New here. Hello!

[lighttech]

Hi all! I'm new to the boards and wanted to say hi.
My family and I are taking our first big trip to Universal this summer (the hubs and I went for 1 day, nearly 15 years ago... so, I'm sure things are a bit different now!) I'm going to be hunting around for any great threads for newbies like me.
We'll be taking our 12yo (who is a HUGE HP fan) and the 8yo (who loves superheroes, transformers and Minions.) So, the timing, interest-wise, seems perfect. We're looking at 3-4 park days, and know we want to do park-to-park. But, other than booking the plane tickets, I haven't gotten very far. Any tips about great threads to start reading would be much appreciated! (Oh, and we think we want to stay at Cabana Bay... and are debating whether or not to include some time at Volcano Bay.)

Thanks for any tips! Time to start exploring!

 

[Parkscope Joe]

Welcone to the boards.

Cabana Bay is the best. Have you looked at potential dates?

 

[lighttech]

Yes. We've actually booked the flights. We'll be going in the second half of August. I teach, so we're working around my end of summer professional development days. We are planning on going as late as possible to get in at least a day or 2 that were lower-level on the crowd calendar. I'm sure it will still be busy, but hopefully with catching a little bit of a break on crowds and staying on-property for that extra hour in the morning, we'll be able to enjoy!

 

[Parkscope Joe]

My advice right now is to book the hotel NOW. Then keep watching the prices, you can cancel up to a week out and rebook under the new price.

 

[lighttech]

My advice right now is to book the hotel NOW. Then keep watching the prices, you can cancel up to a week out and rebook under the new price.

Thanks!
I didn't want to wait much longer, which is why I'm researching today. I'll look at booking the hotel and deal with the tickets later, I suppose. I kept looking at hotel and ticket packages, but it doesn't really seem to be any pricing difference... I can't quite figure out why they offer the packages at all. Which was the main source of my hesitation. I kept thinking I must be missing something.

 

[Parkscope Joe]

Thanks!
I didn't want to wait much longer, which is why I'm researching today. I'll look at booking the hotel and deal with the tickets later, I suppose. I kept looking at hotel and ticket packages, but it doesn't really seem to be any pricing difference... I can't quite figure out why they offer the packages at all. Which was the main source of my hesitation. I kept thinking I must be missing something.

I'm not a vacation package fan myself because you rarely save money.

 

[lighttech]

I'm not a vacation package fan myself because you rarely save money.

Great! You just confirmed what I've been thinking. Thanks!

 

[anihilnation]

Welcome to Inside Universal!

 

[lighttech]

Welcome to Inside Universal!

Thanks! Hi!

 

[JoeCamel]

Yes. We've actually booked the flights. We'll be going in the second half of August. I teach, so we're working around my end of summer professional development days. We are planning on going as late as possible to get in at least a day or 2 that were lower-level on the crowd calendar. I'm sure it will still be busy, but hopefully with catching a little bit of a break on crowds and staying on-property for that extra hour in the morning, we'll be able to enjoy!

I would suggest you at least check the numbers at one of the Deluxe hotels. At end of summer you may find the included express passes worth is vs. if you had to buy them. CBBR is a very fun hotel and you can't beat the access to VB but something like Royal Pacific might be a better value if there is any chance you would upgrade to express.

PD days sound like a teaching position?

 

[lighttech]

I would suggest you at least check the numbers at one of the Deluxe hotels. At end of summer you may find the included express passes worth is vs. if you had to buy them. CBBR is a very fun hotel and you can't beat the access to VB but something like Royal Pacific might be a better value if there is any chance you would upgrade to express.

PD days sound like a teaching position?

Yup. I teach 3rd grade. I would love to visit at a slower time... but, getting off during the school year is nearly impossible.
Thank you. I will check out the Deluxe hotels, but I think they (and the express passes) are out of our price range. That's why we're going as close to the end of August as we can. According to the crowd calendars I've seen, the crowds drop off for the last 2 days of our 4 day visit. And, we'll make the best of the early park admission too... Not a perfect scenario, but we'll make the best of it.

 

[Mad Dog]

Hi all! I'm new to the boards and wanted to say hi.
My family and I are taking our first big trip to Universal this summer (the hubs and I went for 1 day, nearly 15 years ago... so, I'm sure things are a bit different now!) I'm going to be hunting around for any great threads for newbies like me.
We'll be taking our 12yo (who is a HUGE HP fan) and the 8yo (who loves superheroes, transformers and Minions.) So, the timing, interest-wise, seems perfect. We're looking at 3-4 park days, and know we want to do park-to-park. But, other than booking the plane tickets, I haven't gotten very far. Any tips about great threads to start reading would be much appreciated! (Oh, and we think we want to stay at Cabana Bay... and are debating whether or not to include some time at Volcano Bay.)

