Thank you so much for another great video! You post all the good tips and I always enjoy that you get your wife’s input, too. It takes the whole village to make these trips successful! 🎉
We thought about upgrading the whole family to passes, but it’s just a tad too far away for us. I have a pass for coming back up periodically. I’ll be back up for Horror Nights again at a minimum.
@@SoCalDisneyDad I thought it was too far. But great to let your whole family see it. We keep trying to make the drive to use our Sea World passes and never make it. 1 year anniversary for Sesame Place.
I am glad you were able to do the Power Up Band Challenges later in the day. When you guys were walking out early I was like "noooooooooo!" Definitely, if you want to do the Power Up Challenges, it's gotta be early or late. They are not a filler attraction. It's a main attraction for the time being. I wonder if and when those lines will go down.
Yeah. The trouble was my family had never been to Universal at all before. So we wanted to enjoy the rest of the park too. We did manage to ride everything in the end (minus the Simpsons Ride by choice). But had we stuck around Nintendo World for another hour or two in the morning, I’m not sure if that would have been the case.
@@SoCalDisneyDad that's great. We found going Mondays was the best for the crowds. Both my kids get off school a bit earlier that day. Fri-Sat-Sunday at this time is just impossible.
@@jacehua7334 Yeah, the wait times on Monday before we went up looked pretty decent. Friday the kids had off school so that’s just when it worked best for us to go.
Hi! I just found your channel and are literally binging so many of your videos. I remember you mentioned in one of the disney videos to bring metal straws there because the straws disintegrate in the drinks. Would you recommend the same for Universal? I plan to go in a few weeks and is making a last minute list of things I need to get.
I believe Universal also uses paper straws. So the same advice would hold true. Yes. I know some people prefer silicone, so research what works best for you. Personally, I like metal because I use them for frozen beverages and it turns the straw frosty and gives a nice flavor to the frozen drink. Similar to drinking a soda from a can vs plastic, etc.
Hey Traver. My sister and I are going to universal. We are not interested in the rides but would still like to go in and take photos. Is that possible without paying any more money. Cheers
We stayed at a nearby hotel and walked. The hotel review will hit the channel a little later. Possibly next week? I have a few more time urgent videos for this week (food festivals).
@@emanuellawton7942 Yes, it’s called Express Pass. But truthfully you don’t need it. Universal is never that enough to justify the nearly $200/person JUST for the Express pass. That doesn’t include your ticket. And there’s only 10 rides. You’ll get everything done without it. I’ve never needed it as many times as I’ve gone. Not once has the park been busy enough I couldn’t do everything.
@@SoCalDisneyDad Wow! The last time I went to Universal Studios Hollywood was in 2002 and I remember something like Express Pass but it was $100.00 back then. I was wondering if they still had something like that. I guess it's all about managing your time although it might benefit someone who is handicapped and not able to stand and wait in long lines.
Probably? But I’m not sure that anyone knows right now? Unless there’s info that it also works in Japan (I haven’t looked). If it works in Japan then it will most likely work in Orlando too
They both had a really good time. A 3 year old would be tough. There aren’t very many rides at the park. Height requirements aside, their rides can be pretty intense with the on-screen effects.
We bought them in the CityWalk the night before. I’m not sure if you can buy them online, but yes, you can buy ahead of time. They aren’t linked to a reservation or anything. You’ll “activate” them (add to your account) in the app by scanning the QR code on the reverse side of the band.
@@caofangc You don’t “need” it. But if you want to score points on the app for the ride, it’s necessary. There’s a whole section of points dedicated to just Mario Kart. But you can ride the ride without the bands. It’s not a necessity. It just enhances the experience.
@@SoCalDisneyDad It's our first time at Universal, we're coming in about a week! Thanks for the videos! Can you explain the CityWalk? We'd like to get the Mario bands ahead of time, as we have the early entry, where can we purchase these? Thanks! Love all your videos, especially the Disney ones!
