Universal Studios only

Anyone with older kids do a trip to Universal only? Thinking of a last week in August trip. Mine have never been to disney and dont really care to go now.

DDs will be close to 12 and 14 by then.

Where do we stay? How many nights? I know it will be quieter crowd-wise but hot too.

I have working advantage discounts through my employer but not sure if the deals are that good

Re: Universal Studios only

If you stay at select Universal resorts: hard rock, portofino & I forget which other one, your room tickets act as fast passes for all rides. I think depending on week, the prices are reasonable and may be lots of fun.

My kids are young, so we don't really go for long. We do love the hotels and will go to the park for a day just to use that perk. Aw some if you have teens!

Universal Studios only

Cabana Bay is their cheapest on site hotel, and is retro themed. Looks cute. No free express pass, but you get into the park an hour early, and have free transportation. Sapphire Falls is a step up, and brand new. Again, no free express pass. But, in August I don't think you even need an express pass. USSSA has discounted tickets, but right now I think they only go up to May. They save quite a bit. I really think more than like 2 days at Universal is overkill, but if they really like Harry Potter, 3 is probably good.

Re: Universal Studios only

They dont love harry potter so we would prob skip that. What else is there thats a must see? Prefer to make it a 5 night trip if we can. My girls don't mind staying a whole day at the resort of its nice by the pool etc.

Universal Studios only

I'm not sure of any "must sees". My kids like HP and the Dr. Seuss land. The rest is just okay to them. I personally think 5 nights is way too much for a universal trip. Without Harry Potter you could probably do most of it in a day...maybe day and a half. But, if you are doing that, I would stay off site so you aren't paying the premium to stay on site

Universal Studios only

We're staying at Cabana Bay in May. The new Volcano Bay water park opens at the end of May so that's another activity option. I think Universal is selling combo tickets that includes this new park.

Universal Studios only

We stayed at the Hilton Orlando in August. Beautiful pool area, nicest lazy river I've ever seen at a hotel (and most water parks). It is close to Universal and a shopping center with some good restaurants, as well as Wet n Wild and Sea World. I liked the virtual reality rides at Universal and the Men in Black ride.

Universal Studios only

I did a trip with dc when they were 10, 8 and 4. We stayed at Hard Rock which was close enough to walk to parks, plus express front of the line pass was included. We were there at Columbus Day so express pass was useful. My older ds really loves HP but it is so well done that younger dc and I really enjoyed it too. We stayed 4 nights because we were visiting friends too, but I think 3 could be enough. There wasn't a lot for little ones. My dc like thrill rides and it seemed like there were a lot. Pools were nice; Hard Rock had a slide and music piped in under the water. We were able to use the pools at the other hotels too. I felt it was an easy, low stress vacation, even with 3 dc on my own.

Re: Universal Studios only

Harry Potter is the must see. Everything else is secondary. My kids were also not HP fans. They had never even heard of HP until I let them watch the first movie right before our trip. They still loved the HP area.

I am not sure I would want to go in August. It is going to be HOT and humid.

Universal Studios only

I absolutely love Universal Studios and their resorts. I would be happy to run a free quote for you to compare to your working advantage discounts.
Shoot me an email [email protected]

Re: Universal Studios only