What's a good itinerary?

[LucyBC]

Hello there!

I'm going to Orlando next February and although I've spent hours planning how to tour Disney, I'm having a hard time finding touring sites for Universal. So I'd like some suggestions on how to tour the parks and some tips and tricks you guys could offer.

Here are some specifics:

We leave POFQ resort on the 15th and check in at HolidayInn Nearest Universal on the same day. I purchased my package via the Universal Orlando website, so I will be granted early access to WWOHP, which is great because it's my main to do list.

I have a 3 day park ticket (not park-to-park) and my schedule looks a little like this so far:
Feb 17th - WWOHP
Feb 18th - IOA
Feb 19th - Citywalk for dinner
Feb 20th - Universal Studios

I know I'll be smack dab into the middle of President's Week and I'd like to know how crowds will affect my time there.

Should I add park-to-park to my tickets?

Is 3 days enough to really explore the parks?

Thanks

 

[disney fan 13]

One question, who is coming with you? Mainly because that is important as to what to plan for. Also, fair warning, there will be a lot of construction going on during your visit. (And yes, 3 days is a good amount of time for Universal

 

[LucyBC]

I just found out about the construction and since it's something I really can't avoid, I decided to face everything with an open mind. I've never cared for Jaws and it won't affect my trip. I just hope all of HP 1.0 is open and operational but if it's not, I'll just have to deal with it.

There will be no child with us, it's a mother-daughter trip to celebrate my mom's 70th birthday. I know I'll ride all rollercoasters alone (she conceded on FJ because it's a dark ride and she likes those but for all others I got a firm NO WAY).

Is Seuss-Land a must do for adults?

 

[disney fan 13]

Seuss has a nice Cat and the hat dark ride, but besides that and walking through the land (which I highly recommend) I don't think you will spend too much time in there.

 

[Turtle]

Hello there!

I'm going to Orlando next February and although I've spent hours planning how to tour Disney, I'm having a hard time finding touring sites for Universal. So I'd like some suggestions on how to tour the parks and some tips and tricks you guys could offer.

Here are some specifics:

We leave POFQ resort on the 15th and check in at HolidayInn Nearest Universal on the same day. I purchased my package via the Universal Orlando website, so I will be granted early access to WWOHP, which is great because it's my main to do list.

I have a 3 day park ticket (not park-to-park) and my schedule looks a little like this so far:
Feb 17th - WWOHP
Feb 18th - IOA
Feb 19th - Citywalk for dinner
Feb 20th - Universal Studios

I know I'll be smack dab into the middle of President's Week and I'd like to know how crowds will affect my time there.

Should I add park-to-park to my tickets?

Is 3 days enough to really explore the parks?

Thanks

A whole day of WWoHP? You know that it's not it's own theme park like advertised, right?

 

[RonAnnArbor]

First, I'll send the above -- last week on an off peak week, it took an hour to do everything in WWOHP...
Second -- the Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World also has a huge section in back on Universal Studios and Sea WOrld, and gives a complete touring plan and itinerary along with maps...

 

[TalkingHead]

If you want to do "everything" in WWOHP, that would include FJ, Dragon Challenge, Hippograph, and Olivanders -- but if you're a fan of the series, you'll want to spend time just looking around the area, too. Check out the windows throughout Hogsmeade, they're filled to the brim with details and moving props that make the land much more involving if you take the time to savor them. You'd also probably want to eat at Three Broomsticks and try one or more of the Potter beverages.

All that is to say, you could easily spend 2-3 hours there, depending on crowds and if you want to ride FJ more than once.

Almost all the lands in IOA are worth strolling around -- Seuss Landing and Toon Lagoon, especially. Not sure if I'd want to ride the water rides during February. Depends how you feel about getting drenched in what probably won't be sweltering weather. But you can see many of the props and gags on the Popeye ride if you explore the pathways that skirt the edge of the ride and the lagoon.

 

[LucyBC]

A whole day of WWoHP? You know that it's not it's own theme park like advertised, right?

No, I didn't know that. I know it's inside IOA but I thought this would take more than half of my day for sure, specially because it's President's Week.

