Park to Park tickets - necessary or no?

[stargrl33]

Starting to price out a Universal trip for January. I haven't been since I was six (1991) so we have a lot to see and do.
We can afford to stay at Cabana, which unfortunately doesn't offer the Universal Express as one of its perks - so I was looking at getting 4 day park passes. This will give us more than enough time to see both parks, factoring in heavy wait times without the express pass. I'm looking at the week of the 18th which has low-medium crowd forecasts but I don't like to assume it's going to be slow, especially since the 18th is a holiday.
I was going to grab the park to park passes so we could go back and forth between the 2 parks each day - but I noticed that the Undercover Tourist site has a 2 day base ticket with 2 extra days - a lot cheaper than the 4 day park to park pass.
So my question is this - do I really need the park to park pass at Universal? Or can I save some money here?
Thanks in advance. (Also, I'm wondering if 4 days is too much - would 3 be better?)

 

[lazyboy97o]

You will need park-to-park admission if you wish to experience the Hogwarts Express.

Three days is also probably plenty of time. Even busy days at Universal Orlando Resort don't seem to be quite so insanely busy.

 

[EngineJoe]

Starting to price out a Universal trip for January. I haven't been since I was six (1991) so we have a lot to see and do.
We can afford to stay at Cabana, which unfortunately doesn't offer the Universal Express as one of its perks - so I was looking at getting 4 day park passes. This will give us more than enough time to see both parks, factoring in heavy wait times without the express pass. I'm looking at the week of the 18th which has low-medium crowd forecasts but I don't like to assume it's going to be slow, especially since the 18th is a holiday.
I was going to grab the park to park passes so we could go back and forth between the 2 parks each day - but I noticed that the Undercover Tourist site has a 2 day base ticket with 2 extra days - a lot cheaper than the 4 day park to park pass.
So my question is this - do I really need the park to park pass at Universal? Or can I save some money here?
Thanks in advance. (Also, I'm wondering if 4 days is too much - would 3 be better?)

As I mentioned in the other thread you are hitting the peak time of Brazilian Tour Group season (It's their summer vacation). It's a double whammy if you also hit the MLK weekend. Expect Disney to be very crowded and at the very least one of the two Universal parks to be packed with the Brazilian Tour Groups. Frankly December/January/February is no longer a good time to go because of too many Brazilian Tour Groups making the parks crowded.

October is actually the ideal time. I just came back from Orlando and did the much cheaper 4 day park option and one park each day was more than enough. (Added bonus of October is you can do the Haloween Horrors nights Haunted Mazes for an additional fee)

I was also at Universal last january and had the park to park one day pass because I wanted to ride the Hogwarts train. It's okay. The Kings Cross London Station on the Universal side is very nice, but the train ride itself was a little underwhelming. If the park is crowded then you may have to wait an hour to ride the 2 minute train ride and then it becomes quicker to just go around the front gates of the parks.

The main advantage I had with the park to park last january was that when I got to the Islands of Adventure on the Hogwarts Train I realized that it was overrun with the Brazilian Tour Groups. They were everywhere shoulder to shoulder in Hogsmead and the Lost Continent so I quickly ran back to Universal where it was less crowded since the Brazilian Tour Groups don't seem to get the park hopper.

The other thing I think you can do is that Universal always lets you upgrade your ticket, so on the last day I think you can upgrade that last day to a park to park if you really want to ride the Hogwarts train.

Also if the resort is too cheap then the Brazilian Tour Groups will likely be staying there also. And then you have the problem of them staying up till 3 AM in the hallways and not being able to get to sleep. You may want to read this trip advisor review from another Universal resort to get an idea.

"A good property ruined: now a Brazilian teen tour group place”:
http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUser...ort_at_Universal_Orlando-Orlando_Florida.html

 

[stargrl33]

As I mentioned in the other thread you are hitting the peak time of Brazilian Tour Group season (It's their summer vacation). It's a double whammy if you also hit the MLK weekend. Expect Disney to be very crowded and at the very least one of the two Universal parks to be packed with the Brazilian Tour Groups. Frankly December/January/February is no longer a good time to go because of too many Brazilian Tour Groups making the parks crowded.

