First time to IOA Review - Mostly a Positive Experience

[SandrainNC]

Well, we just got back yesterday from our WDW trip. We went to IOA last Thursday (Nov. 29 I believe). Here are my thoughts.

Crowds were great. 5 minute wait on everything except the flying things that looked like dinosaurs (sorry can't remember the name). It said there was a 45 minute wait. We did not walk all of the way up to it because strollers were not allowed and I had a little one asleep.

Spiderman - Awesome!!! We were able to do this twice and it is just a great attraction.

Hulk - very good coaster. We did this twice as well.

Dualing Dragons - very good. It kind of freaked me out seeing the other people so close, which is of course the point. My ears got knocked a few times on the harness, but that always happens to me in feet below the track coasters.

Seuss Landing was very very cute. And even cuter with 5 minute waits! We went to this area twice with no waits.

The talking and spitting fountain was too funny.

Jurassic Park - great drop. Dinosaurs could use some work.

Dudley was closed. My BIL and nephew did the popeye water ride. And the were soaked! Which is why I did not ride it.

Now the negatives (and there weren't very many).

Sinbad show is soooo bad.

No milk. I could not find milk to buy for my kids anywhere. I finally found apple juice, but if you are going to have families coming there with little ones (there is a Seuss Landing so expect little kids for goodness sakes), you should offer milk. If I would have even thought I could not get milk then I would have brought some.

Not a lot of variety for kids to eat. The restaurant we ate at (Something Oaks and looked like a tree) had mac and cheese on the child's menu and that was it. I got them baked potatoes.

This leads to my biggest complaint. We went in and ordered our food at the Oaks place. I bought two cheeseburger meals, two baked potatoes, two cokes in cups and then 2 bottles of apple juice and 1 bottle of water. I asked for a cup for my 16 month old (he gets really mad if his cup does not match ours - go figure, so I figured I would just get him a coke cup that matched ours so he would not freak out and put his juice mixed with water in there). Here is the problem. They did not want to give me a coke cup. They wanted to give me this little teeny clear plastic cup. I explained the reason I wanted a coke cup (16 month old can be stubborn) and they were not going to budge. They said their courtesy cups were the little plastic ones. Well, first of all, I was not asking for just a free cup. I had purchased 2 cokes PLUS 3 bottled drinks. So I think I should be able to get a stupid cup if I ask for it. And yes they got an attitude because I wanted a coke cup. I told them I would pay for the cup and they told me it would be $2.50 (in other words, purchase another coke). I turned to my DH and told him that if this is the service we are going to get then we would just stay on Disney property from now on. As I was walking off the woman threw (yes threw) the cup onto my tray. All of this over a stupid little cup. It was sooo ridiculous. If they had one of those refill machines out there where I could have stole a soft drink, I could possibly understand it. But there wasn't and I bought 5 darn drinks from them. That was the most frustrating thing that happened. I just could not believe it and I got her name and will be reporting her. It was a cup for a baby for goodness sakes.

Overall, like I said, it was a good experience. My youngest got a pass for when he gets tall enough to skip the line for the little train that goes above Seuss Landing. My oldest son loved the little Unicorn roller coaster.

Anyway, we will definitely go back at some point. We always do at least one non-Disney park per trip, so I'm not sure when we will get back to IOA. I definitely want to go back after the Harry Poter area is open.

Thanks to everybody who helped me with my planning!

Sandra

 

[nerdboyrockstar]

I'm glad you had a good time but PLEASE report that girl. She sounds awful.

I don't know how things work at Disney and Universal but I used to work at a Regal movie theater and I know we weren't allowed to give away cups. In fact, each one was counted at the start of our shift and at the end as inventory. Just a heads up. I'm sure it's nothing a manager couldn't have taken care of (or at least I hope).

Either way, Islands is a great park so I'm glad you had fun regardless.

 

[SandrainNC]

Thanks Anthony! It is definitely a great park.

