Upcoming Velvet Sessions at The Hard Rock Hotel

Hey! I worked as a TM years ago, and from what I remember, I had to resign without giving a full two weeks notice. Now that I’m older, I’d like to work with Universal again, but I keep getting rejected. Is it possible I’ve been put on some kind of no-rehire list?

I realize that volcano bay is open all year and online it says the water is heated - but it just still seems like it may not be doable. (for reference, I live in Ga and am a pass holder but have never been in the first half of the year) Im looking for feedback from anyone who actually went in Jan before. I know if it is too cold, they will just close but in your experience was it enjoyable at all going in Jan? Ive looked at average temps and it looks like it will feel great… just not sure about once you get wet!

Our extended family is doing a birthday/retirement trip for my father-in-law in July. One leg of the trip is visiting Universal Studios and WDW. MIL wants to do 2 Disney days and 1 Universal day. My husband and I are just along for the ride, so they’re probably going to want everyone to stay off-property to save money.

The trip is late July 2025, and the dates are non-negotiable. My husband has never been to Universal, and I haven’t been since 2007-ish. Big HP fans, not roller coaster people, but we enjoy other rides!

Summer screams hot, crowded, and LINES to me. We want to make the most of our time (and money), within reason. My ideal trip is during a cooler season, where we can also visit Epic Universe. Tickets for summer are at a premium, as expected, and about $500 more for us both to have Unlimited Express Pass.

(tl;dr start here!)

On to my question(s)!

• Would doing 2-park tickets be worth it (US and IOA) for just one day to see as much as possible and ride the Hogwarts Express? If major attractions are an endless wait, I’d at least like to see more of the HP areas. Or, is a single park ticket simply more manageable?
• What should we expect for wait times on rides (especially HP ones) if we don’t buy Express Passes?
• Does it feel like a waste of a day if you’re just walking about? Specifically from the perspective of someone who doesn’t visit annually.

I’m sorry if my tone is at all pessimistic! I’m actually really really excited for this trip and am a little sad we don’t have more time. I can typically justify throwing money at the problem when it comes to vacation, but if it’s between this one day in July or splurging on our dream trip, I’m inclined to save the money.

Thank you in advance for your advice, thoughts, and hopefully tips!

Our trip will likely end with a round of butterbeer. What should we start with? Are there any restaurants/ specific meals that are a must-have when visiting Islands of adventure and universal studios?

Does anybody have any previous experience visiting any theme park during opening month and if so, did going on a weekday vs weekend affect the crowds or was it always at capacity?

I have a Thursday, Friday and Saturday of park days (one park each), and I am trying to determine how to choose which park per day. Part of me wants to visit Epic on Saturday so I can book a premier resort Thursday night and get two days of express passes for the other two parks but I am worried Epic will be EVEN busier on a Saturday (but if it is going to hit capacity every day either way even better).

Any trip planning advice?

Stuff to do at Volcano Bay for someone who should not submerge their head in water? I have a perforated ear drum and I am advised to not submerge my head in water. (prone to ear infections when I get water in my ear)

My kids will likely take advantage of the slides but I wanted to know what I'll be able to do.

I am fine with wave pools, raft rides and lazy rivers. Are rides along these lines present at Volcano Bay?

My family is planning a trip for February. We already booked a 2 queen room at Portofino for the week. Today I look and see they now have mobility accessible rooms listed for about $50 less per night. It would save us around $400 to change our booking to one of these rooms. So my question is, is it socially acceptable to book one of these rooms if no one in our party needs a wheel chair? I don't want to be a jerk by taking a room someone might need, but the savings would be significant.

Edit: I see now that the price difference is the difference between a deluxe room and a standard room. We currently have a deluxe, but the only standard rooms available are accessibility rooms.

I’ve always liked rollercoasters but I have become a bit of a rollercoaster enthusiast in the last year after hitting most of the UK parks, Phantasialand and Plopsaland so was extremely extremely excited to go on this.

