No idea what I'm doing.....

[erstwo]

Hi All - I've never been to a Universal Park, but I'm taking (4) 16 year old girls (my daughter and her three best friends), myself, my husband, and my 20 year old son for a week in October.

We are staying at the Loews Pacific Royal (I think that's what it's called) and we'll get the Express Pass thing with our rooms. Could not get club level because it was booked for our room sizes.

What else should I be doing? Making dinner reservations? Is that a thing over at Universal? Dinner in the parks? In the downtown Universal area? I keep thinking I'll have time to research more, but everything I read is 'Universal is different than Disney, it's more laid back', etc.

Am I overthinking this? Is it just a go with the flow kind of place? Do I need to research where to eat lunch in the parks? Do people leave the parks for lunch?

I guess most of my worries are about food - Just want to be sure everyone will have a good time and not go hungry. Will take all tips and tricks.

Do I need a park plan? Do I need to be sure we ride certain things first?

 

[flynnibus]

Plan food by looking at where you'd like to eat and making reservations via opentable/etc that day. You don't need to plan like Disney dining... plan like you were going out on the town in your home city. You'll likely end up at food in Citywalk for table service stuff. Look at their webpages of the places you like for reservations. It's basically just how busy things are and how much you are willing to wait.

Citywalk is close enough you can leave the parks for food if you like... but in my experience we usually do lunch at quick-service type stuff in the parks and do citywalk for dinner.

I would plan ahead by looking at what the Horror Night schedule is around your dates. The other thing to keep in mind is that Uni hours tend to be shorter than Disney (even without Horror Night closures) so that's just a change.

You can spend the $12 or whatever and look at Touring Plans for more help on visiting guidance.. it's cheap and useful info, plus the lines app is really helpful once on property. But in general your planning should be more about knowing what you are interested in seeing, and what to skip, and less about having to do all kinds of structured planning.

Biggest guidance I could give is plan ahead when it comes to the IOA water rides (you don't get wet, you get drenched.. but they are fun!) so you have separate clothes/shoes. And plan your attack when it comes to early openings for Velocicoaster and Hagrids... as they are the most popular rides (and rightful so!)

Make sure you ride Hagrids at both day AND night. It's so awesome at night.

 

[Rob562]

I second everything @flynnibus said above.

A few additional comments:
-With the unlimited Express passes from Royal Pacific you really don't have to worry much about planning. For almost every attraction you'll just be able to stroll up at your leisure and get on with limited waiting. That makes for a very relaxed trip, allowing you to take it easy.

-I highly suggest the "water rides morning" at IOA. It's one of our favorite things. to do. We pick the hottest day of the trip, go into the park with no bags, just a ziplock bag for phones. We wear clothes and flip-flops/sandals that can get soaked. We start by walking back to Jurassic Park River Adventure, then up to Ripsaw Falls, then we finish at Bilge Rat Barges, which we ride 2 or 3 times in a row until we're absolutely drenched. Then we leave the park (relishing in the astonished looks from people walking by because we look like we fell in the lake), go back to the room, shower and change to head back to the park later.

-If you're going to Volcano Bay water park, one thing I would read up on is how their virtual lines work. You can join one VQ at a time using the TapuTapu wristband you'll get. While you're waiting, you can go in the wave pool, the lazy rivers, or anything that is a Ride Now. Note that the Express Pass from the hotel does not apply to Volcano Bay.
Edit: A quick overview of the TapuTapu for virtual queues.



-Since you're going during Horror Nights season, consider going for a night or two. It's one of the best haunt events in the country. It'll run Wed thru Sun most weeks. (Go midweek, avoid Saturdays) Again, Express Passes from the hotel are not valid during HHN.
Edit: And if doing HHN, read up on how Stay & Scream works. You go in the park during the day using your day ticket, then enter one of the S&S corrals before the park closes at 5. You'll then get an early jump on a couple of houses when they open before official HHN time. It's invaluable, especially if you don't buy the add-on HHN Express passes.


-Rob

 

[007mickey]

First off, good tips by Flynnibus and Rob 562.