First, I'll send the above -- last week on an off peak week, it took an hour to do everything in WWOHP...
Second -- the Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World also has a huge section in back on Universal Studios and Sea WOrld, and gives a complete touring plan and itinerary along with maps...

I'll have to take a look at this book. I haven't bought any books because I've been using forums (like this one and the DIS) to plan and I'm using easyWDW for my park crowd predictions.

 

[LucyBC]

If you want to do "everything" in WWOHP, that would include FJ, Dragon Challenge, Hippograph, and Olivanders -- but if you're a fan of the series, you'll want to spend time just looking around the area, too. Check out the windows throughout Hogsmeade, they're filled to the brim with details and moving props that make the land much more involving if you take the time to savor them. You'd also probably want to eat at Three Broomsticks and try one or more of the Potter beverages.

All that is to say, you could easily spend 2-3 hours there, depending on crowds and if you want to ride FJ more than once.

Almost all the lands in IOA are worth strolling around -- Seuss Landing and Toon Lagoon, especially. Not sure if I'd want to ride the water rides during February. Depends how you feel about getting drenched in what probably won't be sweltering weather. But you can see many of the props and gags on the Popeye ride if you explore the pathways that skirt the edge of the ride and the lagoon.

I'm a big HP fan so I details are pretty important to me. That's why I planned a whole day just for WWOHP. I'll probably ride FJ at least twice and I'll definitely be getting a Butterbeer (or two).

Thanks for the advice on water rides. Splash Mountain will be closed for rehab so I was actually excited about Universal's offering and hadn't give much thought to the weather.

 

[Turtle]

No, I didn't know that. I know it's inside IOA but I thought this would take more than half of my day for sure, specially because it's President's Week.

Ahhh i see your a big HP fan.. Lol if they made a full-fledged Monstropolis land (or complete a Pixar Place) I can spend a week in there, so no judgement have fun!

 

[timeman]

There are two things I would definitely recommend with the Harry Potter section is make sure to go Ollivanders first as the line gets long for this early and the shop holds a limited number of people for the show. I recommend the Frozen Butterbeer over the regular Butterbeer. if there are long lines at the Butterbeer carts, skip them and go into Hogs Head Pub as there is seldom a line there and you can get the Butterbeer there.

There is a single rider line for The Mummy, Men In Black & sometimes they have one open for HRRR at Universal and at IOA there is a single rider line for Spider-Man and sometimes for the Hulk coaster. I also highly recommend checking out the Horror Make-Up Show at Universal as this is a highly under rated show.

 

[TalkingHead]

I'm a big HP fan so I details are pretty important to me. That's why I planned a whole day just for WWOHP. I'll probably ride FJ at least twice and I'll definitely be getting a Butterbeer (or two).

Thanks for the advice on water rides. Splash Mountain will be closed for rehab so I was actually excited about Universal's offering and hadn't give much thought to the weather.

FJ is certainly worth riding twice. The first time you'll be blown away by how the ride vehicle moves. The second time you'll be able to appreciate some of the show elements a little more.

As for the water rides, the ones at Universal are worth riding -- and if you're not from a hot climate, you probably won't think it's cold in February. But living in Florida, I won't get into the ocean if it's 70 degrees outside. People from Ohio vacationing here during December have no problem with it, though.

For what it's worth, I think Popeye and Bluto's Bilge Rafts are superior to DAK's Kali River Rapid. Dudley Do-Right and Jurassic Park are inferior to Splash Mountain when it's running 100%, but they're still a lot of fun, especially Jurassic Park.

I also second the recommendation about the Monster Makeup Show at the Studios. Very entertaining show. Everything at that park is worth trying once, although I think Rip, Ride and Rockit is a terribly uncomfortable coaster. Despicable Me, Mummy, Men In Black, Simpsons, Disaster, T2 are all impressive attractions that you should visit.

 

[LucyBC]

Thank you all for the feedback, I wrote it all down and will use your advice for making my touring plan. I'm not very fond of getting wet when the temps are bellow 80F so I'll hope for a warm winter or scratch all wet ride till October when I'll go again. I've been reading the Unofficial Guide and it has helped a lot, so thank you for pointing me to that book.

How about crowds? Does PW affect Universal as it does for Disney? Will WWOHP be closed down for re-entry like the books suggest?