It completely and utterly lived up to the hype. A complete mosaic of elements. The second launch into the top hat, stall and drop is outstanding. The morosaurus roll over the water is possibly the greatest thing I have experienced on a coaster. But you all know this lol

I’m staying at Universal Endless Summer Resort, and early entry at rope drop has been an outstanding asset. Nearly everybody runs to Hagrid’s so every day I did rope drop I was able to sink three Velocicoasters before any form of queue started to build up. I did 6 rides on Sunday (including a night ride and Jesus Christ it was going so so fast after warming up all day), 7 on Monday, and 5 yesterday. I’d have done more but wanted to do other things aswell. I got evacuated off Velocicoaster early yesterday morning and used the skip the line ticket the attendants gave us to walk onto Hagrid’s. I was buzzing about this as I didn’t think I would get on it as the queues are so long and I would much rather have five rides on Velocicoaster in the space of an hour after rope drop over one ride on Hagrid.

I’m here until Friday and Saturday so I’m hoping to get ten more rides. I’m just hoping my thighs can take it as they’re in pain at the minute from all the aggressive airtime and drops, I’m having today off! 😂

I also got on Mako at Seaworld 21 times on Tuesday as the park was so dead. Simply incredible. For the last hour of the day they just let me stay sitting in my seat as there was barely anybody in the station so hit about 9 rides in a row without leaving my seat

Looking forward to more rides, just hoping my thighs recover after today so I can ride it with full pleasure on Friday and Saturday!

Did anyone find all the pages to the QR code story they could link me? I missed a few and wanted to read them all.

Hi! I know HHN requires a separate express pass to use for rides and houses during the HHN time block. Does anyone know if we go to IOA or HS at 4pm if we can still use our express pass that comes with our premier passes? Also, I read that with the premier pass you just scan in during one of the AP nights for HHN and that’s what counts as your included ticket - is that all we do? Last question is after we are in HS for HHN do we have to do anything until the event starts at 6:30? Like do we have to go to stay and scream or can we go ride some rides? Do express passes work for HS between 4pm and 5:15pm?

Sorry for so many questions!! Very green with UO and HHN!! Thanks in advance!

Just moved to Florida and plan on going to Universal for one day to celebrate my birthday. Looking for recommendations on best rides (and which rides offer single rider lines), best food to try, etc.

Thank you !!

Does anyone know where Gregory hall’s number date is on the hagrids motorbike queue? It’s really big in transformer but there’s this YouTube video that says it’s in the hagrids queue secretly

Do you have to pick tickets up for this somewhere before the reservation or do you just check in wherever the breakfast is when it’s your time?

I go home Saturday Evening; so every morning, I am going to contact universal if Gabby from Gabby’s Dollhouse will make an appearance until Saturday.

I strongly hope she will continue to make appearances this week!

Does anyone know what is being done to the ride? It is currently closed for enhancements and will reopen later this year. Will this be similar to the previous upgrade?

I want to know if epic universe will have a two day ticket coming soon, I just want to go to epic universe and islands of adventure but all the parks have only 3 day tickets open right now?

I was looking forward to it, who’s with me??

I’ve only been on it once in 8 trips, it’s something different to do. Guess I’ll have to settle for the fart slide, Trollercoaster and Dr Seuss Trolley for things I’ve never done.

Hi,

Former TM/Deep Water Lifeguard at Volcano Bay years ago. Was interested in maybe seasonal work just to get park access & discounts working at Epic. Never knew seasonal was a thing. Knew some seasonal workers at Disney & they'd need to work 40 hours within a quarter year. Any info would be appreciated, thanks.

Hello, everyone!

My wife and I are traveling to Orlando with some friends, and one of the days we’ll be going to Universal.

She’s a big fan of Harry Potter and other things, but she usually doesn’t go on roller coasters or similar rides because she finds them scary.

I wanted to know if you could recommend some gentle attractions or other fun activities to make sure she enjoys it too.

Thank you so much!

Hoping someone can post a pic of the current crepes offerings .

TYIA!