Advice for solo visit...

[MagiKitty]

Have an extra day on vacation and decided to spend the day at US/IOA. Will be solo. Wondering if other solos have any advice or trip plans on doing the parks. Will I be able to do both parks on a Sunday in April? Or should I just focus on one park? Are there any must-see shows? Kind of excited and intimidated at the same time...any info would be greatly appreciated. TIA!

 

[Metro West]

Have an extra day on vacation and decided to spend the day at US/IOA. Will be solo. Wondering if other solos have any advice or trip plans on doing the parks. Will I be able to do both parks on a Sunday in April? Or should I just focus on one park? Are there any must-see shows? Kind of excited and intimidated at the same time...any info would be greatly appreciated. TIA!

Sundays are usually pretty crowded now and with Spring Break coming up, you might have trouble seeing everything in both parks in a single day. Depending on what types of rides you like would determine which park to focus on. I go alone quite a bit and would be happy to tell you some of the things I do.

 

[Darcy03231]

Personally, I think its really hard to see both parks in one day. If you want to race around and do the big rides in each park I suppose you could, but I really don't find that fun at all. I would pick a park and spend a full day in it.

IOA has lots of thrill rides, if that's what you like. This is the park that the big roller coasters are in (Hulk & Dueling Dragons), along with the two water rides, Dudley Do-Right and Popeye.

If you're like me and like a mix of rides and shows, I would go to Universal. If you do decide on that park make sure you see the Hollywood Horror Make Up Show. Its one of my favorite shows. I'm a ride chicken and I can ride everything in this park, except Jimmy Neutron (motion simulator and I have an inner ear issue and just can't ride this one). Make sure you ride The Mummy, another one of my favorites. If I only had one day and was by myself I would definitely spend it at Universal.

 

[MagiKitty]

Thank you both so much for your replies! Based on your info, I think I will just spend the day at Universal. I do like a mixture of rides and shows, and was not really thinking of hitting the thrill rides on my own.

Metro West, I would love to hear some of your strategies for a solo day. I've never done a park solo before but am quite excited by the prospect of seeing a park on MY terms. I just don't know what those terms are!

I will admit, I enjoyed the Animal Actors show very much when I was there two years ago. That is on my list.

I've never seen the Hollywood Horror make-up show. I'll make sure to see that one too!

 

[Metro West]

Metro West, I would love to hear some of your strategies for a solo day. I've never done a park solo before but am quite excited by the prospect of seeing a park on MY terms. I just don't know what those terms are!

I will admit, I enjoyed the Animal Actors show very much when I was there two years ago. That is on my list.

I've never seen the Hollywood Horror make-up show. I'll make sure to see that one too!

Certainly...going solo definately has it's advantages. Anyway...I would start with Shrek 4-D to get that out of the way and then you can either head towards Revenge of the Mummy or back towards E.T. I like to walk around, take pictures and people watch. I would do the Horror Make-Up Show for sure! It's located in the Patages theater across from Mel's. Then head down to E.T. and stop off for the Animal Actors show.

The Simpsons and MIB would be next followed by Jaws. Amity is fun to walk around in with the midway games and shops. Disaster! is next in The Embarcadero followed by Beelejuice. Stop at Louie's for lunch...the pizza is great! Now you're in the New York area with Revenge of the Mummy and Twister. You will see the Hollywood Rip, Ride, Rockit (HR3) construction so take pictures of the track going up and the Hollywood Bowl area. Walk towards the exit and stop by the Lucy tribute.

Take some time to hang out in Central Park and just soak in the atmosphere.

 

[MagiKitty]

That is a great plan! And you answered my next question....where to eat? Although being from NY, I may have to try something other than pizza!

Now, going solo, is it as important to go when the park first opens? Do the rides have single rider lines?

 

[ky07]

If you have time I would do T2 and then Lucy but then agian Metro is the expert since he lives in Florida

 

[Metro West]

That is a great plan! And you answered my next question....where to eat? Although being from NY, I may have to try something other than pizza!

Now, going solo, is it as important to go when the park first opens? Do the rides have single rider lines?