Great choice with Royal Pacific and getting the unlimited express pass. You can walk or boat to the parks and CityWalk, which is a nice change from almost every Disney hotel. And you will pass through security at the end of your pathway to the parks which is a nice perk to not wait in line with the parking garage masses. You'll exit your walking path right at the bridge to IOA. The boats will drop you off in between both parks in CityWalk. Also, with your RP stay you will get early entry into the parks if you choose to take advantage. And RP recently renovated the common areas with the Tuk Tuk Market being a nice grab-n-go option in the mornings. We went to eat sushi one night at Orchid Court Lounge and realized reservations would have helped tremendously.

On the idea of dining reservations, there are a few in park places that will accept them (Mythos being one of the harder ones to get). And most of the full service CityWalk restaurants accept reservations. Things are definitely more laid back than Disney but with 7 of you going, I would recommend reservations if there's a place you really want to try. And like Flynnibus said, you can easily leave the parks to hit CityWalk dining and hop back in if you desire.

I'm sure you know but the Potterlands are wonderful and hopefully you have a park hopper ticket to experience the Hogwart's Express. If you can only take it one direction, I'd recommend traveling from King's Cross Station in Uni to Hogsmeade Station in IOA. Both Potter areas are worth visiting at day and again at night.

Many of the rides at Universal require you to leave your backpack, purse, phone, etc. in a locker. No worries, they provide lockers free for your use during the ride.

Like anywhere else you vacation, you can find tons of info online and I highly recommend a little research if you've never been before, it can make all the difference in the world. There are plenty of tips, tricks and fun facts not be missed on your first Uni trip (especially in the potterlands). Older kids (at least mine) have grown to love going to Uni. Hope you have fun!

 

[JoeCamel]

Hi All - I've never been to a Universal Park, but I'm taking (4) 16 year old girls (my daughter and her three best friends), myself, my husband, and my 20 year old son for a week in October.

We are staying at the Loews Pacific Royal (I think that's what it's called) and we'll get the Express Pass thing with our rooms. Could not get club level because it was booked for our room sizes.

What else should I be doing? Making dinner reservations? Is that a thing over at Universal? Dinner in the parks? In the downtown Universal area? I keep thinking I'll have time to research more, but everything I read is 'Universal is different than Disney, it's more laid back', etc.

Am I overthinking this? Is it just a go with the flow kind of place? Do I need to research where to eat lunch in the parks? Do people leave the parks for lunch?

I guess most of my worries are about food - Just want to be sure everyone will have a good time and not go hungry. Will take all tips and tricks.

Do I need a park plan? Do I need to be sure we ride certain things first?

Head over to Orlando Informer for the best Universal planning advice out there, you will have a blast at the parks and HHN is a don't miss. The Royal Pacific is a great place to stay so spend some time reading around that site it is all categized and searchable so you get the best most up to date info available.

I have no affiliation with the parks, hotels or OI just a fan with experience in the parks for years

 

[Jedijax719]

Royal Pacific is awesome! We stayed there in June. Having the express passes was amazing. If you plan to ride Hagrid's Motorbikes, get there at "rope drop" and b-line to it. We did that in June and only had a 10 minute wait. When we were finished, the line was already about an hour (and that was before general admission opening). Not sure how it will be in October-probably not too bad.

Making reservations (especially in October probably) is no different than making a reservation and any of your own local high demand restaurants. I'd suggest making them about a week or two out from your visit.

And watch the pughtwo videos.

 

[erstwo]

Thanks everyone! I haven't had time to read these in depth yet, but I'm just very grateful you all took the time to respond. Will be re-reading and following the suggested additional online reading soon! Thanks again!

