So my wife and I were at the park last October, she happened to run out of feminine hygiene products. To my pleasant surprise they sold them at the Jurassic store, and at the same cost as outside the parks. So my hats off to Universal for not crazy up-charging this.
That is actually so refreshing to hear! We understand marking up certain products, but there are definitely products that should be offered without any mark up!
This video just saved my trip! It made me double check my itinerary and I figured out that I accidentally bought base tickets instead of park to park tickets. I called the 800 number on the email and changed the ticket type. It was super easy! Instant like and sub for that.
Oh wow! This is awesome! So happy that the video was able to help. Being able to bounce back and forth between the parks is one of our favorite things to do. We hope you have an amazing time and welcome to the channel!
I hope you don't overwork yourself when you go. They are NOT exaggerating about how much walking you'll do. Trust me, you will walk, walk, and walk. I strongly suggest you test your shoes first. Stuff 5-6 books in a backpack, put on the shoes you are going to wear and walk around the neighborhood for an hour. Yes, at least one hour. If your feet are sore, you should try a different set of broken-in shoes.
@@largol33t1 when we have long trips planned, we prep by trying to walk 10k steps every day for a few weeks prior. It really helps toughen up your feet!
We try to take essential items with us in the parks but keep it real so it's not too heavy. Also, sometimes if you go to the park early, you can take a midday break in the room and go back to the parks later in the day. That helps reduce the load and recharge phones so we are not carrying heavy charging banks.
This is a great point really. We are always so bad about being go go go! We would probably be happier if we just packed less and spent a little more time in the room! Thank you for the tips!
Shannon! We have missed you! She looks so pretty no mater how she does her hair! We hope we get to take another ride on our favorite ride in the parks with you again in 2022!
It's really awesome that you guys have something that really bonds you two and brings you together. You can tell what fun you guys have together as a couple.
Awww thank you so much! We decided a few years back to be happier with life in general and do the things that bring us the most joy! Universal is truly a special place in our hearts! So happy this shines through. Thank you for this!
Your freestyle cup tip saved us money on drinks and made it super easy to stay hydrated. The express pass from Royal Pacific was also great, we walked on almost every ride we came to.
The hotel refill cups can save you money even if it's just for two of you. I went alone and stayed 4 days/4 nights. The refill cup saved me some money on drinks. Also, if you have kids, you can refill it with slushees, Cabana Bay has a slushee machine in the cafeteria, for example. My only gripe is Universal doesn't offer glow-in-the-dark cups that have my favorite Hogwarts house logo. That's a no-brainer! C'mon Universal!
I had so much fun planning my trip by watching all of your videos! The anticipation was half the fun. Thanks to you guys, my visit to the parks was fantastic! You saved me a lot of potential mistakes and saved me beaucoup money!! Especially by letting me know about the on-site hotel discount. I'm so grateful! I still enjoy watching 'cause I love your personalities and love looking back on all the fun! Thank you both so much!!
Aww! That makes us so happy! Seriously, planning IS half the fun. We are so grateful that you came back to let us know that the videos helped! All we want to do is make the parks more accessible and more fun for others. Your support really helps us out and we can't thank you enough for continuing to watch!
Another great show! But of course, I wouldn't expect less from my favorite info-comedy duo! I love your creative editing, and Anna, the smoky eyes are a hit! I have another "ruin your vacation" suggestion/tip. There has been an increase of luggage theft at MCO's baggage claim area. I would suggest that immediately upon landing, going directly to baggage claim. Skip the restrooms if you can. Try to beat the bags there so they don't spend excessive time on the carousel. Also, make your bags "unique" so that you can spot them from a short distance. We have painted one, permanent one-inch horizontal 'strap' around each bags' mid-sections. Each bag has one stripe, and each strip has fluorescent orange and white stripes, like hazard tape, but only permanent. We can spot them from 50 yards! Also, only put your first initial and last name, along with your cell number on your baggage tags. And, attach the tags so the text is face down and not visible to the casual observer. If you're too Googleable, and someone knows you're on vacation, your home is an easy target. Again, great video!
Matt! You are too kind! She looked extra beautiful in this video as always 😁. Thats awful actually so thank you for the heads up. We have some pretty unique luggage options at our disposal luckily! We almost always beat our luggage to the claim cause we are so anxious to get to the parks haha. Anna showed me the picture and this all makes so much more sense! We wonder if we are googleable lol. Thank you for watching as always! Hope to catch up soon!
Unfortunately, that's normal for places like Orlando and Miami. Even in the old 90's film "Miami Blues", the main character "earned" money by robbing naive tourists at the airport!
Uh... Yeah pro tip: order food to go and take it back to your hotel! It was honestly so nice to be able to relax, watch some Pugh Two, and have dinner. When we went to NBC it was just not the most comfortable place to watch a football game. It would have been so much easier to take our food back and eat it comfortably in our room.
This is a great idea! We have only ever gotten pizza to go and we have never thought about getting some of the other food options! You always have the best ideas. We have tried to watch a few things there.. just too loud and busy really. Who are those people you watch? They sound weird 🤣
Another thing: your Universal hotel lacks a menu item you want? Try their sister hotels! I was upset that my hotel didn't have a sandwich that was mentioned online but it was actually sold at Aventura. I walked from Cabana Bay to Aventura and ordered the food to-go. They put it in a take-out box so I could walk back to the hotel with it. Worth the trip.
Love the video! In the past month, I have bought 3 cell phone chargers since I keep forgetting it!! AHHHH Don't forget a cell phone charger --or the correct cord for your phone. Tip for restaurants - Mythos in Islands of Adventure and Toothsome in City Walk need to be booked weeks or a month early, depending on how crowded it is when you go. HOWEVER, if you don't get the time/day you want, wait until the day of the visit. The system checks with automated texts to see if everyone is actually going to show up. People cancel every day, and those tables become available around 10:30-11 am. I've gotten reservations for both every day I've wanted to eat there.
You guys nailed so many things we have experienced. People in flip flops (even saw a woman in high heels yesterday! No lie.) Pushing ourselves too hard (75 thousands steps in 3 days... and yup, we're feeling it tonight😫) Thankfully, rain is expected the 2nd half of the day tomorrow. The rest though, we saw your earlier videos warning us about some mistakes and tips to make the park experience better... We took that advice and ran with it. Ponchos, pain relief, dry socks, snacks and a few of the others. You guys are literal vacation gurus. We are more than happy to support your channel! 👍👍
About saving money... I plan early, keep an eye on the website, and spend time calling and speaking with UO's customer service people. They are SUPER SUPER NIce... They look for available discounts and give great advice. I have discussed ride closures, made dinner reservations and the best one was when I called in early'sh Dec 2021(our upcoming trip is last week of Jan 2022) and asked about any discounts- not only did we save almost 300$, but we upgraded from a standard view room at Royal Pacific to a garden view room at the Hard Rock. Be nice to your customer service folks and they will do their best to be nice to you.
They are the best aren't they? We have never had anything but great conversations with them and they are so knowledgeable! That is incredible! Your trip is coming up very soon and youve got to be getting so excited!
The push yourself tip is spot on. I used to do this all the time and I'd always end up with blisters and sore legs. I definitely try to sit and people watch for a few, or leave and come back.
We have got to get better about this. We are always pushing ourselves way to hard in the parks. We hardly ever spend anytime just relaxing! Definitely need to take a pool day here or there!
Omg I’ve been listening to you guys while I’m at work (I’ve got the UA-cam MiniPlayer open on my phone like it’s a podcast) and you guys are great ❤. Definitely a great way to pump myself up to go to Universal; I haven’t been there in 5 yrs and I’m so ready to plan a 2 week vacation and just go there to enjoy the park ❤ You guys are awesome! Love your playfulness and authenticity! I admire it so much and hope that I can fill my life with the same kind of energy because everyday should be like that. ❤❤❤❤ Thank You so much! You’re much Appreciated ❤❤❤❤
Oh my gosh you’re so sweet! We hope you have an amazing time on your upcoming trip, and we hope our videos help you enjoy the parks!! We really appreciate you watching! 🫶🏻
One mistake that I made awhile back (but will never make again) was not packing reusable straws for my daughter. With the exception of Butterbeer, every time we ordered a drink/water at a hotel, at CityWalk, or inside the parks we received paper straws, which are awful. It wasn’t that big a deal for me, but was not good for my young daughter. So from now on, not only do I carry refillable plastic water bottles with built in straws in the parks, but reusable straws to bring to the restaurants. Our trips to theme parks have gone so much smoother since.
That is something we have talked about doing many times! We understand the paper straws but they are sooo bad haha. This is a great idea really and we are going to take your advice and get some!
Last July we spent 12 days in Florida. 5 days at Disney,, 4 days at Universal and 2 days at sea world. It was an amazing vacation but we tried to do way to much in that 12 days. Kids were ready to go home half through.
