I Need Hardcore Universal Studios Help...

[JennSmith]

We will be going to WDW late September/early October, (9/27-10/8 to be exact) and we plan on doing 2 days at Universal. I do not know which 2 days we will be going since park hours haven't been released for that time anywhere yet. I do know that we will not be partaking in Hollywood Horror Nights though because I have a 7 year old and I just don't think he will like that yet.
I already plan on getting the 2 day, park to park ticket. I just have many more questions...
1. Should I get the Universal Express Unlimited as well? I called with other questions and dude on the phone made it sound like the parks would be mad busy then because of HHN...so now I am terrified that it will be ridiculously busy and we won't even be able to have fun and that even with the EPU all of the Harry Potter rides will have such long wait times that life will suck and why bother?
2. Should I get the dining deal? I was thinking of doing the one that gives you the refillable drinks and the quick service meal but I can't tell if I think I will come out ahead with that or not. We will already have the dining plan at WDW because of our bounce back offer. I really like the DDP but I know nothing about Universal's version...
3. What about the Photo Connect thing? We get the Memory Maker at Disney and I love it but we will only be at Universal for 2 days...I have to choose either 1 day or 3? Gross...do you think the 3 day would be worth it on a 2 day ticket?
4. Are there ever any promo codes released? I see on the check out screen a spot to enter one but where do you ever find them?
5. Are there any advantages to purchasing our tickets now or in the near future versus waiting until it's almost time to go? Are there any advantages to waiting until it's almost time to go?

I'm a mess lol.

 

[Jwhee]

I suggest getting the express passes if you want to do everything. They don't work on any of the potter rides except Dragon Challenge and Flight Of The Hippogriff. To ride the other potter ones I suggest doing them early in the day or late in the day (Gringotts in the morning and FJ at night) IOA will be open later than the Studios due to Halloween Horror Nights.

I don't ever get the dining deal but I do buy the refillable Coke freestyle cups.

Photo connect has photo spots all around the parks, I'd get it if photos are your thing.

Buy your express passes in advance because the price can raise as the day gets closer.

 

[JennSmith]

I suggest getting the express passes if you want to do everything. They don't work on any of the potter rides except Dragon Challenge and Flight Of The Hippogriff. To ride the other potter ones I suggest doing them early in the day or late in the day (Gringotts in the morning and FJ at night) IOA will be open later than the Studios due to Halloween Horror Nights.

I don't ever get the dining deal but I do buy the refillable Coke freestyle cups.

Photo connect has photo spots all around the parks, I'd get it if photos are your thing.

Buy your express passes in advance because the price can raise as the day gets closer.

Thank you so much! This is all very helpful!

 

[lazyboy97o]

You should look at getting a hotel room for the night between your two days if you really want Express Pass Unlimited. You get access for the day of check in through day of check out, so you'd get both days. There is a good chance a room you barely use will be less than buying individually.

 

[JennSmith]

You should look at getting a hotel room for the night between your two days if you really want Express Pass Unlimited. You get access for the day of check in through day of check out, so you'd get both days. There is a good chance a room you barely use will be less than buying individually.

Hmmm I will have to look into this.

 

[PinnySmart]

Also go into it knowing that the studios side will close at 5 p.m. if you go on a day that will have Halloween Horror Nights that night. IOA will be open later. The night we went this year IOA was open until 8 p.m. So plan carefully. And as others have said go with express whether you buy the ticket with unlimited or book a nights stay with it included. There have been rumors that changes are coming to express and which hotels will offer unlimited but I guess we won't know until UO tells us.

 

[lazyboy97o]

Speaking of dates, Halloween Horror Nights is typically not on Monday and Tuesday nights.

Also, while it has not been announced yet, the first full week of October is typically when Gartner Symposium is held at Walt Disney World.

