Do we go? Advice wanted

[practicallyperfect77]

I'm in the process of planning a trip with my sis and her fam. There will be 3 adults and 3 kids (niece 5 and nephews a month shy of 7). We are planning a couple days at the beach and then 6 days at WDW and we're thinking about adding a day at US. We were not planning on staying at a US resort b/c it's quite pricey with 6 except for Cabana Bay which is decent but that won't get the express pass....however I don't know if that will be needed. We would be there either Halloween or the next day...probably Sat Nov 1.

My niece is just at 40 inches now and nephews ~45. We are not big harry potter fans (my sister has read the books but not the rest of us) but I know the kids would love the Seuss stuff, ET, Minions and transformers. The kids LOVE anything to do with superheroes too.

So my questions....is it worth the $660 for a 1 day 1 park pass? If I find a money tree, would it be possible to do the kid stuff only (no HP) in both parks and be done by mid afternoon if we arrived at park opening? What are crowds like on weekends...is there a site that shows historical wait times? Would it make sense to move.to Cabana Bay for early access to Harry Potter stuff just to look around and be in the park before everyone else gets in?

Thanks in advance for the insight. I've been to Uni/IoA once but it was with a friend and over 3 days or so and 7 years ago too. Lots has changed since then.

 

[macraven]

I'm in the process of planning a trip with my sis and her fam. There will be 3 adults and 3 kids (niece 5 and nephews a month shy of 7). We are planning a couple days at the beach and then 6 days at WDW and we're thinking about adding a day at US. We were not planning on staying at a US resort b/c it's quite pricey with 6 except for Cabana Bay which is decent but that won't get the express pass....however I don't know if that will be needed. We would be there either Halloween or the next day...probably Sat Nov 1.

My niece is just at 40 inches now and nephews ~45. We are not big harry potter fans (my sister has read the books but not the rest of us) but I know the kids would love the Seuss stuff, ET, Minions and transformers. The kids LOVE anything to do with superheroes too.

So my questions....is it worth the $660 for a 1 day 1 park pass? If I find a money tree, would it be possible to do the kid stuff only (no HP) in both parks and be done by mid afternoon if we arrived at park opening? What are crowds like on weekends...is there a site that shows historical wait times? Would it make sense to move.to Cabana Bay for early access to Harry Potter stuff just to look around and be in the park before everyone else gets in?

Thanks in advance for the insight. I've been to Uni/IoA once but it was with a friend and over 3 days or so and 7 years ago too. Lots has changed since then.

your dates are when hhn has its final weekend.
the studios will close at 5:00 and ioa at 7:00 on both of your dates that you listed.

probably the friday will have less crowds during the daytime in the parks.
working peeps, students can't always take off work so maybe friday will work well for your group.


that saturday could be crowded in the park.
many of those that are planning on hhn, might come in around noontime to hit the rides in the afternoon.

maybe if you hit the studios when they first open, you will be able to hit the highlights and the rides/shows you are interested in.
then move over to ioa after lunch time.

i can't figure out yet if ioa will be crowded that afternoon or not.
too soon to tell.


you wrote you would get a one day one park pass.
the rides you listed are not all in one park.

check out www.universalorlando.com and get the layout of each park.
you can locate the rides and shows to help you decide which park you wish to visit.

you can also get an idea about each of the rides and any restrictions they have in regards to height.

i'm probably not much help but i hate to see a question go unanswered....

 

[practicallyperfect77]

Thanks much. And yes...I realized after I said 1 park 1 day that wouldn't work. I've done some looking at the rides and I actually think they might like IoA better due to some type of Marvel parade I read about on another thread. I obviously need to do more research as I'm not sure what hhn stands for...I'm guessing haunted house but only b/c I know WDW does the same. I'm actually fine with parks closing early on that Sat. My thought was go to uni/IoA during the day and then end the night back at magic kingdom watching the electrical parade and fireworks since we will miss that earlier in our trip...well regular fireworks...we'll see the special party ones. Just did the cost tho and it was a little over $800 for all 6 of us to do both parks in one day.