That sounds like an amazing trip.. but an extremely tiring one as well! We love having multiple days in the parks but there are times you just gotta take a break! We hope you all still had a great time!
So... The thing about shoes. Everyone is different. I didn't take this into consideration and took a friend's advice to make sure I have good runners and teva sandals that don't go between the toes (you know those 90's looking things)... I ended up completely blowing my knee out because they weren't right for me AND my feet were an aching mess. It took me three trips to realize that I should NOT be wearing runners all day - despite what EVERYONE was telling me - because my feet get hot and that is what causes the aching (they don't even swell, they just get hot and sore.) I switched to a few different pairs of Sanuks with a strap on the back, in addition to running shoes alternating what I wear day to day, and it made a world of difference. I still have knee problems (I need to be mindful of how I stand when I'm in line. Apparently I twist my knee?!) but I am far more comfortable. The thing between my toes doesn't even rub or bug, which is normally something I worry about! So if you have a pair of shoes that are super comfortable, sandals or otherwise, WEAR THEM. Know that your own body isn't the same as Disneymama101 or whatever online. Lol
Your channel is fantastic, but I have a challenge for you both. I would absolutely love to see you guys take a trip to the park with a couple with children and talk about best family areas, baby changing areas, stroller parking, child swap, and the ride expectation with small children.
All of our friends that currently have children are super young (less than 2) so it would be kind of difficult atm. We would love to do one of those videos in the future with them!
Once we got up at 5 am, dragged ourselves all the way from Royal Pacific on the walking path to the Gate at Islands to make sure we got to ride Hagrid's for EPA. Right before they opened the gate I looked down and realized my lanyard with my pass... Was still in the room.
If you knew the pain this brought back you would laugh! We have forgotten so many things in the rooms its not funny! Now.. we have never done it for EPA with is a relief haha
@@ThePughTwo I'm spoiled, in 1.5 days at Studios I've done all the rides and the biggest ones multiple times in a row with zero wait time. I love the combo january/single rider :))
Ginger capsules (powdered ginger root) are amazing for motion sickness. Saw Mythbusters episode on it (proved it worked). A lot of the rides at Universal made me very sick - like go back to the hotel room the rest of the day sick. We tried the ginger capsules - 2 or so every 3 or 4 hours and no motion sickness at all! It really works. That said - I don't think I'd do back to the future if it ever came back. That was a tough day...
Totally agree 40,000 steps easy big time I actually lost three toenails from pushing so much on the last trip to HHN on the RIP tour last October. Walking the park can be painful. Thanks for sharing! Hope to see you in the fog maybe at HHN 31!
The bag selection quandary is real!!! My minimum to take in is pain medicine, a pair of socks, sun block and deodorant. I don’t want to be “that guy” 🤢 Wearing the different shoes each day is 🔑 for my feet!
We hope to have a fix for that soon 👀! Honestly.. the day we started rotating shoes was the day our park experiences got better. Its so crazy how much better your feet feel the next day!
Getting stuff ready for my trip, glad you mentioned socks and pain meds. Water rides and those pain meds help when your legs get sore from walking lol.
So happy to hear that! We hope you have an amazing trip! The first time is always so much fun and such an memorable experience. Please let us know how it goes!
Thanks to your videos and tips, my family and I, had the Best vacation on Universal’s. We went on Jan 3 to 9, and it was the Best ever. We stay at Endless Summer Resort-Dockside and it was great.
The dinner reservation thing is for real. Even in September non peak we had no idea that this was mandatory. 2 of the 6 nights we had to just chose what was available like Pinks and Breadbox. They were still good but after a 15 hour drive a hotdog isn’t what I would have willingly chosen. 🤣
Yeah its crazy how bad its gotten. We totally get that! It was really frustrating for us how we had done it one way for YEARS and all of a sudden, its different! Oh well, we will just call in advance now!
I was definitely expecting a sunburn to be on this list! I know so many people who thought they were fine that one day that they forgot about sunscreen, and spend the rest of the vacation sore, peeling, and itchy. Or the worst, one redhead I know who scorched her back on the last day of her vacation then had to sit on a plane for ten hours!
Love ur videos. I am taking the family this summer for the first time. My biggest worry is all the walking. What about rest areas to just sit down? I have gout so I can’t go to hard all day. Again the videos u put out r awesome.
Hey Anthony! Thank you so much! The great thing about Universal vs some other parks that we have been to is the amount of seating and rest areas that they have. There are benches throughout both parks as well as designated areas for rest. So happy you enjoy the content! Take care!
Again, a great video. Maybe you can give some advice: what would be the best time to eat at a citywalk restaurant? Do you always make reservations after closing hours or do you eat early and then go back to the parks?
It just depends what you wanna do! We were usually eat later at night people when we travelled down, but we typically skip breakfast and have a later lunch. Either one works!
First off, I love your videos! You two provide amazing tips. I’ll be going to Universal Orlando and IOA for the first time in December. Do any of the rides allow you to bring a mini backpack with you? And can you reserve a smaller locker for all day or do you have to pay for a locker near every ride you go on?
Thanks guys, and happy new year. Quick question, the place where you can cool you feet, where the water was spraying, where abouts is that located in the park?
Great video and tips as always. Question for Tyler, I've heard you get motion sickness on the Simpsons ride, did you ever get that way when it was back to the future? And speaking of, have you guys ever done a video of which closed attractions you miss, i.e., jaws, twister, kongfrontation, back to the future, etc.?
Thank you! So when I was riding back to the future, I was obviously much much younger and it never really bothered me. 10-15 year old Tyler's stomach must have been tougher haha! We haven't done that video but that is a terrific idea.
I've added spare socks to my UO summer packing list. There's nothing worse than coming off of ripsaw falls at the start of your day and living in the sop for the rest of the day.
You will certainly not regret it! We change socks at least once per day and our feet always feel rejuvenated! Wet feet are something we simply can't deal with at all haha! It kills us!
Look forward to all you videos! If I bring a backpack, can you take that on some of the rides? Also would the lockers be free to fit a backpack if you need to for a ride? Have a great day.
Thank you so much! Some of the rides do allow you to bring it on. We have a video that breaks down all the rides which allow you to bring them and the ones that dont! We put our backpacks in the free lockers all the time!
i like wearing high quality flip flops because they dry out from the water rides and i just sit on them on the roller coasters....but i might try some comfortable shoes this time!
We’ve heard others say the same thing, and Anna has even tried her chacos, but we just can’t do anything other than tennis shoes personally. It’s just whatever works for you!
Today just bought hotel tickets and stuff. The woman had us doing the math and if we bought the express individually it would cost $3700 for 3 because only some of us go on the rides, but we got the premier hotel for Royal Pacific and it went down to a total of $1200 for all 5. The hotel deals are honestly one of the most amazing deals you can ever get!
@@ThePughTwo Yeah! Honestly watching your videos just makes me even more exited for my trip on Wednesday! All thanks to you guys that will make my vacation even better than before! ❤
Next time we go, if we do HHN again I'm springing for the RIP tour. We went on Halloween for the second time (ugh I didn't plan the trips either time) & being rushed through the houses was sooo irritating! I felt like we missed 3/4 of the actor scares & barely caught cool details. Thinking on the houses only three months later, it's all a blur! 🙄 Next time, definitely want to try for multiple nights &/or RIP tour
We want to do the RIP so bad! We have heard nothing but amazing things! We wish you could spend more time in the houses as well. They have special daytime tours of the house you can take that we have also heard are so much fun!
We have never made city walk restaurant reservations in the past as we like the flexibility but we haven’t been since the pandemic and know things have changed. Do you think we’ll need them for lunch? Dinner? On weekdays the first week of February? It’s less busy then so we’re hoping we don’t but like Tyler, missing out on Cow Fish would ruin our vacation too! Lol
Lunch might not be a big issue, but we would 100% recommend reservations if you are wanting to eat dinner somewhere specific! It never used to be that way, but it has gotten increasingly hard to find somewhere to eat without reservations! February might be fine cause its so slow this time of year. Cowfish is the best!
Buying resident tickets by mistake and not catching the mistake before your trip. I booked 2 nights ago and noticed immediately that I made this mistake, I can't imagine what it would have been like if I didn't catch this until we got there.
Oh no! We’re so glad you caught it! Worst case they would’ve just charged you the current price of the tickets, but it’s good you dealt with it before you got there!
13:06 Big thing to note. The med services are at the front AND back of the parks. Specifically in guest services at IOA and lost continent by delicious kebabs. USF has med services by lost and found at the front of the park and by fast and furious towards the back of the park.
Great video you guys! I swear in every video Anna’s hair looks different so I sit here for a minute like who is that with Tyler? Lol. You guys are the best.
Been watching a few of your videos today in preparation of my upcoming trip, really appreciate these videos! :) Also a suggestion for footwear: Merrell brand! I walk dogs for a living and swear by them. Plus they offer waterproof sneakers as well.