 

[Touchdown]

If you do HHN I highly suggest that you have your big CityWalk meal at lunch. You want to take advantage of Stay and Scream (I can seriously knock out 5-7 houses between S&S and the first hour. I always get Express so whatever house I do during that opening hour means I get to go through that house twice (never burn your express ticket when there is a short wait.). Don’t forget that if you get express you also get it for the rides too. I generally start in New York, which this year will probably mean my first house will be Stranger Things, then the Exorcist, Yeti and Dueling Dragons. After that it will be heading to the back of the park and maybe getting Monsters or Last of Us (those are always iffy) before ending my early lap with Odfellow and Darkest Deal. After that opening sprint I usually get my meal (and a much needed walking break) at Leaky or Fast Food Blvd as it gets dark. I then will start systematically and geographically start doing all the houses, scarezones and rides almost always ending back in New York with one of the houses that start at the library or Mummy as my last ride/house sometime around 12:30-1:30.

HHN is amazing but please be aware that the houses all have massive physical queues that take you well beyond normal guest areas and then you need to walk through them. A non HHN day at Universal is a 8-10 mile day for me, WDW is 12-14, HHN is 18-20. Wear comfortable shoes, prepare for the weather, and if you plan on going to Volcano Bay go the next day and spend a majority of your day in the lazy river. I’m in the best shape after my week of HHN that I am all year.

 

[monykalyn]

One other tip-especially if you want to drink something other than water-get a couple of the refillable freestyle cups at the park (different than resort mugs) as you can re-activate these daily. If you like lemonade, soda, Gatorade, teas it’s nice to have. There are freestyle stations all over the parks, and you can share a couple amongst your group.
Don’t skip over the shows-Bourne, Horror make up show, Blues brothers, Beat builders are all fun.
Like @Touchdown said-if you do HHN prepare for walking. That would be the day to sleep in, hang round pool have late lunch or early dinner in city walk and be in park by 430. There’s a LOT of walking. It’s a fantastic event though and I’d highly recommend.

If you remember and want to do so come back after your trip and give a summary of your thoughts. Have a great trip!

 

[puckett26]

Agree with everyone above - great advice. Use opentable to book reservations on same day except for Toothsome's Chocolate Emporium and Mythos. I would book in advance with a party of 7.

I have never stayed onsite but your hotel offers priority seating at all Universal restaurants if booked through the concierge. I would try that if you are struggling with Toothsome and Mythos.

Touring Plans and Orlando Informer offer a lot of great information and reviews, however, the only reason you will need the lines app is for the few number of rides that don't accept Express Pass (Velocicoaster and Hagrid's are a few). Both rides are worth the wait and will have lower wait times early and later in the day. Be careful with Hagrid's towards closing time as they sometimes will not allow guests to get in line up to an hour before closing. The Disney trick of getting in line 5 minutes before closing and basically walking on to the ride does not work here.

I have not tried the waterpark but it looks amazing. Regarding water rides, we take ponchos and turtle up lol which certainly is a less desirable experience. We do not stay on sight so changing clothes is not an option.

Take the smallest backpack possible (even more than 1 if necessary). Lockers are tight and some rides have limited or no larger lockers to fit larger carry on items. Locker areas can be really crowded - we always find the furthest group of lockers away from exit to avoid the madness. You also must scan your park ticket to open and close lockers. Make sure you keep your park ticket on you and remember which one you used for your locker assignment as it will be required to open your locker after returning. Locker attendants will hand you a bar code ticket to use if you are using mobile park tix.

I highly recommend Halloween Horror Nights. It is an amazing experience. HHN requires an express pass to skip the haunted house lines and it is a massive time saver (especially on weekends - may not be necessary mid week but will save lots of time regardless). HHN is HOT due to crowds and the extra amount of walking required. We only hit 6 of 10 houses and took 27K steps in about 6 hours (we also rode which you can skip with express pass tix during day). Highly recommend travel water bottles if possible. Scare factor is not intense because it is a constant line of people but the effects are great. Stick your bravest guest in front and have them point out the jump scares for the chickens.

I also recommend SeaWorld if you have the time and money. SeaWorld tix are usually on sale on their website (be patient I have never paid more than $60 for a one day ticket). Awesome park with fantastic coasters and great animal shows/exhibits. No planning necessary for SeaWorld other than managing show times on the day of your visit.

 

[erstwo]

Make sure you ride Hagrids at both day AND night. It's so awesome at night.