 

[macraven]

halloween horror nights/hhn is a big draw at universal.
i have been going to it since 1999.

it has 8 haunted houses, scare zones, a couple of shows and lots of beer carts.....
it is themed more for the late teens and up group.

if you go on halloween, that friday, go early.
hotel guests are let into the park one hour prior to park opening.

you will see people in the park when you go in the park at 9:00.


until the new parry hotter ride opens, i just don't know how or if, it will effect crowds.
i go a couple times a year and my long stay is earlly october to the middle of the month.

i can't imagine the crowds will be as huge in october compared to the summer once hp2 opens.
at this point i can only guess.

i don't see that many families with young kids in october in general.
i do see families for the 3 day columbus day weekend but not much after that.

(i start my vacations at the motherland for a week then move over to the darkside hotels in october.)

you might be able to swing friday at the studios for rope drop and then switch to IOA for the afternoon.
that might work
then on saturday stay with IOA all day and hit the motherland for the entertainment you mentioned.

IOA has jurassic park discovery center which kids seem to enjoy
seuss is always a hit for the under 10 group.
marvel is good for everyone.

confisco grille at the port of entry, this is the strip of stores before you hit IOA, has a lovely menu in case you would want to try eating there before you head back to the motherland.

came back to add:
if you have a 2 day ticket base, you can always ugrade to the PtP inside the park at the main stores or guest services.
if you do one park on friday and done with it, you could upgrade your tickets during if you make the decision to move to the other park.

 

[katie111]

Personally, I don't think it would be worth it (and I LOVE Universal). You will have plenty to do at Disney for 6 days. I think over $800 for a short, possibly very crowded, day at Universal, it's just not worth it. And trust me, your kids will be exhausted after trying to do two parks in one day. Trying to go see the parade and fireworks after that would just be way too much. I would wait for another trip when you have more time. My kids favorite things at Universal at those ages were the Curious George play area and the Jurassic Park playground. They sound lame but are awesome for kids. But they can take a lot of time. I think my kids were in the CG area once for over 2 hours and I had to drag them out of there. I think trying to rush through Universal with kids is no fun. There are so many places that kids want to linger....playgrounds, shows in the streets, parades, etc and just running through it all just to day you went there is really not worth it.

 

[Metro West]

Personally, I don't think it would be worth it (and I LOVE Universal). You will have plenty to do at Disney for 6 days. I think over $800 for a short, possibly very crowded, day at Universal, it's just not worth it. And trust me, your kids will be exhausted after trying to do two parks in one day. Trying to go see the parade and fireworks after that would just be way too much. I would wait for another trip when you have more time. My kids favorite things at Universal at those ages were the Curious George play area and the Jurassic Park playground. They sound lame but are awesome for kids. But they can take a lot of time. I think my kids were in the CG area once for over 2 hours and I had to drag them out of there. I think trying to rush through Universal with kids is no fun. There are so many places that kids want to linger....playgrounds, shows in the streets, parades, etc and just running through it all just to day you went there is really not worth it.

I tend to agree with you. Doing two parks in a single day with small children just doesn't make sense. Plus for the expense I would make sure I could do everything at both parks w/o feeling rushed.

 

[practicallyperfect77]

Mac and Katie - thank you both for your feedback. I'll be talking to my sister for sure to see what she thinks. This is pretty much a 1 and done trip for them unless one of us wins the lotto. But Halloween the only thing we've got planned is b-fast at Chef Mickeys. We were gonna take it easy as swim and rest. However, if I can find the $ we could do as Mac suggested and do a day at each park....would probably leave by 2ish tho for rest time in the afternoon.

I know UT sells discounted ticket.....should I be looking elsewhere?