Thank you so much! To our knowledge, as of today, nothing else has changed. The blockout dates are available and of course are slightly different than 2021 but similar nonetheless!
I almost lost my mind knowing about the Annual Passes since I just bought tickets a while back. But then looked into it and saw that that's only for Florida residents. It would be good if you mention that on future videos, please. Great videos, I'm taking a lot of your tips for my next trip. Thanks!
Hey Jorge! When you visit their website, there are two different tabs inside of the UOAP tab. One is for Florida residents and the other is for non-florida residents! If you need some help finding it, please let us know!
Hi Anna & Tyler! First off, Anna, your hair looks great in this video, I love it! I didn’t know that you could get more than one locker, but since I stay offsite, I usually just have my AP. I know that they did handout special card for the lockers. On the ticketing front, this year for HHN, I did a RIP tour and I found it strange that I had to call in order to get my AP Discount on the RIP Tour Pass. As for cost, Universal is much less expensive than Disney, but great tip on buying your tickets ahead of time. One thing that I didn’t like in this video, is your tip about the bar seating, Since I am there usually there as a solo traveler, bar seating is my go to! Don’t tell anyone else! 😂. Ken
Thank you, Ken, you're so sweet! We love that little trick at the lockers. It makes our lives so much easier AND cheaper! lol Universal's ticketing system is actually pretty outdated, so it's probably easier to make people call than it is to give you that option online 😂 and sorry about your bar secret, hopefully you can still find a seat!
@@ThePughTwo No problem, it is usually easy to find a single seat at the bar. There always seems to be an odd chair someplace, that is one good thing about going solo. I love that you response to new comments on your older videos, you two are very engaging with your audience. Ken
How exciting! We're so glad our videos have been helpful and if you have any questions, let us know! We don't know much about traveling from the UK, but we can answer most things about Universal! lol We hope you have an awesome time on your upcoming trip!
@@ThePughTwo it’s quite intimidating trying to research WDW and Universal for a first trip but UA-cam is a awesome tool. Done plenty of Disney research and now onto the Universal. I figure the more tips and info I can get the better! Expect my comments to pop up all over the place haha
When is the best time to buy season passes? if it's activated on your first trip is it cheaper to buy towards the end of the year if my first trip is going to be in April? Or should I buy the passes at the beginning of the year? How often does Universal change the UOAP rates?
The rates typically change at the beginning of the year! So our suggestion would be to purchase them as soon as possible, that way know that the rates won't go up!!
If you don’t mind me asking what nausea medicine do you get? Looking for one that’s good and doesn’t have side-effects like drowsiness or sick to your stomach. Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks as always!
Sorry - Rando question here. If I'm staying at Cabana Bay and want to take advantage of EPA - Can I still use the walking path? Does that security gate open at the same time as the "main" area (and if they let people in even earlier that the posted time, do they open at that time too?) And do you know how early before opening time people start to line up there?
Hey there! Never be sorry! We want to help. Yes the path will be open and you will be able to access CityWalk (security) 1 hour prior to the parks opening on most days! We have never seen too many people lining up unless its an extremely busy day at the parks!
I’ve always gone with a small backpack but it does take time every ride when you have to go to the lockers and have limited days at the park, plus it’s so hot even with such a small bag that ventilates well honestly thinking of renting a locker depending on where they are located for bigger items, and buying a Fanny pack and switching out there, and just checking into the locker when need sunscreen or medicine or clothes or whatever Really good tips about the season pass and restaurants ! Do you have any tips on the least active times of the day at the restaurants ? I plan to go in September
Thank you so much! We have videos on pretty much everything that you mentioned! If you can’t find answers to a question, please reach out and let us know and we will try to make sure you get some answers!
Could you do a video explaining how ordering food IN the parks has changed? Me and my girlfriend went last May and it was kind of a nightmare. Just wondering if there has been any changes!
Thats a good idea really because in the last 2 years everything about ordering food has changed! That was right when they did away with mobile ordering cause it had become such an issue!
Dude for my family it tends to be stomach bugs or getting dehydrated. We had a year where everyone got sick at the all star resorts in Disney (I refuse to stay at them now). It’s really hard when things like that happen plus when we go in the summer you need to drink water. This past year I got dehydrated and I now vow to only drink water unless it’s at the end of the day.
When I saw your #1 tip... I was like, wait a minute... y'all do this all the time! Honestly, great video. I found out about the little water cups from Rix Flix a while back and that was a lifesaver! I didn't have to attach my water bottle to my fanny pack! I mean, let's be honest here, I just kept forgetting my collapsible water bottle and just kept asking for these teeny tiny cups! OH! Also, should be noted, if you DO forget Dramamine/ginger pills, they have them at that med station for free!
Yeah.. you know the whole do as we say not as we do thing... its definitely that! That is awesome! We had no idea that they would give those medications out for free!
@@ThePughTwo I kept forgetting mine in the hotel and went to buy some until I saw the med sign and just went in and asked. Super helpful! Also, yeah, we are the same sometimes. I will tell our kid not to do something and he comes back with, "but my dad..." I am like, buddy, don't follow what your dad does! HAHAAH
We are Planning on visiting universal for the first time this July. We are either going to stay at Royal Pacific or Portofino Bay for 7 days with a 5 day park to park pass. We are leaning towards Portofino. Have you guys stayed at Portofino what do you think?
We have stayed at Portofino and we love Portofino. We have also stayed at Royal Pacific many many times. Honestly you can't go wrong! I think we enjoy the pool area more and the dining options more at Portofino!
Anything comfortable! We really like Asics and they have always done well for us in the parks, but its better to just have shoes that you know and trust!
Our kids are out of the stroller; but we still take it every time we go to a theme park. Between my husband (who watches the stroller since he can’t go on most rides) and the kids - We need too much crap for me to carry it around all day. I only keep valuables on me.
Could you guys please confirm that the tickets are more expensive if you buy them on site instead of online. I was hoping to save a bit of money by buying a preferred anual pass and take advantage of the 15% discount for the rest of my family tickets.
Hey there! So the good thing is you can call and purchase them using that discount. Also something worth noting is that those are single day tickets that you get the UOAP discount on. They do not offer discounts on multi day ticketing options!
We like to graze all day vs actual meals. Like splitting the quesadillas at confisco, jacket potato in London, the brisket at bread box, etc. any suggestions? Don’t say Louie’s -that was horrible
I am from the Midwest and crocs are a big deal here. They’re not the best looking shoes but they are good in any type of weather plus helps the feet breathe. What are your thoughts on them? And if I have a trip planned for early May to US, would it be a good idea to purchase tickets now?
Hey there! We are very familiar with crocs haha. We have never worn them to the parks, but we have seen others wearing them! You could go ahead and purchase tickets if you would like. Anything to spread out the cost of a vacation is a good idea in our opinion!
The new tolls on Orlando highways is the biggest stink for me. I was lucky the last time I came; it was 2 weeks before the introduction of the toll. I only live 7 hours from the park so driving isn’t a problem, and I would prefer to have my car with me than fly out and rent a car.
We have never driven in Orlando so we weren't aware of how bad the tolls were! Something to keep in mind if we ever decided to move down! Having your own car would probably be so convienent!
"It could be 55 or it could be 90." I'm screeching 🤣🤣🤣 I live in Florida and truer words about FL weather have not been spoken. You could add that it could rain at any given time of the day regardless of what the weather Channel says, just absolute torrential downpour for like 15 min then back to 90 degree heat.
Family and I just went to Universal/Islands of Adventure and had a great time but we nearly ruined our trips was Dudley Do-Right's Ripsaw Falls and Popeye & Bluto's Bilge-Rat Barges. I've been on water rides at other parks like Splash Mountain, Journey to Atlantis, Jurrasic Park The Ride, Kali River Rapids, etc... all of those rides got you a little wet which is what I expected here. However these rides just get you completely soaked from head to toe. It wouldnt have been so bad if it was just shirt/pants but having to walk around in wet socks/shoes for another six hours was pretty miserable. The rides were fun and I think they would be great additions to an actual waterpark, but I think they are way overboard for Universal/Islands. Anyways just beware incase you aren't wanting to get COMPLETELY soaked.
Haha yeah, those rides get you soaking wet, for sure. We always suggest either bringing a change of clothes, or going back to the hotel afterwards. They’re no joke!
Essentials change over time. I have two sons but generally yes less is better for ease. I will say I have never killed the battery of my smart phone in the parks, and I've been in the Universal parks alone pushing 200 times (Local more or less with annual passes it's an hour drive for us). Genuine question what is causing your phones to be drained so bad. I think the lowest my phone ever got to for a full day is like 60%
We would assume all the 4k footage and the photos that we take with our phones while at the parks! Also we don’t always have to use it. Like only a few times really, but there have been times where we’ve been in the parks for 17-18 hours straight.