@@tanyah4724 CityWalk is basically just a shopping and food district right outside the park. Think of it as an outdoor shopping mall. There is a Super Nintendo store in the CityWalk where you can buy the Power Up Bands the night before.
Now I need to go to Universal Studios. And I have never tried a Butter Beer. I was 20, I think the last time I went. Many, many yrs ago. I'm now 46. So many things have changed. Thanks for the great vlog. And noticed no stroller for Benji.
We went strollerless because we weren’t sure about the escalators going down to the lower lot. We didn’t want to have to use an elevator and lose our spot in line for Super Nintendo. It turns out you just take the strollers down the escalator. So we could have. He was so worn out by the end of the day.
@@lisabostrack24 He did. Both of them did. Slept like logs on the way home, too. It was a long drive (2 1/2 hours). We wished we could have slept during the drive too.
@@lisabostrack24 We did! We just stayed there the previous night so we didn’t have to drive up in the morning. We only drove back at night. It wasn’t too late. The park closed at 7 PM.
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As usual, all the intel I wanted/need. Thank you 🤜
Glad you found it helpful!
Thank you so much for another great video! You post all the good tips and I always enjoy that you get your wife’s input, too. It takes the whole village to make these trips successful! 🎉
Wow. Maybe we now have season passes for the whole crew. What a fun day thanks for sharing this vlog.
We thought about upgrading the whole family to passes, but it’s just a tad too far away for us. I have a pass for coming back up periodically. I’ll be back up for Horror Nights again at a minimum.
@@SoCalDisneyDad I thought it was too far. But great to let your whole family see it. We keep trying to make the drive to use our Sea World passes and never make it. 1 year anniversary for Sesame Place.
Thank you for the tips. This video helped me finalize the plans for when we go in 2 weeks.
Here’s a tip try to go on rainy days no waiting at all
I am glad you were able to do the Power Up Band Challenges later in the day. When you guys were walking out early I was like "noooooooooo!" Definitely, if you want to do the Power Up Challenges, it's gotta be early or late. They are not a filler attraction. It's a main attraction for the time being. I wonder if and when those lines will go down.
Yeah. The trouble was my family had never been to Universal at all before. So we wanted to enjoy the rest of the park too. We did manage to ride everything in the end (minus the Simpsons Ride by choice).
But had we stuck around Nintendo World for another hour or two in the morning, I’m not sure if that would have been the case.
Great video glad you guys were able to do most of the attractions in Super Nintendo world
Yeah, we missed out on the Goomba rolling grass thing. The park closed before we could play it
@@SoCalDisneyDad well just means you have to go again 😂 have to collect all those stamps. Hopefully you downloaded the app to track your band progress
@@jacehua7334 Yes. James was 62nd out of the whole park for that day in score
@@SoCalDisneyDad that's great. We found going Mondays was the best for the crowds. Both my kids get off school a bit earlier that day. Fri-Sat-Sunday at this time is just impossible.
@@jacehua7334 Yeah, the wait times on Monday before we went up looked pretty decent. Friday the kids had off school so that’s just when it worked best for us to go.
Hi! I just found your channel and are literally binging so many of your videos. I remember you mentioned in one of the disney videos to bring metal straws there because the straws disintegrate in the drinks. Would you recommend the same for Universal? I plan to go in a few weeks and is making a last minute list of things I need to get.
I believe Universal also uses paper straws. So the same advice would hold true. Yes.
I know some people prefer silicone, so research what works best for you. Personally, I like metal because I use them for frozen beverages and it turns the straw frosty and gives a nice flavor to the frozen drink. Similar to drinking a soda from a can vs plastic, etc.
Are you able to get an Express Pass with an AP? I believe that’s their version of the Genie+/LL?
Yes, it's available as an individual and separate purchase.
