Hi Mike. We were at Universal just a few weeks ago. It was fabulous!! My tips to add: 1. The Chocolate Foundry is a GREAT place to grab a meal. Of course their desserts are amazing but the food is excellent, too. 2. Hagrid's Motorbike ride is a must DO NOT MISS! Quite certain it's the best ride of any kind I've ever been on. 3. Universal's Sapphire Falls resort is an excellent choice for your stay. While it's not quite in the same league as some of their other properties (Royal Pacific)... it is still a great spot to lay down your head after a long day at the parks. While their onsite restaurant on the ground level is average and very overpriced... their rum-based venue makes up for the other. Of special note are the onsite giftshop and their lobby cafe with a superb variety of items to eat on the go, as well as coffees, ice creams, and other goodies. 4. Lyft is a great transportation option from airport to destination, and park-to-park when needed. 5. We did take one day at Disney World-- probably a don't miss if schedule allows. I could go on & on ... but overall all facets at both parks were impressive, enjoyable, memorymakers.
He/she will love it. Coming from a 12 y old, it’s the perfect family ride that gives you a truly immersive experience and I recommend you do it 💯 percent!!
@@nmcguinit’s not extreme,there’s a bit at the end where the train drops but it’s not a big drop at all,they will love it.I’m a nervous adult with rides x
If you like water rides do them mid day then do lunch youll be mostly dry by the time youre done eating the water will be a great cool down while you chill and eat
If you’re a family of 4-5 it’s almost always worth it to stay at a premier hotel if you plan on getting express and staying for more than 2 days. It’s usually 450-500 a night and if you stay longer it’a cheaper per night too. At the cheapest it’s 90 for endless summer and then you buy express pass (on top of your base ticket) for at the cheapest 99 per person. Your paying just as much in express as you would have per night for premier hotel and you’re father away.
I was fortunate enough to have a lull at work right before spring break. But, you go when you can, or you don't go at all. There's a reason why the parks aren't equally crowded throughout the year.
My mom and I are going in early May. We’re super excited and ever since I told her about our trip on Christmas (it was her present) she keeps finding things to add to our itinerary 😅. These videos have been super helpful in preparing to go and planning our days. Thanks 👍
@@lovelydia21 it was awesome. We got to ride all of the rides on our must ride list and a few we rode multiple times. There was rain in the forecast but it ended up sunny the entire time we were there except after 6pm on the last day.
Hey Mike--TY for the shout out. lol. I did want to point one small thing out. The Endless Summer resorts do not qualify with the pool hopping. All of the others do. Just wanted to make sure you had this info in case someone is booking with you. Great video my friend.
I normally aren’t one to get sick on rides, and HP ride in Hollywood made me SICK with Dramamine. Can’t wait to visit Orlando next year and appreciate this video as looking at premier packages currently for 4 days.
It's the combination of how you're being moved as well as the 3d screens that does it. I was grateful that I didn't have anything to eat until after I'd ridden all the rides I wanted to for the day. Motion sickness tablets are worth it.
As far as motion sickness goes, I don’t think there’s a ride in the world that’s has knocked me down anywhere near as bad as The Simpsons ride. That one was horrible.
Here's one, yes...try Butterbeer, but don't try it and then ride one of the rides that cause motion sickness. My husband did and then he was sick the rest of the day.
I prefer losing 1 payday of work during the week vs paying 1-2 days of express pass during the weekend. You can do so much more during the week... 1 day park to park and you do most of the 2 parks.
I did the early entrance thing because I stayed at a universal hotel and hagrids was a 4 hour wait and we did velocicoaster 2 times in a row and it never went down
The Borne Stunt show was great and I saw it twice. FOR THE FLUM rides you can bring a rain poncho. I don't get motion sickness but I just don't like motion rides for the most park like The Simpson ride and Jimmy Fallon through NY. I was there Oct. 19 and it wasn't hardly crowded at all, most first thing in the morning. I'm going for the Halloween show in Oct. 2023. And I'll go for Christmas 2024.
Is a 4 day trip- 2 days per park- an adequate amount of time to get the full experience considering the wait times for rides? Because sometimes you wait in line longer than actually riding, though we do have the unlimited express pass, but I'm mainly looking forward to the velocicoaster and the harry potter coasters
Does the express pass really help? Especially being that everyone at the premier hotels have express pass, doesn't more people have express than those that don't have express?
