First timer....

[lindap1]

DD has seen commercial about US/IOA and yes we are spending a day there on our Disney trip in September My question is...can both parks be done in a day? Also, with the characters...do they have a specific place they are always at (like Disney) or do they just walk around? DD will be almost 8 years old when we go and she isnt' a fan of coasters yet so which park should we focus more on? She does still love spongebob and all those other cartoon characters.

 

[RMulieri]

You can do the HIGHLIGHTS of both parks, but not both parks fully and with Harry Potter expansion opening this summer, it is likely to change that too.There are coasters, but not as many as people lead you to believe..I would look at the website,read the descriptions and see what appeals to you.Keep in mind that one day tickets are rarely discounted and you will need a park to park ticket ( not just to see both parks in one day but in order to ride the Hogwarts express which opens this summer).
Characters and their locations vary..AT the studios-Spongebob meets in his store.Scooby doo and the gang move around but most often over in the kidzone area.Same with Woody woodpecker, Curious George and the man with the Yellow Hat. Minions are often found in the store at the end of the Despicable me ride.Shrek and Fiona most often over by Shrek ride .The simpsons travel around in their RV
IOA has the superheros and they are over in superhero area.Spiderman is the only one with a set area.where they are /times are listed in the park maps

 

[Planogirl]

A good place to catch characters is just inside the Studios and along the street through Hollywood. It's unusual not to see some characters out doing a meet and greet. You can also meet a few Seuss characters in that part of IOA.