Universal Studios Florida?

Has anyone been to Universal in Orlando? I am taking my Harry Potter-crazed ds for his 9th birthday over Columbus Day weekend. I have never been and would love to hear any tips/recommendations. We are staying 4 nights at the Hard Rock Hotel. Thanks!

Universal Studios Florida?

Orlandoinformer.com is a great resource. We went in February' and usrd his tips

Universal Studios Florida?

Just went the last week of August. If your staying at the Hard Rock you get early access. Make sure to get a park hopper tickets. Start at Universal with early opening (we got there at 7:15am). Go straight to the new Harry Potter bank ride. We only waited 35 minutes once the park opens it was over 3 hours. Once the park opens jump over to Island of Adventure and do the Harry Potter section over there. That section did not pick up till around 11am. When we went we did Harry Potter one day then went back to the pool and the next day did the rest of the 2 parks. Hopefully you will have better luck with wait times then we did since it will be October. Enjoy!

Universal Studios Florida?

Columbus Weekend brings huge increase in attendance, so like the pp said...make sure you take advantage of early entry! Don't miss Olivander's, it's neat if you get picked for the wand experience.

Re: Universal Studios Florida?

We just went the last week of August - also stayed at the Hard Rock. It was a great time!!! The Hard Rock gave us front of the line passes which was so key to enjoying the park. My kids are not patient with long lines. We never had to wait more than 15 minutes (besides the Harry Potter stuff).

The Harry Potter section is a madhouse!!! Luckily it stormed/poured when we were there and it cleared out and we were able to get on one of the rides that had usually an hour plus wait. We didn't get to do all the rides in that area b/c the lines were too huge and not worth the wait but my kids really enjoyed walking through that area and using their wands to do the magic (my boys are 7 and 9 and just watched HP for the first time before we left and loved it). My biggest tip - is tell your kids to save $$ for the wands....had no clue they were like $40 or $45 for the ones that do magic and the scratch very easy. My 7 yr broke his in less than an hour and I didn't notice him doing anything too weird with it. Luckily the exchanged it (keep the receipt the entire time you are there if you buy one).

Otherwise we really did everything the 2 parks had to offer in the 2 days we were there with no issues. We even left earlier than we planned the 2nd day because we felt we accomplished all we needed to. I have a 3 year old as well and she loved it too even though she was too little for most of the rides.

Message edited 9/29/2014 10:32:30 PM.

Universal Studios Florida?

Which wands do magic? Those ones in the boxes? We paid a lot for the wands (my kids knew before going they wanted wands), but if they did magic, we missed it!

Universal Studios Florida?

Thanks for all the suggestions! We are so excited to go! My dc know all about the wands and are dying to get them. Two more questions. Where did you eat when you were there? We will have a car, but I would love to hear if there are any good restaurants in the parks or at the hotels. Also, we have three full days and one half day. If we get our fill of universal, any recs on what else to do? We are not doing disney this trip. I am traveling with 3 dc on my own and I want it to be somewhat relaxing, plus we were at disney twice in the past year. I know I could easily spend the day lounging at the pool at the hotel, but not sure if there is enough going on there to keep the kids entertained?

Universal Studios Florida?

Sorry double post

Message edited 9/30/2014 1:38:56 PM.

Universal Studios Florida?

We ate at Three Broomsticks, the food was great!! You could do Wet N Wild water park, that looks fun, Coco Key is smaller and cheaper, they usually have Groupons. Medieval Times. We just did Wonderworks last weekend and that was fun. Tons of mini golf places on I Drive.