2 parks 1 day..where to start?

[dopeyluvsgrumpy]

We only have one day to cram in as much as possible. I know ideally I should spend more time at these parks but we plan to come back in a year or two and just want a taste for now. Which park does everyone recommend we start at (party is made up of 3 adults and DS4). We will be there right at opening to get as much park time as possible. How much time do you think we should spend at each park? What is a must and what can wait to be seen during a future trip? Thanks for the help!!!! Going in Sept. so hoping for lighter crowds!

 

[Spidey7]

Islands of Adventure is my favorite by far because of the great themeing. But the main park is great too. I would start at IOA though. I personally think there is more to see and do at IOA.

 

[Jaime]

We have done this before and are going to do it again in Nov with 4 adults and a 3, 4, 5 & 6 year old...we do IOA first then Universal...the rides at IOA take less time then the rides at Universal...we also like the themeing alot more at IOA...we usually go on the Spiderman ride first thing then walk around the whole park...taking in the atmosphere which is fablous...then end in Suess Landing where our children want to do every ride at least twice both times we have done this we have been finished by 1:00 and last trip the adults took turns on the Hulk...at Universal we do Jimmy Neutron & Shrek and MIB if the line isn't too long(you might want to pull EP for MIB)...we end in the children's area...that's when the other adults in our group go and do any rides the our children could not do...that way the kids have something to do when the adults go on the long rides...I waited last trip with a 1,2&3 year old for an hour and 15 minutes outside Terminator when the adults went on the ride...if I knew how long the rides were I would have taken them to the children area to play...I learnt my lesson...this time we will go to the play area and the adults will take turns.

Have a great trip!

 

[Cherbear013]

I was just there on Saturday with my bf. We only had one day to do both parks and we didn't really have a plan. When we first got to the park we decided to purchase the Express Passes. Great idea!! For only having a limited amount of time it was a good investment because we got to see everything we wanted to see at least once, sometimes a few times. A lot of the attractions don't even check off your pass so you can keep going through the Express line. We started at IOA and did Hulk, Spiderman, Dueling Dragons, Cat in the Hat, Jurassic Park, Ripsaw Falls, Poseidon and grabbed some lunch. Then we headed over to Universal and did Earthquake, Beetlejuice, ET, Fear Factor, Mummy and Jaws. Universal wasn't as great as I remember as a kid. But after all that we were able to go back to IOA and do the Hulk a few more times and the Doom Fall. It is possible to do everything in a day. Just make sure to get a map and have an idea of what attractions you want to see and what ones you don't mind missing.

 

[CJ]

DD & I already have our passes, but how much does it cost to add the express pass?

 

[bubba's mom]

DD & I already have our passes, but how much does it cost to add the express pass?

Depends on your dates.... after you click, make sure to SCROLL DOWN the page to find your date: http://secure.universalstudios.com/...goryGroup=UOMain&SalesCategory=UO1ParkUEPLive

 

[CJ]

That was easy to decide!

No dates available, and way too expensive anyways!

 

[dopeyluvsgrumpy]

So.....everyone thinks IOA is the best park to go to first? How long should I leave for Universal? Though I could always go back to IOA if I have time left. Thanks!!!!

 

[Cherbear013]

When we went last Saturday the Fxpress pass was $40 for each person. Well worth it! I think we did IOA from about 9:30am to 3:00pm. Then we did Universal from 3:00 to 9:30pm. We were able to do and see pretty much everything we wanted.