Questions about Universal Studies Orlando - any experts

[Anonymous]

In June, I think you will want the water park. It will be hot. I would get the park hop add on - -it is necessary to take the Harry Potter train. Wil lit also allow you to hop back and forth to the water park? If so, I would do something like get to the main parks first thing in the morning, do a few hours, then hit the water park for the afternoons. Parks get more crowded in the afternoon and the heat will be oppressive. Depending on whether your kids like rollercoasters/thrill rides, there's actually not a ton to do at Universal -- two half days are probably enough especially if you have Express Pass.

Here are the best rides:
Hagrids (incredibly good ride, but a little scary)
for those who like really scary -- Velociraptor and Hulk
the virtual reality HP rides (Gringotts and Hogwarts)
Men In Black (shooting game)
the train for HP fans

Not scary -- Buckbeaks Adventure (very short, easy going roller); Minions (mostly just funny, not much of a ride); maybe Shrek if you're there and want something very chill; Simpsons if you have Simpsons fans.

The transformers, Jimmy Fallon, Mummy (is that still open?) are all terrible. I guess the spider man one is okay.

If your kids aren't huge theme park people and if they're not super into HP, I might just do 2 days of tickets with the water park.

I've been to Universal about 8-10 times, often for multiple days, so I'm pretty familiar with it. I have one kid who is really into roller coasters so we typically do 2 theme park trips a year.

[Anonymous]

I have boys the same age and they don’t like watweparks so we skipped. It is worth taking them to universal at least once.

How is this even a question?

You are already obligated to go there for a wedding. You get free express passes. Seems like a no brainer to go to the parks.

I have kids with different interests so we have done both universal plus Legoland.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The water park was my boys’ favorite part of universal, so don’t skip that. They want to go back just for that.

+1. We all really enjoyed the water park (adults and kids). I actually didn't love the Universal side of the park - way too many VR type rides for me

[Anonymous]

We just went in November - didn't do Volcano Bay and I doubt we'll ever go back. Not because we didn't have fun, but it's a lot of roller coasters and thrill/scare rides and that's not really our thing.

One day probably wouldn't have been enough but two was almost too much. My younger daughter and I loved Diagon Alley/Hogsmeade.

I will put in a plug for the Mythos restaurant. Great meal and it was not crazy expensive either.

[Anonymous]

If you are military or government with a CAC, you can discounted tickets at the MWR. You get them local or go to Shades of Green in Orlando.

[Anonymous]

Also look at Undercover Tourist for tickets. Very legit.

[Anonymous]

We don’t like water parks so it would be dumb for us.

If your boys would love it, I’d go for it unless you won’t be able to buy groceries for a month afterward.

I’m assuming you are UMC / well off but have anxiety about money.