 

[andysol]

I was just there around the same dates this year. Wouldn't have needed an express pass; honestly. It saved me a little time here and there but not worth the $ that time of year if you hit it at rope drop.
That said, If you're staying on property at Disney- you might as well just use that money and stay on site at universal at least for the one night (like @lazyboy97o said- it would give you two days worth of express passes- one more check in day and one for check out day). I wasn't THAT impressed with the royal pacific, but it was insanely convenient to be there plus you get the passes for free
I wouldn't get dining. The "quick service" Harry Potter restaurants count as "table service" on the plan, and quite honestly- you save zero dollars to buy it.

The character meet and greets are also pretty spare there Regarding pictures and there aren't NEAR the photographers there are at Disney. Heck- I might have only seen a couple at each park.

So me? I'd stay in site, and not get dining or photos. But if you LOVE pics, by all means, get it


Note: I really enjoyed universal. So much so I'm doing another two days in January during my Disney trip. Sorry not sorry Disney.

 

[BrianV]

If you can at all find a way to stay on site at one of the three deluxe hotels, do it. The location and the free express pass make it far more special feeling than of you just came from off site.

Two days should be plenty even with Halloween nights happening. You won't need express pass, but if you get it for free by staying on site, makes you feel like a VIP.

We've never bought a food plan anywhere. Might be a good deal financially, but depends on how much you eat.

 

[BrianV]

Ps, while unlikely, you might find that an annual pass for at least one of you would save you more on hotels than the additional cost. Typically you can save 25-50$ a night on onsite hotels, but not always and sometimes more.

 

[JourneysEnd]

You should look at getting a hotel room for the night between your two days if you really want Express Pass Unlimited. You get access for the day of check in through day of check out, so you'd get both days. There is a good chance a room you barely use will be less than buying individually.

I don't think they let you do a one nighter during HHN. Check, but they have a min stay requirement on those days.
At least they did last year.

 

[Mukta]

Buy the tickets now from undercovertourist. Prices are going up steadily.

I never use Express Pass, but I have gone many times and I have a good touring plan now. If you stay at a deluxe onsite for a night, you will get two days of the express pass. Definitely worth looking into.

Usually, park hours are around 9 am to 8 pm. Park will close early the night of HHN.

Don't do the dining plan. Universal food is very reasonable. Just eat whatever you would like.

 

[lazyboy97o]

I don't think they let you do a one nighter during HHN. Check, but they have a min stay requirement on those days.
At least they did last year.

Portifino Bay Hotel just let me start booking a room for only tomorrow night. If there are any restrictions I would think they may not apply to a Monday night since Monday and Tuesday are when Halloween Horror Nights is dark.

 

[JourneysEnd]

Portifino Bay Hotel just let me start booking a room for only tomorrow night. If there are any restrictions I would think they may not apply to a Monday night since Monday and Tuesday are when Halloween Horror Nights is dark.

That's correct , I think the restriction only applies to HHN nights.

 

[StingraySam]