 

[practicallyperfect77]

I tend to agree with you. Doing two parks in a single day with small children just doesn't make sense. Plus for the expense I would make sure I could do everything at both parks w/o feeling rushed.

Thanks for your input too Metro. Part of my problem is I don't know how long it takes to do the kid stuff in the parks. Originally we were just gonna do the studios but I honestly think the kids would like IoA better b/c of the Marvel stuff. I think my one nephew might actually explode with excitement if he were to meet Spidey and Capt'n America. I'm struggling b/c I really don't know if they'll get down to FL anytime in the future so tempted to just spend crazy amounts of money now.

 

[agavegirl1]

Since you fear your niece and nephews may not get back for a long, long time, I would really study the parks and their offerings. Borrow a copy of the Unofficial Guide Beyond Disney (covers other Orlando Attractions) from your local library and read the attraction descriptions. I think, if you only have the option of one park, pick IOA. Here's why... I think that the kids would enjoy:

Sinbad Stunt Show
Poseidon's Fury (may frighten the 5YO)
Caro-Souss-el (boys may be bored)
Cat in the Hat (good for everyone)
High in the Sky Seuss Trolley Train (good for everyone)
One Fish Two Fish (actually is fun for everyone as "kiddie" as it looks)
Spiderman- 40" height requirement (fun for everyone, a little intense)
Storm Force Accelatron (tea cup like)
Comic Strip Line for great photo ops. Google for what I mean

If you want to get soaking wet...Dudley Do-Right Ripsaw Falls and Bluto's Bilge Rat Barges (bring dry clothes, towels, flip flops, ponchos or whatever)

Camp Jurassic Play Area is reputed to be some kid's favorite thing about the park. Be prepared to drag the children away to stay on schedule.

Jurassic Park Discovery Center

Pteranadon Flyers (for the kids)

For your Sis...walk around Hogsmeade, get a Butterbeer, take pictures, ride Flight of the Hippogriff. Even if the kids haven't read the books it will pique their interest in reading.

These attractions will easily fill your day and you may need to prioritize. I hope you have a wonderful trip.

Do not worry if you can't afford it either. My own (grown) children, the oldest two never went to US/IOA as children. One went as an adult without her very small kids. The two younger children went once as teens. Exact same thing with WDW...two went, two didn't, one went as an adult. They all survived. Me? First time to WDW I was 43 and first time to US/IOA I was 47.

Growing up is optional, growing older is not.

 

[practicallyperfect77]

I could hug you agavegirl. Thank you so much for typing everything out. I think I had mentioned originally we were going to do just one day, but then In started looking at 2 days and hoppers. Anyway, I talked to my sis today and we decided to sit it out. I know my one nephew would have loved to meet Spidey but it's just a lot of money. The somewhat good news is that my sis has decided to homeschool so they will be saving a fairly large chunk of change by not paying for private school. So there is a chance that a trip to Orlando might work in the future!

ETA: I totally agree with growing older buy not up. =) The first time I went to uni/ioa I was 30 but no kiddos. Just went with a friend. Of everything there (and I'm a thrill ride junkie) I think I enjoyed Seussland the most. Brought back so many happy memories of being in school and acting out the Sneeches. And the whimsical garbage cans....I just had to take pics of them. I'm a pretty big kid at heart too.

 

[schumigirl]

Glad you may get another trip sometime in the future.......

Save Universal for when you have more time, they are both such amazing parks and trying to cram everything in to one day is never ideal.

You would all love them so much more when you have the time to enjoy them properly, they have so much to offer

 

[practicallyperfect77]

Glad you may get another trip sometime in the future.......

Save Universal for when you have more time, they are both such amazing parks and trying to cram everything in to one day is never ideal.

You would all love them so much more when you have the time to enjoy them properly, they have so much to offer

Thanks! Who knows...maybe by the next trip I'll read the HP series and then be interested in those attractions too. I'm just not a big reader....except for Disboards. I spend way too much time here. =)