So much of a plan depends what kind of vacation are you trying have? My 1st suggestion is don't do Universal in 2 days. I personally believe if this is a bucket list item for you, then 3 days is the minimum, not including check in day. 2 days means you are probably on a bit of a budget & something like express passes will just seem not worth it. If you're bringing kids please budget time for Camp Jurassic and KidsZone(soon to be replaced) and also If I Ran the Zoo. A kid can easily spend an 1 or 2 just splashing & running around. With only 2 days that's a big chunk. Plus try to have a resort day where you do the pools, movie nights or a night out at CityWalk which has a movie theater, clubs, mini golf etc. But if you are Ballin on a budget as the kids say... then take your 2 days stay somewhere for 99 bucks a night and just try to rope drop the 2 or 3 must do rides and squeeze in lunch or dinner. It can be done but you will leave a lot of meat on the bone.
My wife gets motion sickness. Took Dramamine in the morning and never felt even slightly nauseous. That ride does try its best to mess you up though lol. I think it's worse the first time since you don't know what to expect, but on subsequent rides you have a better sense of where you're about to move.
Hi Chris, it really all depends on which rides you plan to go on! if you send me an email, I can try to help you more from there mike @ the park prodigy.com
Do you know if rope drop is less crowds? My family wants to go for july 4th since my brother's birthday is the 3rd. Its a given the park will be busy but do you know when the best time during the day to go is? Thank you in advance
Yes, using Early Park Admission (which is included in all of our tickets) is the best way to beat the crowds. It allows you into the parks 1 hour before the park opens to get on all the best rides
You need to get to the park an hour before park opening to get the most out of your day. Also I would avoid going on any National Holiday like July 4th, the parks could be packed and may even reach capacity, meaning they will have to close the gates.
Just a few rides! At Islands of Adventure: Jurassic World VelociCoaster, Hagrid's, Forbidden Journey and Flight of the Hippogriff. At Universal Studios: Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts and Minion Mayhem
Early morning is great if you have early park admission - even better! this allows you to enter the park 1 hour before it opens if you are staying at a Universal hotel or purchase tickets with The Park Prodigy
I just spoke to customer service at Universal Studios and you can No longer reserve an electric scooter in advance. They informed that it’s been more than a year and half so 2021 sometime that they stopped doing that.
Hi Mike. We were at Universal just a few weeks ago. It was fabulous!!
My tips to add:
1. The Chocolate Foundry is a GREAT place to grab a meal. Of course their desserts are amazing but the food is excellent, too.
2. Hagrid's Motorbike ride is a must DO NOT MISS! Quite certain it's the best ride of any kind I've ever been on.
3. Universal's Sapphire Falls resort is an excellent choice for your stay. While it's not quite in the same league as some of their other properties (Royal Pacific)... it is still a great spot to lay down your head after a long day at the parks. While their onsite restaurant on the ground level is average and very overpriced... their rum-based venue makes up for the other. Of special note are the onsite giftshop and their lobby cafe with a superb variety of items to eat on the go, as well as coffees, ice creams, and other goodies.
4. Lyft is a great transportation option from airport to destination, and park-to-park when needed.
5. We did take one day at Disney World-- probably a don't miss if schedule allows.
I could go on & on ... but overall all facets at both parks were impressive, enjoyable, memorymakers.
We love these tips too, thanks for sharing!
The food at Toothsome is mediocre and overpriced. Bigfire on Citywalk is a much better option.
is the motorbike ride scary for a nervous 10 yr old ? how extreme is the roller coaster
He/she will love it. Coming from a 12 y old, it’s the perfect family ride that gives you a truly immersive experience and I recommend you do it 💯 percent!!
@@nmcguinit’s not extreme,there’s a bit at the end where the train drops but it’s not a big drop at all,they will love it.I’m a nervous adult with rides x
GAME PLAN, GAME PLAN, GAME PLAN. Best tip. It may be some work but it is totally worth it.
Absolutely!
@@TheParkProdigy love the videos. Very helpful
If you like water rides do them mid day then do lunch youll be mostly dry by the time youre done eating the water will be a great cool down while you chill and eat
nice tip!
Ive never been to universal but this has me soooo excited, im going next summer
Happy to hear that, have a great time!
the was a GREAT video. I've never been to Universal Orlando and just started planning for a trip in Nov.
Have an amazing time!!
@@TheParkProdigy I may be reaching out for help. 😬
If you’re a family of 4-5 it’s almost always worth it to stay at a premier hotel if you plan on getting express and staying for more than 2 days. It’s usually 450-500 a night and if you stay longer it’a cheaper per night too. At the cheapest it’s 90 for endless summer and then you buy express pass (on top of your base ticket) for at the cheapest 99 per person. Your paying just as much in express as you would have per night for premier hotel and you’re father away.
absolutely!
