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Hi all! Just joined this side. Trying to work a few days in for my HP crazy son during our trip January 2016. Is it worth it to stay at a UOR hotel a few days? Which one?

5:36pm on 1/25/15 by kl_clark5

Welcome! Absolutely, yes! The included express passes (at the 3 deluxe resorts) makes touring Uni so easy. Plus you can walk over to the parks, easily have an afternoon break without the hassle of WDW transport. We have stayed at RPR and HRH, both great.

5:47pm on 1/25/15 by Wahoohokie

for wwohp early entry can be key which all hotels have. The 3 delux hotels Hard rock, royal pacific & Portfino are expensive but also give unlimited express pass which is valid for check in and check out day also.

5:50pm on 1/25/15 by mumcalsop

Thanks for the tips! I am excited to try UOR. Will 2 full days be enough for ds8 and dd5?

5:54pm on 1/25/15 by kl_clark5

ds8 might want another day but 2 days will prob be enought for dd5. Suggest you check height requirements uor ride height restrictions restrict little ones from alot. Dd7 was too short for 3 rides last visit.

6:08pm on 1/25/15 by mumcalsop

Thanks for the tip! My kids are both really tall so I think by next year they will be good . They are both WwoHP obsessed so I am excited to go!

6:10pm on 1/25/15 by kl_clark5

Welcome! Onsite in a deluxe is absolutely worth it!

7:56pm on 1/25/15 by disneyday

On the same note...are Jan crowds low enough to attempt the Uni parks without early entry/express pass? Also wanting to visit in Jan 2016 combining WDW and a few days at Uni.

9:09pm on 1/25/15 by flash7266

Whether EP is necessary depends upon how many days you will be there, if you are going to use EE, whether your group includes thrill riders and if anyone in your group needs mid-day breaks. Also be aware that Uni closing times*

9:35pm on 1/25/15 by disneyday

* during low crowds are early, especially compared to WDW. For the most part, I would say with crowds under a 4, that EP isn't necessary if you have at least 3 days in the parks.

9:38pm on 1/25/15 by disneyday

We are planning two days, kids will be 18 & 19 so mainly there for HP and thrill rides. Planning on week after New Year's Day. We won't need breaks with early closing.

10:21pm on 1/25/15 by flash7266

If kids are happy using single rider line for thrill rides, I would say you should be ok without EP.

10:29pm on 1/25/15 by disneyday

We are good with single rider @disneyday! And HP big rides don't use EP. Thanks for your advice! I'll talk to DH...

10:37pm on 1/25/15 by flash7266

with DDs 10 and 13, we were able to do both parks, including most shows in one day with on site EP and a near sellout crowd day ... Rip tide was they only one we wish we would have found sooner.... We hit HP @ rope drop/EE

12:55am on 1/26/15 by dogbone

@flash... I just read the date, that would be the same week we were there this year.... We went the Monday after NY.... Crowded is an understatement

12:57am on 1/26/15 by dogbone

@dogbone, I'm thinking I'll maybe save Uni for the end of that week then!

8:24am on 1/26/15 by flash7266

Hi and welcome.Agree staying on site with EE and EP makes it so easy. We prefer RPR a very relaxed atmosphere. Love the pool area. You can pool hop with the other resorts also. Great to be able to walk to the parks

10:36am on 1/26/15 by Jente

So I've talked to DH-now planning our last 2 days at Uni. Hoping to stay at one of the deluxe hotels for at least one night, that will still get us two days EE and EP I believe?

4:29pm on 1/26/15 by flash7266

Yes at @flash that is my understanding we are doing Disney then 1 or 2 nights at prr . The day after thanksgiving ! Did anyone do those days last year?

4:42pm on 1/26/15 by burfe1501

You get EE and EP on day of check-in and check- out. You can check in super early in the am to be able to use EE. Good friends did Thanksgiving this year. It was very crowded but EE and EP allowed them to enjoy everything.

4:55pm on 1/26/15 by disneyday

We did th and fri of thanksgiving this year. Crowded, bit after disney the days before it was an oasis of calm. HP areas were madhouse, otherwise very manageable.

19 min ago by Danadanes

My countdown just changed from 12 hours to 12 days. I am just too sick to go tomorrow, even though I've been so excited. I had booked Royal Pacific thru Orbitz, so had to process change through them. New date is more expensive but I am grateful anyway.

6:50pm on 1/26/15 by snowdiz

So sorry you aren't feeling well but glad you were able to reschedule.

7:50pm on 1/26/15 by disneyday

Hope you feel better soon! Good call on cancelling, it's no fun to feel sick at the parks.

8:28pm on 1/26/15 by Wahoohokie

Bummer, but at least you'll be feeling well when you go.

8:52pm on 1/26/15 by worldwidepayne

Awww. I'm happy you're still going, and I hope you get well soon

9:09pm on 1/26/15 by angai9

It will be much better to be well on vacation . Relax and get well soon

6:16am by burfe1501

Welcome Tuesday. Hope you all have a great day. Get well Snowdiz. 202.

