Do we really need 2 days to do Universal Studios/IOA?

[macraven]

Thanks, DCTooTall for all the really helpful suggestions! I will have to investigate the various cost considerations involved but you certainly have some very creative solutions to help save $$$.

For me this also begs the question: What if we just go for the 2-park 1-day or 1-park admission (if we choose only one) without Express/VIP anything? Will the crowds be that insane during the week of our visit (June 10-15)? On another thread someone suggested checking crowd levels on Orlando Informer and that site indicated only moderate crowds for that particular week (which actually surprised me, quite frankly).

But even if the crowds are somewhat heavier, and we get an early start from our WDW resort and get there nice and early (most likely following Unofficial Guide's touring plan), couldn't it be possible to still have a reasonable chance at a successful day without paying for any extras? (Of course everything I've read suggests WWOHP will be a challenge no matter what we do without express/front-of-line perks but we can hope for the best!)

Just throwing this out there! (And for what it's worth, the day(s) we are considering for Universal/IOA are Sunday 6/10 or Monday 6/11 based on our current/most likely itinerary.)

sunday would be the best day.
they tend to have lower crowds as many do vacations starting on monday, making mondays crowded at times.

if you want to go basic, buy the 3 of you a 1 day 1 park ticket.
if you decide to extend part of your day to the other park, go to guest services and upgrade to the 2 park 1 day ticket.
you would pay the difference.

i mentioned above to check out the website to see what each park offers.

if there are things you want to do in each park, buy the 2 park 1 day passes.

you could hop to the other park very easily if the one you are in has long lines and crowds.

if ride lines are long, use the single rider lines.
you'll be on the ride quicker.
be at the park entrance gate early before opening time.
that line to enter only gets longer the closer it gets to opening.

hotel guests enter the park one hour prior to park opening.
if you go directly to parry hotter, you will see many homies already there.
it usually has less crowds at parry hotter in the last hour before closing.
many might be at the studio side for the night time show.

 

[DCTooTall]

5 is the limit for each room.
you would need to book 2 rooms for the night you stay onsite.
you can get connecting rooms.
this might be a bit higher than you would want to pay.

Good Point. Although since the idea is basically to book the room primarily for the Express purposes and an afternoon break location for the toddlers, while still maintaining...and staying... at their Disney resort, I don't know if this would be an issue. They can check in with just Mom, Dad, and 2 older kids and not worry about the express for the toddlers. The Younger kids probably wouldn't get much use out of the express anyways due to ride height restrictions.

While the single room wouldn't be allowed or work if they actually stayed there since they exceed the 5 person max, Since they'd not be staying in the room (beyond nap time and maybe a quick break), or needing the express for person #6, I don't think it would necessarily be that big of an issue in this particular circumstance.



But just to make clear.... Mac is totally 100% correct. You are not allowed to have more than 5 people in a single room.

 

[Skitheboat]

Here's what I did: I bought the 2 park 1 day ticket. When I entered the first park, I immediately bought the basic express passes. They are about $35 per pass. I was able to ride EVERYTHING with 8 & 10 year old en tow. DH was back at the convention center attending meetings all day.

The basic pass allowed us the cut to the front of every line once (except FJ). We saved FJ for last & at that time, the parks had really cleared out.

If you are going to try to see all of these 2 parks, I'd advise leaving Dad & the little ones at the hotel for a nice fun relaxing day. You & the teens can really tear it up on your own.

Even though the express pass only let's you cut the line for the rides once, you could always go in te singles line for any rides you really want to do again.