Thanks so much for ALL of the info - but especially for this - I would never have known! And with the HHN, might be good to plan in advance for which night we can ride Hagrids.

I second everything @flynnibus said above.



-I highly suggest the "water rides morning" at IOA. It's one of our favorite things. to do. We pick the hottest day of the trip, go into the park with no bags, just a ziplock bag for phones. We wear clothes and flip-flops/sandals that can get soaked. We start by walking back to Jurassic Park River Adventure, then up to Ripsaw Falls, then we finish at Bilge Rat Barges, which we ride 2 or 3 times in a row until we're absolutely drenched. Then we leave the park (relishing in the astonished looks from people walking by because we look like we fell in the lake), go back to the room, shower and change to head back to the park later.

-If you're going to Volcano Bay water park, one thing I would read up on is how their virtual lines work. You can join one VQ at a time using the TapuTapu wristband you'll get. While you're waiting, you can go in the wave pool, the lazy rivers, or anything that is a Ride Now. Note that the Express Pass from the hotel does not apply to Volcano Bay.
Edit: A quick overview of the TapuTapu for virtual queues.



-Since you're going during Horror Nights season, consider going for a night or two. It's one of the best haunt events in the country. It'll run Wed thru Sun most weeks. (Go midweek, avoid Saturdays) Again, Express Passes from the hotel are not valid during HHN.
Edit: And if doing HHN, read up on how Stay & Scream works. You go in the park during the day using your day ticket, then enter one of the S&S corrals before the park closes at 5. You'll then get an early jump on a couple of houses when they open before official HHN time. It's invaluable, especially if you don't buy the add-on HHN Express passes.


-Rob

Thanks, Rob! I LOVE the IOA water rides itinerary. I'm going to suggest it to my group! We can go to Volcano Bay with our tickets, but so far - no interest from my group, but if anything changes, this is great to know.
I'm not sure I would survive HHN (scared of everything already), but the rest of my group might be up for it. Thanks!

First off, good tips by Flynnibus and Rob 562.

Great choice with Royal Pacific and getting the unlimited express pass. You can walk or boat to the parks and CityWalk, which is a nice change from almost every Disney hotel. And you will pass through security at the end of your pathway to the parks which is a nice perk to not wait in line with the parking garage masses. You'll exit your walking path right at the bridge to IOA. The boats will drop you off in between both parks in CityWalk. Also, with your RP stay you will get early entry into the parks if you choose to take advantage. And RP recently renovated the common areas with the Tuk Tuk Market being a nice grab-n-go option in the mornings. We went to eat sushi one night at Orchid Court Lounge and realized reservations would have helped tremendously.

On the idea of dining reservations, there are a few in park places that will accept them (Mythos being one of the harder ones to get). And most of the full service CityWalk restaurants accept reservations. Things are definitely more laid back than Disney but with 7 of you going, I would recommend reservations if there's a place you really want to try. And like Flynnibus said, you can easily leave the parks to hit CityWalk dining and hop back in if you desire.

I'm sure you know but the Potterlands are wonderful and hopefully you have a park hopper ticket to experience the Hogwart's Express. If you can only take it one direction, I'd recommend traveling from King's Cross Station in Uni to Hogsmeade Station in IOA. Both Potter areas are worth visiting at day and again at night.

Many of the rides at Universal require you to leave your backpack, purse, phone, etc. in a locker. No worries, they provide lockers free for your use during the ride.

Like anywhere else you vacation, you can find tons of info online and I highly recommend a little research if you've never been before, it can make all the difference in the world. There are plenty of tips, tricks and fun facts not be missed on your first Uni trip (especially in the potterlands). Older kids (at least mine) have grown to love going to Uni. Hope you have fun!

Thanks so much - especially the backpack advice. Even though my kids are adults themselves now, I still tote around a big backpack. Good to know to think small at Universal.
My son finished all the Potter books the summer after 5th grade and he and my husband went to both Universal parks that October. They loved the Potterlands, so I'm looking forward to experiencing them with him for the first time!

