one day at IOA/Univ and maybe another at Seaworld this time... I won't be riding Hagrid's motorbike again... love coasters but that was terrifying!
Outside the parks our experience has been that Florida drivers are easy going, drive steadily, and are in no rush to get anywhere (in the main).
Used to fly Virgin with the kids but find TUI and their Dreamliner a better experience.
From experience we'd book a villa with pool, then spend one day at the parks, one day off shopping/relaxing, then another at the parks... and so on. We've always stayed in villas in Davenport, near Champions Gate.
If you're only in Fl for 3-4 days you have no choice but to cram of course.
If you did a park every day for 7/14 days you'd need a holiday afterwards.
We'll only do one day at IOA/Univ and maybe another at Seaworld this time... I won't be riding Hagrid's motorbike again... love coasters but that was terrifying!
Outside the parks our experience has been that Florida drivers are easy going, drive steadily, and are in no rush to get anywhere (in the main).
Used to fly Virgin with the kids but find TUI and their Dreamliner a better experience.
Edited by DJMC on Wednesday 26th April 18:41
We’ve recently got back from Easter at Universal (Loews Royal Pacific) and then 11 days at a villa.
Universal both Loews and the hard rock give you unlimited fast pass from the morning of the day you check in to the evening you check out. Worth checking prices of the villa as to maximise the passes might be better to book 14 nights at the villa and then mid trip go to the hard rock using the 4 days of passes. Use that for 2 days at each park, Easter is crazy busy but most we waited with the fast pass was 40min for velocicoaster. Hagrids isn’t fast pass so we never attempted it as 2hrs+ constantly but some in our group did get up early and stuck at it.
Children in the group a similar age to yours and we all came away saying we wouldn’t bother with Disney for many years and actually found Paris better. The exception to this was animal kingdom which was very chilled despite the Easter madness. Magic kingdom was awful and even the most basic rides were 1hr+.
Kennedy space centre is great and plenty for kids to do, outlets we didn’t bother with but Florida mall we found the prices to be the same if not worse than back home but “the loop” had some good deals with a dicks sporting kids that had some very cheap sports gear.
Food wise average across our trip was $10 a starter, $20 a main, $7 a beer. If you fancy eating somewhere like bubba gumps at city walk get a Landry’s card (available online) $25 gets you the card preloaded with $25 credit, birthday months you get a free $25 to spend but not stackable. The card gets you priority seating, we turned up at a busy bubba gumps asked for a table of 7 and got a “you’re crazy look” pulled out the card and got seated straight away and then the manager came over during the meal to thank me for being a “loyal” member!
Universal both Loews and the hard rock give you unlimited fast pass from the morning of the day you check in to the evening you check out. Worth checking prices of the villa as to maximise the passes might be better to book 14 nights at the villa and then mid trip go to the hard rock using the 4 days of passes. Use that for 2 days at each park, Easter is crazy busy but most we waited with the fast pass was 40min for velocicoaster. Hagrids isn’t fast pass so we never attempted it as 2hrs+ constantly but some in our group did get up early and stuck at it.
Children in the group a similar age to yours and we all came away saying we wouldn’t bother with Disney for many years and actually found Paris better. The exception to this was animal kingdom which was very chilled despite the Easter madness. Magic kingdom was awful and even the most basic rides were 1hr+.
Kennedy space centre is great and plenty for kids to do, outlets we didn’t bother with but Florida mall we found the prices to be the same if not worse than back home but “the loop” had some good deals with a dicks sporting kids that had some very cheap sports gear.
Food wise average across our trip was $10 a starter, $20 a main, $7 a beer. If you fancy eating somewhere like bubba gumps at city walk get a Landry’s card (available online) $25 gets you the card preloaded with $25 credit, birthday months you get a free $25 to spend but not stackable. The card gets you priority seating, we turned up at a busy bubba gumps asked for a table of 7 and got a “you’re crazy look” pulled out the card and got seated straight away and then the manager came over during the meal to thank me for being a “loyal” member!
phil-sti said:
I'm there again next year at end of april, how busy are the parks?