@@johnh8546 yeah we have our camera gear typically and we will also charge batteries with the portable bank. The phones are more for instagram and things of that nature
oh man, that buying the wrong ticket thing lol reminds me last month I was putting all of our keys and passes from last year and 2019 (our first trip) and was looking at our tickets, we had THREE park tickets, we couldve gone to volcano bay!!! It's now 2022 and still never been to volcano bay lol
Hi Guys quick one for you .We come over from Scotland every October for HHN We do have an annual pass now for the last 20 years but we only come over for 21 days do you still think its worth keeping the pass or look at other ways to visit the park cost wise
Honestly, we aren’t sure what kind of ticket deals they give for people overseas, but if you visit most of those days, we would assume the AP would still be cheapest
It really just depends what kind of food you’re looking for! If your granddaughter is into ice cream, Toothsome’s chocolate emporium would be a good choice! They have great food, but they’re known for their desserts and milkshakes!
One thing that I'd like to confirm because I THINK I did it in the park for a locker but I'm not 100% sure. I THINK you can use your drivers license barcode as a locker barcode. It doesn't have to be a universal barcode. Can you guys ask or try it next time you're there?
Hey Kevin.. so we have been told you can use pretty much anything with a barcode.. we didn't wanna be the ones telling people that but yeah a drivers license would work haha!
It can be, but if you can fit into a fanny pack, you'll find that's much more convenient. You can ride all the rides but the metal detectors ones (Hulk, Rip Ride Rocket, Velocicoaster) with a fanny pack, even Hagrid's allows fanny packs. Drawstring backpacks fit in the standard free lockers well, though.
I use a drawstring backpack and it’s perfect for me.. but I don’t bring a lot into the parks and use it more for things I buy in the parks. It all really depends on what you plan to bring in/out of the parks, but you can always use the option to have purchased gifts sent to your room as an added bonus! Just a tip it’s usually delivered next day so don’t use that perk the day you leave.
If it fits everything you need and its something you are comfortable with then thats fine! The only thing we would personally worry about would be it rubbing our shoulders raw!
I disagree with the new shoes comment, the right pair of tennis shoes are comfortable from day one and don't need to be broken in. I will also add I highly recommend chacos sandals. They are the only shoes other than tennis shoes that I can wear all day without pain and I have tried them all.
We agree, but sometimes it’s hard to know if your shoes are right or not until you wear them! Lol Anna has tried her chacos a few times, but said her feet swell because it’s so hot. It’s definitely an individual thing!
The thing about bringing bags onto the rides? Don't even THINK about trying to weasel your way in. They check for it and one attraction has metal detectors. I was forced to remove my belt and watch and put them in a locker before getting in line. PS: I went to Universal in January 2020 and it was VERY cold. If going in December or January, still pack at least ONE pair of pants and a jacket. If staying at a Universal hotel, you'll be able to swim, their pools are heated! If you want to get in the big spa at Cabana Bay, ask the front desk how to get it, entire families fight, fight, fight for it!
Yeah some of the rides (coasters) have the metal detectors! It can get cold there sometimes, like this week is pretty chilly! Lol we can see why people were fighting for it!
Heading down next month for the 1st trip to Universal. We have reservation info for the hotel and the park. But the tickets don't show on the website or the app. Is this an issue? Do you receive a ticket holder with the tickets and express pass?
You should have gotten a confirmation email. If you don't see any info about tickets on the email, I would suggest calling Universal to double check that you're all prepared. You can buy tickets in the hotel when you get there, but that's something you probably want to be aware of beforehand! Also, no. If you want a lanyard for your ticket, you have to purchase one.
Can you not leave a bum back for example on the side whilst you go on the rides? At Alton towers for example you can just pop your bag into a holder on the side
It depends on the ride as well as the TM! So for instance, the coasters, you can’t take ANYTHING outside of your ticket to get back into your locker. Other than that, it depends on the size of the bag
First time I went to universal you used a fingerprint or put in a code for the lockers. I remember we had to get one of the employees to open the locker because either someone didn’t remember the code or which finger they used to lock it. The second time I went you used your park ticket to get a locker. Which was awesome because I had my ticket saved on my phone. The only thing was my aunt had both my uncles ticket and hers saved on her phone, so when we went to open the locker she freaked out when it wouldn’t budge. Luckily we realized she was scanning the wrong ticket.
Let’s say you have a room at like hard rock and you have to be out of the room at like 11:00 do you get the express pass until only 11:00 or the rest of the day?
What is something that puts a damper on your theme park vacations?!
Not seeing The Pugh Two….
Sunscreen that’s not as waterproof as advertised. Test that stuff before going to the park and your eyes will be thankful.
We feel like this should be the opposite lol!
Oh man.. thats a great one. We had some that was all in our eyes one day and it was brutal!
Timely--cancelled flights. It shorted Meaghan's trip by 2 days, and has stressed us about getting home.
Anna's hair is 💋 today!! ❤❤
So my wife and I were at the park last October, she happened to run out of feminine hygiene products. To my pleasant surprise they sold them at the Jurassic store, and at the same cost as outside the parks. So my hats off to Universal for not crazy up-charging this.
That is actually so refreshing to hear! We understand marking up certain products, but there are definitely products that should be offered without any mark up!
Good to know
If you go to the medical wings with the Red Cross you can get one or two for free :)
Most parks will give you those free at their customer service desk/building and first aid stations. 👏🏻
This video just saved my trip! It made me double check my itinerary and I figured out that I accidentally bought base tickets instead of park to park tickets. I called the 800 number on the email and changed the ticket type. It was super easy! Instant like and sub for that.
Oh wow! This is awesome! So happy that the video was able to help. Being able to bounce back and forth between the parks is one of our favorite things to do. We hope you have an amazing time and welcome to the channel!
I hope you don't overwork yourself when you go. They are NOT exaggerating about how much walking you'll do. Trust me, you will walk, walk, and walk. I strongly suggest you test your shoes first. Stuff 5-6 books in a backpack, put on the shoes you are going to wear and walk around the neighborhood for an hour. Yes, at least one hour. If your feet are sore, you should try a different set of broken-in shoes.
@@largol33t1 when we have long trips planned, we prep by trying to walk 10k steps every day for a few weeks prior. It really helps toughen up your feet!
We try to take essential items with us in the parks but keep it real so it's not too heavy. Also, sometimes if you go to the park early, you can take a midday break in the room and go back to the parks later in the day. That helps reduce the load and recharge phones so we are not carrying heavy charging banks.
This is a great point really. We are always so bad about being go go go! We would probably be happier if we just packed less and spent a little more time in the room! Thank you for the tips!
ANNA!!!! You straightened your hair and it looks awesome! You're always so pretty
Shannon! We have missed you! She looks so pretty no mater how she does her hair! We hope we get to take another ride on our favorite ride in the parks with you again in 2022!
It's really awesome that you guys have something that really bonds you two and brings you together. You can tell what fun you guys have together as a couple.
Awww thank you so much! We decided a few years back to be happier with life in general and do the things that bring us the most joy! Universal is truly a special place in our hearts! So happy this shines through. Thank you for this!
Your freestyle cup tip saved us money on drinks and made it super easy to stay hydrated. The express pass from Royal Pacific was also great, we walked on almost every ride we came to.
Yay! We are so happy to hear that! We love having express. We find it makes for a much more enjoyable and spontaneous trip to the parks!
The hotel refill cups can save you money even if it's just for two of you. I went alone and stayed 4 days/4 nights. The refill cup saved me some money on drinks. Also, if you have kids, you can refill it with slushees, Cabana Bay has a slushee machine in the cafeteria, for example. My only gripe is Universal doesn't offer glow-in-the-dark cups that have my favorite Hogwarts house logo. That's a no-brainer! C'mon Universal!
I had so much fun planning my trip by watching all of your videos! The anticipation was half the fun. Thanks to you guys, my visit to the parks was fantastic! You saved me a lot of potential mistakes and saved me beaucoup money!! Especially by letting me know about the on-site hotel discount. I'm so grateful! I still enjoy watching 'cause I love your personalities and love looking back on all the fun! Thank you both so much!!
Aww! That makes us so happy! Seriously, planning IS half the fun. We are so grateful that you came back to let us know that the videos helped! All we want to do is make the parks more accessible and more fun for others. Your support really helps us out and we can't thank you enough for continuing to watch!
Another great show! But of course, I wouldn't expect less from my favorite info-comedy duo! I love your creative editing, and Anna, the smoky eyes are a hit! I have another "ruin your vacation" suggestion/tip. There has been an increase of luggage theft at MCO's baggage claim area. I would suggest that immediately upon landing, going directly to baggage claim. Skip the restrooms if you can. Try to beat the bags there so they don't spend excessive time on the carousel. Also, make your bags "unique" so that you can spot them from a short distance. We have painted one, permanent one-inch horizontal 'strap' around each bags' mid-sections. Each bag has one stripe, and each strip has fluorescent orange and white stripes, like hazard tape, but only permanent. We can spot them from 50 yards! Also, only put your first initial and last name, along with your cell number on your baggage tags. And, attach the tags so the text is face down and not visible to the casual observer. If you're too Googleable, and someone knows you're on vacation, your home is an easy target. Again, great video!