If I hadn't bought anything I could understand but since I bought 5 drinks I just was like, you have got to be kidding. I certainly don't expect anything for free, but I needed a cup for my kid. I honestly would never have asked if I would have thought it would be a huge issue. Plus those little free cups, a small child would pour all over the place. They are those thin little plastic ones. Oh well, now I guess I know not to ask for a cup ever again.


Sandra

 

[damo]

I wonder if it is a Coke policy?

 

[Metro West]

Glad you had a great time depite the Coke cup episode. Hopefully, that won't keep you from coming back again.

 

[SandrainNC]

Definitely not. We had fun!

I have a few complaints/weird situations about Disney too. I know. Shocker! No rude incidents, but some things that were crazy. My little one was thirsty and needed milk at Animal Kingdom. I went up to a little ice cream/snack stand (not one of those carts but a permanent place that sold hamburgers and milk shakes) and they told me they didn't sell it to try across the "street" at the other restaurant. Well the other restaurant wouldn't sell it to me because they were a sit down restaurant. So we had to go find it somewhere else. My baby crying all of this time. I guess we could have asked for a table and ordered milk, paid and left. Maybe their registers won't work that way or something (without us sitting down or something). But that was kind of weird.

Also, at Epcot, I was shopping in Germany and wanted something sent back to my hotel (one of the perks of staying onsite, you know), and they told me they couldn't. HUH??? It was chocolate so I couldn't make my purchase. It was 85 degrees out there and would not have made it the rest of the day. I found that strange since I have done it at Epcot before. Maybe they have certain shops that won't do it????? Which makes no sense. Oh well.

So these things just happen sometimes.

Sandra

 

[Timmy Boy]

So you're going to say the service sucks over one incident, and say you're gonna stay on Disney property from now on, when you've had a lot of other good experiences? Great.

People make mistakes. OMG I know. Isn't it crazy?

 

[micksterlee]

So you're going to say the service sucks over one incident, and say you're gonna stay on Disney property from now on, when you've had a lot of other good experiences? Great.

People make mistakes. OMG I know. Isn't it crazy?

Dude relax OP has said a couple of times they had fun and would be back but just pointed out a couple of problems.Easy big guy easy.

 

[Motherfletcher]

Fountain drink inventories are hard to keep track of so quite a few places actually sell the cup and keep track of the volume that way. I think I would've gave the coke cup to the kid after pouring my coke into the clear give away.

 

[dsmom]

The "cup incident" must have been an isolated incident because we asked for and were given empty cups for our son all week. We were there for Thanksgiving week. They must have run out of milk while you were there because we bought it for our son at The Circus resturant in Seuss Landing and also at Blondies and several other places also.

 

[holcomb-mania]

he gets really mad if his cup does not match ours

What if you or you husband wants a beer or glass of wine?

 

[goofy!]

The "cup incident" must have been an isolated incident because we asked for and were given empty cups for our son all week. We were there for Thanksgiving week. They must have run out of milk while you were there because we bought it for our son at The Circus resturant in Seuss Landing and also at Blondies and several other places also.

I was going to suggest exactly the same thing. We have purchased the individual milk cartons at Circus McGurkus numerous times. At the end of the line they have a great selection of milk, chocolate milk and different juices sitting in the ice.

So does Cafe4, the pizza place over by Hulk. I have also seen milk cartons at Blondies, the made-to-order deli place in Toon Lagoon.

OP - glad you had a great time.

Just an FYI - you can now buy those milk boxes (just like juice boxes) that don't need refrigeration. I put them in DS's lunch box every day. They are great. Since it seems that you had problems finding milk at both Disney and Universal, you might want to throw one or two in a backpack. We get the Horizon's organic chocolate milk, but they have it in plain too. Hershey's and Nestle's also make a low fat version of chocolate milk.

 

[ky07]

I agree that I have never found it hard to find milk at ioa cause my ds 11 won't drink anything else or he is just in the mood for milk and we had no problem finding it in june.

 

[SandrainNC]

So you're going to say the service sucks over one incident, and say you're gonna stay on Disney property from now on, when you've had a lot of other good experiences? Great.

People make mistakes. OMG I know. Isn't it crazy?

