Universal Studios on RCCL bus from Anthem???

[meripour]

We are in Port Canaveral from 6:30am to 9pm on Nov 25, 2015, which is Thanksgiving eve. We are looking at the excursion with RCCL which is bus service only to Universal Theme Park. The excursion time is from 7:30 am to 3:30 pm with it taking around an hour to arrive at the park. This seems like a short time since we have until at least 7 (?) to make our way back to the ship in time for departure.

Does anyone know if this is the starting time for busses to return to the ship with a last call bus option or is this the full day?

The park will be packed that day due to the holiday so I suspect buying the Universal Express Pass ticket would be preferable and would also mean to pick only one of the two parks; Universal or Islands of Adventure since there would not be time to do both, even though connected.

Your guidance is appreciate on those that have done this excursion/parks.

[Luv06012012]

When we did it, the departure time was it...there were no buses after that time. The same bus you took there was the one you took back.

 

My husband and I did this because it had been when Harry Potter was pretty new. We rushed around and got in enough attractions that we felt we got our money's worth. Now, the fact that you are going to be there Thanksgiving Eve could mean a whole other issue.

 

We only had enough time to do one side of the park. Again, not many attractions, but enough that we felt we were okay.

 

The same bus stopped and picked up the Sea World people too. By the time they pick up both parks and hike you back...time is pretty close to boarding time.

[meripour]

So essentially, only buy one park, but the express pass? Though in our 50's/60's, we love the park when we were there before and rode every ride. Maybe at this age 6 hours may be enough.

[Luv06012012]

Yes, I think only one park would be do-able. We probably got six attractions in without an express pass, but part of that was because we were waiting in the Harry Potter line and the ride broke down. We stayed in line because that was the whole reason why we went.

 

Even without that, we wouldn't have gotten both parks in. The bus waits a small moment after boarding time to make sure everybody is back...then it does the same sit and wait at Sea World....then you have your ride back to the port so it took up time.

 

With express pass you should be good to go!

[serene56]

The bus will leave at 7:30 and pick you up at 3:30 made us very angry because we were on the bus at 3:30 and made to wait for a family of 4 that thought that rule did not apply to them and we waited for almost an hour.

[gjkubel]

So essentially, only buy one park, but the express pass? Though in our 50's/60's, we love the park when we were there before and rode every ride. Maybe at this age 6 hours may be enough.

 

Just so you know, you cannot ride the Hogwarts train unless you have the two park pass, as the train goes between the two parks. Also, if you are going for Potter, you'll want the two park pass because it is in both parks.

[cb at sea]

I don't think for that short amount of time it will be worth the money you will spend...especially over a holiday! You really need a couple of DAYS to see everything...and lines for the most popular attractions can be an hour or more....

Personally, I'd save that for a land vacation, where you have plenty of time!

[meripour]

Will also post on Meet & Mingle Roll Call to see if there is interest in sharing a private car.

[majarosh]

Try KENNEDY SPACE CENTER. Tours are wonderful and they had an early shuttle there NOW they have on of the decommissioned one there. Plan on 4 to 5 hours

[meripour]

would do but we are coming from Houston, Texas, home of 'Hello Houston, we have a problem'. Many a trip there as a kid and our standby for out of town visitors. Now if there was a launch . . .

[majarosh]

We had the opportunity to get inside the VAB...vehicle assembly bldg...the HUGE BLDG that can be seen for miles just after all the shuttles were done...Endeavour was parked INSIDE. ..wow what a thrill

[adjjb12]

The day before Thanksgiving is considered a peak/busy day. So for some rides without the express pass, will be an hour wait and more.

 

As well as you should know the express pass doesn't work on anything Harry Potter, so for all those rides you must stand in the line. The line for Gringott's bank could get very long in peak times 3+ hours long.

 

Also you should factor in the park hours. If you're there at 7:30am. Islands of Adventure doesn't even open until 9am. The Universal Original park opens at 8am.

 

Just doesn't seem like it's worth all the money for that short period of time, if you have to be back on the bus by 3:30pm. For IOA you're losing an hour of your excursion time. Perhaps check the prices for your own shuttle taxi?

 

Or try a different excursion that's easier to do in 1 day. Disney's Animal Kingdom opens early and is easy to do in a short time frame.

Edited June 4, 2015 by adjjb12

[serene56]

T

Also you should factor in the park hours. If you're there at 7:30am. Islands of Adventure doesn't even open until 9am. The Universal Original park opens at 8am.

.

 

 

7:30 is the time the bus will be loading toleave

[cruiserking]

We did the Universal Studios transfer last February on Explorer and had a blast at the park. I bought park to park tickets and we had plenty of time to enjoy the Harry Potter section and the Universal Studios portion.

 

We are not thrill ride enthusiasts but, there is much to see. Don't miss the Butter Beer at Wizarding World of Harry Potter it's worth the price of admission.

 

Jonathan