October is actually the ideal time. I just came back from Orlando and did the much cheaper 4 day park option and one park each day was more than enough. (Added bonus of October is you can do the Haloween Horrors nights Haunted Mazes for an additional fee)

I was also at Universal last january and had the park to park one day pass because I wanted to ride the Hogwarts train. It's okay. The Kings Cross London Station on the Universal side is very nice, but the train ride itself was a little underwhelming. If the park is crowded then you may have to wait an hour to ride the 2 minute train ride and then it becomes quicker to just go around the front gates of the parks.

The main advantage I had with the park to park last january was that when I got to the Islands of Adventure on the Hogwarts Train I realized that it was overrun with the Brazilian Tour Groups. They were everywhere shoulder to shoulder in Hogsmead and the Lost Continent so I quickly ran back to Universal where it was less crowded since the Brazilian Tour Groups don't seem to get the park hopper.

The other thing I think you can do is that Universal always lets you upgrade your ticket, so on the last day I think you can upgrade that last day to a park to park if you really want to ride the Hogwarts train.

Also if the resort is too cheap then the Brazilian Tour Groups will likely be staying there also. And then you have the problem of them staying up till 3 AM in the hallways and not being able to get to sleep. You may want to read this trip advisor review from another Universal resort to get an idea.

"A good property ruined: now a Brazilian teen tour group place”:
http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUser...ort_at_Universal_Orlando-Orlando_Florida.html

Thank you for the info. I suspect the tour groups are all staying at the other Universal hotels since they seem to be fully booked. Still don't feel like running into them in the actual parks though...I've adjusted my dates a little and looking at the end of January/beginning of February and I think I'm going to crunch some numbers for late April/early May. October is too far away and we may have other plans in the fall. Again, thanks so much!

 

[EngineJoe]

Thank you for the info. I suspect the tour groups are all staying at the other Universal hotels since they seem to be fully booked. Still don't feel like running into them in the actual parks though...I've adjusted my dates a little and looking at the end of January/beginning of February and I think I'm going to crunch some numbers for late April/early May. October is too far away and we may have other plans in the fall. Again, thanks so much!

Early February you will still see them as their summer vacation winds down but not as bad as later Dec/Jan.

I don't think I have ever been in May but from reading everything it seems that besides October, late April/May may be the other window when the Brazilian Tour Groups aren't in Orlando. June and definitely July are really bad, and I've read even Aug and Sept.

When I was there last week, I didn't run into one Brazilian between Oct 28-Nov 1 (which coincides with Universal Horror and Disney Not So Scary Haloween). The only foreign accent I heard was British. Then like clockwork on Nov 2 (Haloween festivites over), I started to hear alot of Portuguese. These were mostly rich Brazilian families and adults but they were isolated small groups and they were well behaved and nice. It's really just the large teen Brazilian Tour Groups that some people find really annoying (although I haven't had any problem with them and I enjoy their chants and marching. The other main complaints seem to be that the teens running over children or guests, having 50 people cut in line or opening and throwing merchandise on the floor in the Disney stores) and just by sheer numbers crowd up the parks (which mean longer wait times).

This thread has some discussion on when they will be in Orlando:
http://www.disboards.com/threads/just-wondering-about-brazilian-tour-groups.1529553/

 

[JoeCamel]

Thank you for the info. I suspect the tour groups are all staying at the other Universal hotels since they seem to be fully booked. Still don't feel like running into them in the actual parks though...I've adjusted my dates a little and looking at the end of January/beginning of February and I think I'm going to crunch some numbers for late April/early May. October is too far away and we may have other plans in the fall. Again, thanks so much!

End of January is the Harry Potter celebration and that is a package deal for most people with hotel, admission and special events included so it does get busy during those three days specially in the Potterlands.