Matt! You are too kind! She looked extra beautiful in this video as always 😁. Thats awful actually so thank you for the heads up. We have some pretty unique luggage options at our disposal luckily! We almost always beat our luggage to the claim cause we are so anxious to get to the parks haha. Anna showed me the picture and this all makes so much more sense! We wonder if we are googleable lol. Thank you for watching as always! Hope to catch up soon!
Unfortunately, that's normal for places like Orlando and Miami. Even in the old 90's film "Miami Blues", the main character "earned" money by robbing naive tourists at the airport!
Uh... Yeah pro tip: order food to go and take it back to your hotel! It was honestly so nice to be able to relax, watch some Pugh Two, and have dinner. When we went to NBC it was just not the most comfortable place to watch a football game. It would have been so much easier to take our food back and eat it comfortably in our room.
This is a great idea! We have only ever gotten pizza to go and we have never thought about getting some of the other food options! You always have the best ideas. We have tried to watch a few things there.. just too loud and busy really. Who are those people you watch? They sound weird 🤣
@@ThePughTwo trust me, they are very weird 😅
Another thing: your Universal hotel lacks a menu item you want? Try their sister hotels! I was upset that my hotel didn't have a sandwich that was mentioned online but it was actually sold at Aventura. I walked from Cabana Bay to Aventura and ordered the food to-go. They put it in a take-out box so I could walk back to the hotel with it. Worth the trip.
Love the video! In the past month, I have bought 3 cell phone chargers since I keep forgetting it!! AHHHH Don't forget a cell phone charger --or the correct cord for your phone. Tip for restaurants - Mythos in Islands of Adventure and Toothsome in City Walk need to be booked weeks or a month early, depending on how crowded it is when you go. HOWEVER, if you don't get the time/day you want, wait until the day of the visit. The system checks with automated texts to see if everyone is actually going to show up. People cancel every day, and those tables become available around 10:30-11 am. I've gotten reservations for both every day I've wanted to eat there.
That is the truth! We hate leaving our chargers.. but we do it from time to time!
Juniper, you are an evil genius... I'll remember that next time I go.
You guys nailed so many things we have experienced. People in flip flops (even saw a woman in high heels yesterday! No lie.) Pushing ourselves too hard (75 thousands steps in 3 days... and yup, we're feeling it tonight😫) Thankfully, rain is expected the 2nd half of the day tomorrow.
The rest though, we saw your earlier videos warning us about some mistakes and tips to make the park experience better... We took that advice and ran with it. Ponchos, pain relief, dry socks, snacks and a few of the others. You guys are literal vacation gurus.
We are more than happy to support your channel! 👍👍
Thank you!! This is such a sweet comment and we are so happy that we could help!
Why the extra socks?
About saving money... I plan early, keep an eye on the website, and spend time calling and speaking with UO's customer service people. They are SUPER SUPER NIce... They look for available discounts and give great advice. I have discussed ride closures, made dinner reservations and the best one was when I called in early'sh Dec 2021(our upcoming trip is last week of Jan 2022) and asked about any discounts- not only did we save almost 300$, but we upgraded from a standard view room at Royal Pacific to a garden view room at the Hard Rock. Be nice to your customer service folks and they will do their best to be nice to you.
They are the best aren't they? We have never had anything but great conversations with them and they are so knowledgeable! That is incredible! Your trip is coming up very soon and youve got to be getting so excited!
@@ThePughTwo my friend and I are super excited.
The push yourself tip is spot on. I used to do this all the time and I'd always end up with blisters and sore legs. I definitely try to sit and people watch for a few, or leave and come back.
We have got to get better about this. We are always pushing ourselves way to hard in the parks. We hardly ever spend anytime just relaxing! Definitely need to take a pool day here or there!
Anna your hair looks amazing!! The beard is always true, Tyler! But Anna is out here shining!! Love it!
Awww!! 🥰🥰 thank you so much! In the next video it will look... a little different haha!
Omg I’ve been listening to you guys while I’m at work (I’ve got the UA-cam MiniPlayer open on my phone like it’s a podcast) and you guys are great ❤. Definitely a great way to pump myself up to go to Universal; I haven’t been there in 5 yrs and I’m so ready to plan a 2 week vacation and just go there to enjoy the park ❤
You guys are awesome! Love your playfulness and authenticity! I admire it so much and hope that I can fill my life with the same kind of energy because everyday should be like that. ❤❤❤❤ Thank You so much! You’re much Appreciated ❤❤❤❤
Oh my gosh you’re so sweet! We hope you have an amazing time on your upcoming trip, and we hope our videos help you enjoy the parks!! We really appreciate you watching! 🫶🏻
One mistake that I made awhile back (but will never make again) was not packing reusable straws for my daughter. With the exception of Butterbeer, every time we ordered a drink/water at a hotel, at CityWalk, or inside the parks we received paper straws, which are awful. It wasn’t that big a deal for me, but was not good for my young daughter. So from now on, not only do I carry refillable plastic water bottles with built in straws in the parks, but reusable straws to bring to the restaurants. Our trips to theme parks have gone so much smoother since.
That is something we have talked about doing many times! We understand the paper straws but they are sooo bad haha. This is a great idea really and we are going to take your advice and get some!
Last July we spent 12 days in Florida. 5 days at Disney,, 4 days at Universal and 2 days at sea world. It was an amazing vacation but we tried to do way to much in that 12 days. Kids were ready to go home half through.
That sounds like an amazing trip.. but an extremely tiring one as well! We love having multiple days in the parks but there are times you just gotta take a break! We hope you all still had a great time!
So... The thing about shoes. Everyone is different. I didn't take this into consideration and took a friend's advice to make sure I have good runners and teva sandals that don't go between the toes (you know those 90's looking things)... I ended up completely blowing my knee out because they weren't right for me AND my feet were an aching mess. It took me three trips to realize that I should NOT be wearing runners all day - despite what EVERYONE was telling me - because my feet get hot and that is what causes the aching (they don't even swell, they just get hot and sore.) I switched to a few different pairs of Sanuks with a strap on the back, in addition to running shoes alternating what I wear day to day, and it made a world of difference. I still have knee problems (I need to be mindful of how I stand when I'm in line. Apparently I twist my knee?!) but I am far more comfortable. The thing between my toes doesn't even rub or bug, which is normally something I worry about!
So if you have a pair of shoes that are super comfortable, sandals or otherwise, WEAR THEM. Know that your own body isn't the same as Disneymama101 or whatever online. Lol
This is all so true! What we talk about is of course more of a guideline vs a hard rule! Being comfortable is always most important!
Your channel is fantastic, but I have a challenge for you both. I would absolutely love to see you guys take a trip to the park with a couple with children and talk about best family areas, baby changing areas, stroller parking, child swap, and the ride expectation with small children.
All of our friends that currently have children are super young (less than 2) so it would be kind of difficult atm. We would love to do one of those videos in the future with them!
Once we got up at 5 am, dragged ourselves all the way from Royal Pacific on the walking path to the Gate at Islands to make sure we got to ride Hagrid's for EPA. Right before they opened the gate I looked down and realized my lanyard with my pass... Was still in the room.
If you knew the pain this brought back you would laugh! We have forgotten so many things in the rooms its not funny! Now.. we have never done it for EPA with is a relief haha
thkx for all the tips. I'll be there tomorrow for 14 days using the European pass, very excited :)
We hope you have an amazing time! Travel Safely!
@@ThePughTwo I'm spoiled, in 1.5 days at Studios I've done all the rides and the biggest ones multiple times in a row with zero wait time. I love the combo january/single rider :))
@@yourownrisk January is an awesome time to visit!
Ginger capsules (powdered ginger root) are amazing for motion sickness. Saw Mythbusters episode on it (proved it worked). A lot of the rides at Universal made me very sick - like go back to the hotel room the rest of the day sick. We tried the ginger capsules - 2 or so every 3 or 4 hours and no motion sickness at all! It really works. That said - I don't think I'd do back to the future if it ever came back. That was a tough day...
We need to try these! Back to the future has been replace with what is now the Simpsons ride so you wont have to worry about it haha!
Totally agree 40,000 steps easy big time I actually lost three toenails from pushing so much on the last trip to HHN on the RIP tour last October. Walking the park can be painful. Thanks for sharing! Hope to see you in the fog maybe at HHN 31!
HHN makes for some long long nights in the parks, but its so much fun! See you in the fog for sure!
My god, three nails?? How did that happen? Were your shoes very tight or you just suffer from weak skin under the nail?
The bag selection quandary is real!!!
My minimum to take in is pain medicine, a pair of socks, sun block and deodorant. I don’t want to be “that guy” 🤢
Wearing the different shoes each day is 🔑 for my feet!
YES!! Different types of shoes is so important for me!
