Hey guys, random question about Universal but I've seen it being discussed in here. I'm going to be staying at Loews Royal Pacific Resort for a trade show 3/20 to 3/23. I just saw that they have an option for early park access and free express pass with park admission through them. I was thinking about heading over there a day early to check out the park since I'll be there anyway but not sure if it would be worth it?
Usually, I do alot more research for a real family trip but was just hoping to get some ideas here. I was last at Universal and the World of Harry Potter about 5 years ago with the family, a year or so after it opened. Was at Islands of Adventure like 20 years ago and loved the Hulk coaster and Spider-Man 3-D ride.
I need to start doing networking / conferency type stuff Monday afternoon / evening so I could fly in Sunday and hit the park(s) at rope drop on Monday morning for a half day or so.
Would you recommend bothering with checking the parks / rides out for a solo dude?
Which park would you prefer if you could only pick one for a half a day? Studios or Islands?
Through the hotel / conference:
1-Day One Park Ticket - $144.00
2-Park 1-Day Park-to-Park Ticket - $199.00
(Yikes!)
With the express pass, you can knock out so much in a 1/2 day. I do think it would be a stretch to do both parks mainly b/cx of the actual getting from park to park. They are close, but you are still looking at a 15-20 min walk including the turnstiles to get into the new park. The good thing though is that once you leave your resort (by boat or bus), you are technically through security and inside "the bubble", unlike Disney where you need to go through checkpoints at each park.
I dont think you will have a bad time at either park, it is just a matter of what you WANT to see. The Studio side is more older movie focused, whereas islands is more centered around Jurrasic, (old) Marvel and Potter. There are coasters in both and if I had to choose, I think IOA might have the edge b/c of the newer stuff and overall more exciting rides IMO. Express pass should get you on everything so you will have very minimal wait.
At UO you have:
• Rip Rocket: very fun coaster
• Minions: 4D movie, fun but if pressed for time I would skip
• Transformers: same ride as Spiderman on the IOA side. Very fun
• Jimmy Fallon: Fun 4d Ride if you are a JF fan, but IMO you won't have time
• Mummy: Really great indoor coaster with lots of physical experiences
• Fast and Furious: skip
• HP Escape from Gringots: Very solid coaster but it stops in spots to watch a 3D story video.
• Men In Black: Cute shooting game, fun but prob a 1 and done
• Simpsons: Simulator ride inside a big dome (user to be Back to the Future). Great ride but even with the express pass the wait is a bit long b/c of boarding reasons. Fun but see how it fits into your time
• ET: very old ride and while a classic, it's a meh for me.
Some good shows there too but IDK if they will fit in your time crunch
IOA:
• Hulk: you already know this one
• Dr Doom Free fall: Ok if you like those types of rides
• Spiderman: Classic but still great
I'll skip the Dr Suesse and Comic rides as they are not worth it for what you want to do.
• Kong: Really cool 3D/physical ride.
• Jurrasic River Adventure: OK big drop water ride. Kinda getting dated
• Velocicoaster: Newest coaster in the place and 110% worth it. And BONUS they just made it open to Express pass this week.
• Hagrids Motorbike: Another great coaster
• HP Forbidden Journey: IMO this is my fav ride there. I just love the mix of 3d, physical props, and the whole Kuka arm ride system.
• Posiden's Fuery: you won't have time, pass.
the wild card here is Hogwarts Express. If you have a 2 park hopper pass, you can hop on this ride and go from one HP land to the other HP land. This train is at the back of the park, so it saves you the walk back to the front and over to the other park. However, riding it means you are physically checking out of 1 park and into the other so you need that hopper (UO was pretty sneaky here).
The quickest way from the resort to the park (and back) is to hop on a surry bike. It'll cost you a few bucks, but its faster than the boat and pretty entertaining watching them run people off the pathway.
let me know if you need any specific info on the rides