Does anyone have 1 day/2 park strategy?

[cseca]

I knew I saw someone posted something of the sort, but I couldn't find it when I tried to search for it.
I figure since I know nothing about the parks it would be good to ask all you experts out there.
Thank you much!

 

[aztecgoods]

It may have been me, I would always recommend a lot more time than a mere day, but if that is your only choice, you will need express passes, or preferably stay at one of the onsite hotels and your room key is your express pass to everything, that is by far the best way to go especially if you only have 1 day, get up at the crack of dawn and stay until they throw you out, start with Islands first then go to the old park (this is just my personal preference) its tough, but you may be able to hit most stuff, if you dont stay on site or have express passes you probably will not have much hope.

 

[phamton]

The only way to answer this is if we know why kinds of rides you like. Do you do the coasters, water rides, rides with big drops, or mostly stick to the kiddie rides? Are you interested in the 3-d shows like Shrek or Terminator or do you just want to hit the thrill rides? Do you have young kids or mostly teens or no kids? When are you going? Park hours are important in planning.

 

[cseca]

OK, here's the current plan.
2 adults (no kids!)
Sept 6th wednesday we'll be taking mears from disney resort to US/IOA. Since they pick up at 8:25am I figure we will be there just before or just after the parks are open.

Ride preferences:
I was the one who post about no crazy spinning ride like mission space or I'd turn green and DBF doesn't do going upside down rides. So I'm thinking Hulk is out. Not sure about Dueling Dragon tho. I think if we don't do a lot of rollercoasters we'll be fine. I can take it or leave it on rollercoasters.
Definitely want to do Spidey, MIB, and 3D shows. Kiddie rides, if there are some must dos I would like to try. If not, then we can pass.
No water rides (since we're staying so far away don't want to lug around change of clothes or walk around with wet clothes... hehe).

So I'm thinking with all the list above, we could do both parks in 1 day. Is that right?
Also, I wouldn't mind doing express passes but I heard sept is a pretty slow period and there's no need?

I guess what you guys suggest is great...

Thanks so much! You guys are awesome...

 

[aztecgoods]

Yes, that is not a hard plan to accomplish. I would recommend several things, 1 The Mummy is a must do at the old park. Twister and ET also are great at the old park.

But Number 1 thing you are cutting out on your plan is at IOA and would have to force you to do the Jurassic Park River Adventure. The JPRA is a MUST do for U. If you miss this you are missing a lot! I have ridden this ride probably 30-40 times. I think it and Spidey and the Mummy are the best rides in the Parks. In my opinion you do not get very wet on this ride at all. Also if you duck at the last minute, put your head on the cushion in front of you, only your back will get wet (if that). I have done this alot and many times I only get a tiny bit of splash of water. There are spots on the boats that will not get you very wet at all. This ride is a mis-conception about getting soaked. I have never gotten "soaked" on this ride, the most I have gotten is a little wet, the minimum not wet at all. Like I say if you duck you probably won't get barely a drop or 2 of water.

Also highly suggest The Terminator and Shrek 4-D or 3-D whatever it is, Mythos Restaurant for lunch or dinner. Also pop in the Enchanted Oak tavern just for looks (or eats and drinks). There's a lot more but since you only have a day. I would suggest if you have flexible plans, cut into another day at Disney and spend 2 days at U, I guarantee you you would not regret it, I do both parks all the time, but U is my favorite. Still love Dis too though.

 

[robvia]

The big key I tell everyone is to arrive early. Leaving Disney around 08:25pm is good, but if you could ride over half an hour earlier, it would help. The line at the gate starts to get huge around 08:30am.

Those who go into IOA first have a huge advantage. I'd basically do a thrill ride tour as
Hulk, Spiderman, Dr Doom. Now turn around, head thru Seuss landing and go on Deuling Dragons. Ride JPRA in the back row, you'll only get a little splash.
Leave IOA, head over to USF and ride The Mummy (use single rider line), MIB (use single rider line) and ET.

 

[motofox4]

I was wondering the same thing about the 1 day/2 park strategy. My DBF and I are also going to Universal/IOA for a day but have purchased the Express Passes in the hope of missing long lines. We're going either Sept. 21st or 22nd and were wondering if lines at Universal/IOA are less crowded as they tend to be at Disney. Does anyone know?

