First trip to US and IOA ?

[tdelano]

I am in the beginning stages of planning a first trip to US and IOA. How many days do I need at each park? We will be there in late May... older kids... would like to see, experience everything!

Also... the only ticket options I have found so far are one day passes or a 5 day pass.. is there an in between option?

THANKS!

 

[tiggerwannabe]

Best price found...

For a limited time purchase the Bonus Pass online for only $89.95 (regularly $99.95). Experience up to five (5) consecutive days at Orlando's most exciting theme parks - Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure - as well as Universal CityWalk, for less than the price of two 1-day tickets. Only available online.
Visit Universal's Online Ticket Booth @ universalstudios.com

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US & IOA can require up to 1 1/2 days for each, if you want to see everything.

In US, try to hit Jaws & Men in Black first. They're both in the far right side of the park. They'll have the longest lines later in the day.

IOA worked great when we did Dr Seuss first and did the islands counter clockwise. Even the older kids can enjoy a little Dr Seuss. The thrill seekers should shoot for the deuling dragons, DO BOTH, and definitely do the Jurassic Park boat ride.

The five days also gets you into City Walk. You can go elsewhere during the day and come to city walk at night, park for free (if you go around~6 or so at night), get into the clubs at no additional charge, see some street performers and have dinner and a drink.

 

[pegasusEH]

As someone who just can't get enough of IOA I would allow 2 days for this park and 1 day of US. Ideally buy a ticket that will allow you to "hop" between the parks on the same day.

 

[karenloo]

Hi. I would say you'll need at least one full day at each park. When we went 18 months ago, we only had one day to split between the two, and it definitely wasn't enough (although we hit most major rides at Universal due to very low crowds, and saw a lot at IOA, we were really rushing at the end of the day and it wasn't enough time to relax and enjoy each park). The five-day deal Tiggerwannabe found looks great if you're planning a long visit concentrating on these two parks! Also FYI, if you're a Triple A member, you can purchase a two-day park hopper pass with a third day free, for $95, but all days have to be used within seven days of your first admission. You also can purchase a regular two-day park hopping pass for $95, you can use the days whenever you want, and I believe with this pass, unused days never expire. There's also a three-day pass for $109, but I couldn't tell from the AAA website if unused days are good forever or if there are any other restrictions on this one, so you'd have to check into it before buying. Hope that helps a little! Have fun.

 

[WDWorBUST]

Quick question - if you buy the 5 consecutive day pass - or the annual pass with black out dates - do they ever expire??

I guess what I am asking is if I purchase either of these - say today - will they be activated on the first day I use them?

Thanks!

 

[BarryHom]

Unless the tickets have an expiration date on the back, I don't think they ever expire. I know that APs are work from 1 year from the activation date. So if you buy an AP now and don't activate them until 10 years later, they will still be good for 1 year after the activation date.

I heard that the tickets are actually good for 30 years, which is pretty much forever. If you haven't been to Universal 30 years after you bought the tickets, you're never visiting.