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Universal Studios (1 Viewer)

prosopis

Arizona Chupacabra
I have never been to Universal Studios and we are thinking about checking it out. Is this a multi day thing or is one day sufficient? Any tips for going here?

 
Is Harry Potter world part of Universal studios. Is it just one ride or a whole deal like a renaissance fair?

 
We just went to Universal Orlando.  They have a deal that if you stay in  one of their premium hotels you get an unlimited use Express Pass for everyone in your party good for the day you check in, the days you stay there, and the day you check out. 

An Express Pass essentially gets you to the front of the line with little to no wait. Each one goes for $100 a pop on top of the cost of admission.

In our case, we didn't even really need the room as we were staying someplace else. But we rented a room for one night for around $300 and ended up getting $800 worth of Express Passes. (4 people X 2 days)

Note that they ARE NOT valid on Harry Potter stuff, but were good for everything else we went on at both parks. I think we also got early admission to the park by an hour for resort guests only. We got to go on way more stuff and multiple times compared to other trips. Well worth it in my book. Never been to the one in Hollywood, so not sure if they have it or if it's worth it.

 
We just went to Universal Orlando.  They have a deal that if you stay in  one of their premium hotels you get an unlimited use Express Pass for everyone in your party good for the day you check in, the days you stay there, and the day you check out. 

An Express Pass essentially gets you to the front of the line with little to no wait. Each one goes for $100 a pop on top of the cost of admission.

In our case, we didn't even really need the room as we were staying someplace else. But we rented a room for one night for around $300 and ended up getting $800 worth of Express Passes. (4 people X 2 days)

Note that they ARE NOT valid on Harry Potter stuff, but were good for everything else we went on at both parks. I think we also got early admission to the park by an hour for resort guests only. We got to go on way more stuff and multiple times compared to other trips. Well worth it in my book. Never been to the one in Hollywood, so not sure if they have it or if it's worth it.
Both parks? Is Harry Potter a separate park? I thought Harry Potter was in Universal studios.

 
In Orlando there are two Universal Studios parks (similar to how there are multiple parks that make up Disney World).  Universal Studios proper (the original) and Islands of Adventure (newer, more roller coasters).  You can buy separate tickets or a ticket that works at both.  Harry Potter is an area (think one of the "lands" in Disney) that was originally just in Islands of Adventure, but now connects to another Harry Potter area in Universal proper via a train ride (the Hogwartz Express).

In California I believe there is only one Universal Studios park, and I believe the Harry Potter area there is basically the same as the Harry Potter section of Islands of Adventure (though someone that's been to the Cali one can correct me on that).

 
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Universal Orlando is a much different experience than Universal Studios Hollywood.  

The Orlando site has two separate parks, one mostly amusement rides (Islands Of Adventure) and one mostly attractions and experiences connected to making movies (Universal Studios Florida).  In Orlando, each park has its own Harry Potter section: Islands Of Adventure has Hogsmeade and the Hogwarts castle, Studios Florida has Diagon Alley, and if you have a ticket valid for both parks you ride the Hogwarts Express Train connecting Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley. 

The California site has a version of Hogsmeade (smaller than the Orlando version, but just as faithful to the films) and the Hogwarts castle, and inside the castle is the signature adventure ride "Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey".  

Covering all things Universal in Orlando takes 2-3 park days.  Universal Studios Hollywood is designed to be a single-day attraction.

 
Thanks for the reply's.  If there is anyone here familiar with the Universal Hollywood area, what other attractions are in that area worth doing? This would be our first time to this area. In the past we have been to Disneyland and the San Diego area.

 
Thanks for the reply's.  If there is anyone here familiar with the Universal Hollywood area, what other attractions are in that area worth doing? This would be our first time to this area. In the past we have been to Disneyland and the San Diego area.
Being in Hollywood I would go to Griffith observatory which takes you right up close to the Hollywood sign in the hills. Mann Chinese theater is worth checking out as well being so close. The La Brea Tar pits are pretty interesting and you can get a discounted pass bundling that and the natural history museum which is pretty decent.

The Getty museum is pretty cool and has amazing views of LA and the ocean and is close to Santa Monica where there is the beach and the 3rd street promenade and the Santa Monica pier.

 
You could always go north to Valencia and do magic mountain as well if you wanted more roller coaster rides although the clientele is a bit more trashy than Disneyland for sure.

 
Being in Hollywood I would go to Griffith observatory which takes you right up close to the Hollywood sign in the hills. Mann Chinese theater is worth checking out as well being so close. The La Brea Tar pits are pretty interesting and you can get a discounted pass bundling that and the natural history museum which is pretty decent.

The Getty museum is pretty cool and has amazing views of LA and the ocean and is close to Santa Monica where there is the beach and the 3rd street promenade and the Santa Monica pier.
I went to the rose bowl while there and saw UCLA get thrashed by ASU ool

 
bagger said:
Being in Hollywood I would go to Griffith observatory which takes you right up close to the Hollywood sign in the hills. Mann Chinese theater is worth checking out as well being so close. The La Brea Tar pits are pretty interesting and you can get a discounted pass bundling that and the natural history museum which is pretty decent.

