Universal Studios - just a few helpful hints!

Thanks to all of those who have been following my Disney advice posts! It's been great hearing from you via comments and emails :)

Today I'm going to touch quickly on Universal Studios in Orlando. I had promised this post yesterday - please forgive me but things got busy and then my husband and I had a gig last night so time got away from me!

So.... Universal....
Universal Studios consists of 2 separate theme parks - Universal Studios Florida and Universal's Islands of Adventure - and City Walk. In this post I will concentrate on the theme parks but we have enjoyed a nice cool afternoon break catching the latest 3-D release at the IMAX theater located in City Walk. It's a really nice theater complex and something you might want to consider doing while you're there.

TICKETS and BAG CHECK
As with the Disney tickets - only buy the tickets from the Universal website or at the gate on the first day of your visit. Buying tickets anywhere else may leave you disappointed as we have heard stories of tickets being counterfeit or pre-used. Don't chance a scam - get them from the source!

If you have 2 days to spend at Universal - get a 2-day ticket and spend a day at each park (adding the "Park-to-Park" option to those days if you like). If you only have one day available to spend, there is a 1-day/2-park ticket option and you should definitely take that option. While Universal Studios is my personal favorite of the two - you won't want to miss the Wizarding World of Harry Potter (truly remarkable!!) or the general splendor of the visually stunning Islands of Adventure.

Also offered is something called "Universal Express" - it's sort of like Disney's Fast Pass program only you have to pay extra for it. IMO, it's not worth it but feel free to visit the website to find out more and decide for yourself. Now, if you are staying at a Universal resort, it's included with your stay...

As you enter the park and pay for parking you will be directed to park in one of two very large, 3-story parking ramps. Make sure to remember in which section you are parked!! I say this from personal experience - we laugh about it now but it was not very funny at the time - we spent a LONG time wandering through looking for our vehicle. If this does happen to you, be smarter than we were and call security to help - they will be happy to assist you.

 There will be a series of escalators and moving walkways leading to the main entrance of the resort area. Along this route will be a bag search area - like Disney, they search every bag on every person whether it be a fanny pack or a duffel bag. If you can avoid it at all - do not carry a bag into these parks. Several of the attractions require you to check all loose articles in a locker before riding - it's a pain. If you want advice on how to avoid carrying a bag - please read my Disney Advice Post 1 where I talk about what to wear at theme parks. Also in that post is some advice for parents traveling with small children - if that happens to be you - read that part, too!! The opinion given there also pertains to Universal Studios but to an even greater extent!


If you only have one day - start your day at Universal Studios. The basic overview of a perfect 1-day/2-park experience:
Morning at Universal Studios
Late lunch at Mythos restaurant at Islands of Adventure (We suggest you make reservations for Mythos by clicking here.)
Spend the afternoon at Islands of Adventure
In the evening be sure to catch the show at Universal Studios - Universal Cinematic Spectacular! (It wasn't running yet when we were there this year and we would love to know what  you think!)

The main reason to start your day at universal is everyone races over to Harry Potter (Islands of Adventure) first thing and it's super crowded in the morning. Unless you really want to buy a wand at Olivander's - visit Hogwart's in the afternoon.

UNIVERSAL STUDIOS
We consider just about everything at Universal Studios a must-see but if you are limited on time - here's the absolute must-see list. All rides marked with (*) require you to stow loose items in a locker before entering the line and those marked with (SR) offer a single rider line option. If your party doesn't mind being split up - the single rider option is always the way to go.

Men in Black (*) (SR) - Our absolute favorite ride at the park! Hands-down, you will love this ride! If you don't, you must be crazy... 'nuf said. If you are a true fan of the movie, the regular line is mildly interesting but sometimes winds outside and can be really hot and long - my advice, take the single rider option.
Revenge of the Mummy (*) (SR) - Possibly tied with Men in Black for the top spot - this is a not-to-miss themed coaster ride - fantastic!
The Simpsons - I'm not even a fan of The Simpsons and I love this ride! Fun from top to bottom...

Classic attractions we never miss:
Disaster!
TWISTER - Ride it out - One of my faves - stand in the front row if you're feeling adventurous!
E.T. Adventure - Hokey? Yes! But a classic and should be included in your trip

3-D Movie Experiences we like:
SHREK - OK, it's actually 4-D and the moving seat gets a bit much sometimes but from the pre-show through the wild adventure - it's pure, silly fun!
Terminator 2 - Also pretty hokey but some of the best 3-D imagery around!

If you are REALLY short on time skip shows altogether but the one we try never to miss is Animal Actors - I'm a sucker for shows featuring fur and feathers! This is a truly entertaining show!

Dispicable Me! is new and wasn't open yet when we were there last but it sounds like something we would like! And despite being a self-professed, coaster-lover, I have never ridden the Hollywood Rip-ride Rocket - I know... I know... If you ride one or both of these - let me know how you enjoyed them. Everything from the line-waiting experience to the exit.

If for some reason you do not feel inclined to eat at Mythos - our eating place of choice at Universal Studios is the San Francisco Pastry Co. - tasty sandwiches and salads along with creamy cheesecake selections for desert! This little eatery obviously doesn't merit mention on their website - but we love it and recommend it highly :)

ISLANDS OF ADVENTURE
*If you are planning to eat lunch at Mythos (highly recommended!!) Make reservations in advance of your visit. 

As soon as you enter this park, you will be captivated by the scenery. The Port-of-Entry is fantastical and one of my favorite parts of any Florida theme park. I find myself wanting to move in and stay! Here is another spot to catch a quick bite - we like Croissant Moon Bakery where the faire is much like the San Francisco Pastry Co. Hmmm... I see a pattern emerging.... :)

After lunch go straight to "The Wizarding World of Harry Potter". There are lots of cool things to see and do at Islands of Adventure but you really want to make sure to take this one in! Take your time, stroll through the streets of Hogsmeade to window shop while sipping a creamy butterbeer (yum!). If you time it right, be sure to catch a performance of the Frog Choir. Despite the fact that the main attraction - Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey - does have a single-rider option, stand in line for this ride. The line is nearly as entertaining as the ride and we see people all the time that stand in the line but don't intend to go on the ride - it's that cool! There is an entirely separate website devoted to this section of the park that is really wonderful to explore - check it out at http://www.universalorlando.com/harrypotter/

After you've had your fill of Hogwarts - head out to explore the rest of this beautiful park. It really is a stunner! Of all of the rides - there are only two that we do not recommend for our own personal reasons: The Hulk and Dr. Doom's Fear Fall - we found both be be rather rough and they gave us headaches. Also - as far as we're concerned, and despite it looking super cool from the outside - Poseiden's Fury is just not worth the enormously long wait - enter at your own risk!

Our not-to-miss list is as follows:
Of course, everything in "The Wizarding World of Harry Potter"
Mythos restaurant
The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man

The Cat in the Hat - Another hokey ride but too cute to miss!
If you must get wet - and you will - these are truly great water rides:
Jurassic Park River Adventure 
Dudley Do-right's Ripsaw Falls
Popeye & Bluto's Bilge-Rat Barges

If you still have time at the end of the day - you can always go back and grab another ride on any of your favorites because you have a 2-park ticket!

So, sorry there are no secret passageways or hidden treasures to pass on where Universal is concerned. Maybe you'll find a few of your own - be sure to share them in the comments. Above all, enjoy your trip! :)