Ok, so l'm leaving for Orlando on January 4th. While there will be Disney to be had my wife and I (no children) are going to go to Islands of Adventure, primarily because Harry Potter is there, but we'll happily do everything else. This will be the first/only time going too, so I'd like to not miss anything, however I don't know what there is to miss!
Question 1: Which day to go?
Thursday January 5
Friday January 6
Saturday January 7
Which of these days would be the most crowd free, I know due to where NY lies in the week some schools might have the first week off still, thought I'd use the Disney crowd numbers as an indication of crowd levels which would be Fri/Sat, but their operating hours are longer on those days too which usually is a sign of more crowds. Any advice here would be helpful.
Question 2: What sort of touring plan should I go in with?
Going to REALLY try to be there for "rope drop", but with a 3 hour time difference it might be hard to get there at 9am (6am my time!). However as mentioned I don't know what any headline attractions I should aim for, nor the crowd levels for which day I'll be going. No fastpass strategy obviously, but which rides do I need to make a beeline for first?
Question 3: Is there a cheaper/easier way to go to the park other than driving, for 2 adults?
$15 to park for a day, we will have a rental car, but do they have a local bus system that's affordable/useful? Our resort (World Mark) is on International Dr, just south of Seaworld. I know in Anaheim they have a resort transit system, that costs like $4pp but not sure if there's an equivalent thing in Orlando.
Question 4: Is Universal Studios worth a $30 upgrade charge for 1 more day (+parking/transportation related fees)
Looking at a list of what's at the other park, it doesn't seem like there's much going on over there. Very similar to the original Universal Studios (in California) in that there are shows/attractions, but not many rides at all. Apparently if I buy another day ticket it will cost another $30, and we have 3 days to fill anyways, just wondering if its actually worth the additional cost. Also since this is an online only deal (according to their website), it seems like something I'd have to decide now (as the extra day is $20 off the regular price), instead of doing a ticket upgrade at the park (assuming they even do that)
Question 5: Are there any shows/parades/etc that have limited days of operation?
Basically anything like the MSEP or Fantasmic or what not that is showing there? Doesn't even need to be of that caliber either, I'm just finding it really hard to find any information on the subject at all.
Question 6: Not exactly Universal (or Orlando) but is the Space Center worth it?
Since I'll have 3 days of non-disney fun, wondering if the KSC is actually worth it. I was shocked to find out it cost $43 per person, guess the gov't needs revenue!, wondering if a few iMax shows and some history is really worth it? If not, what else can I do to fill the day without driving terribly far. I know its a little too north (and cold) to go snorkling to see fish & stuff, but is there anything that's worth doing? Assuming we're not trying to adjust to the humidity and are stuck in our room with massive sinus headaches (this happened the last time I was in Floriday, summer time though)
Thanks for any info you can give
Question 1: Which day to go?
Thursday January 5
Friday January 6
Saturday January 7
Which of these days would be the most crowd free, I know due to where NY lies in the week some schools might have the first week off still, thought I'd use the Disney crowd numbers as an indication of crowd levels which would be Fri/Sat, but their operating hours are longer on those days too which usually is a sign of more crowds. Any advice here would be helpful.
Question 2: What sort of touring plan should I go in with?
Going to REALLY try to be there for "rope drop", but with a 3 hour time difference it might be hard to get there at 9am (6am my time!). However as mentioned I don't know what any headline attractions I should aim for, nor the crowd levels for which day I'll be going. No fastpass strategy obviously, but which rides do I need to make a beeline for first?
Question 3: Is there a cheaper/easier way to go to the park other than driving, for 2 adults?
$15 to park for a day, we will have a rental car, but do they have a local bus system that's affordable/useful? Our resort (World Mark) is on International Dr, just south of Seaworld. I know in Anaheim they have a resort transit system, that costs like $4pp but not sure if there's an equivalent thing in Orlando.
Question 4: Is Universal Studios worth a $30 upgrade charge for 1 more day (+parking/transportation related fees)
Looking at a list of what's at the other park, it doesn't seem like there's much going on over there. Very similar to the original Universal Studios (in California) in that there are shows/attractions, but not many rides at all. Apparently if I buy another day ticket it will cost another $30, and we have 3 days to fill anyways, just wondering if its actually worth the additional cost. Also since this is an online only deal (according to their website), it seems like something I'd have to decide now (as the extra day is $20 off the regular price), instead of doing a ticket upgrade at the park (assuming they even do that)
Question 5: Are there any shows/parades/etc that have limited days of operation?
Basically anything like the MSEP or Fantasmic or what not that is showing there? Doesn't even need to be of that caliber either, I'm just finding it really hard to find any information on the subject at all.
Question 6: Not exactly Universal (or Orlando) but is the Space Center worth it?
Since I'll have 3 days of non-disney fun, wondering if the KSC is actually worth it. I was shocked to find out it cost $43 per person, guess the gov't needs revenue!, wondering if a few iMax shows and some history is really worth it? If not, what else can I do to fill the day without driving terribly far. I know its a little too north (and cold) to go snorkling to see fish & stuff, but is there anything that's worth doing? Assuming we're not trying to adjust to the humidity and are stuck in our room with massive sinus headaches (this happened the last time I was in Floriday, summer time though)
Thanks for any info you can give
but my wife is nutso about them so she's happy we're going to actually swim with them.