The Getty museum is pretty cool and has amazing views of LA and the ocean and is close to Santa Monica where there is the beach and the 3rd street promenade and the Santa Monica pier.
Thanks :thumbup:

 
bagger said:
You could always go north to Valencia and do magic mountain as well if you wanted more roller coaster rides although the clientele is a bit more trashy than Disneyland for sure.
:goodposting:

6 flags has awesome rides but between the heat, the clientele, and the staff...I haven't been there in years.

 
These are all great suggestions.  To add to the list...

- Warner Brothers Studio Tour is very close. It is a nice tour with small groups that takes you through their back lot, onto some sets and into a few areas where they have a bunch of props on display.

- Natural History Museum and Science Center.  In downtown LA.  Great museums.  Science Center is free though there may be a charge to make a reservation to see the space shuttle.  Really cool to see that up close.

- Dodger stadium is right there.  Catch a game or do a stadium tour

 
These are all great suggestions.  To add to the list...

- Warner Brothers Studio Tour is very close. It is a nice tour with small groups that takes you through their back lot, onto some sets and into a few areas where they have a bunch of props on display.

- Natural History Museum and Science Center.  In downtown LA.  Great museums.  Science Center is free though there may be a charge to make a reservation to see the space shuttle.  Really cool to see that up close.

- Dodger stadium is right there.  Catch a game or do a stadium tour
Dodger stadium really is an amazing venue for a game.

maybe I am biased being a life long dodger fan but to watch an evening game with the cool breeze is pretty cool.

baffling to think it is the 3rd oldest stadium in mlb.

 
When I went to Universal California it was 25 years ago, and I absolutely loved it.  Thought it was very cool taking  the back lot tour.  The Florida version of this tour is lame imo.

Not sure how California version has changed over the years

 
When I went to Universal California it was 25 years ago, and I absolutely loved it.  Thought it was very cool taking  the back lot tour.  The Florida version of this tour is lame imo.

Not sure how California version has changed over the years
The back lot tour is the best attraction at the California park.  Shows you the set for a bunch of shows and movies that you will recognize such as Back to the Future, Jaws, King Kong, Desperate Housewives, Psycho.  

I have been to both Ca and Fl and Florida is much nicer and a 2 day minimum.  California park is nice but you can get through in 1 day.

 
The back lot tour is the best attraction at the California park.  Shows you the set for a bunch of shows and movies that you will recognize such as Back to the Future, Jaws, King Kong, Desperate Housewives, Psycho.  

I have been to both Ca and Fl and Florida is much nicer and a 2 day minimum.  California park is nice but you can get through in 1 day.
Oh, we love going to Universal Florida but the "movie magic" stuff isn't that cool, imo

 
Universal Studios and Harry Potter World are together in the same park accessible with one admission ticket. It has it's own giant section of the lot, and I hear it's pretty immersive if you're a fan of the series.

 
Just got back from Universal Florida and I can say that it certainly is not WDW.  This place is done completely in 2 days easily.  Random rants to follow:

Not nearly enough benches in the park.

Food lines too long, food places too small.

They encourage you to buy these refillable rfid chip enabled cups and then do not have enough refill machines around the park, or do not have them labeled well enough (yes it is on the back of the map, if you know to look there)

Ride lines were manageable, best option without buying the line cutting pass(express) is to go single rider and you get on in under 15 on most rides.

Rides--Transformers, Simpsons and the Despicable me are the same ride with different videos playing while your ride car gets jerked around, Spider man is also very similar. 

The Kong ride was so overhyped and not worth the wait.

They need more shade for people, it is central Florida afterall.  

Multipark tickets are pushed on you, if you go for 2 days, maybe one day multipark, so you can take the Potter Train, otherwise a total waste of money.

Men in Black ride is the exact same as Toy Story over at Disney. (not a rant, just a comparison)

 
Being in Hollywood I would go to Griffith observatory which takes you right up close to the Hollywood sign in the hills. Mann Chinese theater is worth checking out as well being so close. The La Brea Tar pits are pretty interesting and you can get a discounted pass bundling that and the natural history museum which is pretty decent.

The Getty museum is pretty cool and has amazing views of LA and the ocean and is close to Santa Monica where there is the beach and the 3rd street promenade and the Santa Monica pier.
We went to LA last summer, and did a bus tour around Hollywood. It was nice and easy, didn't require any driving and allowed us to check most, if not everything off the list of what to see there. Let me know if you need the name of the company we used, I'm not at home, but I can dig it up.

 
Resurrecting this thread as I didn't want to clutter the Disney Vacation thread with Universal questions...

Wife and I are thinking of taking the kids (13, 11, 9) to Universal Orlando mid/to end of July.  Anything of note going on during this time?  Any deals/specials?