Thanks for any tips! Time to start exploring!

Welcome to the Forums. Cabana Bay is excellent value for the price. It's like a Disney Moderate, or better, for close to the price of a Disney Value.

 

[Scott W.]

Welcome! I specialise in asking stupid questions so take it from me, don't be afraid to ask anything as everybody is very friendly and more than happy to help!

 

[Porkchop]

Welcome! We took our son to Disney in 2010 (he was 2) and 2012 (4).....we then went in 2014 to Universal instead - big leap for us. He fell in love, as did we. We went again last year, and are going in September this year, and we're UNI annual pass holders all the way in Charlotte NC. We all cant get enough of the growth, the fun, and Sapphire falls!!!!!

Your 8 year old is at the perfect age to really enjoy these parks for years to come!

Again, welcome to the boards!

 

[Brian G.]

Hi all! I'm new to the boards and wanted to say hi.
My family and I are taking our first big trip to Universal this summer (the hubs and I went for 1 day, nearly 15 years ago... so, I'm sure things are a bit different now!) I'm going to be hunting around for any great threads for newbies like me.
We'll be taking our 12yo (who is a HUGE HP fan) and the 8yo (who loves superheroes, transformers and Minions.) So, the timing, interest-wise, seems perfect. We're looking at 3-4 park days, and know we want to do park-to-park. But, other than booking the plane tickets, I haven't gotten very far. Any tips about great threads to start reading would be much appreciated! (Oh, and we think we want to stay at Cabana Bay... and are debating whether or not to include some time at Volcano Bay.)

Thanks for any tips! Time to start exploring!

Welcome!!!

 

[lighttech]

Welcome! I specialise in asking stupid questions so take it from me, don't be afraid to ask anything as everybody is very friendly and more than happy to help!

Lol. Glad to know stupid questions are welcome! I'm sure I'll be asking quite a few.

 

[GadgetGuru]

Welcome! Hope you have a great time in Orlando this August!

I don't book hotels (family in the area), but Cabana Bay is definitely on my wish list of places to stay. I'll throw out a couple random tips that I can think of. I don't know many threads because I don't hang out too much in the trip planning part of the forums.

* If you don't get a vacation package, I'd recommend you get your park tickets ahead of time from a online website like UndercoverTourist. You can save a surprising amount of money and you don't have to wait in line at the gate.
* If you're flying in and not getting a rental car, take an Uber from the airport. The shuttles are usually expensive for families (they charge per person!) and they take a long time.
* If you're doing 4 full days at the resort, I think Volcano Bay will be a good idea. Unless it's a crazy crowded time, I really think that 4 days can a little much between the 2 parks.
* Universal's food is good for theme park standards (heck, it's pretty good period), but I personally avoid the older restaurants. The past few years have seen Universal really jump in food standards and I personally think there's a difference between the newer + older restaurants. Potter, Simpsons, CityWalk are all great bets.
* I've heard rumors that going to Olivander's right at open gives you pretty good odds of getting picked...

 

[JoeCamel]

Welcome! Hope you have a great time in Orlando this August!

I don't book hotels (family in the area), but Cabana Bay is definitely on my wish list of places to stay. I'll throw out a couple random tips that I can think of. I don't know many threads because I don't hang out too much in the trip planning part of the forums.

* If you don't get a vacation package, I'd recommend you get your park tickets ahead of time from a online website like UndercoverTourist. You can save a surprising amount of money and you don't have to wait in line at the gate.
* If you're flying in and not getting a rental car, take an Uber from the airport. The shuttles are usually expensive for families (they charge per person!) and they take a long time.
* If you're doing 4 full days at the resort, I think Volcano Bay will be a good idea. Unless it's a crazy crowded time, I really think that 4 days can a little much between the 2 parks.
* Universal's food is good for theme park standards (heck, it's pretty good period), but I personally avoid the older restaurants. The past few years have seen Universal really jump in food standards and I personally think there's a difference between the newer + older restaurants. Potter, Simpsons, CityWalk are all great bets.
* I've heard rumors that going to Olivander's right at open gives you pretty good odds of getting picked...

One thing on your list. Uber does not pick up at the airport. It will drop off but no pickup

 

[GadgetGuru]

One thing on your list. Uber does not pick up at the airport. It will drop off but no pickup

I'm pretty sure that's changed in the past couple weeks

 

[JoeCamel]

I'm pretty sure that's changed in the past couple weeks

Looks like you are correct. My bad

Surprised there was not more buzz about it