6:13am by worldwidepayne

Good morning 296 I hope

6:15am by burfe1501

203 good day all liners have a peaceful Sunday

7:16am on 1/25/15 by Jente

Peaceful sounds great although I have some cleaning up around the house to do. 204.

7:38am on 1/25/15 by worldwidepayne

47 the excitement for our trip is starting to build. DDs 8 and 11 now reading the Harry Potter series again (it may be the 8th time through for both). DD8 is reading the entire Universal website

8:08am on 1/25/15 by Tanavin

77. Have a great day.

9:18am on 1/25/15 by jennmurphy

We go Tuesday! Supposed to be dry but cooler in low 60's. I so want to do the water rides though.

10:02am on 1/25/15 by snowdiz

243, to far for any questions yet but close enough to start paying closer attention on here. Enjoy what's left of your sunday!

12:16pm on 1/25/15 by brerbeer

Started to actually make an itinerary yesterday. My youngest keeps saying "When we go back to Disney..." What to do?

12:22pm on 1/25/15 by Libwalsh

@Libwalsh... How old is your youngest? When my family still had someone under 8, we couldn't do a Uni only vacation because my kids didn't really start to enjoy Uni for longer than one day until they could enjoy the thrill rides.*

8:02pm on 1/25/15 by disneyday

* We did split vacations with both Disney and Uni until then and we often had split days when my husband and thrill riders went to Uni and I stayed at Disney with non-thrill liners.

8:03pm on 1/25/15 by disneyday

He's 8, but loves thrill rides and is tall enough for all except the most intense. It may be nostalgia for him. July seems a long time ago when you're 8. We did a day at Uni while at wdw and he loved it.

2:37pm on 1/26/15 by Libwalsh

You may be right. Family meeting time.

2:38pm on 1/26/15 by Libwalsh

The first time we planned an all Uni vacation my youngest cried in MCO walking past the Disney store. Since Uni closes early, we went to AKL for dinner and then to DTD for ice cream. Just enough of a Disney fix. If it is just nostalgia*

2:43pm on 1/26/15 by disneyday

* you may consider this option. I privately agreed with my husband that if the youngest continued to be sad after being at Uni, that on middle day I would take him to Disney. But the other option worked and was cheaper than one day tickets to WDW

2:45pm on 1/26/15 by disneyday

Great idea disneyday

6:07pm on 1/26/15 by Jente

Good plan. Thanks!

7:39pm on 1/26/15 by Libwalsh

Libwalsh, show your 8 year old a few videos of things he may love at Universal... Minions, Spider-Man. If he loves thrill rides, then he'll be happy at Universal. At 8 my youngest decided that Islands of Adventure was his favorite park.

11:33pm on 1/26/15 by Ccvh

Anyone know how much the wands are Olivanders? I want to make sure I have enough for 3 girls lol

7:31pm on 1/22/15 by Jasabrokadd

50$!!

8:38pm on 1/22/15 by Danadanes

The interactive wands (that cast spells in both HP areas are $50 each, the collector wands (that do not cast spells) are $40.

8:40pm on 1/22/15 by disneyday

Thank you!!

10:08pm on 1/22/15 by Jasabrokadd

Are the interactive wands tied to particular HP characters? I mean is there an interactive wand that is "Harry's" or "Hermione's"? Is it clear what I mean?

1:18pm on 1/23/15 by mk_chicago

Yes they are named after the characters

2:06pm on 1/23/15 by Jente

I believe that interactive wands are limited to the main characters: Harry, Voldermort, Dumbledore, Hermonie, Ron (someone else please confirm) There are collector wands for almost every character although not *

2:56pm on 1/23/15 by disneyday

* every one is available all the time. If your family is big into HP you could easily spend at least an hour in Ollivanders seeing all the wands. They I ku display what is available to purchase so if you have a favorite you aren't seeing *

2:58pm on 1/23/15 by disneyday

* you can ask a CM and they can show you it. Sooo cool if you are an HP need like me.

2:59pm on 1/23/15 by disneyday

DS got Draco m.

5:41pm on 1/23/15 by Danadanes

If you have an Amex you can save 15%, which is a lot of savings for 3 interactive wands, but you have to ask. Highly recommend interactive wands for kids, they are fun.

8:04pm on 1/23/15 by dekefamily

DS11 has an interactive wand that is not character based. There was a series of 12 wands of different types, each with a description of what the owner would be like. His is Hazel and it came with a little story of who tends to have Hazel wands. Cute

8:07pm on 1/23/15 by dekefamily

I recall that there used to be AAA discounts on food and merchandise at Universal. Do they still offer that? Is it more or less than the Amex? 15% is a lot... Maybe I should get an Amex card before our trip!

7:09pm on 1/24/15 by Ccvh

Here are the current AmEx discounts, 10% off on food & merch (15% on merch over $75): https://www.universalorlando.com/Theme-Park-Tickets/Special-Offers/American-Express.aspx

9:20am on 1/25/15 by Skubersky (staff)

So no more AAA discounts?