Head over to Orlando Informer for the best Universal planning advice out there, you will have a blast at the parks and HHN is a don't miss. The Royal Pacific is a great place to stay so spend some time reading around that site it is all categized and searchable so you get the best most up to date info available.

I have no affiliation with the parks, hotels or OI just a fan with experience in the parks for years

Thank you! I will check out Orlando Informer.

Royal Pacific is awesome! We stayed there in June. Having the express passes was amazing. If you plan to ride Hagrid's Motorbikes, get there at "rope drop" and b-line to it. We did that in June and only had a 10 minute wait. When we were finished, the line was already about an hour (and that was before general admission opening). Not sure how it will be in October-probably not too bad.

Making reservations (especially in October probably) is no different than making a reservation and any of your own local high demand restaurants. I'd suggest making them about a week or two out from your visit.

And watch the pughtwo videos.

Thank you! I will check out the videos!

If you do HHN I highly suggest that you have your big CityWalk meal at lunch. You want to take advantage of Stay and Scream (I can seriously knock out 5-7 houses between S&S and the first hour. I always get Express so whatever house I do during that opening hour means I get to go through that house twice (never burn your express ticket when there is a short wait.). Don’t forget that if you get express you also get it for the rides too. I generally start in New York, which this year will probably mean my first house will be Stranger Things, then the Exorcist, Yeti and Dueling Dragons. After that it will be heading to the back of the park and maybe getting Monsters or Last of Us (those are always iffy) before ending my early lap with Odfellow and Darkest Deal. After that opening sprint I usually get my meal (and a much needed walking break) at Leaky or Fast Food Blvd as it gets dark. I then will start systematically and geographically start doing all the houses, scarezones and rides almost always ending back in New York with one of the houses that start at the library or Mummy as my last ride/house sometime around 12:30-1:30.

HHN is amazing but please be aware that the houses all have massive physical queues that take you well beyond normal guest areas and then you need to walk through them. A non HHN day at Universal is a 8-10 mile day for me, WDW is 12-14, HHN is 18-20. Wear comfortable shoes, prepare for the weather, and if you plan on going to Volcano Bay go the next day and spend a majority of your day in the lazy river. I’m in the best shape after my week of HHN that I am all year.

Still unsure about HHN, but if my group goes this will be great info - thank you!

One other tip-especially if you want to drink something other than water-get a couple of the refillable freestyle cups at the park (different than resort mugs) as you can re-activate these daily. If you like lemonade, soda, Gatorade, teas it’s nice to have. There are freestyle stations all over the parks, and you can share a couple amongst your group.
Don’t skip over the shows-Bourne, Horror make up show, Blues brothers, Beat builders are all fun.
Like @Touchdown said-if you do HHN prepare for walking. That would be the day to sleep in, hang round pool have late lunch or early dinner in city walk and be in park by 430. There’s a LOT of walking. It’s a fantastic event though and I’d highly recommend.

If you remember and want to do so come back after your trip and give a summary of your thoughts. Have a great trip!

Thank you! I think the Blues Brothers show will be a must do for us - I always say my husband (a native of Chicago) gives two tours of Chicago - the Ferris Bueller tour and the Blues Brother's tour "this is the stoplight where they run the red light........." So he will love that!
Thanks for the Freestyle machine/ mug info too!

Agree with everyone above - great advice. Use opentable to book reservations on same day except for Toothsome's Chocolate Emporium and Mythos. I would book in advance with a party of 7.

I have never stayed onsite but your hotel offers priority seating at all Universal restaurants if booked through the concierge. I would try that if you are struggling with Toothsome and Mythos.

Touring Plans and Orlando Informer offer a lot of great information and reviews, however, the only reason you will need the lines app is for the few number of rides that don't accept Express Pass (Velocicoaster and Hagrid's are a few). Both rides are worth the wait and will have lower wait times early and later in the day. Be careful with Hagrid's towards closing time as they sometimes will not allow guests to get in line up to an hour before closing. The Disney trick of getting in line 5 minutes before closing and basically walking on to the ride does not work here.

