A few questions...m

[Gupsmom]

We are taking our children to Universal/ IOA for their first time (DH and I have done Universal in 1996 but this is our 1st trip to IOA) in April. They will be almost 7, 5 1/2 and 4. They are adventuresome kids. At WDW they ride everything (Splash, Thunder, Haunted Mansion, Tough to Be a Bug etc) except ToT (my choice) and RnR (not tall enough).

I am a relative Disney expert but I'm clueless about Universal/IOA. We are staying on site at the HRC. I know that our package gives us the front of the line passes. How exactly does that work? What are the exceptions/exclusions? I need major ideas on forming a touring plan. Is there a good book? I am a huge fan of the Unificial Guide to WDW.

Also...we will be grabbing a Fairy Godmother (babysittter) one night to do some of the really big rides alone. Any tips for that too...

Jess

oh...one more thing... We will also be doing 2-3 nights at Disney. Which would you do first? I guess I'm leaning toward Universal/IOA (which of those 2 first) and then Disney. I figure that we KNOW we love Disney so we should end with that.

THANKS!!!

 

[webray]

Hi,

I would do Disney first, since you have already been there...reason being...

Once you go to HRH with front of the line access you will be so spoiled that by the time you get to disney and wait in the lines everything will seem disappointing.

Everyone in your party will get a room key for front of the line access, including the kids...you can hold on to them all. When you approach the attraction...look for the express pass signs/arrows and follow them. Someone will meet you at the sign, or a little further inside and swipe your card to make sure that it is valid so that you can continue on to the front of the line. Front of the line access is wonderful...you are going to love it.
With the kids I would do Universal first, then IOA because IOA is the newer, brighter park...packed full of action. IOA is probably the most outstanding park in Orlando. Have a great time!

 

[damo]

If you do Universal first you will have a really tough time waiting in line at Disney. You get really spoiled have express passes all the time.

There are a few rides that your kids will want to do that don't have express, mainly Pteranadon Flyers. Do this first thing in the morning since it is great fun and gets a long line very quickly.

Shrek also gets a long line quickly even with express so that is another first thing ride.

Spend some time at the talking fountain. It's very funny!!!

Have fun!!!

 

[Flyfly_Eclipse]

When are you going? Maybe I can give you a tour (and save you some big bucks on the official tour there! lol!!!).

Anyway, you just show them your room key at the Express entrance, though you may have to show it more than once in the Express line (sometimes they swipe your card, sometimes they don't). Just have it handy. Make sure you do not lose your room key because they do not replace it!! So especially be careful about that with your kids.

FOTL doesn't have many exceptions. Most shows do not have Express or FOTL options, however I noticed for at least the Horror Makeup Show (US) you can get in early and choose a good seat with FOTL.

I have to agree with damo to spend some time at the Magical Fountain at IOA. Sometimes the Magical Fountain comes to life and grants wishes and sometimes plays jokes and gets spectators soaking wet!!

Go to Disney first!! I understand your reasoning, but you will be spoiled with FOTL. This way, you'll be sure to enjoy both parks. If you end with Disney, you'll enjoy it because, yeah, you like the park, but the lines will be unbearable!

Now do you have tickets that allow you to go back and forth between the 2 Universal parks? That's always nice. I think your kids will enjoy IOA better because of Dr. Seuss Land and the other colorful scenery around the park. However, there are other things for them to do over at US. Do they like animals? Maybe you could take them to Animal Planet Live! Show. It's pretty cute. Other shows you may not want to take them to...Horror Makeup Show has some scary images and cracks some sexual jokes. But even though the jokes would probably go over their heads, I've seen some kids get scared by some parts of the show. Some can handle it, though. That show and Beetlejuice's Graveyard Revue are both rated PG-13. You can also try The Extreme Ghostbusters Show (hehe!!!). I've seen many kids enjoy this show. (More females and teenage girls...but kids too) It's located outside so it can get pretty hot...but it lasts only 15 minutes.
If you need any more information just PM or e-mail me I am an Annual Pass holder and know quite a bit about the park (not like people here don't)...but it's always easier to help people knowing their interests and all.