3:31pm on 1/25/15 by Ccvh

A liner mentioned in a previous post about using AAA discount for 10% off food. I looked on website and couldn't find any information to confirm that it still exists.

7:59pm on 1/25/15 by disneyday

AAA still gets 10% off most food & merch. Current UOR discounts are always here: http://touringplans.com/universal-orlando/discounts

11:01am on 1/26/15 by Skubersky (staff)

Thank you, Seth. I could find nothing on the Universal park site itself, or on the AAA sites.

11:20pm on 1/26/15 by Ccvh

We have always stayed at rpr. How is hard rock? Is it worth checking out? TIA!

2:23pm on 1/26/15 by beaglelvr

We have done 6 trips to RPR but our friends and other liners have encouraged us to try something new so we are giving HRH a try this spring.

3:22pm on 1/26/15 by disneyday

I have only stayed at the HRH a (4 visits) because we love it there

4:56pm on 1/26/15 by Tanavin

Stayed there only once at HRH found it not as relaxing and chilled out as RPR

6:05pm on 1/26/15 by Jente

We have stayed at all three and HRH is our least favorite. PBH is our favorite by far. That said everyone's tastes are different. None are bad so give HRH a try if you are curious.

9:38pm on 1/26/15 by rjwenter

First timer on this side. Can you make ADR's. For Restaurants at Island and Universal.

1:09pm on 1/26/15 by celeccioh

Welcome! Universal does not have a centralized reservation system. You can make reservations for City Walk restaurants by using Open Table. 2 weeks in advance is adequate for most times of year.

1:21pm on 1/26/15 by disneyday

Totally agree. Busy times of the year maybe 3/4 weeks prior

6:08pm on 1/26/15 by Jente

I checked the open table app for our March trip and it said it only takes reservations 30 days in advance (this was for Mythos). Not sure if all the restaurants are like this or if you can book earlier by calling directly etc.

6:12pm on 1/26/15 by lawrence4144

Good Monday morning liners. Have a very happy Monday and a great work week. Got a meeting this morning in which we will discuss a vision for the future of school libraries for our region. 203.

6:19am on 1/26/15 by worldwidepayne

Good morning . I have a tentative countdown of 297. . Will be seeking all kinds of advice from all liners . It will be DGC first visit so wanting to plan a day or two after Disney

6:37am on 1/26/15 by burfe1501

46 - They are calling for only 18-24 inches of snow. My DDs are disappointed because yesterday the forecast was for 20-30 inches. It looks like a snow day tomorrow.

7:08am on 1/26/15 by Tanavin

202 for me. Three more days and in the one hundreds.

10:48am on 1/26/15 by Jente

The forecast is back to 20-30 inches. My kids will be happy when I pick them up from school.

1:38pm on 1/26/15 by Tanavin

Scheduled for tomorrow and Wednesday, staying at Royal Pacific. Have been looking forward to this for so long but am sick in bed with sinus infection. Guess there is no way to get out of the hotel room so have to go anyway. Rats!

5:07pm on 1/26/15 by snowdiz

Hope you are feeling better soon snowdiz and you get to enjoy your time at RPR.

6:04pm on 1/26/15 by Jente

We've got one day for USF and IOA. We'll have unlimited express and early entry. Can't seem to figure out the 1 day 2 park TP with early entry at IOA. Anyone had luck with it?

1:34pm on 1/26/15 by SorcererKelly

I wish I could help . But u would like to know also

4:29pm on 1/26/15 by burfe1501

with early entry gone from USF, would you get to Gringotts quicker doing early entry to IOA just to ride Hogwarts express over to Diagon Alley or would it be quicker to do rope drop at main USF entrance?

4:51pm on 1/24/15 by alxjoe

Anyone able to help

6:36pm on 1/24/15 by Jente

@skub said in another post that HEx will start running around 8:30, I believe, making that seem like the quicker way as long as wait is under 15/20 mins. But opening time seems so random, it's really hard to be sure.

6:59pm on 1/24/15 by rschaen

Thanks for thoughts, also seems weird that when messing around making personalized plans this change in early entry isn't appearing... Still asks me if I want to use it for USF while not offering that option for IOA...ugh

7:59pm on 1/24/15 by alxjoe

Please email your plan url to webmaster@touringplans.com for help with that early entry bug.

9:06pm on 1/24/15 by Skubersky (staff)

Keep in mind that no one knows how long the IOA-only early admission practice will last. Right now our software is only set for IOA-only Early Admission through Feb. 28. That's arbitrary, and we'll make changes at a later date as information is available.

9:22pm on 1/24/15 by david (staff)

So weird that they did that. To me it makes much more sense to alternate between the two parks.

7:16am on 1/25/15 by kelleybean

thanks for the info, I didn't email that because it seems to be offering me the correct choices now appropriate for each park, thanks!

7:36pm on 1/25/15 by alxjoe

Glad it's working now.

11:01am on 1/26/15 by Skubersky (staff)