2 parks / 1 day - possible?

[QT Pooh]

Hi all,

We're going to US on January 18. I'm wrestling with whether we should go to just IoA or both. We've been to IoA several times (me, DD11, DS12) but the kids really want to go back for the coasters. Other than the coasters, JPRA and Spidey (possibly Popeye if it's not too chilly- Ripsaw Falls is still down?), there wouldn't be anything else we would ride there. We haven't been to the movie park for many years and haven't seen any of the new rides. My husband's never been, and I think he'd like the movie park better.

Do you think we would have time to hit the headliners in IoA and still have enough time to take in a good chunk of USF given that the park hours are 9-6? Last time we went to IoA off-season (a few years back) we were done by 2 pm, and we had hit everything (sometimes twice). Advice/opinions?

Thanks!

 

[robvia]

Yes, do both parks. Crowds will be light. You probably won't do the water rides at IOA, but going on the coasters will be worth it.

When I do both parks in 1 day, I usually start at IOA. I arrive the parking garage at 8am, first to the gate, and I get a front seat ride on Hulk to start the day. Dr. Doom, Spiderman, then high tail it to Deuling Dragons for a front seat ride on each side. I ride JPRA in the back row, Hulk one more time, then head over to USF. The wait for the Mummy will probaby be about 20 minutes. For MIB I use single rider line. After that, it's shows, which hold many people.

Yeah, I think it will be worth it to buy the 2 park 1 day ticket, as long as you can get an early start.

 

[QT Pooh]

Thanks robvia! We can't wait to go!

 

[WillCAD]

I did it myself once in October. During the light crowd seasons, if you know the parks and don't dawdle, it's certainly possible to hit the hilights of both parks in a day without rushing around too much.

 

[robvia]

Eat doughnuts and milk in your hotel room before heading out. Make sure the kids eat so they don't say "I'm hungry" after you get into the parks.
You'll have to eat a light lunch at a counter service place.
If you arrive early, you'll be done with IOA by 11am. Food places will just be opening. You can walk over to USF, ride the Mummy, then get something to eat at Richter's burgers or the pasta place nearby. You'll want to keep moving, doing MIB, Jaws, and ET.
Since it will be cold, bring candy bars in a small bag and they won't melt. Give these to the kids as snacks. You'll have to store a fanny pack when you ride the Mummy, and the coasters at IOA, but it's not that hard to do. The lockers are free for 2 hours.
You can do the movie attractions at USF in the afternoon, such as Twister, T2, and Shrek. When the park closes at 6pm, you'll be starved. That's when you can have a big dinner at a sit down restaurant.

 

[bev r.]

Can you do this at the end of March? What are the crowds like?