Spending a day at Universal

[eeyoremum]

Hi, We are staying at PC in September. I was thinking of spending one day at Universal. I have a few questions:1. We are not renting a car so will need a taxi. Any idea of cost?2. How much are tickets?3. I was told that my 7 year old would still be too small for the rides. Is this true? Thanks for your help

 

[nicolita3]

1. you will need a taxi it will be about $20-25.
2. If you get your tickets online you can get them where kids are free if you buy an adult, check out the website for universal, but i think it is about $56 for adults.
3. your child may be a little young for islands of adventure but probably old enough for universal studios.

i hope this helps you!!!

 

[nicolita3]

oh! the difference between islands of adventures and universal, islands has a lot more rollercoaster type of rides! once again i hope this helps!!!

 

[KCBroadway]

I agree with everyone that Universal may be better suited for a 7 year old because of the rides. However, Islands of Adventure is a lot of fun and he may really like the theming/architecture - especially in the Dr. Suess and comic book areas - VERY bright and colorful. There would also be rides in those areas he should be able to go on (depending on his height). One thing my husband and I have learned about spending time at Universal during your Disney trip is that it is worth staying at one of their on-site hotels for a night simply to get the unlimited Express Pass. The lines can be long there and if you only have one day you may not be able to do everything. If you stay overnight then you are able to do both parks in one day AND ride all the major attractions several times. The hotels can be a little more expensive, but it is worth the extra money!! We did it last year for 3 nights and realized it was much more time than needed. We're only staying one night this time and will have about a day and 1/2 to spend there before heading home. Have a great trip!

 

[shmmrname]

1. I can't help you with your transportation query.
2. I believe you also have to decide on which of the two parks (or both) you will be spending time in. The last time I visited, we did both in a single day, but I think it was more money.
3. Both parks offer something for all ages. While Islands of Adventure certainly has more aggressive, thrill-type rides, it also has it's fair share of tamer rides. The Dr. Seuss section is perfect for small children, and there are also water rides he/she may like on the IoA.


I will always choose the original Universal Studios park over Islands of Adventure, simply because I'm not really a coaster fan, and the attractions are much more engrossing to me in the studios. That said, your enjoyment all really depends on what you want your experiences to be.

 

[AngryEyes]

Overall, I have to think that Universal would be better than Islands of Adventure for your 7 year old, but different strokes... As for height issues, my son is not abnormally tall and at five years old, I'm pretty sure he was able to ride everything at Universal, except Mummy. So, unless your 7 year old is pretty short for his age, you should be fine.

 

[goofntink]

If I had to see one more Mummy, I was going to hurl.

 

[Gucci65]

I would not take a 7 yr old to IOA. For us, it was a huge waste of money. My daughter loves rollercoasters and was unable to ride Hulk, Dr. Doom or Dueling Dragons. Suess Land did not make up for that fact. We took her back several years later when she was finally tall enough to ride everything. You can go to their website to see what the height restrictions are.

Transportation: We staying on WDW property and when going to Universal, use Mears. It will cost you about $10-$14 per person for a round trip ride. OR if you have a BIG party, use a townecar service for about $50 round trip. I think the taxis are just toooo expensive.

 

[goofyfamily]

First we have done Universal with a 5 and 8 year old and they were able to do everything at Univeral Studios we did Islands also but t hey couldnt do the big coasters which they didnt care about Spiderman was awesome and they loved the water rides they did Popeye over and over but you will get soaked next time we will take bathing suits and change into them for the couple wet rides that seams to be what everyone does. If you have to choose 1 park do the regular Univesal they were able to do everything even the MUmmy. As far as transportation rent a car for the day it will be cheaper and you can hit the orlando outlets after on your way back.

 

[eeyoremum]

Thank you for all the advice. I will have to look into it a little more now. To be honest I don't want to go simply because I hate thier commercials. But the 12 year wants to go and it is his vacation too. Although he loves Disney and can't wait to get me on TOT at MGM. He thinks it so funny because I hate heights :lookaroun but I love rides so I am game

 

[pintraderpayee]

We were in Orlando at Easter (4 days at WDW, 1 at Universal) with several teenaged students on a limited budget. We did not stay at a Universal hotel. We were dismayed to discover that Universal had done away with the Express pass and that the Express Plus was $40!!
I know that during our past trips we've seen more characters on the Studios side than IOA.
According to my students (some of whom went to IOA, some to Studios), line jumping was out of control on the IOA side, but not so prevelant on the Studios side.
Very friendly employees at Suess landing. Not so friendly characters though (students were criticized for having Disney autograph books).
Hope you have a fantastic trip!:sohappy:

 

[shoppingnut]

If I had to see one more Mummy, I was going to hurl.

I dare you to say that to the Mummy's face.:lol: :lol:

 

[SpenceMan01]

On my first visit to IoA, it was in the dead middle of Spring Break in 2000. We did the Studios park and IoA in one day. The lines were fairly long but since the park hours were a little bit longer, we got to do pretty much everything.

We went back in Jan '05 and decided to spend 2 days at Universal, because a 2-day, 2-park ticket was only marginally higher than a 1-day, 2-park ticket, and fiancee wanted to experience both parks. Day one was spend at the Studios park where we did everything (most things multiple times) in one day, even with the park closing around 6pm. Day 2 was spent at IoA where we did the major attractions within an hour of opening and had most of the minors wrapped up an hour after that. We took in the Sinbad stunt show and did rounds on the water rides. We got bored around 4 and decided to head back to the studios park and hit Mummy a few more times and give Shrek another chance (we still didn't like it). We didn't use the Express system at IoA, but we did use it a little at the Studios, even though the standby lines weren't terrible.

I think the #1 key to avoiding lines is to get there at opening. I wouldn't spring for the express passes and I certainly wouldn't get a room there just to get them. I'm not sure the what the crowd concentration is for September, but in my experience they seem to be a bit thinner at Universal than at Disney. I think it is definitely possible to spend 1 day at Universal and see just about everything (I would recommend the Studios park when traveling with a 7 y/o).

A 1 day, 1 park ticket (for either the Studios OR IoA) can be purchased at the gate for: Adult (10+):$63.00 + tax, Child $48.00 + tax. A 2 day, 2 park ticket at the gate is $110 + tax, regardless of age. Of course you can get them cheaper in advance online.