Crowds IOA Dec. 10-13

[roothy123]

Hi. I finally booked those cheap Southwest tix to Orlando before they started getting sold out. We went to Disney five years ago, and want to try Universal this time. It's my husband and I, and we're mostly into thrill rides, so we'll probably concentrate on IOA first and then perhaps Studios. Around Dec. 11, which is a Thursday, can anyone hazard a guess as to how long the waits will be at the most popular rides? Is an express pass not needed then? Is it possible to go early and get on all the major adult rides once in both IOA and US, assuming we don't mind rushing a bit, and with no shopping stops, only lunch? Will crowds be heavier on Friday compared to Thursday, or won't that matter?

On a few rides, I've read there are separate "lines" for single riders. In that case, do they just ask for single riders and place them where they can, are there separate lines, or what? If my husband and I split up, what are the chances of getting on the same ride, just different rows? Would one or both of us get on a ride or two earlier than the masses, or is there more of a difference in the wait?

Also, we were considering taking one day to go "somewhere else" - Cypress Gardens if open, Disney Animal Kingdom, or Sea World. Any thoughts? Also, I am a bird lover (herons, egrets, etc.) and was wondering where I could go early morning to photograph birds. I think Orlando Wetlands will be closed in December, which seems a bit odd, but....

I know I'm asking a lot of questions, some of which require a magic ball to look into the future (maybe that's down in Disney?), but any advice you can give me would help. We're trying to have a fun mini-vacation without spending tons of money - otherwise I'd just stay at Portofino and do it all!

Thanks.

 

[Metro West]

Hi. I finally booked those cheap Southwest tix to Orlando before they started getting sold out. We went to Disney five years ago, and want to try Universal this time. It's my husband and I, and we're mostly into thrill rides, so we'll probably concentrate on IOA first and then perhaps Studios. Around Dec. 11, which is a Thursday, can anyone hazard a guess as to how long the waits will be at the most popular rides? Is an express pass not needed then? Is it possible to go early and get on all the major adult rides once in both IOA and US, assuming we don't mind rushing a bit, and with no shopping stops, only lunch? Will crowds be heavier on Friday compared to Thursday, or won't that matter?

On a few rides, I've read there are separate "lines" for single riders. In that case, do they just ask for single riders and place them where they can, are there separate lines, or what? If my husband and I split up, what are the chances of getting on the same ride, just different rows? Would one or both of us get on a ride or two earlier than the masses, or is there more of a difference in the wait?

Also, we were considering taking one day to go "somewhere else" - Cypress Gardens if open, Disney Animal Kingdom, or Sea World. Any thoughts? Also, I am a bird lover (herons, egrets, etc.) and was wondering where I could go early morning to photograph birds. I think Orlando Wetlands will be closed in December, which seems a bit odd, but....

I know I'm asking a lot of questions, some of which require a magic ball to look into the future (maybe that's down in Disney?), but any advice you can give me would help. We're trying to have a fun mini-vacation without spending tons of money - otherwise I'd just stay at Portofino and do it all!

Thanks.

Welcome to the DIS!

Let's start off with your plan for IOA. I doubt you would need an Express Pass for 12/10-13 since the crowds are not usually bad until after Christmas. If you were to get there early, you should have NO problems doing the adult rides at IOA.

Some rides have single rider lines but they are only open when the stand-by lines reach 30 mins or more. There are separate lines for the stand-by, Express and single riders. If you both decide to do the single line, I guess there is a 50% chance you could ride in the same car/train but that's just a guess.

I think you could do AK or Sea World w/o too much trouble. Cypress Gardens' future doesn't look bright and you should check the website or call them to find out if they plan on opening during the week. I seem to recall something about the park only being open on the weekends...but I could be wrong.

If you have any other questions, fire away. We are here to help!

 

[bazzanoid]

I think you could do AK or Sea World w/o too much trouble. Cypress Gardens' future doesn't look bright and you should check the website or call them to find out if they plan on opening during the week. I seem to recall something about the park only being open on the weekends...but I could be wrong.

Cypress Gardens are pretty much closed during the week but I would call to check on the weekend ride avaialbility and opening as they have stated from next march/april the rides are not available, so they will most likely start removing them over the winter months.

 

[Metro West]

Cypress Gardens are pretty much closed during the week but I would call to check on the weekend ride avaialbility and opening as they have stated from next march/april the rides are not available, so they will most likely start removing them over the winter months.

Yeah...that's what I thought. I know they are trying to sell of a bunch of rides and will concentrate on the botanical gardens and water shows.

 

[roothy123]

Thanks for your replies. I would say that it's a shame that Cypress is not doing well, except that Orlando and around that area has SO many parks with rides, I can't imagine that losing a few more coasters would be a big deal.

It sounds like December will be reasonable in terms of visitors. I guess we'll just go when the park opens, and not buy express passes. I guess we'll buy the "unlimited 2 Park Pass" for around $98 in advance, on-line. I can purchase them now and use them in December, right?

OK, a couple other logistical questions: What's the best way to get the CLOSEST to the park. In other words, if we take a hotel shuttle or trolley/bus there, will we be dropped off at the front of the parking area, or what? I hear it takes a while to get into the park from the parking area. Also, about how far of a walk are we talking about to get from IOA to US - I assume you pretty much should do one first, then the other?

 

[Metro West]

It sounds like December will be reasonable in terms of visitors. I guess we'll just go when the park opens, and not buy express passes. I guess we'll buy the "unlimited 2 Park Pass" for around $98 in advance, on-line. I can purchase them now and use them in December, right?

OK, a couple other logistical questions: What's the best way to get the CLOSEST to the park. In other words, if we take a hotel shuttle or trolley/bus there, will we be dropped off at the front of the parking area, or what? I hear it takes a while to get into the park from the parking area. Also, about how far of a walk are we talking about to get from IOA to US - I assume you pretty much should do one first, then the other?

You can purchase the tickets now and use them in December. They do not expire until you activate them at the gate.

I think hotel shuttles use the guest dropoff area near the central hub. From there, it's a 5 minute walk...if that...to the parks. Walking between the two parks is minimal...not quite 10 mins.

 

[bazzanoid]

OK, a couple other logistical questions: What's the best way to get the CLOSEST to the park. In other words, if we take a hotel shuttle or trolley/bus there, will we be dropped off at the front of the parking area, or what? I hear it takes a while to get into the park from the parking area. Also, about how far of a walk are we talking about to get from IOA to US - I assume you pretty much should do one first, then the other?

If you're a thrill seeker, do IOA first. It only takes 5/6 mins to walk between the two through CityWalk. The shuttles drop off at the bus/taxi hub, just before the flat escalator-thingamy that runs to the parking garage, again about 5 minutes walk to either park. If you're driving, do what we do and use the Valet Parking - bottom of the stairs on the left before the parking garage (signposted from the roads). Costs a bit extra, but worth saving the walk at the end of a long day!