Okay, here is my 2 cents and probably not even worth that but here goes.
First off I agree, 7 years old, will be a bit too young for Halloween Horror Nights and not just because of how scary it can be. Sometimes the "adult atmosphere" can get a little much if you know what I mean.
1. I agree with everyone else, if you want an Express Pass then try and get a night at one of the hotels, even 2 nights may be budget worthy if an Express Pass is really wanted. A non-discounted room mid week at that time of year will generally run about $250-$350 per night. Unlimited Express Passes will generally run about $75-$90 each per day. Not sure how many are in your party but with just 3 the hotel stay (that will include Express Passes) could save you well over several $100. Also you will get early access (1 hour early in the morning) to the Potter attractions while staying on site. If going the hotel route please take note that at this time only Royal Pacific, Hard Rock and Portofino offer the Express Passes. You can get early access at Cabana Bay and the new Sapphire Falls but they DO NOT offer Express Passes. Now is an Express Pass even needed? If you absolutely want to do EVERYTHING I would say yes. It may not be excessively crowded at that time of the year but you will still need to be on your toes to do everything without an Express Pass particularly if one of your days falls on a day the Studios will be closing early. Please keep in mind that on the days Studios closes early for Halloween Horror Nights many people will be going over to Islands, we saw this first hand several weeks ago, though we were leaving Islands and going to HHN. If you are not into all that is offered at the parks, are only there for the thrill rides and not to "experience it all" then yes it is possible to get through without an Express Press. In my opinion though staying at an onsite hotel and having an Express Pass really takes that pressure off.
2. I would not recommend a Dining Plan. Other than it helping you budget we have not found it to be any value at all. Also if have AAA you can use it for discounts (up to 10%) at many of the restaurants within the park.
3. I really can't help you much on the Photo Connect. Being AP holders for many years we have kinda lost the desire for more park photos other than one's we have taken with ourselves (mostly the kids) over the years at the same locations. This has been kinda fun to look back on now though.
4. Promos are offered but usually not this far in advance.
5. The only advantage I can see in purchasing tickets now would be locking in your ticket price. It has been my experience that when ticket prices did go up it was usually the first week in January (I am aware of this time of the year with price increases only because of a disagreement I had with Universal in the past with my AP renewal which by the way was reasonably settled). Also I will add that AAA does offer discounted tickets just can't recall how good the discount is/was or if it was just for Florida residents. This brings up an other option. If you know anyone that is a Florida resident, are an AP holder and they will be joining you or just want to help you out, AP holders can purchase discounted tickets at the gate for the guest in their party. Someone earlier mentioned purchasing an AP this could be an option as well. You will get discounts at the hotels, on additional tickets, restuarants and additional items through out the park but a complete detailed budget would need to be done to see this value. In some instances it may be worth it though.

 

[JennSmith]

This is all really good advice - thank you, everyone

 

[Jon81uk]

I'm going this time next year and we are planning to do Universal Monday 26th & Tuesday 27th September 2016 as based on this years dates there shouldn't be any horror nights, meaning the parks are open longer (I'm not interested in Horror Nights).

I bought the Photoconnect three day card for $60 a few months ago before the price went up. I think it should be worth it just to get ride photos at least. It would normally be $15 per photo download, so as long as we get five photos its worth it!

 

[JennSmith]

I think it should be worth it just to get ride photos at least. It would normally be $15 per photo download, so as long as we get five photos its worth it!

Very good point!

 

[Jon81uk]

Very good point!

Although the 3-day package is now $90 so you need seven photos to make it worth it. But you should get at least four per park quite easily.

Universal Studios Florida
Front Gate Photographer
Rockit Ride Photo
MIB Ride Photo
Mummy Ride Photo
Gringotts in Queue Photo
ET Hot Set
Simpsons Couch Hot Set
Shrek and Donkey Meet and Greet Photo
Sponge Bob Meet and Greet Photo
Minions Meet and Greet Photo
Transformers Meet and Greet Photo

Islands of Adventure
Front Gate Photographer
Rip Saw Ride Photo
Jurassic Park Ride Photo
Jurassic Park Raptor Encounter
Jurassic Park Selfie Post
Forbidden Journey Ride Photo
Spider-man in Queue Photo
Spider-man Meet and Greet Photo
Seuss Trolley in Queue Photo

 

[JennSmith]

Although the 3-day package is now $90 so you need seven photos to make it worth it. But you should get at least four per park quite easily.

Universal Studios Florida
Front Gate Photographer
Rockit Ride Photo
MIB Ride Photo
Mummy Ride Photo
Gringotts in Queue Photo
ET Hot Set
Simpsons Couch Hot Set
Shrek and Donkey Meet and Greet Photo
Sponge Bob Meet and Greet Photo
Minions Meet and Greet Photo
Transformers Meet and Greet Photo

Islands of Adventure
Front Gate Photographer
Rip Saw Ride Photo
Jurassic Park Ride Photo
Jurassic Park Raptor Encounter
Jurassic Park Selfie Post
Forbidden Journey Ride Photo
Spider-man in Queue Photo
Spider-man Meet and Greet Photo
Seuss Trolley in Queue Photo

I love this list - THANK YOU!