800 dollars a night now ouch
I just went and this was one of the only useful videos
I really appreciate that Christian and I hope you had an amazing time!!
Great video!
I go to universal I’m February and I found this very helpful. Thank you park prodigy.
No problem!!
I wish I didn't have to go during spring break but it's the only option haha. Love this video!
Totally get it. You will still have an amazing time!
I feel the same!!! Going next week
@@lisaflores9188 how was it?!
I was fortunate enough to have a lull at work right before spring break. But, you go when you can, or you don't go at all. There's a reason why the parks aren't equally crowded throughout the year.
My mom and I are going in early May. We’re super excited and ever since I told her about our trip on Christmas (it was her present) she keeps finding things to add to our itinerary 😅. These videos have been super helpful in preparing to go and planning our days. Thanks 👍
awesome happy to help!
It’s now June. How was the trip ? 😅
@@lovelydia21 it was awesome. We got to ride all of the rides on our must ride list and a few we rode multiple times. There was rain in the forecast but it ended up sunny the entire time we were there except after 6pm on the last day.
I love this video, this is so helpful if you are planning to go to Universal!
I'm so glad!
Hey Mike--TY for the shout out. lol. I did want to point one small thing out. The Endless Summer resorts do not qualify with the pool hopping. All of the others do. Just wanted to make sure you had this info in case someone is booking with you. Great video my friend.
Thanks for all the info! Happy Holidays!
Very helpful. Wnere would u start ur day with a toddler
Seuss Landing is great for toddlers
Thank you for making these videos 😊
Of course!
I normally aren’t one to get sick on rides, and HP ride in Hollywood made me SICK with Dramamine. Can’t wait to visit Orlando next year and appreciate this video as looking at premier packages currently for 4 days.
Sorry to hear that!
It's the combination of how you're being moved as well as the 3d screens that does it. I was grateful that I didn't have anything to eat until after I'd ridden all the rides I wanted to for the day. Motion sickness tablets are worth it.
As far as motion sickness goes, I don’t think there’s a ride in the world that’s has knocked me down anywhere near as bad as The Simpsons ride. That one was horrible.
I agree!
Simpson’s is god awful for MS
Absolutely!
What’s it called?
@@michelevilla7624 It’s just called The Simpson Ride
Here's one, yes...try Butterbeer, but don't try it and then ride one of the rides that cause motion sickness. My husband did and then he was sick the rest of the day.
Good point!
I prefer losing 1 payday of work during the week vs paying 1-2 days of express pass during the weekend. You can do so much more during the week... 1 day park to park and you do most of the 2 parks.
Yes!
Not on winter or spring break , christmas and summer though
We’ll ya but that’s a given. If you’re going during those times you know full well how insane it’s going to be
Thanks for the video
No problem!
I did the early entrance thing because I stayed at a universal hotel and hagrids was a 4 hour wait and we did velocicoaster 2 times in a row and it never went down
Wow!
This is very helpful, I will for sure be watching it in winter again just before we go!
So glad it helped!
The Borne Stunt show was great and I saw it twice. FOR THE FLUM rides you can bring a rain poncho. I don't get motion sickness but I just don't like motion rides for the most park like The Simpson ride and Jimmy Fallon through NY. I was there Oct. 19 and it wasn't hardly crowded at all, most first thing in the morning. I'm going for the Halloween show in Oct. 2023. And I'll go for Christmas 2024.
Awesome we are glad you went in a less crowded time!
Is a 4 day trip- 2 days per park- an adequate amount of time to get the full experience considering the wait times for rides? Because sometimes you wait in line longer than actually riding, though we do have the unlimited express pass, but I'm mainly looking forward to the velocicoaster and the harry potter coasters
That sounds like a perfect amount of time especially if you have express pass. You will be able to ride each ride multiple times if you would like to
Late reply, but Velocicoaster is now included in Express Pass! If you have not been already that is :D
@Roflcoptorz went there early June, had a lot of fun 🙂 waiting on Hagrid's Motorbike to be added to express lane
@@pplicker4462 I am going there again September 2024 (from UK so cannot go often :( )...fingers crossed it is on it by then!
Hi, do you have any videos about the rides at universal and their intensity?
We don't but great idea!
Does the express pass really help? Especially being that everyone at the premier hotels have express pass, doesn't more people have express than those that don't have express?
The express pass really does help skip the lines. Since you can use it on any ride you want at any time, the lines are really spread out.
I love this video, this is so helpful we are planning to go to Universal! Is wireless included in the parks?
