1st time visitor advice needed.

[mikewdw]

We are visiting Universal for the first time ever. We have always done WDW but our kids are out of high school and we are going to give it a try. We are meeting family for a few days at WDW after Universal so we only have 1 day.
We are going to Islands of Adventure. Looking at two nights at Dockside or Surfside. The night before Memorial Day then Memorial Day at IoA then stay the night before our check in at WDW. We basically want to check out the park and see if its something we want to do in the future.
So questions...
1. Will we get to do enough on Memorial Day to get a good sense of the park?
2. Quality of stay at Dockside or Surfside?
3. Best way to do tickets?
4. What is normal early entry time for this hotel?
5. Is bus service to park reliable and often?
6. Food options for night in hotel, how expensive is food court
7. Food options off site, how easy to get to
8. Opinion on how crowded IoA will be since Epic will be open by then?
Anything else a first timer might need to know?
Thanks
mikewdw

 

[scrappinginontario]

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[Kit Jackson]

If you only have one day you are smart to only pick one park and not try to do both parks in one day.

What kind of rides were you hoping to do? Is the travel party into intense thrill rides, are there ride cowards, or is there a mix of both? Does anyone in the travel party have issues with motion simulators? Any Harry Potter fans in the travel party?

Some of the rides require lockers. This tends to freak out WDW regulars way more than it needs it/should. The lockers are either part of the queue or right near the queue. Unless you have a giant backpack or diaper bag, your bag will probably fit in the locker. You may need to put the bag on its side. If there are things you want to have access to a moment's notice, it's absolutely worth taking a bag with you. I use the small small crossbody bag in the park that I use in my regular life and I've never had a problem fitting into the locker.

 

[mikewdw]

We have college age kids so thrill rides of course. Wife and i can do them but also like slower pace rides. Wife sometimes has a little issue with motion sickness. Would anyone recommend Universal studios for us instead of IoA?

 

[CAPSLOCK]

Make a few lists & compare both.
Rides each person really wants to do?
Themes/IP anyone really wants to see?
Shows anyone really wants to see?
Anyone who will sit out certain types of rides (ie wet, big drops) - which rides?

Do you do other parks with big coasters often? The big coasters, aside from Hagrids, are in essence just big coasters that you can find similar experiences elsewhere. Velocicoaster is the only other major coaster that has actual theming on the ride itself, but it's basically just scenery. Granted it's a good coaster... but I'd rather ride the unique stories that are Mummy or Gringotts over a really good coaster with cool scenery.

Studios has far & away the better shows, if that's important. Also have found more street entertainment in Studios, and more characters in general if that's on your list.

Depending on the level of motion sickness, your wife should beware of Forbidden Journey or Simpsons.