Best days/stategies to visit the parks?

[Lauri]

We're going to Disney the first week of August and over Thanksgiving. We're going to do a few days at US/IofA. We'll probably get the 2 park/7 day unlimited passes, unless a better deal comes along before then.

Which of these two weeks do you think it would be better to go to Universal? And are there better days of the week to go to the parks? Is it better to go to one park one day, and the other park another day, or do most people park hop throughout the day?

I've become so reliant on fastpasses at Disney. It will be a big change to have to wait on lines at Universal . Is there a best strategy to do the parks? Personally, I don't do coasters, but the rest of the family loves them.

Lots of questions. Thanks for your help.

Lauri

 

[Metro West]

We're going to Disney the first week of August and over Thanksgiving. We're going to do a few days at US/IofA. We'll probably get the 2 park/7 day unlimited passes, unless a better deal comes along before then.

Which of these two weeks do you think it would be better to go to Universal? And are there better days of the week to go to the parks? Is it better to go to one park one day, and the other park another day, or do most people park hop throughout the day?

I've become so reliant on fastpasses at Disney. It will be a big change to have to wait on lines at Universal . Is there a best strategy to do the parks? Personally, I don't do coasters, but the rest of the family loves them.

Lots of questions. Thanks for your help.

Lauri

Well...going in August you will have the heat and humidity but the crowds will be heavier during Thanksgiving. Despite which week you go, I would stick with a weekday since the weekends tend to be more crowded. It's better to stick with a park a day but if you're not doing a lot of the attractions, you could hop back and forth.

 

[donaldduck352]

Well...going in August you will have the heat and humidity but the crowds will be heavier during Thanksgiving. Despite which week you go, I would stick with a weekday since the weekends tend to be more crowded. It's better to stick with a park a day but if you're not doing a lot of the attractions, you could hop back and forth.

Weekdays are best..Get there early (8:30AM) to get a jump on the crowds..
Alittle tip,August in FLA like metro said is very hot and humid.Go to IOA first thing cause come afternoon the norm is T-Storms.So after 1PM make your way too the Studios,cause most of the attractions are inside...

 

[Lauri]

Thanks for the advice.

Lauri

 

[goofy4tink]

Weekdays are best..Get there early (8:30AM) to get a jump on the crowds..
Alittle tip,August in FLA like metro said is very hot and humid.Go to IOA first thing cause come afternoon the norm is T-Storms.So after 1PM make your way too the Studios,cause most of the attractions are inside...

Great tip...thanks. I'm heading there, with my two dd's (15, and 33) in August. We'll be getting the two parks/one day passes, so I was trying to figure out if there was any stratagy involved. I'll do just that..head to IoA first thing, on Wednesday morning and then head over to US later on. It's all so new to me.....know WDW like the back of my hand but not US/IoA!!!

 

[macraven]

Great tip...thanks. I'm heading there, with my two dd's (15, and 33) in August. We'll be getting the two parks/one day passes, so I was trying to figure out if there was any stratagy involved. I'll do just that..head to IoA first thing, on Wednesday morning and then head over to US later on. It's all so new to me.....know WDW like the back of my hand but not US/IoA!!!

Once you have spent time at the Universal parks, you'll be a pro.
It's like a different world learning all the strategies at a new park.

If you are not staying on site, be at the parking garage very early.
If you are in the line around 7:30, you should be close to the front of the garage.
You will be in the garage and parked by 8:05.

head to IOA from there.
on days when the line is long at the turnstile, it is possible for the TM's to open the line around 8:30ish.

you will cover a lot before the park officially opens then.

for the studio side, not as many rides are open before the official opening time.

 

[goofy4tink]

Thanks! We'll have a towncar dropping us, so parking isn't an issue. I had planned on getting there by 8:00. Then IoA first...while my eldest dd wants to do the coasters there, I'm not so sure I will be. And that will mean less time in that park if we aren't waiting around for all the 'big' rides.
Thanks again for the advice...I sure can use it!!

 

[macraven]

8:00 is an ideal time to get there.

If you get in at IOA around 8:30ish, you all can do hulk, dr doom and spider repeat times before it is 9:00.

Try to be at dueling dragons right at 9:00.
another coaster with no wait.

If you don't do the coasters, take pictures of each area around you.
You will notice each different "section of the island" has different music.

If your dd wants to do the coasters again before the switch to the other side, she can use the single rider lines to expedite the wait time if you take a pass of them.

When you switch to go to the studios side, don't eat lunch at the typical time period. While others are doing lunch, the lines won't be as long for the rides then.

 

[goofy4tink]

8:00 is an ideal time to get there.

If you get in at IOA around 8:30ish, you all can do hulk, dr doom and spider repeat times before it is 9:00.

Try to be at dueling dragons right at 9:00.
another coaster with no wait.

If you don't do the coasters, take pictures of each area around you.
You will notice each different "section of the island" has different music.

If your dd wants to do the coasters again before the switch to the other side, she can use the single rider lines to expedite the wait time if you take a pass of them.

When you switch to go to the studios side, don't eat lunch at the typical time period. While others are doing lunch, the lines won't be as long for the rides then.

Thanks....you are making this all so much easier!!

 

[macraven]

you are very welcome.

most of the regular homies here love to also share what we know.
we like helping newbies enjoy their trips at universal.

 

[Metro West]

most of the regular homies here love to also share what we know.
we like helping newbies enjoy their trips at universal.

 

[eeyorepixie]

Are there any sites like TGM or Touring Plans for Universal?

 

[macraven]

Are there any sites like TGM or Touring Plans for Universal?

not really, some books are out there but i have never found them to be what i felt was necessary.

many use the universal forums and other universal message boards for information.

the official universalorlando.com is a very good source for all the basic information for the parks, food, hotels and city walk.