Do I NEED a touring plan?

[cesariofamily]

I will be at Universal Studios on Friday Sept. 9 and IOA on the 10 and 11th (half day). On Friday 9 we need to check out of our time share and into the Royal Pacific. We will have the express as hotel guests. Do we need touring plans at US or IOA? Can we see most of US in one day? Should we use a touring plan or just tour in order as we come to attractions. We will do Potter first thing on the 10 and 11th and hope to experience most of the major attractions in IOA in 1.5 days. Also we have a 7 year old daughter and a 3 year old. Any tips for how to be efficient and keep them busy since some rides have height restrictions or scare potential? Our oldest is 17 and my husband and I would also like to experience the coasters.

 

[cesariofamily]

Someone out there must have some opinon on this. I keep hearing no Plans need for US and IOA but how about a general plan?

 

[Metro West]

Someone out there must have some opinon on this. I keep hearing no Plans need for US and IOA but how about a general plan?

When you stay onsite with unlimited Express, you don't generally need to spend time trying to come up with a touring plan. You can check out www.universalorlando.com and see which attractions you are really interested in. September is not generally a busy time and with your unlimited Express access, you should have no problems doing everything you want to do a both parks. IOA is basically a big circle and since you are going to start at WWoHP, just pick where you want to go afterwards. At the Studios, you would start at the front and work your way around.

 

[brenda1966]

Agreed. With FOTL from staying onsite, you do not need a plan! Except for Harry Potter land. If you want to do the wand shop, you do that first. Otherwise, ride Forbidden Journey first.

For US don't head back to E.T. too early -- we did and found out they don't open it when the park opens. They expect people to be doing the rides, etc at the front of the park.

The only hard part is timing things right for shows. We found we were unable to fit in some of the shows, even with FOTL we'd get there 5 minutes before showtime and find we were "too late" and had to wait for the next show. Frustrating!

 

[rwdavis2]

Since you're on site, not really given you'll have the Express Pass. Get there early though to be sure. By early afternoon things may be crowded. The rides to hit first are Men In Black, Mummy, Rip Ride Rocket (no express passes), Simpsons, Jaws. They all can accumulate lines. Jimmy Newtron, Shrek, Terminator, Fear Factor will have waits as they only let so many people into the shows at a time. Usually not bad though.

 

[Jay Quick]

sounds like it will be a fun and entertaining trip. I think you will be fine without the pass good luck and have fun!

 

[cesariofamily]

I am most worried about keeping everyone happy and not doing too many big kid rides or little kid rides in a row. We are soooo excited for Harry Potter!

 

[Planogirl]

You might also want to work in a walk through WWoHP after dark if the park will be open. We found it to be very pretty at night.