Universal Orlando 10/13-10/14

[Brad]

First of all, this will be my first trip to USF.

 

I need some help with the general logistics of the trip...

-Is staying ~8 miles from the park a bad idea?

-Is traffic in Orlando bad? (i.e. will it take us forever to get from the Lake Buena Vista area to USF?)

-As far as HHNXVI, I am going to get tickets for the 15th (Sunday)... is one night enough to get the haunted houses/HHN shows done(without doing any of the 'normal' stuff?) We plan to do the normal rides/attractions Saturday, Sunday Daytime, and Monday.

-I hate to ask, but from previous years, what are the waits for 'normal' operation during this time? (I know that know one knows, but a generic reflection of how crowds were in the past would be great!)

-Which rides have single rider lines?

-Are there any 'non-major' attractions that should not be missed? (I hope that makes sense.)

 

I would really appreciate all of the help and any tips as to what days to hit which parks... I assume I should spend the most time in IOA, but I could be wrong.

[BarryH]

-Is staying ~8 miles from the park a bad idea?

 

Nope, if you have a car, it should be OK. I stayed in Kissimee and went to Universal. I was OK.

 

-Is traffic in Orlando bad? (i.e. will it take us forever to get from the Lake Buena Vista area to USF?)

 

Unless you drive during rush hour, traffic isn't too bad. Just try to avoid travelling down I-4 around 4 or 5 pm.

 

-As far as HHNXVI, I am going to get tickets for the 15th (Sunday)... is one night enough to get the haunted houses/HHN shows done(without doing any of the 'normal' stuff?) We plan to do the normal rides/attractions Saturday, Sunday Daytime, and Monday.

 

You'll have enough time. Just do stay and scream. If you have a valid day admission to Universal, you can stay in a special holding area from 5 pm to around 6 or so. As soon as a house is ready, you can experience it with a minimal wait. HHN is not too crowded on Sundays, but it still does get 60+ minute waits during the middle of the night. Invest in HHN Express if you can.

 

-I hate to ask, but from previous years, what are the waits for 'normal' operation during this time? (I know that know one knows, but a generic reflection of how crowds were in the past would be great!)

 

It's usually not too busy in October at Universal, so the longest waits might be 30-45 minutes. The longest wait will be for Spiderman at IOA and Mummy and MIB in USF. Arrive before opening so you can ride most of the stuff with no or a short wait.

 

-Which rides have single rider lines?

 

IOA: Hulk, Spiderman, Ripsaw Falls, JPRA

USF: Mummy, MIB

 

NOTE: Single rider lines usually open when the regular wait is 30 minutes or mote. I've never really seen JPRA's signle rider line open. MIB's single rider line is always open unless the regular wait is next to nothing. Mummy's single rider line is usually open all the time too.

 

-Are there any 'non-major' attractions that should not be missed? (I hope that makes sense.)

 

Don't miss the Horror Make-Up Show at USF. It's a hidden secret and it's funny! It's a good place to relax for 30 minutes.

 

I would really appreciate all of the help and any tips as to what days to hit which parks... I assume I should spend the most time in IOA, but I could be wrong.

 

Have fun!

[Brad]

Thanks for the responses!

 

A few more things that I have thought...

 

-I read somewhere that you can buy a sports bottle and get $1.99 refills (similar to Six Flags' program.) Does this only mean that you can get $1.99 refills on the day that you are there or whenever throughout your trip?

 

-Would you recommend carrying a backpack with you? If so, is it necessary to rent a locker? (I've never been to a park where you can't take items up to the loading dock with you... so could you tell me which rides you can't take things up to... I know Hulk has lockers near the entrance that are supposedly free...)

 

-What are the best restaurants for the best prices? Anywhere to avoid? (I am figuring spending $15 a meal while in the park... what's the best deal for that amount?)

 

Thanks!

[BarryH]

Thanks for the responses!

 

A few more things that I have thought...

 

-I read somewhere that you can buy a sports bottle and get $1.99 refills (similar to Six Flags' program.) Does this only mean that you can get $1.99 refills on the day that you are there or whenever throughout your trip?

 

You can use a Universal refill mug for a very long time. I know people who have had mugs for years and they still use them for refills.

 

-Would you recommend carrying a backpack with you? If so, is it necessary to rent a locker? (I've never been to a park where you can't take items up to the loading dock with you... so could you tell me which rides you can't take things up to... I know Hulk has lockers near the entrance that are supposedly free...)

