February Park Questions

[Drizzo67]

For the past 2 years our whole family has spent our Feb. vacation at Disney. This year we wanted to add 2 days at Universal. I have a few questions before I make my reservations.

1. FOTL - How crowded is the week BEFORE President's week? Is it worth it to stay on-site to access FOTL? or should we upt to just stay elsewhere and face the crowds?

2. Resorts - If we did decide to stay on-site, which resort would be the best choice. The group consists of Mom, Dad, Son, Daughter, Grandma, and Grandpa.

3. Which park is better if we only have 1 day, IOA or US?

I'd really apprecaite any information you can give me. Thanks in advance.

Dina

 

[phamton]

For the past 2 years our whole family has spent our Feb. vacation at Disney. This year we wanted to add 2 days at Universal. I have a few questions before I make my reservations.

1. FOTL - How crowded is the week BEFORE President's week? Is it worth it to stay on-site to access FOTL? or should we upt to just stay elsewhere and face the crowds?

It's normally not crowded then.

2. Resorts - If we did decide to stay on-site, which resort would be the best choice. The group consists of Mom, Dad, Son, Daughter, Grandma, and Grandpa.

Probably Portofino or Royal Pacific.

3. Which park is better if we only have 1 day, IOA or US?

Both. The one day/two park is only $10 more.

 

[Drizzo67]

Thank you phamton. Just the answers I needed. Short and Sweet and to the point.

 

[Drizzo67]

shameless bump for more info.

 

[robvia]

Parks are not crowded in February, it's the best time to go.
Take away a Disney day and stay at the onsite USF/IOA hotel for 2 nights, otherwise it will seem over too fast.
HRH is the closest walk to the parks, followed by the RPR. PBH is quiet, more expensive, and a long walk, most take the boat ride over. Many on this board are favoring the RPR. I just got back and agree, it's a good choice.

 

[maps]

Is this true for Pres Week also? Of course, that is the week my kids are off from school.

 

[phamton]

Presidents' Day was pretty busy this year but it wasn't busy the entire week.

 

[maps]

Thanks, that's good to hear. We were able to do everything we wanted at Disney that week in a matter of 2 days so I'm sure we might be able to manage the crowds that week at Universal.

 

[Drizzo67]

phamton - another questions re: USO/IOA. Is there a one day / 2 park ticket? I don't see it on the website? Do I have to wait til I get there to purchase it? Our time at Universal has been downsized to one day due to travel arrangments. We'd like to see both parks if possible (I know I won't get to see everything, just getting our feet wet for next trip) Thanks.

 

[phamton]

The one day/two park ticket is only sold at the gate and it is $69.95 plus tax for adults. The child's ticket is about $10 less.

 

[keishashadow]

Have only visited the parks once (this year from Sunday to Wednesday, before President's day). Not having anything to compare it to...as the week went on, the "regular" lines kept getting longer, after Noon. The parks were "dead" the first hour they opened. IMO the lines were the longest @ Mummy, Men in Black, Terminator, Back to the Future, Shrek, Spiderman & Dueling Dragons. Felt guilty walking past everyone else in line (yeah, right!) It's a priceless feature. Obviously,we enjoyed the FOTL privledge. In fact, we found ourselves dreaming about it later in the trip standing in line @ WDW.

We enjoyed our stay @ the HRH, except for their on-site restaurant, The Kitchen. I don't care for any of the HR dining locations we've eaten at, think they're vastly over-rated. Didn't find the crowd to be wild/too hip, etc. Really liked the fact that we could stroll to the park in the morning in 5 minutes or so. Good Luck.

 

[maps]

My family and I are all early risers so we usually get to the park well before it even opens and we're done with the major attractions by noon. I'm hoping by using this strategy at Universal that we may be able to hit the major rides without having to worry about the FOTL thing.

 

[phamton]

My family and I are all early risers so we usually get to the park well before it even opens and we're done with the major attractions by noon. I'm hoping by using this strategy at Universal that we may be able to hit the major rides without having to worry about the FOTL thing.

Sounds like a great plan to me.

Bev

 

[robvia]

In fact, we found ourselves dreaming about it later in the trip standing in line @ WDW.

That's why I tell everyone to visit Disney first, then IOA/USF at the end of the trip. It's really hard to beat the crowds at Disney, because most rides have a long pre-show. I can usually do a few rides with a short wait before the crowd arrives. But if you are first thru the gate at IOA, you can take a lap of walk on rides and be done by 1pm, without FOTL.

 

[Drizzo67]

If you only had one day to do both US and IOA which park would you do first?

 

[phamton]

I'd pick the park that had the most "must sees" for my family. It's totally a personal preference. I usually start at Universal as it has the things I want to do. Others start at IoA because it has the rides they most want to do.

Whichever park you pick for early in the morning will be less crowded and so you will be more apt to ride everything you want. When you hit the other park, regardless of which park it is, it will be more crowded in the afternoon and you might not get to ride everything you wanted.

Of course, if you are staying onsite, it wouldn't matter.