<p>Staying at the park is worth it for the perks. By-passing lines, discounts in restaurants and gift shops, early park admission, free parking. We stayed at Hard Rock and really enjoyed it. One thing I discovered is to call the hotel you want directly–I got a cheaper price than anything I found on-line (including the Universal site). You may have to ask specifically for the discount you want–AAA, military, whatever you can dream up–they won’t volunteer the discount price–you have to mention it.</p>
<p>This is an old tip–no idea if it will work for anybody else. Hard Rock Hotel is a Loews Hotel, and if you join the Loews frequent stayer program, you might get an upgrade. We got an upgrade (years ago) to the club floor, and it was pretty sweet. Can’t hurt to join the program, if that’s where you’re staying.</p>
<p>We went this January. I bought my tickets to the park at AAA for a discount. I researched and you can buy an express pass but it is pro rated depending on the day you want to visit. Christmas time is busy so It was 80 dollars a person, the same as staying at a hotel. (we were visiting family). with the passes included I bought a 2 day pass, and a one night at universal, you can stow your luggage and see the park on one day and use your express pass, and then go all day the next day using your express pass. getting into HarryPotter early at 7 am. We were able to use the express pass on all rides. I didnt expect this but it happened. I was thinking it would have been better to take it more slowly so 2.5 days might have been better. Also plan ahead as all lunch venues are packed. We didnt make reservations but I assume you can. We stayed at the Portofino the only downside was the water taxi, but even that wasnt a big deal. Agree, we got totally soaked on the water rides despite using panchos, the panchos were 8 dollars so bring your own. We had no further use for them so we passed them on to another family. jeans on, not comfortable. We enjoyed spiderman, D1 went on the Hulk roller coaster twice the rest of us passed. It was a fun time to take your older kids. Looking back we should have walked over to citiwalk for lunc but we also wanted to get back for family</p>
<p>Just got an e-mail stating that all 3 Universal hotels are Loews hotels and offering discounts (but only if you stay 3 nights!)</p>
<p>Island of Adventure has a lot of fun rides that get you very wet. Bring a change of clothes, stash them in a locker, then change after the rides.</p>
<p>Don’t “fast pass” Harry Potter, you will miss walking thru the castle which is half the fun.</p>
<p>Staying onsite is great - makes a huge difference at busy times of the year.</p>
<p>Get some cargo shorts/pants and use the pockets instead of a purse or backpack so you can skip the security lines.</p>
<p>Beware of the hurricane drinks at the piano bar on City Walk. They are quite strong :)</p>
<p>You can “fast pass” the Harry Potter ride and return later to “tour the castle” so you don’t miss anything. If the line is hideously long, that’s what I would do (and did do).</p>
<p>BTW, Universal has two separate parks, their regular one and Islands of Adventure (which has HP). The regular park has the - well they’re not really like rides, we’ll say experiences - Jaws experience, Back to the Future, Men in Black, Terminator? and a few others. It’s been years since I’ve been there. </p>
<p>Both parks are near each other and the hotels and there are several restaurants and attractions in a big public area. I think all Loews hotels are pet friendly too.</p>
<p>Also - note - if you stay one night on property - you can check in, stow your luggage, and get your “keys” which are your fast pass - and use that day …and then the next day when you check out. This is what we do - stay one night and fast pass the two days for the price of one night.</p>
<p>It’s a great attraction - top to bottom. The Hogsmeade village is nicely done. The candy store is very cute, can buy chocolate frogs. There are $10 ones/ and $15 ones that come with Dumbledore cards only - so catch the difference. There is also a magic store - nothing interesting in there. There is a line to get into the wand store. There is a little performance that is given - it’s short, cute. The pick a kid - he participates and gets to “buy” the wand that chooses him in the end. Butterbeer is a must - the frozen is best. Refills are not 89 cents if you buy the mug though - just fyi. 89 cents is for sodas, tea, etc. Go inside to Threebrooms to buy, don’t wait in line at vendor stands.</p>
<p>The ride itself is very cool. We got in an hour early by staying at on on-site hotel - well worth. Went right in - rode it twice. Can do single rider and move much faster. I would suggest this - you really don’t see each on the ride at all. Don’t bring bags into the ride.</p>
<p>There is a smaller roller coaster - good for all ages. They turned dueling dragons into dragons … still two great roller coasters, worth the wait for the front seat.</p>
<p>It seems Harry Potter castle - main ride - slowed down in the evening. Wait was about 45 minutes …during normal times - but the castle is great to tour through you will enjoy the walk and it moves quickly.</p>
<p>(Re post 46) The Mummy ride at the studios is fun, and there is a new roller coaster there. We like Men in Black, ET, and the Simpsons was cute. The other things may be worth doing once, but we skip them on return trips.</p>
<p>Actually we didnt fast pass the castle, we went to the wand shop first then the castle then breakfast, right before the line grew gigantic.</p>
<p>Wow! You guys are great. I love all of the suggestions and advice. Thanks!</p>