I have not tried the waterpark but it looks amazing. Regarding water rides, we take ponchos and turtle up lol which certainly is a less desirable experience. We do not stay on sight so changing clothes is not an option.

Take the smallest backpack possible (even more than 1 if necessary). Lockers are tight and some rides have limited or no larger lockers to fit larger carry on items. Locker areas can be really crowded - we always find the furthest group of lockers away from exit to avoid the madness. You also must scan your park ticket to open and close lockers. Make sure you keep your park ticket on you and remember which one you used for your locker assignment as it will be required to open your locker after returning. Locker attendants will hand you a bar code ticket to use if you are using mobile park tix.

I highly recommend Halloween Horror Nights. It is an amazing experience. HHN requires an express pass to skip the haunted house lines and it is a massive time saver (especially on weekends - may not be necessary mid week but will save lots of time regardless). HHN is HOT due to crowds and the extra amount of walking required. We only hit 6 of 10 houses and took 27K steps in about 6 hours (we also rode which you can skip with express pass tix during day). Highly recommend travel water bottles if possible. Scare factor is not intense because it is a constant line of people but the effects are great. Stick your bravest guest in front and have them point out the jump scares for the chickens.

I also recommend SeaWorld if you have the time and money. SeaWorld tix are usually on sale on their website (be patient I have never paid more than $60 for a one day ticket). Awesome park with fantastic coasters and great animal shows/exhibits. No planning necessary for SeaWorld other than managing show times on the day of your visit.

Thanks so much for all of this! I had no idea about the concierge - Great info!

 

[erstwo]

Thanks again for all of your help, everyone.

We arrive at Universal on Sunday and depart on Thursday. There will be HHN on the Sunday and Wednesday we are there - I've made dinner reservations for Toothsome on Sunday and Mythos on Wednesday.

I have some new questions:

• We arrive in Orlando on Saturday evening. Staying a random Hilton nearby and we'll be ready to go first thing Sunday morning. I assume it's just like Disney - we can drop our luggage with bell services at the hotel and go to the Universal parks?
• Speaking of the parks - how do I get our park tickets? Front desk of the hotel?
• What's the best way to give four teenage girls spending money? Just give them each cash? A Universal gift card? Can they charge to the room?
• Is it safe for the girls to walk from the parks to the hotel alone? I know safety is never guaranteed, but I feel so safe on Disney property - is it the same feeling at Universal?

 

[flynnibus]

Thanks again for all of your help, everyone.

We arrive at Universal on Sunday and depart on Thursday. There will be HHN on the Sunday and Wednesday we are there - I've made dinner reservations for Toothsome on Sunday and Mythos on Wednesday.

I have some new questions:

• We arrive in Orlando on Saturday evening. Staying a random Hilton nearby and we'll be ready to go first thing Sunday morning. I assume it's just like Disney - we can drop our luggage with bell services at the hotel and go to the Universal parks?
• Speaking of the parks - how do I get our park tickets? Front desk of the hotel?
• What's the best way to give four teenage girls spending money? Just give them each cash? A Universal gift card? Can they charge to the room?
• Is it safe for the girls to walk from the parks to the hotel alone? I know safety is never guaranteed, but I feel so safe on Disney property - is it the same feeling at Universal?

If staying at a UNI hotel with express pass you can check in at the hotel in the morning and they give your passes, and they have a bell desk for bag check. Be there early so you can make it back to the parks before opening. If you are staying at the non-express hotels, I can't say for certain, but I assume they have a bell desk too.

Park tickets - how did you buy them? Your express pass comes from your hotel, but your park ticket usually comes from the ticket source.

Teenage girls - I'd just give them cash. You can't charge back to the rooms except at the hotel itself AFAIK.

Which hotel are you staying at? For the canal connected hotels (the original 'deluxe' properties) you can consider that area all very safe and just like moving around a Disney park. For teenagers in a group I'd feel safe leaving them to come and go.

 

[wdwfan4ver]

Thanks again for all of your help, everyone.

We arrive at Universal on Sunday and depart on Thursday. There will be HHN on the Sunday and Wednesday we are there - I've made dinner reservations for Toothsome on Sunday and Mythos on Wednesday.

