Hi, I guess I've had an account here for a long time, but I've only just lurked here and there. I was a frequent contributor on another board a few years ago and I am an in depth planner. My three daughters (ages 13, 13, 12) and I will be visiting Universal for the first time over their spring break. My MIL invited us down to Florida for the entirety of their break, but we're going to sneak away for a few days in the middle to satisfy their Harry Potter loving souls. We are active, experienced and capable of O/Cing a theme park enjoyably (open to close, we did this with both King's Island and Cedar Point last summer). We've been to Disney 3 times (2009, 2012, 2015). I don't believe such in depth touring plans are needed for Universal, but please correct me if I am wrong. Two of the girls are full out adrenaline ride junkies, I will likely be sitting out of a couple of the more extreme rides with the one that likes mild to medium coasters but doesn't like upside down or very high hills. I like rides, but I can take one for the team either way.
I'll be getting 3 day/2 park, park-to-park passes so that we can do Hogwart's Express. Our itinerary is roughly this, we will have a car:
Tue 3/27 Late arrival, cheap hotel tonight (booked Days Inn), do at least Ollivander's Wand Shop and dine at Three Brooksticks (both special requests by the girls) because Express Passes won't help us with those.
Wed 3/28 Check out of cheap hotel, check into Royal Pacific (also booked) bright and early, get our Unlimited EPs. Be at one of the gates in time to enjoy our extra morning hour. Do what the girls want to do, probably take a midday break at RP, returning for the evening.
Thur 3/29 Check out of RP, be at the other gate bright and early for the extra hour, hit it hard until we can't take it anymore. Put the chattiest/awakest girl in the passenger seat to keep me awake on the way back to MILs.
We want to ride the water taxi to or from RP at least once, but I've read that walking will probably be faster for us most of the time. I explained this to the girls and showed them the map and they are on board.
I'm looking to avoid pitfalls, wait times, and excess expenditures, BTDT advice gratefully accepted. I'm willing to read old threads you think are helpful, just link a girl up please! I read today about the refillable mug, we will probably do one of those. There will be a grocery run on the way there for quick breakfast items/hotel snacks.
I'll be getting 3 day/2 park, park-to-park passes so that we can do Hogwart's Express. Our itinerary is roughly this, we will have a car:
Tue 3/27 Late arrival, cheap hotel tonight (booked Days Inn), do at least Ollivander's Wand Shop and dine at Three Brooksticks (both special requests by the girls) because Express Passes won't help us with those.
Wed 3/28 Check out of cheap hotel, check into Royal Pacific (also booked) bright and early, get our Unlimited EPs. Be at one of the gates in time to enjoy our extra morning hour. Do what the girls want to do, probably take a midday break at RP, returning for the evening.
Thur 3/29 Check out of RP, be at the other gate bright and early for the extra hour, hit it hard until we can't take it anymore. Put the chattiest/awakest girl in the passenger seat to keep me awake on the way back to MILs.
We want to ride the water taxi to or from RP at least once, but I've read that walking will probably be faster for us most of the time. I explained this to the girls and showed them the map and they are on board.
I'm looking to avoid pitfalls, wait times, and excess expenditures, BTDT advice gratefully accepted. I'm willing to read old threads you think are helpful, just link a girl up please! I read today about the refillable mug, we will probably do one of those. There will be a grocery run on the way there for quick breakfast items/hotel snacks.