Comments on: Spring Break 2014 survival guide: Lessons learned from visiting Universal Orlando at its busiest

By: CaptainAction

CaptainAction — Fri, 18 Apr 2014 15:13:44 +0000

We are always reminding our 3 kids how great they have it because their parents plan the vacations well and don’t just show up.
Those poor people that walk up to the front of the parks at 11:30 and get in line to buy tickets! Wow, what a waste.
Then you see a husband and wife talking in front of you in line at a cash register in a store. The wife asks how much Front of The Line Passes are and they get the answer $60/person. Then the wife looks at the husband and says we aren’t going to get to ride anything unless we buy them. Then the husband has a really sad expression and says, “We will take 5 Front of Line Passes.’
Ouch, $300!
That’s $60 more than I spent on our room at the Portofino for a 900 sq ft suite with 2 full baths and Unlimited Front of Line including the day we check in and out. We also got a plate of Tuxedo Chocolate dipped strawberries delivered free to our room and $100 credit for the Portofino restaurants and we rode a boat through the beautiful canals to the front of the parks.
We also got to enter the park 1 hour before most guests.
You don’t have to be rich to enjoy a beautiful 4-5 star resort with unbelievable perks at the greatest theme park in the USA but you need to study, learn, and plan.
Just one of the reasons I love Orlando Informer.

By: Harleysmom

Harleysmom — Tue, 08 Apr 2014 13:46:31 +0000

Which is why they tell you to store it in an all day locker. Not bring it around all day. Have all the things you may need and don’t want to have to goo back to your room for, like weather changing clothes, food, dry clothes, sunscreen, bandaides, etc… Lock it up somewhere and leave it, come back when you need it. Not neccessary to lock up at each ride that way.

By: OrlandoInformer

OrlandoInformer — Tue, 08 Apr 2014 09:52:26 +0000

@HelenB Thanks for your feedback. We’ll just have to agree to disagree. I don’t think Universal’s lockers are too much of an obstacle once you get the hang of them (and if you use the tips in our locker guide http://bit.ly/oilockers), and backpacks allow you to very easily carry food for meals, family supplies – like sunscreen, sanitizer, first aid for blisters, etc., etc. – and extra clothing without burdening the whole family in layers and stuffing pockets.

Don’t get me wrong. I agree that, ideally, you wouldn’t have to have a backpack, but in my estimation the benefits for a family of using one outweigh the challenges.

By: HelenB

HelenB — Tue, 08 Apr 2014 01:18:57 +0000

I’m really surprised that you’re recommending bringing a backpack. Universal parks are places where you definitely do NOT want to have a bag of any kind. It is just such a pain to go on the rides when they make you store all bags in a locker. What a nightmare! Instead, it’s better to wear clothing with deep, covered pockets (cargo pants/shorts are a great solution) and a lanyard to hold your park ticket/express passes. If you need a layer, bring a jacket or sweater that can be tied around your waist in the middle of the day. And if you don’t want to get wet on water rides, bring a compact emergency poncho that you can toss after you’ve done those wet rides (an emergency poncho is packaged smaller than a cell phone and easily fits in a good-sized pocket).

I truly can’t imagine any reason (other than people with medical needs, who have to bring certain supplies with them everywhere they go) to bring any kind of bag to a Universal Park.

By: BrianArmstrong

BrianArmstrong — Mon, 07 Apr 2014 19:37:37 +0000

The concept is just as it is anytime get there early stay late and plan ahead. The express pass is more then worth it. If you don’t have a plan walk in at 1030 with everyone else and leave when u get the least bit tired you are going to not enjoy your tip and if u didn’t buy the express pass you may get to ride 5 rides (if lucky) I had friends that went over spring break and was told they were gonna just wing it. Worst idea ever got there a little after 10 went to HP world lucked out and got on Forbidden Journey with only an hour wait. Didn’t do any of the shops. They hit Spider man during a slow time and only waited 30 mins then waited 75 for Minions. Got on men and black then did twister because there was no wait. THey decided to end it a day at 615. Said they loved HP world and how beautiful it was but were discouraged because of all the money they spent and barely got to ride anything. All things that could of been avoided (to at least a major degree) lines happen especially during holidays and peak hours. However could get so much more if just following basic ideas and the better ones provided here.