Clueless!! Need help

[Mouthdoctor]

Hey all
Headed down to Orlando taking kids to Luke Bryan concert this upcoming weekend(Jan 26). Thought we would spend Sat at Univ/IoA. Have never been and I am clueless! Got mom and 4 kids in tow ages 6-13. Need some help. We are staying at one of the Wyndham hotels. Not sure which one as mom booked the room based on rec from a friend. Sounds like it is halfway between Amway Center and Univ so hopefully convenient. We will have our car.
1: What's best parking option at Univ, parking garage?
2: Do we try to do both Univ and IoA in one day or pick one?
3: How early should we arrive at the park Sat am?
4: What's best site to purchase tickets?
5: And the age old question... Should I buy Express passes?
Thanks in advance for your wisdom!!!

 

[macraven]

Hey all
Headed down to Orlando taking kids to Luke Bryan concert this upcoming weekend(Jan 26). Thought we would spend Sat at Univ/IoA. Have never been and I am clueless! Got mom and 4 kids in tow ages 6-13. Need some help. We are staying at one of the Wyndham hotels. Not sure which one as mom booked the room based on rec from a friend. Sounds like it is halfway between Amway Center and Univ so hopefully convenient. We will have our car.
1: What's best parking option at Univ, parking garage?
2: Do we try to do both Univ and IoA in one day or pick one?
3: How early should we arrive at the park Sat am?
4: What's best site to purchase tickets?
5: And the age old question... Should I buy Express passes?
Thanks in advance for your wisdom!!!

1. parking garage your only option unless you can take a shuttle from your hotel to UO.
parking is $15.

2. Saturdays can have their crowds. you might be able to hit the highlights of both parks. concentrate on one park and if you have more time left in the day, you can upgrade your tickets to a park to park ticket.
you pay the difference between the two prices.

3. arrive 30 minutes prior to park opening to be at the gate of the park that is.

4. you can buy the park tickets online and pick them up at the kiosk outside the park. you can buy tickets at an AAA office. really, you can buy the tickets anywhere that is a legit place.
you won't find places for discounts for one day tickets.

5. never buy the express pass in advance. they are park and date related, non refundable tickets.
wait until you are in the park to decide if they are needed. you can buy them at certain stores in the park or at guest services.

use the single rider lines to cut back on wait time.
if you are facing long lines, then consider buying the express passes.

the ep you buy are valid for once only for rides and shows.
there are 6 rides that do not have express lines.


check out www.universalorlando.com for more info.
look at the park layouts, locations of restrooms, rides, shows, eateries for each park on that website.
it will help you figure out a plan in advance.

pick up the park guide when you enter the park.
show times, character interactions, parades, etc will be listed in them.