 

It depends on how much stuff you want to carry around. Personally, I try to fit all I need into a fanny pack. Be aware, if you do carry a backpack, you have to put them in a locker for the following rides: MIB, Mummy, Dueling Dragons, and the Hulk. The lockers are free for anywhere from 45 minutes to 2 hours, depending on the queue time and the ride. Dueling Dragons has around a 45-60 minute free time. The Hulk, MIB, and Mummy have about a 2-3 hour free time.

 

-What are the best restaurants for the best prices? Anywhere to avoid? (I am figuring spending $15 a meal while in the park... what's the best deal for that amount?)

 

Well, it depends on what you want to eat. My favorite places in your price range are:

 

IOA:

Thunder Falls Terrace

Enchanted Oak

Burger Digs

Fire Eater's Grill

Confisco's

 

USF:

Ritcher's Burger

 

I don't really like USF's food compared to IOA. I generally eat only at USF at Ritcher's. If you want to eat at Citywalk, try Jimmy Buffet's Margritaville. Many times, the full service restaurants will have a burger for a few dollars more than counter service and they tend to be tastier.

 

Thanks!

 

Have fun!

[Brad]

You can use a Universal refill mug for a very long time. I know people who have had mugs for years and they still use them for refills.

 

Are these for sale at the parks without the meal deal? (ie- can you buy a mug for $7.99 (ish) and get $1.99 refills, or do you have to purchase the meal deal with added on refill cup to get one?)

[BarryH]

I believe most drink stands and restaurants sell the refillable mug without the meal deal.

[Brad]

I believe most drink stands and restaurants sell the refillable mug without the meal deal.

 

Thanks... and while we're at it... some random questions again...

 

1) How wet do you get on JPRA?

 

2) If you use the single rider lines, do you get the "full experience" of the queue, or do you go directly into the station and miss a lot of the story line of the themeing?

 

3) We are going to do all of Universal Studios on Saturday, so is it best to do the popular attractions first (Mummy, MIB) or head to the back and work your way forward?

[SharkTums]

1. Sit in the middle of the boat, in the middle of the row, and you'll barely get wet. Anywhere else and you can get pretty wet.

 

2. The majority of the Single Rider lines you do NOT get even 10% of the cool immersive queues. For me, it's still worth it, but if you're into queues, you should wait through them.

 

3. Do Mummy, Shrek, MiB early on as they're some of the longest lines at Universal. As long as you're there EARLY you can pretty much be ahead of the crowd the whole day, and not need to start at the back and work your way forward.

[BarryH]

Jimmy Neutron's line can get pretty long, so do that before or after Shrek.

 

Most guests tend to hit T2 first since it is one of the attractions close to the entrance. The first show for T2 can be anywhere from 30 minutes to 1 hour past park opening time, so don't do T2 first. You can do it later. Besides, T2 eats a lot of people (aka has great capacity) so you won't be waiting an inordinate time in line.

[obeygiant]

I always do The Mummy first...Even when I got to the ride 30 minutes after the park opened, I still had to wait 15 minutes, in express. So, definately hit Mummy first. BTTF is closing very soon, so the lines will be long. Both Shrek and Jimmy Neutron will have long lines, but they've gone by fast when I've waited in them.

[Brad]

BTTF is closing very soon, so the lines will be long.

 

Is Back to the Future not already closed?

 

And when you all say "long", is that like 1hr (which is long to me) or higher? I know that no one really knows, but what's the average for Saturdays in the fall? (I'll be at the parks Sat, Sun, and Monday.)

[BarryH]

This weekend will probably be busy, as most Orlando schools are out on fall break. HHN Scare-actors call this week "Hell Week" as it is the busiest during this week than any other in October.

 

EDIT: BTTF is still open. I rode it on 10/8. But it is due to close anytime soon, so pay your final respects ASAP.

[redfoot12]

Hey knowledgeable Orlando theme park people. Questions for you.

I'm going down to Orlando Thursday night and flying back Monday night. My plan is to hit UF/IoA, SeaWorld, and BGA. Anyone know what would be the optimal days and times to hit each park? I was thinking about doing something like this

Friday--IoA early morning and Universal later in the day.

Saturday--SeaWorld morning and early afternoon, Universal/HHN Sat. night

Sunday--BGA all day

Monday--more Universal and IoA (maybe a Disney park like MGM?)

 

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I've been to Orlando twice--Disney 22 years ago and Universal 10. I'd really like to maximize my time at each park. Thanks!

[SharkTums]

Buy the Express Pass for HHN on that Saturday night or else you'll be miserable.

[redfoot12]

Would going on a Friday or Sunday night make a difference?