 

[BrianV]

Been in January several times. I think the tour groups are far less overwhelming than others would have you believe. I saw them, but they were just enjoying the parks like any others. I'm sure there are exceptions. Never saw any chanting, cutting in line, etc. they were every bit as polite as Americans , for what that is worth!

As for tickets. If you are a Harry potter fan, the train ride is really fun. Not a make or break, but it is part of the experience. Consider pricing out an annual pass, the power pass. That would then allow you to get a hotel discount, give you park to park, and depending might actually only cost a tiny bit more or break even.

Avoid the last weekend of January as that is the hp celebration as someone else mentioned. That said, still is is the off season and pretty quiet.

Have fun. Unlike wdw, very little planning is needed. Just enjoy!!

 

[EngineJoe]

Easy to say get an annual pass if you live in Florida. For the rest of us an annual pass does not make sense and we have one shot at avoiding a potential bad experience with large crowds and Brazilian tour groups. For you annual pass people you have a bad day, you just go again so there's little investment or risk.

 

[BrianV]

Easy to say get an annual pass if you live in Florida. For the rest of us an annual pass does not make sense and we have one shot at avoiding a potential bad experience with large crowds and Brazilian tour groups. For you annual pass people you have a bad day, you just go again so there's little investment or risk.

I live in boston, ma. We got an annual pass last January when we realized that the incremental cost over a 3 day park to park ticket was less than the savings we would get at the royal pacific. (For two of us, without our kids, incremental cost was $130, total savings was $150). No brainer, Brazilians or not.

Of course, once you have an annual pass, you find ways to use it again and again. We did go back this past summer. That time there were no ap hotel discounts (boo) but our tickets were free...but did have to buy the kids tickets!). And we decided to go again January and make the most of the pass. This time we are saving more like $60/ day.

 

[EngineJoe]

I live in boston, ma. We got an annual pass last January when we realized that the incremental cost over a 3 day park to park ticket was less than the savings we would get at the royal pacific. (For two of us, without our kids, incremental cost was $130, total savings was $150). No brainer, Brazilians or not.

Of course, once you have an annual pass, you find ways to use it again and again. We did go back this past summer. That time there were no ap hotel discounts (boo) but our tickets were free...but did have to buy the kids tickets!). And we decided to go again January and make the most of the pass. This time we are saving more like $60/ day.

Well there it is, lol. You are going 3 times in one year I don't know how you can compare that to a person who is going once every 10-15 years. Sure if you go 3 times a year, for what 10 days then it's not a Big deal if you end up running into big crowds or BTG/turisimos on one of those days.

 

[stargrl33]

I live in boston, ma. We got an annual pass last January when we realized that the incremental cost over a 3 day park to park ticket was less than the savings we would get at the royal pacific. (For two of us, without our kids, incremental cost was $130, total savings was $150). No brainer, Brazilians or not.

Of course, once you have an annual pass, you find ways to use it again and again. We did go back this past summer. That time there were no ap hotel discounts (boo) but our tickets were free...but did have to buy the kids tickets!). And we decided to go again January and make the most of the pass. This time we are saving more like $60/ day.

Question about the AP . . . I've only ever had an AP to Six Flags, and I know that when you buy one, you end up having to wait in line when you get to the park to get your picture taken, card made up, etc. Is it like that for Universal as well? Just curious. Obviously if the savings were worth it, I wouldn't complain about the first hour in the theme park being wasted on it, but I'd like to know just in case.

 

[EngineJoe]

Question about the AP . . . I've only ever had an AP to Six Flags, and I know that when you buy one, you end up having to wait in line when you get to the park to get your picture taken, card made up, etc. Is it like that for Universal as well? Just curious. Obviously if the savings were worth it, I wouldn't complain about the first hour in the theme park being wasted on it, but I'd like to know just in case.

