Adding US/IOA to Disney Trip

[DisChelle]

So, my nine year old surprised us the other day by saying she wanted to go to US and would give up Disney days for it! I've done a ton of research because we haven't gone there before. We have enough days to do a day or a day and a half at Universal. I just hesitate because of the cost. Neither of the kids (8 &9) is into super dark or scary rides. My dd just wants to see Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade, which requires the two park ticket. Is it worth it? Will there be enough to do? I'm afraid everything is skewed younger or older. I looked at the prices and I just don't know if I can justify $600 for a day and a half?

Thanks for the info in advance!

 

[dreamerkath]

There is definitely a lot to do, and both Harry Potter parks are worth it, at least to me. The theming is just fantastic, the magical feeling is really amazing. Took my now ex last year, and he was not a fan of Harry Potter and still said it was his favourite part of UO. I could have spent our 2 days just in this part of the parks.

There are kid-oriented rides, especially in Seuss Landing, but Woody Woodpecker, Kang and Kodo's, Shrek, Despicable Me come to mind. Also, there are some cool character meets (superheros, minions, etc). Also some very cool shows!

Are your kids into superheros? Jurassic park? Transformers?

I'd try having a look at the rides on the UO website with your kids and see which ones they'd like to do.

 

[CTDisneyfan816]

So, my nine year old surprised us the other day by saying she wanted to go to US and would give up Disney days for it! I've done a ton of research because we haven't gone there before. We have enough days to do a day or a day and a half at Universal. I just hesitate because of the cost. Neither of the kids (8 &9) is into super dark or scary rides. My dd just wants to see Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade, which requires the two park ticket. Is it worth it? Will there be enough to do? I'm afraid everything is skewed younger or older. I looked at the prices and I just don't know if I can justify $600 for a day and a half?

Thanks for the info in advance!

My advice is to try to go two. The pricing makes more sense and will give you an opportunity to spend one day at each park. I go down for nine days and do 3 at universal and 5-6 at Disney

 

[HM]

Do you think you'll be back in Orlando again before too long (next year)? If you are, I'd plan to do a trip that included an actual stay at US/IOA and three days in the parks. Don't make US/IOA be an afterthought to your already planned trip. Make it your destination. We waited until our kids were about your children's ages and planned a trip that included US/IOA and Seaworld, and resort time. We went to DTD at night to get the Disney fix but didn't spend any money on parks. It was a great trip.

If that isn't a possibility and you do want to add in US/IOA this trip, I'd add that whole day and a half. Get to the park before opening time and hit the Harry Potter areas (and Despicable Me) right away each day.

 

[CTDisneyfan816]

I agree. Or at least enough time to do it justice. I am a Disney freak and I like Universal as much. I go down for 9 days and I am going 3 days to Universal.

 

[DisChelle]

Thanks for the input! I appreciate it!

 

[tstottle]

Funny just replied to a similar question. Yes the one day route is the most expensive way to go. Is it worth it? Up to you. Is it fantastic, especially the Harry Potter areas? Yes, absolutely. They are amazing and really something to see. Will you have enough to do? Definitely. Both HP areas for a newbie, really exploring, could take about 2/3 of the day, I think. I think my son was 7 or 8 the first time we went and I never felt like he didn't have enough to do...the older kids rode faster/scarier rides but we had plenty to do, water rides, Jurassic Park, Despicable Me, magic show, those are some things i remember.

However, the way that makes more sense is to take a 2 day trip, you will get better pricing, and stay onsite to get the Express Pass and early entry.

 

[AthenaBolina]

The first time we went to the dark side, we added a three day, off site, single park trip, on to a 10 day stay at the Polynesian (before the renovations), and we'd never done US/IOA before. We didn't have enough time to be honest. I've always wanted to go back, and that was almost 5 years ago. So next month were doing what tstottle did above, doing a US/IOA centric trip for 5 days (RPR, so we'll have express passes too) and throwing in a little DTD for the magic, and maybe blizzard beach one day.

First time we went my kids were 4.5, 8 (she turned 8 there), 9.5 and 9.5. They all loved it but the two youngest couldn't get on some rides. Now they're all tall enough and 9.5, almost 13, 14 and 14.

 

[puffkin]

I think it is too much to do in just a day or two except in the extreme off season unless you have express pass.

I am actually taking DS9 for a long weekend in September for some Mommy/Son time. We are leaving DH and DS2 at home so we can do all the big rides and Harry Potter is our thing together as we have been reading the books for 2 years (on the last one!). We are staying at HRH and will have 2.5 days in the parks. I hope with express pass and early entry that will be enough. To get our Disney fix though we are going over to do MNSSHP our last night and using up some expiring DVC points I have that I couldn't carry over and staying at Saratoga that night. We will spend that morning at Universal, then move over to Saratoga, check in, then head over to the MK to get in at 4pm with our party tickets and get our Disney fix!