Can we do all this in one day?

[chocovrdmicears]

We are going to get the 1 day/2 park tickets for our Sept trip. We are considering doing 2 days. This will be our first trip to US/IOA. Our children will be 6 & 7. I have a couple of questions. DS6 has autism. The only way we are able to do Disney is using their GAC. Does Universal have something similar? If they do, does anyone know 'how it works?'
Here is a list of things we really want to do. Can we see all these in 1 day? Our kids our theme park commandos and we plan on getting there when the park opens and spending the entire day/night...Is that too much? Or should we do 2 days? Here is our MUST do list from the kiddos

Simpsons Ride
Shrek 4D
Mummy
MIB
ET
Jimmy Neutron
Jaws
Twister

Jurassic Park
Suess Landing
Dudley Ripshaw Falls
Popeyes Barge
Spiderman

Any help or suggestions would be appreciated!

 

[macraven]

Universal also has the pass for those that need special accommodations.
you would go to guest services for the pass.
they have different ones and i think you would receive the best info from them directly.



are you going on a weekday?
weekends will have more people in the parks.


i would never attempt to do all on your list with 2 young children.
with your one that is autistic, you might not to be in such a rush. it may become over whelming for him.

try to do it all in 2 days if that is the max of time you can do uo .

 

[chocovrdmicears]

Universal also has the pass for those that need special accommodations.
you would go to guest services for the pass.
they have different ones and i think you would receive the best info from them directly.



are you going on a weekday?
weekends will have more people in the parks.


i would never attempt to do all on your list with 2 young children.
with your one that is autistic, you might not to be in such a rush. it may become over whelming for him.

try to do it all in 2 days if that is the max of time you can do uo .

Thanks for your reply. We would be going mid-week (Wed or a Thurs). I am thinking 2 days would be best...but the additional resort expense for 2 days would be $600 compared to an additional $300 for the 1 day. We may have to try for one day and cut down our list. Do you have any recommendations for what we should eliminate from the list to make it more of a 1 day schedule?

 

[macraven]

wednesday and thursdays are great days to visit both parks.

does your son get over stimulated on rides that have flashing lights, spin, rides with drops or rides that can become quite loud?



if the weather is cool or not quite at 75 degrees, you might not have long waits for the water rides you listed.
if you do them, take a change of clothes and store them in a locker so you can change after the water rides are done.

dudley and popeyes will get you extremely wet.
the JP won't drench you.
i always duck to the side when going down the drop and the people behind me get the water in their face......

 

[chocovrdmicears]

does your son get over stimulated on rides that have flashing lights, spin, rides with drops or rides that can become quite loud?



if the weather is cool or not quite at 75 degrees, you might not have long waits for the water rides you listed.

Liam definately LOVES loud rides with BIG drops and flashing lights and spinning doesn't faze him at all. He loves Splash Mountain, BTMRR, and even loved Expedition Everest. He did Dinosaur @AK and he was a little afraid, but wants to do it again this year. The only one ride he won't/can't do is TOT. He waited in line, but just before we went into the elevator he told me he was too scared, so we left. He LOVED Test Track so fast is not a problem and LOVED Kali River Rapids, so wet is fine. We are going in Sept so I don't think cool weather will be an issue. We all love getting wet to cool off.
The only thing I worry about is that we have never really done a 'motion simulator' type ride, like Star Tours so I am not sure how well he will do with Shrek, etc. His #1 MUST DO PLEASE is the Jurassic Park ride. He loves anything and everything to do with dinosaurs and water rides and big drops.
I really would like to try and stick to a one day plan. BUT the other question I have, it what are the 'character greetings' like there in terms of taking up time? He loves Spongebob and Shrek, etc. It is like trying to wait in line for Mickey? I am wondering how much time we should schedule for that sort of thing as well?
Sorry to ask so many questions... We have never been and I am just unsure of how well we will do with only one day.

 

[Metro West]

Two days would definately be the best option...no since in rushing through it all.

 

[macraven]

The characters will pose for pictures, talk to you and spend time with you.

pick up the park guide map for times characters will be in the park and where you can find some of them.

it probably is best to check with guest services on the day you are doing the park for information on where to find the characters. (time and location)

i have seen some characters in the shop after the jimmy neuton ride.
there are different characters at different times i have gone.

since you son is looking forward to visiting with the characters, do check it out with guest services.

at IOA, you can find the fantastic four daily.

shrek and gang, fantastic 4 times are listed in the park guides.

there is a breakfast at port of entry where spiderman, cat in the hat and things 1 & 2 are present. those characters spend a lot of time with the guests.

 

[Darcy03231]

Keep in mind that one night at an on-site hotel gives you two days of FOTL access (day you check in and day you check out). I would plan 2 days with one night on-site. You can easily do everything you listed in two days with FOTL.

 

[macraven]

Keep in mind that one night at an on-site hotel gives you two days of FOTL access (day you check in and day you check out). I would plan 2 days with one night on-site. You can easily do everything you listed in two days with FOTL.

 

[donaldduck352]

Keep in mind that one night at an on-site hotel gives you two days of FOTL access (day you check in and day you check out). I would plan 2 days with one night on-site. You can easily do everything you listed in two days with FOTL.

I would deff look at this option!!There is so much too see and do..
One day would not get it all done!!!imo

 

[LilMommyBug]

Keep in mind that one night at an on-site hotel gives you two days of FOTL access (day you check in and day you check out). I would plan 2 days with one night on-site. You can easily do everything you listed in two days with FOTL.

I agree, I think that is the best option.

 

[macraven]

The only thing I worry about is that we have never really done a 'motion simulator' type ride, like Star Tours so I am not sure how well he will do with Shrek, etc. His #1 MUST DO PLEASE is the Jurassic Park ride.


Sorry to ask so many questions... We have never been and I am just unsure of how well we will do with only one day.

there are motionless seats for Shrek and Jimmy Neutron.
try those seats first and if Liam enjoys those shows, try the motion seats the next time.


feel free to ask any question you have.
we were all newbies at one time.

2 days would work better for you and the family.
doing it all in 1 day can be stressful.
vacations are to be enjoyed by the entire family and not rushed.
i think you will enjoy what Universal has to offer if you take your time there.

I have done the parks by myself with my 3 boys.
started taking them when they were 6, 8, and 9.
we tried to rush but it only caused problems for us.
when one was tired, or had to do a restroom stop, it was easy to entertain the other 2 by just looking around the park at the scenery and buildings and characters.

that sometimes took an hour of our time each day away from rides.

 

[chocovrdmicears]

Thank you for all your replies and suggestions. I appreciate the help!
We are staying on property at Disney so our plan was to add a day at the resort and rent a car to spend a day mid-week at US/IOA. It looks like the smart thing to do would be either cut down our list of things to see or consider keeping the car for 2 days.