Thank you! Universal does have free Wifi for guests
So much of a plan depends what kind of vacation are you trying have? My 1st suggestion is don't do Universal in 2 days. I personally believe if this is a bucket list item for you, then 3 days is the minimum, not including check in day. 2 days means you are probably on a bit of a budget & something like express passes will just seem not worth it. If you're bringing kids please budget time for Camp Jurassic and KidsZone(soon to be replaced) and also If I Ran the Zoo. A kid can easily spend an 1 or 2 just splashing & running around. With only 2 days that's a big chunk. Plus try to have a resort day where you do the pools, movie nights or a night out at CityWalk which has a movie theater, clubs, mini golf etc. But if you are Ballin on a budget as the kids say... then take your 2 days stay somewhere for 99 bucks a night and just try to rope drop the 2 or 3 must do rides and squeeze in lunch or dinner. It can be done but you will leave a lot of meat on the bone.
Great suggestions!
any ada resources you recommend?
I can’t seem to find the link of the busy month calendar you where talking about
Here you go! theparkprodigy.com/crowd-calendar/
@@TheParkProdigy thank you
How is the weather in December to go to universal??
It will be really nice! Low 70s
Endless summer doesn’t allow pool hoping. Every other one I think does.
Yes!
Don’t forget potted cream butter beer! ❤🍻
Yesss!
I agree. The Harry Potter ride you’ve spoke about at 6:26 is the only ride I’ve ever felt ill riding. Won’t do that one again on my next visit
It is not for everyone!
My wife gets motion sickness. Took Dramamine in the morning and never felt even slightly nauseous. That ride does try its best to mess you up though lol.
I think it's worse the first time since you don't know what to expect, but on subsequent rides you have a better sense of where you're about to move.
@@tarbosh917 Yep, shy of getting you tipsy and full and pushing on your belly, I'm not sure how much more it could do to make folks motion sick.
Random question, what holiday in February 🤔 we're planning a trip 3rd week of February. Before March and all spring break
Presidents Day Weekend!
I feel like Universal Orlando should make the welcome sign at the front of city walk a digital sign. Just my opinion.
Yes!
Is it worth getting express in end of january beginning of febraury during midweek day
Hi Chris, it really all depends on which rides you plan to go on! if you send me an email, I can try to help you more from there mike @ the park prodigy.com
Do you know if rope drop is less crowds? My family wants to go for july 4th since my brother's birthday is the 3rd. Its a given the park will be busy but do you know when the best time during the day to go is? Thank you in advance
Yes, using Early Park Admission (which is included in all of our tickets) is the best way to beat the crowds. It allows you into the parks 1 hour before the park opens to get on all the best rides
You need to get to the park an hour before park opening to get the most out of your day. Also I would avoid going on any National Holiday like July 4th, the parks could be packed and may even reach capacity, meaning they will have to close the gates.
@@TheParkProdigyis it included in the price?
@@agneris yes!
Is everything open when the park opens early, or is it just a few of the rides (like Disney)?
Just a few rides! At Islands of Adventure: Jurassic World VelociCoaster, Hagrid's, Forbidden Journey and Flight of the Hippogriff. At Universal Studios: Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts and Minion Mayhem
How is the crowd levels mid November to end of November for all parks?
Thanksgiving is pretty crowded
what are the parks like during the middle of May
They should be lower crowds!
@@TheParkProdigy So low crowds during the week of mothers day? I will be there from 15-19
Can you get on a ride more than once without the express pass?
Yes, 100%!
With that being said!👆🏻
😂😂😂
Is most of the ride at Universal are single rider or not. I want to buy express pass but i want to know so i can avoid paying the extra fee
There are 15 rides that offer single rider lines in both Universal and Islands of Adventure
Do you recommend visiting the park in the morning or later in the evening? We will be taking a shuttle bus to the park.
Early morning is great if you have early park admission - even better! this allows you to enter the park 1 hour before it opens if you are staying at a Universal hotel or purchase tickets with The Park Prodigy
I don't know why there aren't interactive wand locations in the HP ride queues.....
That’s actually a great point would be a great way to stay entertained 👍🏻
I just spoke to customer service at Universal Studios and you can No longer reserve an electric scooter in advance. They informed that it’s been more than a year and half so 2021 sometime that they stopped doing that.
Hi Marite, thanks so much for checking out our video and for the updated tip!
FYI they no longer let you place a request for EVC rentals
thank you for the update!
shoes an essential not just for long walks, they are for long long long queues and a lot of standing in them, ouch
Totally!
"we would say ... "
I suggest you just say it and drop the "we would say" before every tip.
Appreciate the support 👍🏻
I’m coming mid February and hope there is less people there
Have a great time!
Same, I'll be there on February 25th