First Time Visit...

[Amandaquinndickinson]

My mom, daughter (10), son (8), and myself are going to Orlando for the first time. We’re arriving 2/14 and staying until 2/19. We’re staying at Cabana Bay Beach Resort & will do the 3-Park / 4-Day Park to Park. I’m really excited. My daughter likes Harry Potter & my son LOVES dinosaurs. Is there an itinerary or plan out there that I can loosely use that will help guide me? We love food what is some delish foods we should try?? If we were going to universal studios and island of adventure all in one day, what should we do first and what direction should we go in. lol. Open to any advice. I know to bring water bottles, snacks, ponchos, backpack, etc. Thank you!!!!

 

[JoeCamel]

My mom, daughter (10), son (8), and myself are going to Orlando for the first time. We’re arriving 2/14 and staying until 2/19. We’re staying at Cabana Bay Beach Resort & will do the 3-Park / 4-Day Park to Park. I’m really excited. My daughter likes Harry Potter & my son LOVES dinosaurs. Is there an itinerary or plan out there that I can loosely use that will help guide me? We love food what is some delish foods we should try?? If we were going to universal studios and island of adventure all in one day, what should we do first and what direction should we go in. lol. Open to any advice. I know to bring water bottles, snacks, ponchos, backpack, etc. Thank you!!!!

You need to head over to Orlando Informer. They have days of reading that is obsessively updated on Universal. Can help with travel planning too.

 

[Amandaquinndickinson]

Thanks!

 

[BubbaQuest]

Definitely recommend Orlando Informer. However, if you are going to have 3 or 4 days in the park, I wouldn't recommend a lot of pre-planning.

The pace at Universal is very different than WDW. Other than the lunchtime rush at the Potter restaurants, you really can enjoy the parks at your own pace.

My recommendation would be to get on the Cabana Bay bus the first day, go into Islands of Adventure, turn right and head to Hogwarts castle (the theming is a little better in that direction). From there just experience everything you feel like experiencing!

A bit of warning, trying to do both parks in one day is a lot of walking. Be nice to your feet that first day, you'll need them for day 2 and 3

 

[GLaDOS]

My biggest tip for Universal parks is to not try and tackle them like Disney parks. They're a much more relaxed place. Don't need to hyper plan. Don't need to be there from sun up to sun down to enjoy. Just take your time, spend some time at the pool, and take more leisurely meals. Uni gives you a lot more time to stop and smell the roses.

 

[Weather_Lady]

Have fun, @Amandaquinndickinson! We'll be there ourselves from 2/18-22.

Undercover Tourist has some nice plans you can use as a starting point, and their park maps are, in my opinion, the easiest to read and use of any website (even better than those at my beloved touringplans). As others said, Universal is not like WDW: there's less pressure to plan it like a military engagement. Instead, you can tour at your own pace. Still, it's good to be aware of which attractions tend to build long lines over the course of the day and which ones don't - especially on Monday, 2/18, which will see a little bump in crowds as the locals will be out of school that day - and the UT touring plans will help give you a good idea of what to prioritize.

(Link here: just click on the "Park Plans" tab, then select "Universal 2-day Park-to-Park Plan," and download the pdf., which will give you a suggested itinerary, detailed general park maps which use a color-coding system to tell you which attractions are "anytime" attractions and which ones you'll want to get to first, and even a suggested packing list.)

Islands of Adventure | Universal Orlando Discount Tickets | Undercover Tourist

Universal Islands of Adventure information including discount tickets, map, reviews, address and hotels nearby from Undercover Tourist.

www.undercovertourist.com

Also, read Orlando Informer's in-depth coverage of the Mardi Gras events during your trip. https://orlandoinformer.com/universal/mardi-gras/

As for refurbs that would affect your planning, Dudley Do-Right's Ripsaw Falls is scheduled to be down from 1/28-2/23. Other than that, everything should be up and running.