Doing both parks in one day

[kool_kat]

Hi all,

I know someone just posted this similar question, but I didn't want to hijack their thread and my circumstances are a little different.

Just found out that I have to (get to?) go down to Orlando for two weeks for business starting on the 9th. I will be off for Veteran's Day (11/11) and thought I would go to Universal that day. I figured this isn't a very popular holiday and this year it is on a Wednesday. Will I be able to do both parks on this one day? I'm in my late 20's and will be going by myself. I am not real familiar with all the rides, but do want to hit all the major ones. I especially want to ride the new Simpsons ride. I am not a leisurely stroller but usually do disney "commando" style. To give you an idea, I usually do Animal Kingdom in 1/2 a day, the MK in 1 day, etc...

Thanks in advance,

Kathryn

 

[macraven]

go to www.universalorlando.com and check out the parks set up.

it will give you an idea of what rides are available and their locations.


are you planning to do highlights of both parks or certain types of rides?

there are shows that i would not miss in the parks.

not knowing what type of entertainment and amusement you enjoy, i hesitate to suggest what rides and shows to take in.
coasters?
shows?
shrek, jimmy neutron, disaster, blues brothers street show, horror make up show, beetlejuice, coaster rides, etc


once the single lines open up in the day, use them.
it will cut your wait time in lines.

the simpsons is one of my favorites. i usually do it a few times in order to catch certain things each time.
the wait area is as entertaining for peeps.

 

[kool_kat]

I went to universal a few years ago, but I am just not as familiar with it as Disney. I am mainly looking to do main rides, Hulk, DD, Simpsons, Mummy, Spiderman. I don't really care much about the shows & would probably only do them if I had ridden all the rides I wanted to ride first. I guess what I am really asking is is possible to hit all the headliner rides in one day at both parks on a slow November day?

Great idea to hit the single rider lines. I've never gone to a theme park by myself. Any hints, tips, or suggestions for a single party would also be greatly appreciated!

 

[Purseval]

The answer is yes, you can do both parks in 1 day. Even if it is crowded you can hit 1 park when it opens, go on every ride you want before things get busy then buy an express pass for the other park if it's super crowded when you get there. Odds are it won't be and you can do both without buying an express pass. The only thing that could slow you down is trying to wait for HR3. Ask how the singles line is moving and if it looks like it will be a long wait then make it your last ride of the day. As long as you are in line when the park closes you will get on the ride.

2 WDW parks in a day is senior citizen pushing a walker pace, we would normally do all 4 and still have time for an afternoon swim break.

 

[Metro West]

Great idea to hit the single rider lines. I've never gone to a theme park by myself. Any hints, tips, or suggestions for a single party would also be greatly appreciated!

I go alone all the time and I really enjoy it. Sure it's nice to have someone to talk to and hang out with but you can do whatever you want...when you want. Do as the others have said...get there early and do the attractions you want to do and then head over to the other park and purchase the EP if you feel the lines are too long for you. It's really not a big deal going alone...you can still have a great time.

 

[TLinden16]

I have done both parks in one day several times, most recently about a year ago. I have been able to take at least one ride on everything I wanted to and was done by about 3:00-4:00 (I tend to skip things like Terminator and Shrek, as I have seen them before).

Last year, I went on the Sunday of Columbus day weekend. I started in US, and headed to IOA around noon time. IOA was a lot more crowded, so I wound up purchasing the Express Pass so I could get on the coasters.

 

[Jeanne B]

DD16 and I are headed to Orlando on Friday and I have one of the 7 day free passes from the Superbowl giveaway but we're going to try to do both parks in 1 day since we only have 4 full days in Orlando. We've been to both parks a couple of times previously and even though it's been a few years there's probably some rides and shows we'll skip and I'm assuming the parks won't be too crowded this coming week even with the Veterans Day holiday. I think we'll avoid the weekend and go on Monday.

 

[purpletiger]

We were there in July and did both parks in one day. It was myself 36, DH38, DD10 and DS7. We all managed to ride every ride and see everything we wanted to see. My kids are not lollygaggers (sp?) and so we got after it when it opened and closed the parks down. We had a great time and I would say if it is just you in your 20's then definitely yes you can do both in one day. Have fun. And no we did not have a fast pass.

 

[Haley]

My husband and I finish both parks by about 3 or 4pm. We know what rides we like and skip stuff like Poseidon's Fury, Shrek and other shows that we don't care to see again.

 

[LBIJim]

We were there last week and crowds were very light. Still, we did not have time to do EVERYTHING in both parks in one day. However, if you stick to the major attractions, forego some minor ones, skip browsing the shops and exploring the grounds, you should be able to see and do what you want in one day.

I don't think having an Express Pass would have been beneficial last week since most lines were virtually non-existant. The only ride with a significant line was Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit (20-30 minutes) and that one doesn't accept Express Pass yet.

The Simpsons ride (actually a motion simulator ride) was a hoot!!! And the decor both inside and out was fun. I'm sure you'll enjoy it.

Jim

 

[JackandSally79]

My husband and I finish both parks by about 3 or 4pm. We know what rides we like and skip stuff like Poseidon's Fury, Shrek and other shows that we don't care to see again.

My husband and I also did this last week. There was no more than a 5-10 min wait for everything....Rip it was 20 min.

 

[Coach81]

Easily.. have a great time!

 

[SarRoc1020]

We're hitting both parks on 12/6. Would I be correct in hitting (1) HR3 in US first, then (2) heading over to IOA for it's major rides, (3) returning to US for its major rides, then (4) fitting in shows when/if we can? I like the idea of playing it by ear re: Express Plus, but like the OP, am not used in diving in without a plan!

I've been to UO, IOA and UH, but my DH hasn't been to any of them, so I will acquiese to his preferences this time.

 

[Anglefan]

Yes, do HR3 first for sure.

 

[kangaroodle]

I was just going to post asimilar question.....Do you think we could hit the major rides in oth parks the Sunday AFTER Thanksgiving? The parks are only open until 6pm that day. I'm hoping that a lot of people are heading home on this day after a week in Orlando for Thanksgiving. What do you experts think? My kids are 10 and 13 and LOVE the big rides, don't tire easily and can keep going! I was thinking of just doing IOA but there looks to be a lot of fun stuff at US, too!

 

[Metro West]

I was just going to post asimilar question.....Do you think we could hit the major rides in oth parks the Sunday AFTER Thanksgiving? The parks are only open until 6pm that day. I'm hoping that a lot of people are heading home on this day after a week in Orlando for Thanksgiving. What do you experts think? My kids are 10 and 13 and LOVE the big rides, don't tire easily and can keep going! I was thinking of just doing IOA but there looks to be a lot of fun stuff at US, too!

If you get there early you shouldn't have any problems doing the major attractions before the crowds arrive. That Sunday should see thinning crowds but they will still be there.