Our first trip - need advise

[Mickey's Goofy Gal]

This is our first trip to Universal Studios and IOA. Any advise will be appreciated. Also, does the I-ride Trolley have a stop anywhere near US/IOA? Our hotel has a free shuttle, but I am exploring other travel options to and from the park as well.

Thanks in advance! :banana:

[damo]

When are you going and where are you staying?

[Mickey's Goofy Gal]

We are going in July and staying at Sheraton Studio City Hotel.

[damo]

Since you are going at peak time and not staying onsite, the most important thing for you to do (if you aren't purchasing the express pass) is to get to the parks way before opening time. The parks usually open before the scheduled time and you can get a jump on things and not be waiting in line at the entrance with the hoards of other people. Then you can ride the major rides before the park loads up and do the minor rides when it is crowded and hot.

[Mickey's Goofy Gal]

I would love to be able to stay on site - but we are already staying a week and 1/2 at the beach when we leave Orlando! My DH wanted to add a little something extra for the family so we are staying 4 days in Orlando! Getting to the parks "early" is the reason I was thinking it may be best to drive to the parks and not wait on a hotel shuttle or I-trolley (if even available to US/IOA). Thanks damo!

I have been reading on-line and reading the Universal Guide Book trying to learn more before we go!

[craigf]

There is an i ride stop around a 15 minute walk from the gates, We stayed at the Holiday Inn Suites just across the road, it's a $3 cab ride from the door of the hotel to the gates. Southbound i-ride is across the road by the double tree. Northbound stops out side the H/inn.
We love i-ride, it saved me having to drive anywhere at the expense of an hour here and there but without the usual driver / passenger dualing ;-)

[schoolmarm]

what's i-ride? We're planning on paying the parking fees next week when we go even though our hotel says it's only 1 mile away. Would i-ride make that an unneccessary expense?

[Mickey's Goofy Gal]

From what I understand from the on-line info and from the books, i-ride is a trolley service that stops numerous different places along International Blvd. but doesn't stop at US/IOA - it stops close but not at that the parks. The website site that I found about i-ride is:

http://www.internationaldriveorlando.com/



http://www.iridetrolley.com/

Hope this info helps.

[schoolmarm]

Thanks for the sites! I was beginning to think maybe no one knew.