First Timer Help!

[WantToBeAnImagineer]

Hello! My family is stopping in Orlando in June on our way to the beach. We would like to take 4 days to visit Universal, Islands of Adventure, Sea World, and Magic Kingdom.

We have only previously traveled to WDW and stayed onsite at the cabins in Fort Wilderness.

Is there off site hotels at Universal that offer the pass that gets you to the express lane, or do you have to stay at one of the three?

Also, our travel dates are June 15th arrival and June 20th departure. I don't think we want to touch the parks on the weekend, so we will probably do Sunday at downtown Disney and then have Monday through Thursday at the park. Are there any days that are better to go to certain parks than the other?

We are traveling with 3 children, ages 9, 7, and 2. Is there any "MUST DOs" at US, IOA or SW? We have been to WDW for a week the past 2 years, so I have MK down pretty well! Can't wait to ride Splash Mtn as it was closed in February when we were there.

Thanks in advance for your help!

 

[macraven]

staying on site is the only way to get the free unlimited usage of the express lines.

you can buy a one day, park related, express pass for each member of the family, but it is expensive and only allows one time usage per ride/show.

i suggest to read thru www.universalorlando. com to gain more information about the parks.
you can find ride info and restrictions, the park layout, etc in that site.

i agree in staying away from weekends, such as saturdays for the parks.
that day can become crowded, especially for the summer vacationers.

 

[WantToBeAnImagineer]

I will visit that site. I know it took me months to learn everything Disney! And I am still learning. Universal seems a little easier, but maybe not!

Thanks for your help.

 

[macraven]

when you have children 9, 7, and 2, they all might not be able to do the same rides.

there are height restrictions on the website for the ride descriptions.
it also will give you an idea of what to expect in a ride.
you will also get the layout of the parks and where the rides/shows are located.


you know your children better than anyone.
you could read the information about the spiderman ride and decide the youngest child would be afraid of the ride itself. (water, spinning, etc)

that is why i said to read up on the rides on the website so you would have a good understanding of what will happen.


there are some rides your entire family could do together but i don't know if you had planned to split your group up and have the little with one parent do a ride nearby while the others go on a different ride.

some families stay together the entire day at the park and use child swap.
some separate, due to the ages of the children and do rides near each other.

i know your entire group could do the Animal Actor show and enjoy it.
the daytime parades is another thing at the studios that most all children enjoy.

by the end of June, the park will have crowds.
check out what is in the parks and make a plan A and a plan B.
on plan A, figure out the things you have to do.
Plan B, the things that you will fit in if time allows.

always pick up the park guide maps when you enter the park.
the show times for the day will be listed on it as well as the meet and greet places and times.

the marvel character parade on the atvs are fun to watch but it can be loud for some littles.


i always suggest to newbies to the darkside to check out the trip report forums. many posters include pictures in their threads.