Awesome day at 2 Universal Studios Parks

Orlando, FL

Today I awoke at the crack of dawn and was on the road by just after 8:00 am. Today I was motivated. Today was the day for Universal Studios Florida and Universal’s Islands of Adventure.

There are several websites and blogs that suggest tips for visiting the Parks. And they’re full of great information on logistics, saving time and money, making the most out of your time there, etc., if you have the time to peruse them. I quickly looked through a couple before taking off this morning and found them really helpful.

My first decision was what kind of ticket to buy. Since I mainly wanted to see the Harry Potter related things, getting a two park pass was necessary since those smart folks at Universal put one section in Universal Studios and one in Islands of Adventure. (But you get to take the Hogwarts Express to go between them.) And one of the tips was to buy the minimum ticket you think you’ll want and then upgrade on the same day if you find you haven’t covered what you wanted to, and want to extend your visit to two or more days. So I got a one day, two park pass. Another tip was that if you buy a ticket on line or on the phone from Universal you save $20 off the ticket kiosk price when you get there. So I made a call, and booked the ticket by phone. I may have saved $20 but it still cost me $165 taxes in. ($ U.S. of course). Anyway, it’s a once in a lifetime experience, right. (BTW, there are places all over town selling discounted tickets, and I didn’t take any time at all exploring that opportunity. Just not trusting enough to buy from a non-direct source)

Second decision was what to do about transportation. I decided that at the end of the day, I was going to be very tired and I ought to make it easy on myself. I did Valet Parking. $40 for all day vs $20 in the Self Park lot. A well spent $20 as my feet will attest at the end of the day.

There is also an Express Pass option, that allows you into a faster line but it was $150 or so and as a single rider and on a Tuesday before spring break really gets started, I figured I didn’t really need one and I didn’t. (Also, the nice young man on the phone told me I could phone back when I got the park if I decided to buy an Express Pass and get the discounted price.)

Next it was the logistics of what order to do things in. Several of the tipsters said to head for the back of the park first since most people work from the front of the park towards the back. And to hit the most popular attractions early in the day before the lines get worse. Pretty standard theme park advice. So I headed to Diagon Alley in the Universal Studios Park first and did the attractions there that I wanted, then took the Hogwarts Express to Islands of Adventure, and did what I wanted to in the Potter section there, Hogsmeade, then the attractions at the other sections in Islands of Adventure.

Then I took the train back (slightly different on the return trip) and did the things I wanted to do on the Studios side, including watching the parade at 5 pm (which I’m sorry to say is not quite up to the standard of that other Park who shall go nameless), and the 7 pm show Universal Cinematic Spectacular.

The Cinematic Spectacular, was great. Since it’s Universal’s 100 anniversary in the film business they showed clips from hundreds of the movies coming out of their studio. Was great to recognize and remember some of the old ones. They projected the images on a wall of water, and used fountains with coloured lights and fireworks to do a really great presentation.

Of course I came “home” happy but exhausted. I think tomorrow is going to be a pool day.

Oh yes, and just a PS, my DSLR camera quit working altogether yesterday after acting up for the past couple of weeks. So today’s shots are taken with my little point and shoot and my cell phone. Hope to also find someone to take a look at my camera tomorrow and see if I can get it fixed. Sigh.