Universal Planning *Please Help* Newbie :)

[NICE8x]

Hello,

So we were planning to go to Universal Studios for our first time this February break. We have been to Disney World before and recently went to Disneyland. We are only staying over one night in Orlando. We are driving up from my grandmother's place in Port Charlotte FL, so the ride is about 2-3 hours.

We are staying at the Nick Suites, so we planned on driving up Monday, enjoying the water park and pools Monday night and then going to Universal Studios all day Tuesday and then driving back to Port Charlotte.

But, we just heard that if we are going to Universal, it is a must to spend time at both parks. We originally were only going to go to the one main park.

We now want to go to both parks. The park-to-park pass for one day is about the same cost as a 2 day single admission park pass.

So now we don't know if we should do a park-to-park for our full day on Tuesday or if we should drive up really early Monday and spend a part/half day at one park Monday and the next full day (Tuesday) at the other park.

If we were to do two days which park should we go to on the partial day (Monday) and which on the full day (Tuesday)? Should we do the one day with the park-to-park?

When we went to Disneyland we felt doing one full day at each park was perfect but heard going between the two parks at Universal is really easy. When we went to Disney World we did everything we wanted doing a full day at Magic Kingdom, a full day at Hollywood Studios, and a full day at Epcot.

We don't know anything about Universal and just need some advice.

Thanks!!!!

NICE8x

 

[Kingdom Konsultant]

If you go for a half day, I would do Universal on that day and take the full day for Islands of Adventure. IMHO there is more to do in Islands with Harry Potter,etc.

Have a great time!!

Pam

 

[marni1971]

No park is the main park anymore. Both are full blown destinations in their own right.

Allocate as much time as you possibly can!

 

[Dog Ate Mouse]

Boy that's a tough question. Both Parks in UNI are really good and have a lot of fun and unique things in each to do and see. If I had your time I would probably see Uni first and IOA the next day. Either way, you going to love them both. Just don't try to rush through the parks and try and see everything. This is a good way to miss things along with not taking the time to take in the whole ride/exhibit experience. Both parks are really fun and have a lot to offer. Most of all, have a really great time and fun trip.

 

[Epcot-Rules]

I agree with the other posters. I would allocate a day for each park. Not to mention my kids love Nick Suites. There is lots of fun to be had there.

 

[Jeffxz]

You should consider switching to an onsite hotel to take advantage of the free express pass. Depending on how many are in your party, it may be cheaper to switch to the onsite hotel instead of buying express outright, plus you will be closer to the parks.

 

[JillC LI]

If you're staying at Nick it would be a shame not to take advantage of the amenities there. Can you do everything at US/IoA in 1 day? No. But I've said before that if you have certain priorities that you want to hit, you may be able to do "everything" on YOUR must-do list. President's Week will make it more difficult with the crowds. So if you are thinking of giving up your day at Nick on Monday, I would take @Jeffxz's advice and stay at a Uni hotel instead to get the free express pass and early entry to the WWOHP.

 

[Clyde]

Yeah I agree with the two posters above me. You stay at Nick suites to be able to appreciate the hotel for a little while and it sounds like your main focus is to see the parks (which is usually my focus as well).
I would switch to a Uni hotel which comes with free parking and the free express pass. That little thing makes the park experience a whole different deal. Think if you had a Disney fast pass with no specific time to return, no kiosks to run around to and an unlimited amount of times to use it at your will. How magical would that make your Disney trip? Well that's what a uni on site hotel fast pass does. Plus staying there will give you a one hour early entry to Harry Potter land exclusive to on site guests. Getting through that area before the crowds get there changes everything. ( I think they do the early entry to the studio park too now for the despicable me ride)
If your goal is to see/do as much of the uni parks as possible, staying on site is the way to go and is well worth any price increase you will pay if any.
If you cant switch hotels I would still buy the express pass, but remember it doesn't work the same when you purchase it. It's only good for one pass for each ride. Still awesome but less awesome than the on site way.

Enjoy your trip. Uni is getting better every year