I went to Busch Gardens Williamsburg on Saturday with some friends and it was the most crowded I've ever seen the park. They were actually using the full queue with switchbacks for LNM (which is usually a walk-on). We decided to leave without riding anything. I'm trying to avoid a similar situation at one of the Florida parks this weekend.

[BarryH]

Crowds have been pretty huge at HHN this year, so Fridays and Saturdays will be busy. Friday might give you an advantage, as in past years the crowds have died down after midnight. On Saturday, crowds have been pretty consistent throughout the night.

 

The best way to do HHN is to do Stay and Scream. If you have a valid day pass for Universal and are in USF before 4:30, you can hang around the special holding areas until the haunted houses are ready. Dungeon of Terror (in the Jaws queue) generally opens first at around 5:45 from what I've heard. The soundstage houses open around 6:15.

 

The Stay and Scream areas are around the Mummy area near Finnegan's and in the Jaws area. The Jaws area tends to let people out first.

 

For HHN, definitely buy Express tickets. Better yet, why not do a VIP tour? You get treated like royality and get straight to the front of the line. You don't even stand in the Express queue!

[redfoot12]

Cool--thanks!

How should the lines and crowds be for non-HHN events? Anyone know what BGA might be like?

[BarryH]

The parks are pretty quiet this time of year, although they get busy in the afternoon. BGA is generally pretty quiet during October, unless you visit on a Saturday. I went on a Thursday in October last year and the longest line was for lunch and SheiKra (both 15 minutes).

[pvcoasterguy]

A few ideas:

 

- Get to USF/IOA early. These parks are incredibly dead in the mornings anytime of the year. This is especially true for IOA. Walk-ons are abundant, and if you want to get your credit on Pteranodon Flyers child-less, head there at least an hour-ish after opening.

 

- Don't miss out on the following attractions, as they are easy to pass up or skip over:

 

o The Cat in the Hat--one of the most enjoyable rides I have ever been on. It has a fun story, a goofy mood, and a suprisingly turbulent ride. Very impressive.

 

o Camp Jurassic--simply one of the coolest 'adventure' areas in a theme park, ever. It's theme is great, and the scenery amazes. Take a gander at the "If I Ran the Zoo" play area in Seuss Landing if you have time... it's goofy fun filled with tons of cool, hidden features.

 

o ET Adventure--a classic ride. It immerses you in the theme quite well, and the indoor queue line is one of the coolest ever. The ride itself is fun, and the ride system is pretty unique. And who doesn't love ET?

 

o Earthquake--if you don't have time, skip it. But, it's finale is quite impressive, and, if the crowds are light, they may only have the finale open (which is truly a blessing for those who have already ridden).

 

o Jimmy Neutron--a suprisingly fun attraction. The motion simulation is pretty good, and the ride overall has a great humor about it.

 

o Shrek--also, a fun ride. Laugh at all the jabs at Disney (especially in the queue)... the queue is very cool, and definately rated "PG-13" at points. Also has fun humor.

 

- Use single rider lines--they are very useful.

 

- Prepared to get soaked on Popeye and Dudley.

 

- Have fun!

[USCoaster]

I am going to Universal Studios and IOA on Thursday the 26th. We are planning on trying to wipe out both parks with our focus in the Studios being MIB and Mummy. I was wondering if we should buy the Universal Express pass to get all the major rides in or should we be fine without it? I am thinking that it might be worth the extra money if we can make sure we get on all of the major attractions and then we can head back and re-ride anything we want to later.

 

We are skipping HHN because it doesn't fit in our schedule and since both my friend and I have never been to either park, we are focusing on the rides this trip.

[BarryH]

That's a tough one. Usually, during the first 3 hours of park operation, the lines will be very short (usually 15 minutes or less). You can get most done at the parks within a resonable amount of time. When you cross over to the other park, you might encounter longer lines in the afternoon. The 26th is a Thursday, so I wouldn't expect huge crowds. It wouldn't hurt to buy Express ahead of time, but you can always buy them at the park that day if you need it. For the 26th, it's probably $25-$30 for a 1 day/2 park Express pass. Personally, I would wait and see what the crowds are like during the day before buying Express.

[Brad]

We went to Universal last Saturday (I might post a trip report later), but we did everything at USF within the first 2 1/2 hours of operation... then did everything at IOA except for Hulk (it was only a 40 minute wait, but we were going the next day and decided to save it.) You should have no problem getting everything in... just get there 30 minutes before opening.

[redfoot12]

Wooo--Just changed my dates of my trip so it'll be Nov. 1st-6th. Crowds shouldn't be much of a problem at all then, although I miss out on HHN.

Thanks for all the help from people in this thread!