We hope to have a fix for that soon 👀! Honestly.. the day we started rotating shoes was the day our park experiences got better. Its so crazy how much better your feet feel the next day!
Same! They all put pressure in different areas instead of crushing your feet in the same spot over and over and over again!
Getting stuff ready for my trip, glad you mentioned socks and pain meds. Water rides and those pain meds help when your legs get sore from walking lol.
Absolutely!! It’s the worst at the end of a long day!
Omg girl love your hair straight❤️ watching all your videos is helping thanks
Thank you!! We’re so glad you’re enjoying them!
We are staying at sapphire falls and bought the ticket/express bundle
Awesome! Have an amazing time!
I'm going for the first time EVER in a few weeks! Your videos have been awesome for planning thank you!
So happy to hear that! We hope you have an amazing trip! The first time is always so much fun and such an memorable experience. Please let us know how it goes!
How was it??
I feel like I've made all these mistakes one time or another. So very good information to know (as always). You both are awesome!
So have we.. multiple times haha! Thank you for all the support David! You are awesome too!
A stuffed bag won't fit into the lockers either! That's why we always pack light and then we use a second locker whenever we buy merch.
also yeah I totally forgot to pack sneakers when my cousin and I went to Epcot. The blisters I got from wearing flip flops lasted a month! :(
This is a great point! Its honestly why we take 2 bags to the parks!
Ouch! That sounds awful! The good news is you will never forget them again haha!
Thanks to your videos and tips, my family and I, had the Best vacation on Universal’s. We went on Jan 3 to 9, and it was the Best ever. We stay at Endless Summer Resort-Dockside and it was great.
YAY!! We are so so happy to hear that! It means so much to us that you let us know! For the price its almost impossible to beat Endless summer.
Came across one of ur vids and now watching them all. Great tips as we r coming from UK 🇬🇧 in July. Keep it up
Thank you so much for checking out the channel! We hope that you continue to enjoy it!
The dinner reservation thing is for real. Even in September non peak we had no idea that this was mandatory. 2 of the 6 nights we had to just chose what was available like Pinks and Breadbox. They were still good but after a 15 hour drive a hotdog isn’t what I would have willingly chosen. 🤣
Yeah its crazy how bad its gotten. We totally get that! It was really frustrating for us how we had done it one way for YEARS and all of a sudden, its different! Oh well, we will just call in advance now!
I was definitely expecting a sunburn to be on this list! I know so many people who thought they were fine that one day that they forgot about sunscreen, and spend the rest of the vacation sore, peeling, and itchy. Or the worst, one redhead I know who scorched her back on the last day of her vacation then had to sit on a plane for ten hours!
Oh that’s a good one! It probably should’ve been! Lol we always see some bad ones in the parks!
I really like your hair in this video. I love you guys. Thanks for always giving good info.
Awww thank you so much! I don't straighten very often so when I do it throws me off as well! 🥰🥰 Thank you for watching!
Love ur videos. I am taking the family this summer for the first time. My biggest worry is all the walking. What about rest areas to just sit down? I have gout so I can’t go to hard all day. Again the videos u put out r awesome.
Hey Anthony! Thank you so much! The great thing about Universal vs some other parks that we have been to is the amount of seating and rest areas that they have. There are benches throughout both parks as well as designated areas for rest. So happy you enjoy the content! Take care!
Again, a great video. Maybe you can give some advice: what would be the best time to eat at a citywalk restaurant? Do you always make reservations after closing hours or do you eat early and then go back to the parks?
It just depends what you wanna do! We were usually eat later at night people when we travelled down, but we typically skip breakfast and have a later lunch. Either one works!
First off, I love your videos! You two provide amazing tips. I’ll be going to Universal Orlando and IOA for the first time in December. Do any of the rides allow you to bring a mini backpack with you? And can you reserve a smaller locker for all day or do you have to pay for a locker near every ride you go on?
Thank you!! Yes, there are some rides that will allow that. We have a video going over lockers in detail that you might find really helpful!
@@ThePughTwo I found that video, thank you! 😊
Thanks guys, and happy new year. Quick question, the place where you can cool you feet, where the water was spraying, where abouts is that located in the park?
Happy New Year! That area was in Toon Lagoon!
Great video and tips as always. Question for Tyler, I've heard you get motion sickness on the Simpsons ride, did you ever get that way when it was back to the future? And speaking of, have you guys ever done a video of which closed attractions you miss, i.e., jaws, twister, kongfrontation, back to the future, etc.?
Thank you! So when I was riding back to the future, I was obviously much much younger and it never really bothered me. 10-15 year old Tyler's stomach must have been tougher haha! We haven't done that video but that is a terrific idea.
@@ThePughTwo I can relate, I'm no spring chicken either. Really hope you guys can do a retro video on the older rides. I really miss them.
I've added spare socks to my UO summer packing list. There's nothing worse than coming off of ripsaw falls at the start of your day and living in the sop for the rest of the day.
You will certainly not regret it! We change socks at least once per day and our feet always feel rejuvenated! Wet feet are something we simply can't deal with at all haha! It kills us!
Look forward to all you videos! If I bring a backpack, can you take that on some of the rides? Also would the lockers be free to fit a backpack if you need to for a ride? Have a great day.
Thank you so much! Some of the rides do allow you to bring it on. We have a video that breaks down all the rides which allow you to bring them and the ones that dont! We put our backpacks in the free lockers all the time!
@@ThePughTwo Thank you!!!
i like wearing high quality flip flops because they dry out from the water rides and i just sit on them on the roller coasters....but i might try some comfortable shoes this time!
We’ve heard others say the same thing, and Anna has even tried her chacos, but we just can’t do anything other than tennis shoes personally. It’s just whatever works for you!
@@ThePughTwo True! I might try real shoes when we go next week!
Today just bought hotel tickets and stuff. The woman had us doing the math and if we bought the express individually it would cost $3700 for 3 because only some of us go on the rides, but we got the premier hotel for Royal Pacific and it went down to a total of $1200 for all 5. The hotel deals are honestly one of the most amazing deals you can ever get!
That’s such a great deal! We’re so happy our videos were helpful, and that you saved so much money!
@@ThePughTwo Yeah! Honestly watching your videos just makes me even more exited for my trip on Wednesday! All thanks to you guys that will make my vacation even better than before! ❤
Next time we go, if we do HHN again I'm springing for the RIP tour. We went on Halloween for the second time (ugh I didn't plan the trips either time) & being rushed through the houses was sooo irritating! I felt like we missed 3/4 of the actor scares & barely caught cool details. Thinking on the houses only three months later, it's all a blur! 🙄 Next time, definitely want to try for multiple nights &/or RIP tour
We want to do the RIP so bad! We have heard nothing but amazing things! We wish you could spend more time in the houses as well. They have special daytime tours of the house you can take that we have also heard are so much fun!
We will be going to universal the 21st through 26th this month hope to see you guys around the park
We would absolutely love that! We will be there!
Love the video like always!! Keep it up guys
Thank you so much Braden!
We have never made city walk restaurant reservations in the past as we like the flexibility but we haven’t been since the pandemic and know things have changed. Do you think we’ll need them for lunch? Dinner? On weekdays the first week of February? It’s less busy then so we’re hoping we don’t but like Tyler, missing out on Cow Fish would ruin our vacation too! Lol
Lunch might not be a big issue, but we would 100% recommend reservations if you are wanting to eat dinner somewhere specific! It never used to be that way, but it has gotten increasingly hard to find somewhere to eat without reservations! February might be fine cause its so slow this time of year. Cowfish is the best!
I love your videos I'm planning a visit in May. Have you guys been to sea world and is there a video?
We haven’t, but we’d like to get down there one of these days! We’ve heard they have some pretty awesome coasters!
Great video! Love your hairdo Anna. Definitely wear comfortable shoes!
Thank you! Its fun to wear it differently sometimes! Comfort > looks in our opinion!
Buying resident tickets by mistake and not catching the mistake before your trip. I booked 2 nights ago and noticed immediately that I made this mistake, I can't imagine what it would have been like if I didn't catch this until we got there.
Oh no! We’re so glad you caught it! Worst case they would’ve just charged you the current price of the tickets, but it’s good you dealt with it before you got there!
13:06 Big thing to note. The med services are at the front AND back of the parks. Specifically in guest services at IOA and lost continent by delicious kebabs. USF has med services by lost and found at the front of the park and by fast and furious towards the back of the park.
Yeah absolutely! There are signs pointing out all of their locations! Thank you for putting this in a comment for others to read! Very Helpful.
@@ThePughTwo Glad to help! :) Thanks for the reply! Hope to see you both in the parks!
Considering the cost our family of 5 is staying on resort at the pacific royal with fast passes included for around $3800. That was a win for us
That’s awesome! Royal pacific is such a nice resort, you’re gonna have a blast on your trip!!
