Advice on US/IOA touring plan?

[Wadecool]

We are going to be spending a day at US and a day at IOA. As a first timer, I have absolutely no idea if these touring plan are realistic or even good ones. Here are the parameters: we will have Thursday May 6 and Friday May 7 to tour Universal and Islands of Adventure. We are staying at the Crowne Plaza near Universal, so making it to park opening shouldn't be a problem. It is myself, DW, and DD3 (who has recently passed the 40 inch height barrier). The only adult rides we'd like to ride would be Mummy and Hulk with rider swap, but I'm not sure where the best place to work those two rides in would be. Here's my plan, please give me your honest opinions.

Thursday - Universal Studios
*at park opening, ride ET
*Shrek 4D
*Rip ride rocket (rider swap)
*Mummy (rider swap)
*Woody Woodpecker coaster
*Fievels playland

Friday - IOA
*at park opening, ride Flight of Hippogriff
*tour WWOHP
*Spiderman
*Hulk (rider swap)
*Seussland, Seuss train ride
*Cat in the hat
*Carousel
*Toon Lagoon
*Me ship, the Olive
*Camp Jurassic

If I'm leaving anything out or do not have the best lineup, please feel free to let me know, any and all comments/advice are welcome. Thanks in advance.

 

[flfun]

The Studios in early May should not be a problem at all. ET and most of the kid's attractions aren't usually open first thing in the morning on quieter days, I would definitely get the most popular rides in the front of the park out of the way first - Mummy, Rip Ride, Shrek, they will develop long lines quickest. Btw, don't forget to use single rider if there are only two adults wanting to ride, its so fast and works with child swap. There's a lot you left out so I don't know if you're interested but I'd definitely do Men In Black too, little kids usually love it (if tall enough of course).

I like your IOA plan. Don't forget to go back to HP at night, its really something! I "might" switch park days but I don't think it will matter much in the end.

 

[lake queen]

I agree that I would consider switching days. We were at IOA on a friday in March and it was nuts! It was much better when we went on Sunday. So I assume that Thurs. might be better.

At US- I would definitely ride RRR and Mummy first. I know that you are not including your 3 yr old on these rides. But I think it is better to ride with out any lines, than to make a 3 yr old wait in a long line.

We walked on to both of these rides on Sat. March 11. In fact, we rode RRR twice and then went straight to Mummy and rode twice. Both times we literally walked straight up to the boarding area and got on!

It was awesome, it was like we had the park to ourselves! We then went to MIB and Simpsons and rode both without a wait. After that the park began to fill up. But that first hour was EMPTY!

 

[christine*]

I'm planning my first trip to US/IOA and was wondering if there are any touring plan websites like there are for WDW?

 

[Wadecool]

The Studios in early May should not be a problem at all. ET and most of the kid's attractions aren't usually open first thing in the morning on quieter days, I would definitely get the most popular rides in the front of the park out of the way first - Mummy, Rip Ride, Shrek, they will develop long lines quickest. Btw, don't forget to use single rider if there are only two adults wanting to ride, its so fast and works with child swap. There's a lot you left out so I don't know if you're interested but I'd definitely do Men In Black too, little kids usually love it (if tall enough of course).

I like your IOA plan. Don't forget to go back to HP at night, its really something! I "might" switch park days but I don't think it will matter much in the end.

Thanks for the tip about switching the days we tour US & IOA, that makes sense. I do have a question regarding WWOHP and Flight of the Hippogriff. Is WWOHP just like one of the lands at Magic Kingdom where you can just wander freely in and out at will? It seems like I read somewhere that there is a line just to get into that general area. Is this the case? The only ride I know for sure we want to ride in WWOHP is Hippogriff and browsing the shops, but I don't want to deal with insane crowds if I can avoid it.

 

[Wadecool]

I'm planning my first trip to US/IOA and was wondering if there are any touring plan websites like there are for WDW?

I have found lots of info on WDW, but considerably less for US/IOA. When i put my plan together, all of the info I gathered came from a combination of this site, the Universal site, and the Unofficial Guide. I'm not sure when you are going but I'll be happy to report back on how successful the plan listed in the OP turns out to be.

 

[the Dark Marauder]

Thursday - Universal Studios
*at park opening, ride ET
*Shrek 4D
*Rip ride rocket (rider swap)
*Mummy (rider swap)
*Woody Woodpecker coaster
*Fievels playland

ET usually doesn't open until 10 or 11. Also, while in Fievel's Playland, why not visit Curious George? Fair warning, that area is SUPER WET! I'd recommend Rockit first, then Shrek, then ROTM.