Hope this helped!

 

[Gupsmom]

Wow,,thanks for the fast and great responses so far.

Lines aren't really an issue at WDW for us. We go at peak times but I have grown to know how to do the park w/o waiting in lines. Believe it or not, even at peak, the longest my kids have ever waited for anything is 20 minutes (and that was only a few times).

Do any of you know of a guide book that concentrates on UNiversal/IOA? Also...any opinions about the Hard Rock reesort?

What ab9out where to eat? and where to see Characters?

Thanks again...

Jess

 

[Flyfly_Eclipse]

Originally posted by Gupsmom
Also...any opinions about the Hard Rock reesort?

What ab9out where to eat? and where to see Characters?

Thanks again...

Jess

Try La Bamba Cafe at Universal Studios. Large portions so you can share easily...so it's less expensive (for example, my mom got a meal for $12 which included: a drumstick, thigh, and breast, large drink, fries, a cornbread roll, and dessert! She could share this with her sister and mom...and once she shared with her husband). It's not bad considering you can easily spend $8 on a meal for one person.
At Islands of Adventure nothing really stands out, but a nice sit-down restaurant is Confisco in the Port of Entry. They have a menu right outside the door so you can check it out.
I also love to eat at the Hard Rock Cafe in Citywalk. Yum! And the atmosphere is awesome!!

About the Hard Rock Resort...it's very nice! I didn't stay there, but I have visited their pool and lobby. The lobby is HUGE!!
The pool is decent sized and can get pretty crowded. It has a water slide which is actually quite nice! Many kids ride it but I liked to go on it too (it's not just a straight down slide). Plus, underwater, there's speakers that play rock music! Very cool!!

 

[TigerLilly's Mom]

I have these two guidebooks: Universal Orlando with Kids by Kim Wright Wiley, and Universal Orlando by Kelly Monaghan. I found them both helpful, but if you are just going to get one, get the one by Kelly Monaghan. It has very specific details about the rides and restuarants, and was very entertaining. Good luck.

 

[Figment22]

While at Universal Studios, allot a few hours for Woody Woodpecker's Kidzone. Your kids are the perfect age for this area. The Barney Show is here and in the very back of the Kidzone is the Curious George area. Bring (or wear) bathing suits for the kids; they will get soaked. The Ball Factory in this area is the place you will not be able to get your kids to leave.
Mine are older and can easily spend two hours in this area. (Just for the record, DH can spend an hour or so here too!!)

Feivel's playland in the front area of the Kidzone has the water raft slide which also does not have any FOTL access. If your kids want to do this, make it early.

At IOA, make sure to do Pteranodon Flyers as soon as the park opens. Depending on the time of year, it can have a 60 minute wait about a half hour after the park opens. PF is located inside Camp Jurassic in the Jurassic Park section of the park. Camp Jurassic itself is lots of fun for the kids but it's one of those areas where you can lose the kids because they can come out in lots of different areas. Either you or your husband should stay near the entrance to CJ so the kids don't run out into the main area of JP. You are much less apt to lose a kid at either of the other IOA kids play areas, Me Ship the Olive in Toon Lagoon or If I Ran the Zoo in Seuss Landing. By the way, bathing suits are a good idea in any of the three kids play areas as there are several opportunities to get wet.

You also spoke about getting a Fairy Godmother for a night out alone. At the Hard Rock Hotel, they have a great evening kid's club called Lil' Rocks which my kids just loved. Organized activities, Nintendo, movies, a small outdoor (gated) playground.
My kids begged DH and I to go out to dinner a few more times so they could go to Lil' Rocks! Much more fun for them than just getting a babysitter.

Feel free to ask any more questions and be sure to let us all know how your trip went when you return.