Hey Traver. My sister and I are going to universal. We are not interested in the rides but would still like to go in and take photos. Is that possible without paying any more money. Cheers
Unfortunately not. In order to enter the park at all you must have a paid admission ticket.
Did you guys park at the general parking? If so what time did you get there for early access?
We stayed at a nearby hotel and walked. The hotel review will hit the channel a little later. Possibly next week? I have a few more time urgent videos for this week (food festivals).
Does Universal Studios Hollywood have anything similar to Disneyland's and Disneyworld 's lighting passes?
@@emanuellawton7942 Yes, it’s called Express Pass. But truthfully you don’t need it. Universal is never that enough to justify the nearly $200/person JUST for the Express pass. That doesn’t include your ticket. And there’s only 10 rides.
You’ll get everything done without it. I’ve never needed it as many times as I’ve gone. Not once has the park been busy enough I couldn’t do everything.
@@SoCalDisneyDad Wow! The last time I went to Universal Studios Hollywood was in 2002 and I remember something like Express Pass but it was $100.00 back then. I was wondering if they still had something like that. I guess it's all about managing your time although it might benefit someone who is handicapped and not able to stand and wait in long lines.
Do you know if the power up band that you bought in Hollywood will work at Epic in Orlando when it opens up?
Probably? But I’m not sure that anyone knows right now? Unless there’s info that it also works in Japan (I haven’t looked). If it works in Japan then it will most likely work in Orlando too
It will. At any Nintendo park in the world
How did your kids enjoyed Universal?? Overall??
Need reference to see if my 3yd would like it.
They both had a really good time. A 3 year old would be tough. There aren’t very many rides at the park. Height requirements aside, their rides can be pretty intense with the on-screen effects.
Pretty much what I thought. Thanks again for the review.
Can you purchase the power up bands prior to park entry? I’d love to buy these and have them shipped to my home prior to our visit
We bought them in the CityWalk the night before. I’m not sure if you can buy them online, but yes, you can buy ahead of time. They aren’t linked to a reservation or anything.
You’ll “activate” them (add to your account) in the app by scanning the QR code on the reverse side of the band.
@@SoCalDisneyDad do you need the band for Mario Kart ride?
@@caofangc You don’t “need” it. But if you want to score points on the app for the ride, it’s necessary. There’s a whole section of points dedicated to just Mario Kart.
But you can ride the ride without the bands. It’s not a necessity. It just enhances the experience.
@@SoCalDisneyDad It's our first time at Universal, we're coming in about a week! Thanks for the videos! Can you explain the CityWalk? We'd like to get the Mario bands ahead of time, as we have the early entry, where can we purchase these? Thanks! Love all your videos, especially the Disney ones!
@@tanyah4724 CityWalk is basically just a shopping and food district right outside the park. Think of it as an outdoor shopping mall.
There is a Super Nintendo store in the CityWalk where you can buy the Power Up Bands the night before.
Is Universal Studios is a little to far where you live🤔💨
It is. I have to get a hotel every time I go because it’s a 3 hour drive.
Now I need to go to Universal Studios. And I have never tried a Butter Beer. I was 20, I think the last time I went. Many, many yrs ago. I'm now 46. So many things have changed. Thanks for the great vlog. And noticed no stroller for Benji.
We went strollerless because we weren’t sure about the escalators going down to the lower lot. We didn’t want to have to use an elevator and lose our spot in line for Super Nintendo. It turns out you just take the strollers down the escalator. So we could have. He was so worn out by the end of the day.
@SoCal Disney Dad poor Benji. It's good practice, just to see if he could make it. I bet he slept well that night.
@@lisabostrack24 He did. Both of them did. Slept like logs on the way home, too. It was a long drive (2 1/2 hours). We wished we could have slept during the drive too.
@@SoCalDisneyDad next time you should book a hotel.
@@lisabostrack24 We did! We just stayed there the previous night so we didn’t have to drive up in the morning. We only drove back at night. It wasn’t too late. The park closed at 7 PM.
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