Thanks for the tip about switching the days we tour US & IOA, that makes sense. I do have a question regarding WWOHP and Flight of the Hippogriff. Is WWOHP just like one of the lands at Magic Kingdom where you can just wander freely in and out at will? It seems like I read somewhere that there is a line just to get into that general area. Is this the case? The only ride I know for sure we want to ride in WWOHP is Hippogriff and browsing the shops, but I don't want to deal with insane crowds if I can avoid it.

Sort of. On slow-moderate days, WWOHP is "free flow" where you can enter and exit as much as you want. On busier days, they will introduce the ticketing/reservation system. Early May tends to be slow-moderate, so if you head to WWOHP early (before 10!) you should be fine. Also, be sure to do the Castle Tour line even if you don't plan on riding Forbidden Journey. You can take your 3 y/o in the castle tour!

 

[Wadecool]

ET usually doesn't open until 10 or 11. Also, while in Fievel's Playland, why not visit Curious George? Fair warning, that area is SUPER WET! I'd recommend Rockit first, then Shrek, then ROTM.


Sort of. On slow-moderate days, WWOHP is "free flow" where you can enter and exit as much as you want. On busier days, they will introduce the ticketing/reservation system. Early May tends to be slow-moderate, so if you head to WWOHP early (before 10!) you should be fine. Also, be sure to do the Castle Tour line even if you don't plan on riding Forbidden Journey. You can take your 3 y/o in the castle tour!

Thanks for the tip on ET. I guess I'll ask at the entrance what time it opens exactly and when we should get in line. Hopefully, next week will be one of those slow-moderate weeks. We will definitely do the castle tour, DD loves that kind of thing.

 

[dolphindan1]

Thanks for the tip on ET. I guess I'll ask at the entrance what time it opens exactly and when we should get in line. Hopefully, next week will be one of those slow-moderate weeks. We will definitely do the castle tour, DD loves that kind of thing.

I agree about switching days...IOA on Thurs and US on Friday...

Here is how I determine crowd levels at each park...I check the price they are selling the Express pass...the price varies depending on crowd levels...the more expensive the bigger expected crowd...

here is the link for IOAs express pass calendar price...you can click on the left side for Universal studios...

https://secure.universalstudios.com/webstore/shop/ViewItems.aspx?CG=UO&C=IUEP

You will notice that on Thurs May 5th EP's at IOA are 25.99, the second lowest price they offer, on Friday it jumps up to 39.99...still moderate crowds but still bigger than the day before...Universal On Thursday is 19.99, the lowest offer, on friday it jumps up to 25.99....what does this tell you IOA tends to be busier than US on average and they are expecting a bigger crowd at IOA on Friday....

just thought I would share that...Its my Universal Crowd chart....

 

[Metro West]

I'm planning my first trip to US/IOA and was wondering if there are any touring plan websites like there are for WDW?

Most people don't really plan for Universal since it's only two parks and they tend to do their own thing. Extensive planning is not necessary for Universal.

 

[Wadecool]

I agree about switching days...IOA on Thurs and US on Friday...

Here is how I determine crowd levels at each park...I check the price they are selling the Express pass...the price varies depending on crowd levels...the more expensive the bigger expected crowd...

here is the link for IOAs express pass calendar price...you can click on the left side for Universal studios...

https://secure.universalstudios.com/webstore/shop/ViewItems.aspx?CG=UO&C=IUEP

You will notice that on Thurs May 5th EP's at IOA are 25.99, the second lowest price they offer, on Friday it jumps up to 39.99...still moderate crowds but still
bigger than the day before...Universal On Thursday is 19.99, the lowest offer, on friday it jumps up to 25.99....what does this tell you IOA tends to be busier than US on average and they are expecting a bigger crowd at IOA on Friday....

just thought I would share that...Its my Universal Crowd chart....

That is probably the most accurate crowd calendar out there. Thanks for sharing.

 

[christine*]

I have found lots of info on WDW, but considerably less for US/IOA. When i put my plan together, all of the info I gathered came from a combination of this site, the Universal site, and the Unofficial Guide. I'm not sure when you are going but I'll be happy to report back on how successful the plan listed in the OP turns out to be.

Yes, please update with how your plans turn out! I would appreciate it

 

[Planogirl]

For planning and info, I've always found Kelly Monaghan's book to be helpful.

I would agree with getting Shrek done earlier than what you have listed. I don't know why but even a 30 minute line seems to last forever at this attraction.