I have some new questions:

• We arrive in Orlando on Saturday evening. Staying a random Hilton nearby and we'll be ready to go first thing Sunday morning. I assume it's just like Disney - we can drop our luggage with bell services at the hotel and go to the Universal parks?
• Speaking of the parks - how do I get our park tickets? Front desk of the hotel?
• What's the best way to give four teenage girls spending money? Just give them each cash? A Universal gift card? Can they charge to the room?
• Is it safe for the girls to walk from the parks to the hotel alone? I know safety is never guaranteed, but I feel so safe on Disney property - is it the same feeling at Universal?

I never stayed at Hilton, but stayed at Loews Royal Pacific. I know Loews has the option of dropping luggage off and go the parks.

I don't know about Hilton about tickets for sure. I know at Loews Royal Pacific is main lobby since I have Unlimited express pass and how my trip was booked. I think asking about front desk wouldn't hurt.

Loews Royal Pacific is different than Hilton due to boat transportation to City Walk and Loews Royal Pacific guests have Unlimited Express Pass for free. I get back to hotel by 3. The parks and City Walk are safe for morning and Afternoon based on my experience. Don't know about night since I never went at Night.

Cash to teens is the best option.

 

[erstwo]

If staying at a UNI hotel with express pass you can check in at the hotel in the morning and they give your passes, and they have a bell desk for bag check. Be there early so you can make it back to the parks before opening. If you are staying at the non-express hotels, I can't say for certain, but I assume they have a bell desk too.

Park tickets - how did you buy them? Your express pass comes from your hotel, but your park ticket usually comes from the ticket source.

Teenage girls - I'd just give them cash. You can't charge back to the rooms except at the hotel itself AFAIK.

Which hotel are you staying at? For the canal connected hotels (the original 'deluxe' properties) you can consider that area all very safe and just like moving around a Disney park. For teenagers in a group I'd feel safe leaving them to come and go.

Thanks - we are staying at an offsite Hilton Saturday night. Then we check into Loews Royal Pacific on Sunday and stay there for the duration of the trip.
I bought a package deal from Universal - tickets and hotel room. I'll see if I got any instructions on the tickets, but I haven't seen anything so far.

I never stayed at Hilton, but stayed at Loews Royal Pacific. I know Loews has the option of dropping luggage off and go the parks.

I don't know about Hilton about tickets for sure. I know at Loews Royal Pacific is main lobby since I have Unlimited express pass and how my trip was booked. I think asking about front desk wouldn't hurt.

Loews Royal Pacific is different than Hilton due to boat transportation to City Walk and Loews Royal Pacific guests have Unlimited Express Pass for free. I get back to hotel by 3. The parks and City Walk are safe for morning and Afternoon based on my experience. Don't know about night since I never went at Night.

Cash to teens is the best option.

Thanks to you as well! This is great info.

 

[flynnibus]

Thanks - we are staying at an offsite Hilton Saturday night. Then we check into Loews Royal Pacific on Sunday and stay there for the duration of the trip.
I bought a package deal from Universal - tickets and hotel room. I'll see if I got any instructions on the tickets, but I haven't seen anything so far.

So parks open at 8am on Sunday, and IOA has 1hr early admission as well. If IOA is your park for that day, be sure to get there a bit earlier than 7 for the early admission and go straight to Hagrids (IMO). Get a ride in, and then head to velocicoaster or maybe Hagrids for ride #2.

Royal Pacific is either a boat ride or walk from the parks. If it were me, I'd plan to arrive at the hotel at 5:45am, gives me 0-30mins to park, check-in, get passes. Then walk to the dock and boat over to citywalk and head to the IOA gate and hope to be there about 6:45am for the 7am early entry.

When we did this in the spring... there was no dedicated express pass pickup line in the lobby at the hotel, even tho signs/etc said there should be.

Check the website for details about your tickets or just call uni reservations if you want to be clear. They largely are scan a barcode kind of model now.