Great video you guys! I swear in every video Anna’s hair looks different so I sit here for a minute like who is that with Tyler? Lol. You guys are the best.
Thank you!! Haha yeah most of the time I have it up! Having curly hair is crazy and some days it just doesn't wanna listen to me! 🥰🥰
Been watching a few of your videos today in preparation of my upcoming trip, really appreciate these videos! :) Also a suggestion for footwear: Merrell brand! I walk dogs for a living and swear by them. Plus they offer waterproof sneakers as well.
Thank you so much! We hope you find them helpful! We will have to look into those, thank you for the suggestion!
@@ThePughTwo Of course! LMK if you guys try them! :)
us locals bring a phone, sunglasses and all of our cards in a wallet. thats it lol
That sounds awesome... we need to fix that haha!
Love ur videos thank you ^_^ I was wondering if yall know if they changed any perks on the season passes? Other than the buttons that is
Thank you so much! To our knowledge, as of today, nothing else has changed. The blockout dates are available and of course are slightly different than 2021 but similar nonetheless!
@@ThePughTwo cool thank you
It’s me. I’m a robot! 🤣 Love my Teva flip flops in the parks!
Lol I knew there were robots among us!
I almost lost my mind knowing about the Annual Passes since I just bought tickets a while back. But then looked into it and saw that that's only for Florida residents. It would be good if you mention that on future videos, please.
Great videos, I'm taking a lot of your tips for my next trip. Thanks!
They're available to non-florida residents as well, but usually at a higher price. Look at their website for a better comparison.
@@rafyprz I'll look into them. Thanks!
@@jorgeramirez57 You're welcome ☺️
Hey Jorge! When you visit their website, there are two different tabs inside of the UOAP tab. One is for Florida residents and the other is for non-florida residents! If you need some help finding it, please let us know!
Thank you for this!
Wow great tips
Don’t forget things like your medicine. Who would of ever thought thank you!!
Best there is! Vitally important!
Hi Anna & Tyler! First off, Anna, your hair looks great in this video, I love it! I didn’t know that you could get more than one locker, but since I stay offsite, I usually just have my AP. I know that they did handout special card for the lockers. On the ticketing front, this year for HHN, I did a RIP tour and I found it strange that I had to call in order to get my AP Discount on the RIP Tour Pass. As for cost, Universal is much less expensive than Disney, but great tip on buying your tickets ahead of time. One thing that I didn’t like in this video, is your tip about the bar seating, Since I am there usually there as a solo traveler, bar seating is my go to! Don’t tell anyone else! 😂. Ken
Thank you, Ken, you're so sweet! We love that little trick at the lockers. It makes our lives so much easier AND cheaper! lol Universal's ticketing system is actually pretty outdated, so it's probably easier to make people call than it is to give you that option online 😂 and sorry about your bar secret, hopefully you can still find a seat!
@@ThePughTwo No problem, it is usually easy to find a single seat at the bar. There always seems to be an odd chair someplace, that is one good thing about going solo. I love that you response to new comments on your older videos, you two are very engaging with your audience. Ken
Oh boy I cannot wait to hear this and love y'all videos
We hope you enjoy it Julia!
New to your channel. Planing our first Uk - Florida trip this coming Aug/Sep. Think I’m going to be spending some serious time on your channel haha
How exciting! We're so glad our videos have been helpful and if you have any questions, let us know! We don't know much about traveling from the UK, but we can answer most things about Universal! lol We hope you have an awesome time on your upcoming trip!
@@ThePughTwo it’s quite intimidating trying to research WDW and Universal for a first trip but UA-cam is a awesome tool. Done plenty of Disney research and now onto the Universal. I figure the more tips and info I can get the better! Expect my comments to pop up all over the place haha
When is the best time to buy season passes? if it's activated on your first trip is it cheaper to buy towards the end of the year if my first trip is going to be in April? Or should I buy the passes at the beginning of the year? How often does Universal change the UOAP rates?
The rates typically change at the beginning of the year! So our suggestion would be to purchase them as soon as possible, that way know that the rates won't go up!!
If you don’t mind me asking what nausea medicine do you get? Looking for one that’s good and doesn’t have side-effects like drowsiness or sick to your stomach. Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks as always!
We just take the over the counter stuff! If you’re looking for recommendations, we would suggest asking your doctor! They might be able to help!
Sorry - Rando question here. If I'm staying at Cabana Bay and want to take advantage of EPA - Can I still use the walking path? Does that security gate open at the same time as the "main" area (and if they let people in even earlier that the posted time, do they open at that time too?) And do you know how early before opening time people start to line up there?
Hey there! Never be sorry! We want to help. Yes the path will be open and you will be able to access CityWalk (security) 1 hour prior to the parks opening on most days! We have never seen too many people lining up unless its an extremely busy day at the parks!
I’ve always gone with a small backpack but it does take time every ride when you have to go to the lockers and have limited days at the park, plus it’s so hot even with such a small bag that ventilates well
honestly thinking of renting a locker depending on where they are located for bigger items, and buying a Fanny pack and switching out there, and just checking into the locker when need sunscreen or medicine or clothes or whatever
Really good tips about the season pass and restaurants ! Do you have any tips on the least active times of the day at the restaurants ? I plan to go in September
Thank you so much! We have videos on pretty much everything that you mentioned! If you can’t find answers to a question, please reach out and let us know and we will try to make sure you get some answers!
Don’t forget chafing balm! Whether you are a big or small it saves the day.
Haha yeah that’s a big one, too!
Could you do a video explaining how ordering food IN the parks has changed? Me and my girlfriend went last May and it was kind of a nightmare. Just wondering if there has been any changes!
Thats a good idea really because in the last 2 years everything about ordering food has changed! That was right when they did away with mobile ordering cause it had become such an issue!
Dude for my family it tends to be stomach bugs or getting dehydrated. We had a year where everyone got sick at the all star resorts in Disney (I refuse to stay at them now). It’s really hard when things like that happen plus when we go in the summer you need to drink water. This past year I got dehydrated and I now vow to only drink water unless it’s at the end of the day.
Oh gosh! That sounds miserable! It’s so easy to get dehydrated at the parks in that Florida heat. It’s brutal!!
@@ThePughTwo sad part is I should know better I live in Louisiana lmao
I did not know they were not from the area. I thought they were a couple times a week visitor. Out of town info. Very knowledgeable and fun
Thank you so much! We love to visit the parks but we have to do it from 700 miles a week! So happy that you enjoyed the video!
So glad I found you guys! I laughed all the way through!
Thank you so much! So happy that you enjoyed the video!
When I saw your #1 tip... I was like, wait a minute... y'all do this all the time! Honestly, great video. I found out about the little water cups from Rix Flix a while back and that was a lifesaver! I didn't have to attach my water bottle to my fanny pack! I mean, let's be honest here, I just kept forgetting my collapsible water bottle and just kept asking for these teeny tiny cups! OH! Also, should be noted, if you DO forget Dramamine/ginger pills, they have them at that med station for free!
Yeah.. you know the whole do as we say not as we do thing... its definitely that! That is awesome! We had no idea that they would give those medications out for free!
@@ThePughTwo I kept forgetting mine in the hotel and went to buy some until I saw the med sign and just went in and asked. Super helpful! Also, yeah, we are the same sometimes. I will tell our kid not to do something and he comes back with, "but my dad..." I am like, buddy, don't follow what your dad does! HAHAAH
We are Planning on visiting universal for the first time this July. We are either going to stay at Royal Pacific or Portofino Bay for 7 days with a 5 day park to park pass. We are leaning towards Portofino. Have you guys stayed at Portofino what do you think?
We have stayed at Portofino and we love Portofino. We have also stayed at Royal Pacific many many times. Honestly you can't go wrong! I think we enjoy the pool area more and the dining options more at Portofino!
What shoes would you recommend to wear all day in the parks? I'm prone to get blisters.
Anything comfortable! We really like Asics and they have always done well for us in the parks, but its better to just have shoes that you know and trust!
Our kids are out of the stroller; but we still take it every time we go to a theme park. Between my husband (who watches the stroller since he can’t go on most rides) and the kids - We need too much crap for me to carry it around all day. I only keep valuables on me.
Haha the strollers seem like a great place to stash stuff!
Could you guys please confirm that the tickets are more expensive if you buy them on site instead of online.
I was hoping to save a bit of money by buying a preferred anual pass and take advantage of the 15% discount for the rest of my family tickets.
Hey there! So the good thing is you can call and purchase them using that discount. Also something worth noting is that those are single day tickets that you get the UOAP discount on. They do not offer discounts on multi day ticketing options!
@@ThePughTwo you guys are awesome, thank you!
We like to graze all day vs actual meals. Like splitting the quesadillas at confisco, jacket potato in London, the brisket at bread box, etc. any suggestions? Don’t say Louie’s -that was horrible
We are grazers as well. We are big fans of the tots at Green eggs and ham (IOA) and the crepes at Central Park crepes (USO)!
