Make  Believe Vacations LLC
  • Special Offers
  • Request a Quote
  • Adventures By Disney
  • Aulani
  • Disney Cruise Line
  • Disneyland
  • Walt Disney World
  • Universal Orlando
  • Sandals Resorts
  • AmaWaterways River Cruises
  • Disney Park Hours
  • Blog
  • Referrals
  • Join Our Team
  • About Us
  • Special Offers
  • Request a Quote
  • Adventures By Disney
  • Aulani
  • Disney Cruise Line
  • Disneyland
  • Walt Disney World
  • Universal Orlando
  • Sandals Resorts
  • AmaWaterways River Cruises
  • Disney Park Hours
  • Blog
  • Referrals
  • Join Our Team
  • About Us
Make  Believe Vacations LLC

A Quick Universal Trip

3/3/2023

Comments

 
Upon arrival- we got settled and headed to the Club Level Lounge for a quick snack. We then walked down to the boat transportation area and caught a quick ride to City Walk.  Spent evening shopping and returned to our room fairly early because we had an early start for the parks the next day.
Because we were only here for the 1 night- before checking out and heading to the parks- we had to get our bags together and leave our room. A bit much to do so early, I must say.  We grabbed a quick breakfast at the club lounge and headed out.

We had a lovely 15 or so minute walk to Island of Adventure. We got there before rope drop and waited with the masses for park opening- and then bee-lined to Hagrid's (along with the masses). Some people ran- we did not. We got there when we got there, taking advantage of our resort early park admission- and got in line. We literally waited 90 solid minutes just to ride Hagrid's. 
After Hagrid's, husband and daughter went quickly to the VelociCoaster. It and Hagrid's are the 2 rides that we couldn't use our express pass to avoid the long lines.  They decided to do single rider- to ease the LONG wait- and lucked out. Walked right on the ride AND got to ride it together. That was just luck- because with single rider, your are quite likely to be split up and have to ride with a stranger. 

We hit up all the sights in and around Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley. It was fairly crowded so I was so happy to have the unlimited express pass. It is a MUST to be able to experience the best rides with the shortest lines, over and over again. Be aware- there will still be lines- but the express pass line is certainly shorter than the stand-by lines.  On the other hand, the regular express pass is also good to have, but you only get to ride each ride once. Staying at particular resorts adds the express unlimited pass to your reservation automatically- certainly a great perk that I wish Disney would consider.

We grabbed a quick lunch and my daughter & husband went to rid Hulk and other rides that my queasy-self won't even consider. My last ride was the Minions ride- which is always cute and fun- but the line is fairly long and SLOW- so be aware of that, regardless of express pass.

I spent the rest of our time shopping at City Walk while they got their thrill ride on.  It was a busy- yet short day- but we had plans to head to St. Petersburg- so we did our favorite things and headed out.

I wouldn't recommend a 1 day trip for your first visit to Universal, but if you are a repeater- and know what you like and don't- you can easily hit all your favorites using the express pass or unlimited pass and by getting there early. Be sure to purchase 2 Park-to-Park tickets so that you can enjoy the Hogwarts Express Train- as that is such a great experience and you can't ride it if you do not have park to park tickets. (yes- they check)

Comments

    Author

    Andrea Greene
    ~Wife
    ​~Mom 
    ​~Travel Agency Owner
    ~Vacation Planner
    ~Loves All Things Disney

    Archives

    March 2023
    February 2023
    December 2022
    September 2019
    July 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    October 2018
    July 2018
    May 2018
    March 2018
    January 2018
    July 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    November 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016

    RSS Feed

    Categories

    All

Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture

Contact Us

Join Now
Join our mailing list today!

Fla. Seller of Travel Ref. No. ST40292 
Travel Packages not sold to CA residents.
​
© 2023 Make Believe Vacations, LLC | All Rights Reserved | All Disney artwork, logos and properties: © Disney | No portion may copied or redistributed in any form

The images presented are the personal property of Make Believe Vacations, LLC and the use of original graphics or content created for this site is prohibited without express permission.


​