Just back from Universal Beijing (5/22) & I'm LIVID 😡 XHS (Xiaohongshu) totally conned me!

[Karen Bruen]

I thought someone said there were fewer people on weekdays at Universal Beijing Resort? Today is only Thursday, and yet look at this sea of people, it’s absurd! Major attractions have queues averaging 60 minutes, even smaller projects had to wait for 30 minutes. It's far from being crowded-free...

• From the moment I entered the gate in the morning, lines had already formed, not just before the rides, but meal times as well; upon reaching mealtimes, it was so packed in the restaurants that finding a place became impossible.

Alright, while complaints are one thing, let me share some useful tips in hopes it'll help those who plan to visit next:

• Should I carry a bag?

  • Well, it depends on how many items you have. A backpack would be the most convenient option if you do indeed need to carry things.
  • However, be warned: the security check at Universal Beijing Resort is extremely strict!
    • No matter what, do not bring along: folding chairs (although they seem useful while queuing, they are strictly prohibited), selfie sticks, tripods, reflectors for photography, instant noodles, glass cups, etc.
    • Highly recommended: Bring some snacks along! Queuing really does consume a lot of energy. Prepare some small snacks for energy replenishment; this will save you precious time you would otherwise spend waiting in line at restaurants, as well as save you money – after all, everything on-site has its price tag.

• May updates for the park: (Double-checks highly advised prior to travel as times can change)

  • Opening hours: From 9:30 AM to 8:30 PM
  • Parade times: From 5:00 PM, only one parade a day featuring all your beloved cartoon characters!
  • Stage play "The Untamed": At 12:00, 13:30, 14:15, 15:15, 16:15, 17:45, 18:45 (Each lasts approximately 20 minutes, narrating the story of "How To Train Your Dragon")
  • Stunts show "Water World": At 12:00, 13:30, 15:00, 16:30, 18:00 (An amazing water stunt show, beware of getting wet during performances!)
  • Hogwarts Castle Magical Glow Show: At 7:55 PM, 8:10 PM (Each lasts around 6 minutes – The nighttime views of the castle add magical ambiance)

• My optimal day touring tips:

  • ️ Key idea: Rush for the most popular attractions at first + stagger mealtime!
  • **️ First thing after gate: ** Harry Potter Forbidden Journey → Jurassic World VelociCoaster → Transformers Ride — Robots (These are extremely popular attractions, tackle them first!)
  • ️ Mealtime techniques: Try pre-lunch hours before 11 AM or post-lunch hours after 2 PM -- these times see reduced crowds.
  • ️ Postnoon leisure: Minion Park & Kung Fu Panda Land of Awesomeness (Suitable for relaxed fun) + watching various shows.
  • ️ Golden hours of evening: Refeel those attractions you didn't have enough time to spend with earlier, or grab some photos wherever.
  • ️ Before park closing: Stroll through souvenir shops + re-watch the nightly castle glow show + enjoy any ongoing music fest you may have missed!

• Here are some major pitfalls, don’t trip over them!

  • ① Wear flat shoes! Seriously – there's a lot of walking involved, you're going to spend the day walking tens of thousands of steps; high heels are guaranteed to make your feet suffer!
  • ② Early birds catch the worms! Highly recommended to wake up early and aim to be amongst the first wave of visitors entering the park. This way, you can tackle several attractions at less crowded times, effectively resembling a paid "quick pass"!
  • ③ Performance attendance strategy: Plan ahead for viewing all performances—arrive 15 minutes early to secure a good seating position, otherwise chances are you’ll only get to witness people’s backsides.
  • ④ Birthday rewards! Remember to ask at the visitor service center if you're visiting during your birthday month – they provide a free birthday badge!
  • ⑤ ‘App is a lifesaver! Download the official "Beijing Universal Resort" App, which provides real-time queue times for attractions, helping you plan your day better.
  • A reminder for indecisive folks or those who detest waiting in lines:
    • For first-timers who aren’t sure how best to enjoy everything but fear the long queues, consider investing in the Resort’s “tour guide services”.
    • Roughly around RMB 180 per person, it includes a personal guide, the service covers playing roughly 15 rides and shows with waiting times controlled to between 10-30 mins per ride. Service lasts around 8 hours.
    • They help plan your route, pose for pictures, etc. – it really is quite thorough, similar to having a ‘nanny’ service (someone called it so haha). If your budget permits and you do wish to breeze smoothly through, this option might be worth looking into.