I am from the Midwest and crocs are a big deal here. They’re not the best looking shoes but they are good in any type of weather plus helps the feet breathe. What are your thoughts on them? And if I have a trip planned for early May to US, would it be a good idea to purchase tickets now?
Hey there! We are very familiar with crocs haha. We have never worn them to the parks, but we have seen others wearing them! You could go ahead and purchase tickets if you would like. Anything to spread out the cost of a vacation is a good idea in our opinion!
@@ThePughTwo Thank you! I will be sure to buy tickets now then instead of later.
The new tolls on Orlando highways is the biggest stink for me. I was lucky the last time I came; it was 2 weeks before the introduction of the toll. I only live 7 hours from the park so driving isn’t a problem, and I would prefer to have my car with me than fly out and rent a car.
We have never driven in Orlando so we weren't aware of how bad the tolls were! Something to keep in mind if we ever decided to move down! Having your own car would probably be so convienent!
Can’t wait!! We are going next month
Ahhh that is so exciting! We hope you have a blast!
"It could be 55 or it could be 90." I'm screeching 🤣🤣🤣 I live in Florida and truer words about FL weather have not been spoken. You could add that it could rain at any given time of the day regardless of what the weather Channel says, just absolute torrential downpour for like 15 min then back to 90 degree heat.
Its so true! We had a 4 day trip where we legit experience a high of 62 and then the last day it was 89 feels like 96. So wild!
Family and I just went to Universal/Islands of Adventure and had a great time but we nearly ruined our trips was Dudley Do-Right's Ripsaw Falls and Popeye & Bluto's Bilge-Rat Barges. I've been on water rides at other parks like Splash Mountain, Journey to Atlantis, Jurrasic Park The Ride, Kali River Rapids, etc... all of those rides got you a little wet which is what I expected here. However these rides just get you completely soaked from head to toe. It wouldnt have been so bad if it was just shirt/pants but having to walk around in wet socks/shoes for another six hours was pretty miserable. The rides were fun and I think they would be great additions to an actual waterpark, but I think they are way overboard for Universal/Islands. Anyways just beware incase you aren't wanting to get COMPLETELY soaked.
Haha yeah, those rides get you soaking wet, for sure. We always suggest either bringing a change of clothes, or going back to the hotel afterwards. They’re no joke!
Essentials change over time. I have two sons but generally yes less is better for ease. I will say I have never killed the battery of my smart phone in the parks, and I've been in the Universal parks alone pushing 200 times (Local more or less with annual passes it's an hour drive for us). Genuine question what is causing your phones to be drained so bad. I think the lowest my phone ever got to for a full day is like 60%
We would assume all the 4k footage and the photos that we take with our phones while at the parks! Also we don’t always have to use it. Like only a few times really, but there have been times where we’ve been in the parks for 17-18 hours straight.
@@ThePughTwo I suppose I get that. Wasn't thinking about pictures. I bring a digital camera with me so that might be why it's a non issue.
@@johnh8546 yeah we have our camera gear typically and we will also charge batteries with the portable bank. The phones are more for instagram and things of that nature
oh man, that buying the wrong ticket thing lol reminds me last month I was putting all of our keys and passes from last year and 2019 (our first trip) and was looking at our tickets, we had THREE park tickets, we couldve gone to volcano bay!!! It's now 2022 and still never been to volcano bay lol
Oh no!! Haha it happens and hopefully you didn't pay too much more for them! You have to go check it out, its amazing!
Hi Guys quick one for you .We come over from Scotland every October for HHN We do have an annual pass now for the last 20 years but we only come over for 21 days do you still think its worth keeping the pass or look at other ways to visit the park cost wise
Honestly, we aren’t sure what kind of ticket deals they give for people overseas, but if you visit most of those days, we would assume the AP would still be cheapest
@@ThePughTwo Hi There we do get a small discount on our pass as we renew it every year but it did jump up some this year
I’m going for my daughters and granddaughters 7th birthday. Any suggestions for best restaurant to make reservations to?
It really just depends what kind of food you’re looking for! If your granddaughter is into ice cream, Toothsome’s chocolate emporium would be a good choice! They have great food, but they’re known for their desserts and milkshakes!
One thing that I'd like to confirm because I THINK I did it in the park for a locker but I'm not 100% sure. I THINK you can use your drivers license barcode as a locker barcode. It doesn't have to be a universal barcode. Can you guys ask or try it next time you're there?
Hey Kevin.. so we have been told you can use pretty much anything with a barcode.. we didn't wanna be the ones telling people that but yeah a drivers license would work haha!
@@ThePughTwo I KNEW IT! I thought I was going crazy and just misremembering my trip but that is super awesome. Thanks for confirming that :D
Is a drawstring backpack good enough for traveling with in the parks? (I plan to bring one along with my original backpack)
It can be, but if you can fit into a fanny pack, you'll find that's much more convenient. You can ride all the rides but the metal detectors ones (Hulk, Rip Ride Rocket, Velocicoaster) with a fanny pack, even Hagrid's allows fanny packs. Drawstring backpacks fit in the standard free lockers well, though.
I use a drawstring backpack and it’s perfect for me.. but I don’t bring a lot into the parks and use it more for things I buy in the parks. It all really depends on what you plan to bring in/out of the parks, but you can always use the option to have purchased gifts sent to your room as an added bonus! Just a tip it’s usually delivered next day so don’t use that perk the day you leave.
If it fits everything you need and its something you are comfortable with then thats fine! The only thing we would personally worry about would be it rubbing our shoulders raw!
Yeah fanny packs are just so easy to take to the parks! Being able to take them on rides is such a convenience!
Thank you for this! We have never used one and were hoping someone else could give their input!
Theme park bags are like porridge? Interesting metaphor tyler..lol
Bar seating for the win, snagged Cowfish on my last trip with bar seating.
This reminds me… I should make a reservation for later this month….and in March! 😈
@@mikedittenber5271 sure Mike rub it in you're going twice in the next 3 months lol
Its such a great feeling when that happens. No wait and you get to eat where you want!
We think you should for sure! We need to do the same!
If you bring your own bottle for water, can you also add ice?
You can! The freestyle cups will give you ice and water and you can get a free cup of water at any of the manned kiosks as well.
I disagree with the new shoes comment, the right pair of tennis shoes are comfortable from day one and don't need to be broken in. I will also add I highly recommend chacos sandals. They are the only shoes other than tennis shoes that I can wear all day without pain and I have tried them all.
We agree, but sometimes it’s hard to know if your shoes are right or not until you wear them! Lol Anna has tried her chacos a few times, but said her feet swell because it’s so hot. It’s definitely an individual thing!
The thing about bringing bags onto the rides? Don't even THINK about trying to weasel your way in. They check for it and one attraction has metal detectors. I was forced to remove my belt and watch and put them in a locker before getting in line.
PS: I went to Universal in January 2020 and it was VERY cold. If going in December or January, still pack at least ONE pair of pants and a jacket. If staying at a Universal hotel, you'll be able to swim, their pools are heated! If you want to get in the big spa at Cabana Bay, ask the front desk how to get it, entire families fight, fight, fight for it!
Yeah some of the rides (coasters) have the metal detectors! It can get cold there sometimes, like this week is pretty chilly! Lol we can see why people were fighting for it!
Heading down next month for the 1st trip to Universal. We have reservation info for the hotel and the park. But the tickets don't show on the website or the app. Is this an issue? Do you receive a ticket holder with the tickets and express pass?
You should have gotten a confirmation email. If you don't see any info about tickets on the email, I would suggest calling Universal to double check that you're all prepared. You can buy tickets in the hotel when you get there, but that's something you probably want to be aware of beforehand! Also, no. If you want a lanyard for your ticket, you have to purchase one.
Can you not leave a bum back for example on the side whilst you go on the rides? At Alton towers for example you can just pop your bag into a holder on the side
It depends on the ride as well as the TM! So for instance, the coasters, you can’t take ANYTHING outside of your ticket to get back into your locker. Other than that, it depends on the size of the bag
First time I went to universal you used a fingerprint or put in a code for the lockers. I remember we had to get one of the employees to open the locker because either someone didn’t remember the code or which finger they used to lock it. The second time I went you used your park ticket to get a locker. Which was awesome because I had my ticket saved on my phone. The only thing was my aunt had both my uncles ticket and hers saved on her phone, so when we went to open the locker she freaked out when it wouldn’t budge. Luckily we realized she was scanning the wrong ticket.
Um, you scared me for a second. I thought you said she scanned the ticket and accidentally put the phone in the locker too! 😁
Man that old locker system was awful! Yeah and the great thing is the TMs can help you if things get “stuck” if you can recall your locker!
Thanks again for all the tips
Thanks you for watching!!
Let’s say you have a room at like hard rock and you have to be out of the room at like 11:00 do you get the express pass until only 11:00 or the rest of the day?
You have it for the entire day that you check out!
@@ThePughTwo Yay!!