So, we just got back from a whirlwind weekend at Universal Orlando and here are my thoughts!
THE PARKS: we were in Universal Studios and Isles of Adventure the whole time. Our focus was on Harry Potter; I'd guess we spend 60-70% of our time in the two Potter sections. Hogsmead (in Isles) was good; Diagon Alley (Studios) was great. Diagon Alley rivaled the Star Wars Galaxy's Edge in my view, which is high praise. Both could have used a few more employees interacting as part of the show, but it was fine. We spend a huge amount of time exploring the Potter sections and the kids loved it.
The non-Potter areas were fine. None really captured you though. There was this really cool looking "Lost Continent" area in Isles that looked great, but didn't really have a point.
THE RIDES: Up front caveat…we didn't do any of the big coasters in Isles. Lucy didn't want to and the "little" boys were like "no way". Universal relies VERY heavily on VR using large screens and jerking around your seats. After a while, it gets repetitive. And if you are prone to motion sickness, the "giant screen and jerky car" combo isn't great.
Hagrid's Motor Bike roller coaster is one of my favorite rides ever. Extremely fun and being on a motorcycle is very clever. The two Potter VR type rides were the best of those type in the park. The rest kind of blend together…Spiderman/Transformers/Minions/MIB…
THE FOOD: Surprising good. Book sit-down reservations early. The "at-table" ordering app for places like the Leaky Cauldron worked quite well.
BIGGEST FRUSTRATION was unquestionably customer facing technology (except table-side ordering). The booking process was confusing and frustrating. When we arrived, we, over several stops at several different stations, received 19 business card sized pieces of paper for our party of 6. And we needed all 19 at multiple points every day. Room keys doubled as early-entry proof, park tickets double for locker rental, express passes are separate. You need your credit card for lunch. So much paper. You know what the Mouse does? A single wristband with everything tied to it. The park app and map are clunky too. No clue why Universal is so far behind here.
LOCKERS: basically all of the bigger rides require you to put your backpack in a locker. Smaller lockers are free; bigger lockers are $2 with credit card readers that don't work half the time. Couple of tipsuse smaller sized backpacks, have one adult control all the park tickets/locker cards, and have one assistant. Lucy and I handled getting and retrieving our stuff once we figured out the system and it was a lot better.
PHOTOS: we got the photo pass, which allowed us to get digital picture from the big rides. Unlike Mouse Land, there are not employee photogs everywhere. It is just the rides. Worth it? Maybe….
HOTEL: We stayed at Cabana Bay, which was about a mile walk to the parks. It was nice enough and all six of us fit in the "family suite"…which was 2 queens and pull-out coach. The pool looked fun, but we didn't fly to Florida to go to no pool.
CROWDS: We went on a random Friday/Saturday in early February. And brother, it was PACKED. You are elbow to elbow the entire time. Saturday was noticeably busier than Friday, but Friday was still crowded. That said, the lines tended to move well.
FINAL VERDICT: The kids had an absolute blast, and it was fun seeing them enjoying Potter as much as they did. Two days were good for me. I wish I could have traded a VR ride or three for a big coaster ride, but hey. It was enjoyable…and the box is checked off in my opinion.
(All opinions are strictly my own and may be countered by other members of my family at any point!)
THE PARKS: we were in Universal Studios and Isles of Adventure the whole time. Our focus was on Harry Potter; I'd guess we spend 60-70% of our time in the two Potter sections. Hogsmead (in Isles) was good; Diagon Alley (Studios) was great. Diagon Alley rivaled the Star Wars Galaxy's Edge in my view, which is high praise. Both could have used a few more employees interacting as part of the show, but it was fine. We spend a huge amount of time exploring the Potter sections and the kids loved it.
The non-Potter areas were fine. None really captured you though. There was this really cool looking "Lost Continent" area in Isles that looked great, but didn't really have a point.
THE RIDES: Up front caveat…we didn't do any of the big coasters in Isles. Lucy didn't want to and the "little" boys were like "no way". Universal relies VERY heavily on VR using large screens and jerking around your seats. After a while, it gets repetitive. And if you are prone to motion sickness, the "giant screen and jerky car" combo isn't great.
Hagrid's Motor Bike roller coaster is one of my favorite rides ever. Extremely fun and being on a motorcycle is very clever. The two Potter VR type rides were the best of those type in the park. The rest kind of blend together…Spiderman/Transformers/Minions/MIB…
THE FOOD: Surprising good. Book sit-down reservations early. The "at-table" ordering app for places like the Leaky Cauldron worked quite well.
BIGGEST FRUSTRATION was unquestionably customer facing technology (except table-side ordering). The booking process was confusing and frustrating. When we arrived, we, over several stops at several different stations, received 19 business card sized pieces of paper for our party of 6. And we needed all 19 at multiple points every day. Room keys doubled as early-entry proof, park tickets double for locker rental, express passes are separate. You need your credit card for lunch. So much paper. You know what the Mouse does? A single wristband with everything tied to it. The park app and map are clunky too. No clue why Universal is so far behind here.
LOCKERS: basically all of the bigger rides require you to put your backpack in a locker. Smaller lockers are free; bigger lockers are $2 with credit card readers that don't work half the time. Couple of tipsuse smaller sized backpacks, have one adult control all the park tickets/locker cards, and have one assistant. Lucy and I handled getting and retrieving our stuff once we figured out the system and it was a lot better.
PHOTOS: we got the photo pass, which allowed us to get digital picture from the big rides. Unlike Mouse Land, there are not employee photogs everywhere. It is just the rides. Worth it? Maybe….
HOTEL: We stayed at Cabana Bay, which was about a mile walk to the parks. It was nice enough and all six of us fit in the "family suite"…which was 2 queens and pull-out coach. The pool looked fun, but we didn't fly to Florida to go to no pool.
CROWDS: We went on a random Friday/Saturday in early February. And brother, it was PACKED. You are elbow to elbow the entire time. Saturday was noticeably busier than Friday, but Friday was still crowded. That said, the lines tended to move well.
FINAL VERDICT: The kids had an absolute blast, and it was fun seeing them enjoying Potter as much as they did. Two days were good for me. I wish I could have traded a VR ride or three for a big coaster ride, but hey. It was enjoyable…and the box is checked off in my opinion.
(All opinions are strictly my own and may be countered by other members of my family at any point!)