Obviously you did not read my thread. I did not say all of the service sucked. I had a lot of good things to say. I said we had fun but I had a few negative comments. I also had some negatives about Disney too. The part that made me most angry is her throwing the cup at my tray. That did suck and was rude. Do not reply to my post if you are going to be rude to me without actually reading what I wrote. Did you read my thread? I don't think so. I did not say I would not go back, but I wanted them to know that Disney would give my baby a cup! Which they would! And obviously other people on this thread got one too. It was apparently that woman who had the problem with it. So yes that incident made me mad. Overall it was a great experience which is what I said if you would have read what I wrote.

I was going to suggest exactly the same thing. We have purchased the individual milk cartons at Circus McGurkus numerous times. At the end of the line they have a great selection of milk, chocolate milk and different juices sitting in the ice.

I agree that I have never found it hard to find milk at ioa cause my ds 11 won't drink anything else or he is just in the mood for milk and we had no problem finding it in june.

I must have asked the wrong people. I'm glad they have it because I kept wondering why on earth they wouldn't have any milk. I guess they didn't know.

And, no if I bought alcohol I would have just had to let him scream. For some reason, he just wanted the coke cups. Babies!

Sandra

 

[SandrainNC]

Just an FYI - you can now buy those milk boxes (just like juice boxes) that don't need refrigeration. I put them in DS's lunch box every day. They are great. Since it seems that you had problems finding milk at both Disney and Universal, you might want to throw one or two in a backpack. We get the Horizon's organic chocolate milk, but they have it in plain too. Hershey's and Nestle's also make a low fat version of chocolate milk.
__________________

Yes, I have bought those. I would have brought some if I had known it would be hard to find. I just never thought about them not having it (or my not being able to find any).

Thanks!

Sandra

 

[ky07]

Obviously you did not read my thread. I did not say all of the service sucked. I had a lot of good things to say. I said we had fun but I had a few negative comments. I also had some negatives about Disney too. The part that made me most angry is her throwing the cup at my tray. That did suck and was rude. Do not reply to my post if you are going to be rude to me without actually reading what I wrote. Did you read my thread? I don't think so. I did not say I would not go back, but I wanted them to know that Disney would give my baby a cup! Which they would! And obviously other people on this thread got one too. It was apparently that woman who had the problem with it. So yes that incident made me mad. Overall it was a great experience which is what I said if you would have read what I wrote.

I was going to suggest exactly the same thing. We have purchased the individual milk cartons at Circus McGurkus numerous times. At the end of the line they have a great selection of milk, chocolate milk and different juices sitting in the ice.



I must have asked the wrong people. I'm glad they have it because I kept wondering why on earth they wouldn't have any milk. I guess they didn't know.

And, no if I bought alcohol I would have just had to let him scream. For some reason, he just wanted the coke cups. Babies!

Sandra

I know how you feel cause my ds 11 ever since he got old enough to tell our drinks were bigger he then began to throw fits if he doesn't get the same size as the adults and still does right today.
go figure kids will dive you crazy on things like that .

 

[holcomb-mania]

Just an FYI - you can now buy those milk boxes (just like juice boxes) that don't need refrigeration.

I cannot drink milk unless it is ice cold.

 

[Metro West]

I cannot drink milk unless it is ice cold.

Me too...I LOVE ice cold milk!

 

[SandrainNC]

Thanks again! I myself don't mind the fits, but I do not like to disturb others, so anything I can do to keep him from screaming that is not beyond reason I try to do it.

Sandra

 

[ChrisFL]

Also, at Epcot, I was shopping in Germany and wanted something sent back to my hotel (one of the perks of staying onsite, you know), and they told me they couldn't. HUH??? It was chocolate so I couldn't make my purchase. It was 85 degrees out there and would not have made it the rest of the day. I found that strange since I have done it at Epcot before. Maybe they have certain shops that won't do it????? Which makes no sense. Oh well.

No, that's full Disney policy across property, anything food-related cannot be sent to the front of the park/resort/shipped at all. If it was done before, it shouldn't have been.