There's a lot of info here on it:
http://orlandoinformer.com/universa...counts-for-annual-passholders-complete-guide/

"Picking up your Universal Orlando annual pass
As the policy sits right now, you can print out annual passes at any of the on-site hotel’s Will Call Kiosks if you purchased a non-Florida resident pass"

 

[lazyboy97o]

Question about the AP . . . I've only ever had an AP to Six Flags, and I know that when you buy one, you end up having to wait in line when you get to the park to get your picture taken, card made up, etc. Is it like that for Universal as well? Just curious. Obviously if the savings were worth it, I wouldn't complain about the first hour in the theme park being wasted on it, but I'd like to know just in case.

No. You can order the passes online and get them at the automated Will Call kiosks. Like Disney, the tickets use biometrics and no photo. If the machines aren't being cooperative you'll have to go to Guest Relations and in the morning that line can move frustratingly slowly as you listen to people complain that they want a refund since they were never told that the ride featuring Bugs Bunny fighting Gandolf isn't in the Universal parks.

 

[BrianV]

Well there it is, lol. You are going 3 times in one year I don't know how you can compare that to a person who is going once every 10-15 years. Sure if you go 3 times a year, for what 10 days then it's not a Big deal if you end up running into big crowds or BTG/turisimos on one of those days.

Totally missed my point.

The power pass paid for itself in one (1!) trip. Hopefully that is more succinct.

 

[BrianV]

There's a lot of info here on it:
http://orlandoinformer.com/universa...counts-for-annual-passholders-complete-guide/

"Picking up your Universal Orlando annual pass
As the policy sits right now, you can print out annual passes at any of the on-site hotel’s Will Call Kiosks if you purchased a non-Florida resident pass"

Agreed. Also, if you arrive mid day, the lines are minimal at the parks. They are terrible first thing in the day.

 

[JoeCamel]

Printing your pass might take all of 1 minute if you have the credit card you used to purchase the pass, it can be done at any of the onsite hotels as well if you are staying onsite.

 

[JediMasterMatt]

We can afford to stay at Cabana, which unfortunately doesn't offer the Universal Express as one of its perks - so I was looking at getting 4 day park passes. This will give us more than enough time to see both parks, factoring in heavy wait times without the express pass. I'm looking at the week of the 18th which has low-medium crowd forecasts but I don't like to assume it's going to be slow, especially since the 18th is a holiday.

Time is the most valuable commodity on vacation. It always will be. Even more so than actual money, time is ticking away in the background and vacations are always an effort to maximize it for the money you invest.

Put some serious thought into rethinking the whole Deluxe/Cabana Bay value proposition. There are ways to minimize that expense.

Take advantage of the perk of the unlimited Express Pass on both your check in and check out day. If you are planning on staying four days, you could check in at Royal Pacific on day one and use it's unlimited Express on day one and two. Check into a different hotel on day two. Check back into Royal Pacific on day three and you are covered for the entire four days with unlimited Express and early entry.

If you are considering an Annual Pass, they offer deep discounts on the deluxe resorts. Really eye opening value proposition compared to the Mouse down the road.

I've been to UO many, many times with the majority of those visits taking place in January/February. Even during the slow times of the year, Express Pass is still a valuable commodity. Whether you are taking a peak season 120 minute wait and shaving it down to 20 minutes or a slow season wait of 20 minutes and making it a walk on, you are still stock piling up the valuable time commodity. Express Pass in January is often like exclusive ride time with no waits. It's common for some of the lower capacity attractions to still have 20 - 40 minute waits that you can completely bypass. Each time you save 20 minutes with Express in January easily translates into another attraction that you can experience and gain at least a 2:1 advantage over not having it.

As long as Universal is offering "free" Unlimited Express, I'll find a way to swing the extra charge for Royal Pacific versus Cabana Bay. It's far too powerful a tool to leave on the table for the 2 days worth of value you get out of every night you spend there.

 

[BrianV]

Time is the most valuable commodity on vacation. It always will be. Even more so than actual money, time is ticking away in the background and vacations are always an effort to maximize it for the money you invest.