 

[aztecgoods]

With the express passes it doesn't really matter for that will get you to the front of the line. But if you are trying the 2 park 1 day thing, express passes are an absolute necessity (if you want to try everything you want to try). If you just want to walk around all the parks and are not worried about riding very many rides then it may not be as big of a deal, but I would recommend staying on site for that day in which case your room keys will be your express passes.

 

[phamton]

OK, here's the current plan.
2 adults (no kids!)
Sept 6th wednesday Ride preferences:
I was the one who post about no crazy spinning ride like mission space or I'd turn green and DBF doesn't do going upside down rides. So I'm thinking Hulk is out. Not sure about Dueling Dragon tho. I think if we don't do a lot of rollercoasters we'll be fine. I can take it or leave it on rollercoasters.
Definitely want to do Spidey, MIB, and 3D shows. Kiddie rides, if there are some must dos I would like to try. If not, then we can pass.
No water rides (since we're staying so far away don't want to lug around change of clothes or walk around with wet clothes... hehe).

Park hours are 9-6 at both parks on that day.

I'd start with Universal. First ride Shrek, then Mummy, Twister, Earthquake, Jaws ( it usually opens later than the rest of the rides), next Men in Black (use single rider if it is busy). Back to the Future will be closed by that time so skip that, ET, Horror Makeup (if there is a show when you get to that part of the park), and last Terminator.

Grab something quick to eat and walk over to IoA. Go to your right in the park as it will be early in the afternoon and Spiderman is busy. Go to Suess Landing and ride Cat in the Hat (it does have some spinning but if you think you can handle it, then ride it as it is a cute ride), next the Suess trolley ride, walk through Lost Continent and do Posieden's Fury, next Jurassic Park River Adventure (don't skip it, just ask for a seat near the back), walk through Toon Lagoon (two major water rides there which you are skipping). Now it is time Marvel where Spiderman is. Ride it a couple of times if you can. It usually isn't too busy late in the day.

This would be my plan for you since you don't do spinning, upside down, or water.

 

[cseca]

WOW!
You guys are great!
Thank you so much.

One last ittybitty question, does everyone think it's necessary to get the express passes on that day?
I keep hearing sept is light crowd but then the passes are a good idea.
I wouldn't want to spend $50 if at all possible. But if it's necessary then I'd do it

 

[phamton]

I doubt you'll need it but if you do, you can always purchase it there.

 

[cseca]

phamton, thank you so much!!!

 

[European]

2 years ago I went 1 day and did both parks. I didn't get express passes (well I got them at the ride itself with my entrance ticket) and I didn't stay onsite. I also took Mears from Disney. I first did IOA and then Universal. I was able to do: Dueling Dragons twice, the Hulk, Spiderman, Cat in the hat, Jurassic Park, both water rides (Popeye and the other one), MIB, The Mummy twice, a pet show, ET, Shrek, Back to the future (skip this one!), Twister, part of Blues Brothers, Terminator, Earthquake and I think that's it. I must add that I did everything on commando, had a quick service lunch and took no pictures, didn't film. Plus I was solo. But I'm happy I was able to do so much in so little time. This year however I'm going 2, maaaybe 3 days to be able to relax a bit more and do and see everything. But I'm still not staying on site or buying express passes when you can get them for free.

 

[aztecgoods]

Sounds like you may have been there at a slower time too, plus its a lot easier to hit more if you are solo w/o kids and wife etc., how did you get the free express passes? I have never had to use them for I always stay onsite and use my room key so never had to mess with it, do they have free express passes at the ride entrances?

 

[cseca]

Holey cow!
European, thanks so much for the info.
Makes me feel better now. We're not planning to hit all the rides you listed so I think we'll be ok.
And I'm a picture freak too, have to take pictures everywhere... LOL!!!
Could you elaborate on the free express passes?
Thanks again!

 

[phamton]

The free express have been gone for over a year now.

 

[European]

The free express have been gone for over a year now.

Oh really? That's dissappointing. Still not planning on buying them, but I have enough time. I hope it will be as calm as 2 years ago...