 

[Raidermatt]

If you are fine getting up for early entery, by all means do so. But if you aren't early birds it is not really necessary since you have Express. Hagrid's is the only attraction not using it, but our experience is the waits have been significantly overstated lately. As in posted 90 but in reality 50. Also, the lines are shorter at the end of the day.

Backpacks- The locker areas do have large lockers available, but there is a charge, either $2 or $5 depending on the location. You pay with a CC. I did this often as I carry a full size backpack for the family ponchos and such.

Tickets- Yes, you really do need to check the instructions for how to get your tickets. You can probably get them on your phone.

$'s for the teens - Cash works. You can also set them up for charging, but it might affect how much of a hold they put on your credit card. They told us something to that effect but I didn't need for them to have charging so we didn't do it. But yes, you can room charge in the parks and around the resort using your room key.

Express Pass - This will be on your room key and you get them when you check in.

 

[erstwo]

So parks open at 8am on Sunday, and IOA has 1hr early admission as well. If IOA is your park for that day, be sure to get there a bit earlier than 7 for the early admission and go straight to Hagrids (IMO). Get a ride in, and then head to velocicoaster or maybe Hagrids for ride #2.

Royal Pacific is either a boat ride or walk from the parks. If it were me, I'd plan to arrive at the hotel at 5:45am, gives me 0-30mins to park, check-in, get passes. Then walk to the dock and boat over to citywalk and head to the IOA gate and hope to be there about 6:45am for the 7am early entry.

When we did this in the spring... there was no dedicated express pass pickup line in the lobby at the hotel, even tho signs/etc said there should be.

Check the website for details about your tickets or just call uni reservations if you want to be clear. They largely are scan a barcode kind of model now.

Thank you! I called Universal reservations and they said I'd pick up my tickets at the 'will call' desk at the hotel. I'll see how it goes! I have a feeling I won't be able to get everyone up and out the door by 5:15/ 5:30 - so I'm going to hope for getting them up bright and early on Monday to ride Hagrids. (since we'll have an early-ish night on Sunday)

I'm assuming if we don't get to the hotel until 9 am-ish it will probably be a lot busier and we'll have to wait longer to get our tickets/ get checked in. I hate to miss the early morning calm, but these girls are already going to be struggling with the time zone change.

If you are fine getting up for early entery, by all means do so. But if you aren't early birds it is not really necessary since you have Express. Hagrid's is the only attraction not using it, but our experience is the waits have been significantly overstated lately. As in posted 90 but in reality 50. Also, the lines are shorter at the end of the day.

Backpacks- The locker areas do have large lockers available, but there is a charge, either $2 or $5 depending on the location. You pay with a CC. I did this often as I carry a full size backpack for the family ponchos and such.

Tickets- Yes, you really do need to check the instructions for how to get your tickets. You can probably get them on your phone.

$'s for the teens - Cash works. You can also set them up for charging, but it might affect how much of a hold they put on your credit card. They told us something to that effect but I didn't need for them to have charging so we didn't do it. But yes, you can room charge in the parks and around the resort using your room key.

Express Pass - This will be on your room key and you get them when you check in.

Thank you for all of this - but especially the wait time info!

 

[JoeCamel]

Thank you! I called Universal reservations and they said I'd pick up my tickets at the 'will call' desk at the hotel. I'll see how it goes! I have a feeling I won't be able to get everyone up and out the door by 5:15/ 5:30 - so I'm going to hope for getting them up bright and early on Monday to ride Hagrids. (since we'll have an early-ish night on Sunday)

I'm assuming if we don't get to the hotel until 9 am-ish it will probably be a lot busier and we'll have to wait longer to get our tickets/ get checked in. I hate to miss the early morning calm, but these girls are already going to be struggling with the time zone change.

Thank you for all of this - but especially the wait time info!

It sounds like that first day you wake and hit RPR with your bags as early as possible to get your express passes and tickets then head over to the parks while your room is being readied. (They will text you) then you are set for your stay
You will have a great time and do everything you have outlined just don't push too much

 

[erstwo]

We have had the BEST time. Thanks everyone for all of the advice.
They had a blast