Put some serious thought into rethinking the whole Deluxe/Cabana Bay value proposition. There are ways to minimize that expense.

Take advantage of the perk of the unlimited Express Pass on both your check in and check out day. If you are planning on staying four days, you could check in at Royal Pacific on day one and use it's unlimited Express on day one and two. Check into a different hotel on day two. Check back into Royal Pacific on day three and you are covered for the entire four days with unlimited Express and early entry.

If you are considering an Annual Pass, they offer deep discounts on the deluxe resorts. Really eye opening value proposition compared to the Mouse down the road.

I've been to UO many, many times with the majority of those visits taking place in January/February. Even during the slow times of the year, Express Pass is still a valuable commodity. Whether you are taking a peak season 120 minute wait and shaving it down to 20 minutes or a slow season wait of 20 minutes and making it a walk on, you are still stock piling up the valuable time commodity. Express Pass in January is often like exclusive ride time with no waits. It's common for some of the lower capacity attractions to still have 20 - 40 minute waits that you can completely bypass. Each time you save 20 minutes with Express in January easily translates into another attraction that you can experience and gain at least a 2:1 advantage over not having it.

As long as Universal is offering "free" Unlimited Express, I'll find a way to swing the extra charge for Royal Pacific versus Cabana Bay. It's far too powerful a tool to leave on the table for the 2 days worth of value you get out of every night you spend there.

Totally agree. Another post was talking about being paid to watch tv while at universal. Nice, but I don't have enough time to sell while on vacation. Free express pass is what makes me come back to universal as opposed to some other parks as it gives me more time.

 

[EngineJoe]

Time is the most valuable commodity on vacation. It always will be. Even more so than actual money, time is ticking away in the background and vacations are always an effort to maximize it for the money you invest.

Put some serious thought into rethinking the whole Deluxe/Cabana Bay value proposition. There are ways to minimize that expense.

Take advantage of the perk of the unlimited Express Pass on both your check in and check out day. If you are planning on staying four days, you could check in at Royal Pacific on day one and use it's unlimited Express on day one and two. Check into a different hotel on day two. Check back into Royal Pacific on day three and you are covered for the entire four days with unlimited Express and early entry.

If you are considering an Annual Pass, they offer deep discounts on the deluxe resorts. Really eye opening value proposition compared to the Mouse down the road.

I've been to UO many, many times with the majority of those visits taking place in January/February. Even during the slow times of the year, Express Pass is still a valuable commodity. Whether you are taking a peak season 120 minute wait and shaving it down to 20 minutes or a slow season wait of 20 minutes and making it a walk on, you are still stock piling up the valuable time commodity. Express Pass in January is often like exclusive ride time with no waits. It's common for some of the lower capacity attractions to still have 20 - 40 minute waits that you can completely bypass. Each time you save 20 minutes with Express in January easily translates into another attraction that you can experience and gain at least a 2:1 advantage over not having it.

As long as Universal is offering "free" Unlimited Express, I'll find a way to swing the extra charge for Royal Pacific versus Cabana Bay. It's far too powerful a tool to leave on the table for the 2 days worth of value you get out of every night you spend there.

Agreed. But you could also just go in May or Oct and bypass the brazilains, turisimos and spring breakers. I was at islands of adventure/ universal two weeks ago and my longest wait was 5 minutes on Harry Potter castle, gringots ride, dragon coaster, mib, etc. the only one with long waits were Simpsons (40 min) and pteranodon flyer (which was 45 minutes till later in the afternoon when it went down to 20 min).

 

[stargrl33]

Just wanted to thank everyone again for their advice. I'm going to book our trip soon, probably in the next two days - we decided to go in May. Most likely going to stay at Cabana Bay and get park to park passes. I looked into getting an AP and using the discount to stay at a hotel that offers the free Express Pass for a night- but when I go on vacation, I don't exactly relish the thought of switching hotels mid-trip. But I could change my mind again in the next 48 hours, who knows!