First time really going to Island of Adventures

[makeat]

Hi everyone!

Well, this is going to be my first time going to Universal and doing a whole park. We picked Island of Adventures and will be there on November 27, I know of the really popular rides Hulk, Harry Potter land, Spiderman, etc.. I am usually a Disney World person so I mastered how to go to the parks and get everything good done but, I have no clue for Universal.
If someone can help me with how to get everything done that would be nice. We also want to see and do the smaller things like getting a wand and drinking the butter beer.
Pretty much any kind of guideline that you use would be helpful.

Also is the fast pass option worth getting?

Any advice would he helpful!!
thanks!

 

[DCTooTall]

Hi everyone!

Well, this is going to be my first time going to Universal and doing a whole park. We picked Island of Adventures and will be there on November 27, I know of the really popular rides Hulk, Harry Potter land, Spiderman, etc.. I am usually a Disney World person so I mastered how to go to the parks and get everything good done but, I have no clue for Universal.
If someone can help me with how to get everything done that would be nice. We also want to see and do the smaller things like getting a wand and drinking the butter beer.
Pretty much any kind of guideline that you use would be helpful.

Also is the fast pass option worth getting?

Any advice would he helpful!!
thanks!

The General feeling and advice you will get regarding the Express Pass at Universal is to wait until you get there. You will be able to better judge the crowds once you arrive to determine if the pass is worth the extra money for you. In general, I don't think november Crowds traditionally have been such that it would be worth the money, but I don't know with the proximity to Thanksgiving if that would increase the crowds levels significantly. It's also a matter of preference. A Couple big things to remember is the extra cost Express Pass is only good once per ride, and the Harry Potter Forbidden Journey ride does not except it.


As for a touring plan, To be honest, Unlike Disney, You don't REALLY need any big pre-planned itinerary for the Universal parks. IOA is basically laid out in a loop surrounding a small body of water. Because of that, you pretty much choose to go either to the Left (Marvel Land w/ Hulk, Spiderman, Dr. Doom, etc) or Right (Suess Land) once you pass thru the entrance plaze, and just make your way around the park. The Harry Potter area (and "front entrance") is to the right next to Suess, so that may or may not be a factor in your decision.

i Don't think i've seen reports of the line to enter Harry Potter still being as crazy as it was this Summer, so I don't think you'd be forced to enter from one side or the other..... meaning that it's ultimately going to be up to you and your desire. The time of day you enter the park may also be a factor.

If you are interesting in water rides, It may help to note that the Toon Lagoon section with the log flume and raft ride which you will get wet on are to your left just past Marvel. Jurassic Park is in the back of the park, but you can avoid a massive soaking on that ride by just watching where you sit.

 

[momm2four]

Today was my first IOA trip as well. We headed towards HP World first off thinking we'd beat the crowd since we got there right after it opened. Boy, was I wrong...EVERYBODY was going in that same direction. The line for Forbidden Journey was already backed up into Jurassic Park by the time we got there.

I asked an employee and was told that it would be better to come back that afternoon. I asked where he would recommend for us to go right then and he said "Anywhere but here", LOL He was right..wait for the Hulk was about 5 min I think.

I hope you enjoy your first trip like I did. It was crowded, but by visiting other parts of the park and then returning to WWHP later, we never waited more than 35 min for anything.

(Oh, and I loved the Butterbeer!)

Lori P.

 

[Metro West]

Hi everyone!

Well, this is going to be my first time going to Universal and doing a whole park. We picked Island of Adventures and will be there on November 27, I know of the really popular rides Hulk, Harry Potter land, Spiderman, etc.. I am usually a Disney World person so I mastered how to go to the parks and get everything good done but, I have no clue for Universal.
If someone can help me with how to get everything done that would be nice. We also want to see and do the smaller things like getting a wand and drinking the butter beer.
Pretty much any kind of guideline that you use would be helpful.

Also is the fast pass option worth getting?

Any advice would he helpful!!
thanks!

Since you're going during Thanksgiving weekend, the crowds will be full force...I mean crazy busy! Purchasing the Express Plus pass is going help you a lot that weekend as the lines will be long. You will want to be there for park opening so you can do some attractions w/o a long wait but by 11am, look out!

 

[makeat]

Thank you everyone! I am glad to hear I don't need a game plan. So thanksgiving will probaly be busy correct?I did expect that so it's okay we were planning to arrive when park opens. I will probaly wait till the afternoon o do Harry potter if everyone runs there. I am so excited for everything! Thanks again!