The single rider lines are located at RoTM and MIB but only when the standby lines have a 60 minute wait time or more. You'll have to check that out when you're there. I usually don't go until 11am or so but since you're a newbie, I would try to get there at opening and take your time. The Simpsons will have a long wait as will RoTM and Shrek. Try to get those done early on.

As far as food goes, you might want to try Richter's which has good burgers or if you want sit down service, try Finnegan's.

 

[Metro West]

If you have time I would do T2 and then Lucy but then agian Metro is the expert since he lives in Florida

Yup Lawrence you're right...I forgot about T2 but I don't usually stop for that.

 

[MagiKitty]

Again, awesome tips! Simpsons was still under construction when I was there last, so that too is on the list. I remember being kinda scared (ok, really scared) at T2, so that may be wait-listed. I don't want to embarrass myself unneccessarily by screaming like a banshee all alone!

And I'm always up for a good burger! I'll be looking for Richters....already planning on getting a nice drink and a bench somewhere to people-watch.

Any good photo ops? I love me a silly picture...

 

[Metro West]

Again, awesome tips! Simpsons was still under construction when I was there last, so that too is on the list. I remember being kinda scared (ok, really scared) at T2, so that may be wait-listed. I don't want to embarrass myself unneccessarily by screaming like a banshee all alone!

And I'm always up for a good burger! I'll be looking for Richters....already planning on getting a nice drink and a bench somewhere to people-watch.

Any good photo ops? I love me a silly picture...

Hmmm...people sometimes do silly things when they take a picture in Bruce's mouth at Jaws. You never know what opportunities will present themselves for silly pictures. Just keep your eyes peeled.

 

[macraven]

Certainly...going solo definately has it's advantages. Anyway...I would start with Shrek 4-D to get that out of the way and then you can either head towards Revenge of the Mummy or back towards E.T. I like to walk around, take pictures and people watch. I would do the Horror Make-Up Show for sure! It's located in the Patages theater across from Mel's. Then head down to E.T. and stop off for the Animal Actors show.

The Simpsons and MIB would be next followed by Jaws. Amity is fun to walk around in with the midway games and shops. Disaster! is next in The Embarcadero followed by Beelejuice. Stop at Louie's for lunch...the pizza is great! Now you're in the New York area with Revenge of the Mummy and Twister. You will see the Hollywood Rip, Ride, Rockit (HR3) construction so take pictures of the track going up and the Hollywood Bowl area. Walk towards the exit and stop by the Lucy tribute.

Take some time to hang out in Central Park and just soak in the atmosphere.

Hey, that's the path I take when i am following you Metro.........


I do universal and disney yearly on solo trips.
I have met homies at the parks from getting to know them on the dis threads.

One day to do a park can be tough even if you go solo.
You do need to pick up a park guide map when you enter and figure out the times you want to do the shows.

Work your schedule that metro gave you around show times.

You have to do Horror Make Up Show.
It is an absolute hoot!!

I eat at off times on my solo trips. Much easier finding a table to sit at then.
At normal dining hours, it might be a stretch to order and get your food then try to find an empty table for yourself. That's my one hint on food time.

I back track at times when I am at the studio side.
It doesn't take long to do that.

Some of the rides/attractions have a delay start. They are not open at 9:00.
Plan your day around the shows, opening times of the delayed rides and the schedule Metro gave you.

If you ever go in October, give me a holler.
Lots of homies go that month.


Metro is so right about the Louie's pizza........

 

[MagiKitty]

Thanks macraven for your input! Actually do have a second trip planned for the beginning of October, so you never know! May see ya there!

So is 9am a soft opening? Or are most of the attractions open by then?

 

[macraven]

Thanks macraven for your input! Actually do have a second trip planned for the beginning of October, so you never know! May see ya there!

So is 9am a soft opening? Or are most of the attractions open by then?

IOA has more rides open at 8:30ish if the TM's open that park early.
There are many times when the park unofficially opens early, you can do hulk, doom and spidey by 9.

The studio does not have as many rides open prior to the official opening time.
But, i do believe some are open when the park opens unofficially early.
By the time you walk back to mib, or simpsons they should be open.

9:00 is the official opening time of the parks.

see you in october!