First trip to Universal. Going in January...when should I book?

macraven said:

If you book at the value hotel Cbay for your first stay onsite, and the park is crowded, your second visit you would be booking at one of the 3 hotels that includes the free unlimited ep......


I have been at UO twice in the past 4 years during January.
For my stays onsite, I went during a lower crowd period.


If you are going when there will be a 3 day weekend, you will experience crowds in the parks.

For a first visit to the darkside hotels, stay at one of the 3 hotels that allows the free ep for all on your reservation.

Since you are only planning on doing 2 days in the parks, you will get more done with the unlimited express passes.


Use the mousesavers special link for buying the UO park tickets.
(it comes out once a month, the link will take you to the special sale offer)
You will save some money and pay less than what they sell for at the parks.

Click to expand...

macraven said:

If you are or not a Potter fan, do spend some time checking those two sections out.

The live entertainment they have is worth stopping to watch and enjoy.

Celestine singing act at the studios is fun!

Click to expand...

macraven said:

With the unlimited ep from the 3 hotels, it really will help you cover both parks for rides and shows.
Shows are at specific times and worth it.
Get the show time schedule and work around that when in the parks.

Horror Make Up show is a can't miss .....I rarely read of anyone not enjoying it.

I don't do RRR as it is not my thing

But Mummy is part coaster and part show.
Only the last 90+ seconds of it is coaster

Gringotts the same set up

Don't pass up those two rides thinking it will be basically a roller coaster ride.
Check out youtube to get an idea of the ride.

Spiderman is another not to miss.

Street entertainment is a big thing at UO.
Marilyn Monroe act, Blues Brothers also will take up time.
Don't shy away from these type of things.

Mini parade worth seeing at least once.

So with you hitting all the rides, street entertainment shows and indoor shows, you can fill the park day.

Animal Actors on Parade is a cute short show of about 15 minutes.
It is family entertainment

Read some of the trip reports for how others have spent their days in the parks.
Some list tips that help others, some explain how they planned their day, some just share what they did and how they enjoyed or did not enjoy things in the parks.

Click to expand...

macraven said:

I thought you were doing the darkside two days
The 13th and 14th

To do both parks in one day would be tight unless you decide in advance, what are the must do things in both parks.

The 13th is a Sunday
No holiday until the following week for MLK day

I'm sure you can hit the rides on your list for the most part with the ep but rushing to one ride from another is like having a job.

Take some time to catch the sites that others mention in their trip reports.

I have a good hour of down time when I am in IOA

Mystic fountain is unique in its own way.

It is a talking cement fountain.........lol
You never know what he will say when peeps are around it.
(Kids/adults toss money in the fountain and the proceeds go to Give the Kids the World program in Orlando area.)

I have easier sat on the stone wall on the side of the fountain area and watched and listened for 30 minutes.
Depending on the group that are interacting with the fountain, can be a hoot for me

Click to expand...

macraven said:

I feel you will get a better impression of the darkside parks by doing two days there

Less rushing and keeping your eye in the clock so you can keep on your agenda and hit all the hoped for rides

I do understand budgets as many do a one day for the parks
But if you have to rush and dash from one ride to another, it won’t feel like a good experience

If you can swing two days for the trip, I think you will have time to do a lot and be happy you did have that extra day

Staying onsite and getting the hotel worked is worth it
Book one night and you will receive ep for all in your reservation for check in day and also the day you check out

Do a one night stay onsite for the two day unlimited ep
Do the second night at an offsite hotel to save money

Plan your trip for what is best for you
You will have fun!

Click to expand...

GCM said:

Thank you so much for ALL of your help!!!! You have helped me tremendously!!!! I'm looking forward to the next issue of Mousesavers so I can price 2-day park-to-park tickets (if I'm going I want to ride the Hogwarts Express). And we will look into staying offsite for one night. That may make this more feasible. Once again, thanks!!!!!

Click to expand...

tinkerbell1112 said:

Good luck with your first trip to Universal. We finally did that Aug 2016 after going to Disney many times .Now we've already had another trip and have another planned. We love it there. We've not experienced crowds quite like Disney crowds. We love royal pacific and ep. You'll be glad you did two days. Might even wish you'd have done 3! Lol

Click to expand...