We're looking at staying one night onsite (Volcano Bay?).  Is this still a two day trip (like it sounds above)?  Should we plan on two nights instead?  Do we need multi-park passes?  Express passes worth it for a family of 5?  We're visiting family near Tampa, so thought we'd surprise the kids with this side trip.  Our boys are really into Marvel, and our daughter loves roller coasters.  So we thought this may be better than WDW - and hopefully not as costly.

 
Resurrecting this thread as I didn't want to clutter the Disney Vacation thread with Universal questions...

Wife and I are thinking of taking the kids (13, 11, 9) to Universal Orlando mid/to end of July.  Anything of note going on during this time?  Any deals/specials?

We're looking at staying one night onsite (Volcano Bay?).  Is this still a two day trip (like it sounds above)?  Should we plan on two nights instead?  Do we need multi-park passes?  Express passes worth it for a family of 5?  We're visiting family near Tampa, so thought we'd surprise the kids with this side trip.  Our boys are really into Marvel, and our daughter loves roller coasters.  So we thought this may be better than WDW - and hopefully not as costly.
My wife and I just took our two kids (10 & 13) over spring break to Universal Orlando.  They had a deal if you buy 2 days get 2 days free.  We ending up going 3 days so essentially had 1 free day.  We opted for the express pass for all of us and it was awesome.  Skipped lines at almost all the rides except for the Harry Potter castle ride.  I definitely recommend it but it is costly.  

My kids loved the Hulk roller coaster the most but there were many rides they enjoyed.  They enjoyed Universal Studios much more than Disney World. 

 
Peak said:
Resurrecting this thread as I didn't want to clutter the Disney Vacation thread with Universal questions...

Wife and I are thinking of taking the kids (13, 11, 9) to Universal Orlando mid/to end of July.  Anything of note going on during this time?  Any deals/specials?

We're looking at staying one night onsite (Volcano Bay?).  Is this still a two day trip (like it sounds above)?  Should we plan on two nights instead?  Do we need multi-park passes?  Express passes worth it for a family of 5?  We're visiting family near Tampa, so thought we'd surprise the kids with this side trip.  Our boys are really into Marvel, and our daughter loves roller coasters.  So we thought this may be better than WDW - and hopefully not as costly.
The only thing that multi park passes are good for is the Potter train ride between parks.  You can do one park one day and the other park the 2nd day easily.

 
Peak said:
Resurrecting this thread as I didn't want to clutter the Disney Vacation thread with Universal questions...

Wife and I are thinking of taking the kids (13, 11, 9) to Universal Orlando mid/to end of July.  Anything of note going on during this time?  Any deals/specials?

We're looking at staying one night onsite (Volcano Bay?).  Is this still a two day trip (like it sounds above)?  Should we plan on two nights instead?  Do we need multi-park passes?  Express passes worth it for a family of 5?  We're visiting family near Tampa, so thought we'd surprise the kids with this side trip.  Our boys are really into Marvel, and our daughter loves roller coasters.  So we thought this may be better than WDW - and hopefully not as costly.
My birthday is in early July and I asked my wife to come with me for a day at Epcot while we dropped the kid off with her grandparents.  It's a GD miracle we didn't die of heatstroke and we are from here.  We dropped $90 on waters and poweraide.  I'll personally never go back in the summer.

 
Resurrecting this thread as I didn't want to clutter the Disney Vacation thread with Universal questions...

Wife and I are thinking of taking the kids (13, 11, 9) to Universal Orlando mid/to end of July.  Anything of note going on during this time?  Any deals/specials?

We're looking at staying one night onsite (Volcano Bay?).  Is this still a two day trip (like it sounds above)?  Should we plan on two nights instead?  Do we need multi-park passes?  Express passes worth it for a family of 5?  We're visiting family near Tampa, so thought we'd surprise the kids with this side trip.  Our boys are really into Marvel, and our daughter loves roller coasters.  So we thought this may be better than WDW - and hopefully not as costly.
So plans changed and we pushed this back to the week of Thanksgiving.  Due to a limited time frame we are going only to Universal Studios Orlando for one day, then traveling to see family for Thanksgiving.  With that said, I want to get the most out of this trip that we can for the kids.  My daughter has been here before and told us that USF is better than Islands of Adventure, so we're only getting 1Day/1Park tickets - but I'm going to surprise them with the Unlimited Fast Passes in order to maximize the most of our time in the one day.

Any tips, suggestions on rides/shows to see at USF?  A friend told me to get an AMEX card/membership if only to utilize the AMEX lounge at USF.  I was told unlimited water and chips in the lounge, and a nice quiet place to relax between running between rides/shows.  I don't have one, but may have to see if I can get one quickly.

Any other hidden tidbits to consider?  Looks like they are expecting "Moderate" visitors - so not "Busy" or "Packed", but definitely some traffic causing lines from 30-100 mins for most rides.

 

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