First Trip to IOA/US, have questions

[Kanda]

My 7 year old said he's tired of Disney. We really went too many times, too close together. We last went in November and decided not to go back for a couple of years, BUT we won a free house for 7 nights, so we're going back to Orlando at the end of July. We've decided to do US/IOA this time, but I'm a little nervous about it. I'd appreciate any help with these questions

We are DH, me, DS7 and DD1. We're staying offsite and will have a car.

1. We can not ride FJ at WWOHP, we're too big. Are there other rides that we will "size" out of?

2. Where are the details about character meals? I can't seem to find any.

3. How much are the express passes? Can you buy them in advance?

4. We usually do open to close at Disney (but that's always been in February and November). Do we need an all day plan for each of these parks, or can we do early mornings and late evenings and still see it all?

That's all I can think of now. I really appreciate any tips and advice.

 

[damo]

The Hulk and Dragon Challenge have seats for larger riders...that is about it. I have heard of a few people being too large for Rip Ride Rockit as well.

Here's the link to Character meals: http://www.universalorlando.com/The...ourcePageId=10156?intsrch=character breakfast

Here's the link for express passes:
http://www.universalorlando.com/Tic...es.html&expID=13-5805&contentID=13-1152&seq=1

There really isn't a plan needed except for The Wizarding World right now. I would just check the crowd reports on that one.

 

[Phoenix41]

I don't have the answers to all of your questions but I will answer as many as I can.

1. Most of the time only the coasters are problems for bigger people. Either the seat is to narrow or chests are to big. However, since there has been problems in the past there is a nifty little site where people give their sizes and talk about each ride and whether they were able to fit on it or not. You may want to check it out for more detailed information.

http://allears.net/tp/ridz_ioa.htm

2. I'm not sure they have character meals. I've never heard of anyone at US/IOA doing them but maybe I'm just out of the loop. Sorry not much help there.

3. I believe if you stay on-site you get Express Passes for free. If not then I think are a few different options you can purchase. Check out the site below.

http://www.universalorlando.com/Tic...es.html&expID=13-5805&contentID=13-1152&seq=1

4. I think it really depends on the crowds and how you handle them. My friend and I where there during the Grand Opening of WWOHP that day we pretty much just stayed in the WWOHP and then left. However, we went the next day and did Universal and IOA in one day we even went back into the WWOHP (the wait was only one hour). We also went that Sunday and did everything again in IOA and it only took two hours.

Hope I've helped. Enjoy your trip. :0)

 

[Metro West]

3. How much are the express passes? Can you buy them in advance?

The only thing about purchasing the EPs ahead of time is you are commiting to that day. Express Plus passes are non-refundable and date specific so you are locked in. I would recommend waiting until you arrive to determine if the lines warrant spending the money. If you are going for WWoHP, remember...Forbidden Journey does not accept Express at this time and if you get there early, the other attractions shouldn't have too long of a wait.

 

[ZYanksRule]

Is there a way, once you've bought a VIP ticket, to expand it? I bought a 3-day starting on Tuesday, but am flying in by 2pm on Monday. Would they let me expand it to a 4-day?