If it’s UK school holidays 9/10 for busy. Our second week the crowd calendars suggested it would be a 7/10 because some Americans were back to school/work but if anything it got even busier than the 9/10. Edit to add sorry just realised “end of April”.
I'd suggest getting the three day fast passes available from most places int he area.
Also for something a bit different, pop to the Oak Ridge gun range for a few hours. Great fun and very cheap. The amount of stuff you can hire there is incredible from revolvers to full auto AK47's. I hired a 9m Colt, 0.40 Glock and 0.45 Smith and Wesson and 150 rounds of ammo for around £30! That included unlimited targets and range fee, which is indoors.
Also for something a bit different, pop to the Oak Ridge gun range for a few hours. Great fun and very cheap. The amount of stuff you can hire there is incredible from revolvers to full auto AK47's. I hired a 9m Colt, 0.40 Glock and 0.45 Smith and Wesson and 150 rounds of ammo for around £30! That included unlimited targets and range fee, which is indoors.
And for anyone reading this Tron at Disney is probably one of the most boring rides we went on. Currently you have to get a virtual queue slot by being fastest finger at 7am. Then when your time comes you join the line and queue an hour (so much for a virtual line).
Then it’s 60seconds of boredom, there’s no G forces so it feels pretty tame compared to something like guardians of the galaxy which is technically slower than Tron but feels way quicker.
Also regarding thrills phantasialand, Germany and Europa Park Germany are 2 great parks that probably pack more coasters in than Universal / Disney which as mentioned earlier aim for more immersive rides.
Then it’s 60seconds of boredom, there’s no G forces so it feels pretty tame compared to something like guardians of the galaxy which is technically slower than Tron but feels way quicker.
Also regarding thrills phantasialand, Germany and Europa Park Germany are 2 great parks that probably pack more coasters in than Universal / Disney which as mentioned earlier aim for more immersive rides.
Heads-up on Disney
Park reservations gone start of 24. dining planis back, booking from may 31st for start 9th Jan big different to before and they are looking to allow you to book genie plus and lightning lanes in advance of your days in the park so yeah back to how it was most likely but now you pay
Park reservations gone start of 24. dining planis back, booking from may 31st for start 9th Jan big different to before and they are looking to allow you to book genie plus and lightning lanes in advance of your days in the park so yeah back to how it was most likely but now you pay
Currently out here now!
Very lovely weather
Universal studios is easily 3 days! You have islands of adventure universal itself and volcano bay but you also have universal city walk
Disney is great even though magic kingdom has been busy today the ride wait times haven’t been bad at all
Very lovely weather
Universal studios is easily 3 days! You have islands of adventure universal itself and volcano bay but you also have universal city walk
Disney is great even though magic kingdom has been busy today the ride wait times haven’t been bad at all
Got back end of April, Disney in particular just pissed me off being absolutely rammed, people taking your ankles out with 'strollers' and barging past. Never used to be like that. I've been going almost yearly since I was 18 months old (35 years ago!) with my parents and last few years with my own kids.
Lightning Lane can work for you but if you want the 'better' rides then you pay for the LL. Who TF wants to queue for 2 hours in the baking heat for a 30 second ride.
Anyway, above off topic I know, but I'd give Disney a miss and stick with Universal, much more grown up, a lot more relaxed and seemingly less absolute plonkers.
If you can catch some sport at the Amway Center then that's something different.
Lightning Lane can work for you but if you want the 'better' rides then you pay for the LL. Who TF wants to queue for 2 hours in the baking heat for a 30 second ride.
Anyway, above off topic I know, but I'd give Disney a miss and stick with Universal, much more grown up, a lot more relaxed and seemingly less absolute plonkers.
If you can catch some sport at the Amway Center then that's something different.
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