Any must-do's when have lots of time?

[kohlby]

We've never had more than 2 days for IOA/US. We'll have 6 park days for our next trip! The first day will not be with express pass, since we'll be off site then. But the other 5 will be express pass, as we'll be at RPR. We're going the week before thanksgiving, so not at a super busy time anyway. My kids are 4, 7, and 10. (The youngest does easily hit 42" and the oldest often won't try thrill rides unless the 7 year old goes on them, so rides are pretty easy). IOA is one of their favorite parks. (Second only to Epcot, but we're not doing Disney this trip. We are doing Legoland one day, which is why our 7 day pass will only be used 6 days). We have not been to US for a while though - it's been 3.5 years since we've been there. We went to IOA last less than 2 years ago.

Usually, we have to work at it to cram max park time in our short window of time. I was wondering if there were any things in the park or at the hotel that are lesser-known since we'll have time to explore them now.

 

[janek1234]

We've never had more than 2 days for IOA/US. We'll have 6 park days for our next trip! The first day will not be with express pass, since we'll be off site then. But the other 5 will be express pass, as we'll be at RPR. We're going the week before thanksgiving, so not at a super busy time anyway. My kids are 4, 7, and 10. (The youngest does easily hit 42" and the oldest often won't try thrill rides unless the 7 year old goes on them, so rides are pretty easy). IOA is one of their favorite parks. (Second only to Epcot, but we're not doing Disney this trip. We are doing Legoland one day, which is why our 7 day pass will only be used 6 days). We have not been to US for a while though - it's been 3.5 years since we've been there. We went to IOA last less than 2 years ago.

Usually, we have to work at it to cram max park time in our short window of time. I was wondering if there were any things in the park or at the hotel that are lesser-known since we'll have time to explore them now.

Universal encourages pool hopping, so you may want to explore the pools at the other hotels. There's mini golf at the citiwalk.

 

[BrinkofSunshine]

Have you seen the talking fountain in the Lost Continent at IOA? He's always a lot of fun and kids seem to really love him! The heroes over at Marvel also drive out on these three-wheeled vehicles which is cool too.

At USF they now have a parade, and they bring out some of the parade floats at various times of the day and have little dance parties/character meet-and-greets.

 

[kohlby]

My kids love the fountain - as do I. We always spend a lot of time there, though it seems like most people don't know about it. On one trip, there was a young woman who appeared to have down syndrome there and it was just the most joyous thing I've ever seen. Just watching her interact with the fountain was amazing!

I didn't know there was a parade now, we'll have to mark that down. My kids aren't that into characters - but I'll keep that in mind, they could change perhaps. (Though if Harry Potter characters were ever there, then that would definitely change it!)

We have pool hopping on our list too - I think it's Hard Rock's pool that looked the most promising? I didn't look it up yet but my husband initially wanted to stay at HRH instead of RPR due to the pool only until I told him we could pool hop.

I have a magic show deep in my brain. I want to say it was in Universal. It was inside a small store. They tried to sell you the items afterwards, but it was a but a cute show that my kids enjoyed. I get the parks mixed up sometimes (We've done 7 different parks in one trip before), so I'm not even sure that was at Universal. It was years ago though - do they still have that?

 

[derekburgan]

Some great suggestions here I couldn't agree more with. Pool hopping a definite as all three hotels have great and widely different pools.

Here's some of the things I think you should consider:
- Take a tour of the Hard Rock Café. http://blog.touringplans.com/2013/09/07/saturday-six-top-six-secrets-hard-rock-cafe-orlando/
- Play a round at the Hollywood Drive-In mini golf. http://blog.touringplans.com/2013/0...ive-in-golf-is-the-best-mini-golf-in-orlando/
- Check out the character breakfast and explore all the areas at the Royal Pacific. You'll find some really cool things. http://blog.touringplans.com/2013/08/31/saturday-six/
- Go to The Kitchen at the Hard Rock Hotel and at least split the Kitchen Sink Cake. If you're brave, take the Kitchen Sink Challenge! http://blog.touringplans.com/2013/0...sink-challenge-at-universals-hard-rock-hotel/
- Explore Portofino Bay, it's HUGE and while the kids will go bananas at the pool the Jacuzzis for the adults are just as nice. http://blog.touringplans.com/2013/0...tofino-bay-hotel-at-universal-orlando-resort/
- Wander through the butterfly garden by the Hard Rock Hotel along the Garden walkway
- Bring quarters to use the water cannons at Dudely Do-Right Ripsaw Falls or dump water on people at Bilge Rat Barges
- Explore Camp Jurassic. May seem like it's just for kids, but you'll be SHOCKED at how expansive it is with wild caves to explore. One of the best gems in either park.

Most of all, if you have this much time, really slow down when you go through the parks. There are so many little things that most people miss when rushing to the next attraction. Whether its all the details in the IOA's Port of Entry, checking out Sneetch Beach in Seuss Landing, or even walking by the pay phone outside the Kwik-E-Mart and seeing if it rings (pick it up for a fun surprise), there's so many wonderful little surprises throughout both USF and IOA that many of the guests miss.

And I would strongly recommend getting the PhotoConnect Star Card. You will be able to get so many great photographs throughout both parks and - because of Express Passes - will give you opportunities to have some fun with some of the on-ride pictures.

 

[janek1234]

I have a magic show deep in my brain. I want to say it was in Universal. It was inside a small store. They tried to sell you the items afterwards, but it was a but a cute show that my kids enjoyed. I get the parks mixed up sometimes (We've done 7 different parks in one trip before), so I'm not even sure that was at Universal. It was years ago though - do they still have that?

I think you're referring to olivanders wand shop. They do a show and then try to sell you merchandise

 

[macraven]

there is a magic show in the Studios.

if you are at Terminator, go across the street to the little shop.
it's well marked outside of the shop.

they do a magic show and you can buy magic trick items in that shop.

 

[derekburgan]

there is a magic show in the Studios.

if you are at Terminator, go across the street to the little shop.
it's well marked outside of the shop.

they do a magic show and you can buy magic trick items in that shop.

Have you done the magic show in USF? I went to the one located in Lost Continent at IOA and enjoyed it. I found it to be pretty fun, and they do try to sell you some of the "tricks" afterwards. I bought the "burning wallet" and it worked better than I could have hoped.

 

[Metro West]

Explore Camp Jurassic. May seem like it's just for kids, but you'll be SHOCKED at how expansive it is with wild caves to explore. One of the best gems in either park.

Agreed...I went through one day and was pleasantly surprised by the size and detail. I wish I had something like that to play in/on when I was a kid.

 

[flfun]

Agreed...I went through one day and was pleasantly surprised by the size and detail. I wish I had something like that to play in/on when I was a kid.

"discovered" a phenomenal cave I had missed on all our prior trips to camp jurassic. up the main path past the pteranadon flyers entrance, take the first cave entrance on your left and you'll be in a very large walk thru cave/amber mine complete with mist, multi-colored waterfalls, net bridges etc. i don't know how i missed it all those times but now a fave "to do" on my list. we also love to walk the various dino footprints with the matching dino roars located at CJ too.

 

[jtamin]

Have you done the magic show in USF? I went to the one located in Lost Continent at IOA and enjoyed it. I found it to be pretty fun, and they do try to sell you some of the "tricks" afterwards. I bought the "burning wallet" and it worked better than I could have hoped.

We went to the one in IOA too and really enjoyed it. It's quite funny and the levitating trick is amazing.