First Trip to US/IoA

[dsmom94]

We have been to Disney several times, but this year our DS-14 wants to go to US/IoA. We are only planning on spending one day there. Can we see enough of two parks in one day. or should we just hit one park? Should we spring for the express pass? It seems so expensive for something that I get free at Disney, but I don't want to spend the entire day in lines either.

 

[Planogirl]

My son was that age when I finally broke down and took him to Universal. Thanks to the little stinker I'm hooked now.

You can get a good idea of what Universal is all about by trying the two parks in one day but you'll miss a lot including some of the amazing detail in Island of Adventure. Does your son like coasters? There are a couple of good ones in IOA so if that's important, you might want to just see IOA. My son isn't a coaster fan so we tend to like the Studios best but I imagine that he'd be quite put out if he had to miss Spiderman which is truly an amazing ride.

I can't imagine not devoting a full day to each park but I know that some who post here have done that. Hopefully they'll be along.

 

[mjohnson96]

We have been to Disney several times, but this year our DS-14 wants to go to US/IoA. We are only planning on spending one day there. Can we see enough of two parks in one day. or should we just hit one park? Should we spring for the express pass? It seems so expensive for something that I get free at Disney, but I don't want to spend the entire day in lines either.

You can see allot of the parks in 1 day but things will be rushed. I wouldn't buy an express pass until you are in the park and see how the lines are going. The big difference between Disney and Universal is that not everyone gets the Express Passes and you don't have to come back later in the day to use them. If your there, and want to ride, you just walk on up. Of course the ones you buy only get you 1 use per ride.

I don't know your plans but have you thought of staying onsite the night before or of your UO day? That way the FOTL is included with your rate and you can walk on to everything except the flyers in IOA as many times as you want and then you have a better chance of seeing more of both parks in 1 day.

Hope you have a great time and don't get as hooked as most of are here on the boards

 

[Metro West]

Hope you have a great time and don't get as hooked as most of are here on the boards

 

[Darcy03231]

While you can certainly see/do the highlights in one day, I think you really need two days, 1 in each park, to really experience US/IOA.

I would stay on-site for one night and get the two days of free Express line use. Do it at the end of your WDW trip. If you do it at the beginning your son will hate standing in line at WDW, even if its just for 15-20 min (I speak from experience here).

 

[ky07]

You can see allot of the parks in 1 day but things will be rushed. I wouldn't buy an express pass until you are in the park and see how the lines are going. The big difference between Disney and Universal is that not everyone gets the Express Passes and you don't have to come back later in the day to use them. If your there, and want to ride, you just walk on up. Of course the ones you buy only get you 1 use per ride.

I don't know your plans but have you thought of staying onsite the night before or of your UO day? That way the FOTL is included with your rate and you can walk on to everything except the flyers in IOA as many times as you want and then you have a better chance of seeing more of both parks in 1 day.

Hope you have a great time and don't get as hooked as most of are here on the boards

If you do get hooked don't let it spoil you like me cause I won't go to any other park except for USO and IOA

 

[ky07]

While you can certainly see/do the highlights in one day, I think you really need two days, 1 in each park, to really experience US/IOA.

I would stay on-site for one night and get the two days of free Express line use. Do it at the end of your WDW trip. If you do it at the beginning your son will hate standing in line at WDW, even if its just for 15-20 min (I speak from experience here).

 

[becalubob]

My friends and I went to Universal Studios May 10 and thought the park was pretty empty (not sure if Mother's Day had something to do with it?). It was our first time there, but compared to WDW, the waits seemed minimal. We got there at opening, went right to the Simpsons ride. From there we got in all the rides we wanted to by 2pm. (We were a group of 3 ladies, 28-30, no kids.) Can't remember the order, but after the Simpson's we did Men in Black, Jaws, Disaster, ET, Mummy, Twister, Terminator.... hmmm, feels like we did something else.... saw the "Blues Brothers" for a little bit and had our picture taken with Doc from Back to the Future.... at 2pm, we had lunch at Panda Express, then hit IOA and did Spiderman and the wet rides - Bilge-Rat Barges, RipSaw Falls, and Jurassic Park River Adventure. We had sooo much fun, returned to our hotel (stayed at WDW) around 5:30. Again, not sure if we just hit it on a low day, or if that was the norm for May? It was my first time there. (We did go back on the 12th, and finished up at IOA and ate at Margarittaville). Had a great time!!!!

 

[nerdboyrockstar]

It definitely depends on the day you hit. If you're going during peak Summer season, expect there to be lines. But if they're bad, you can purchase the Express pass for both parks while you're there.

 

[dsmom94]

Thank you! All of your ideas will certainly help! I am getting excited to go

 

[macraven]

by your countdown in the siggie, looks like you will be there mid june.

there is no way i could do both parks in one day during that time period.

once schools are out for summer vacation, more people are in the parks.

i'm saying that for all parks, not just universal.


i suggest you wait until you get to the parks before you make any decision on buying the express passes for both of you.

if you can do the highlights of one park, and switch to the other one that afternoon, you might need to buy the ep if you want to avoid long lines and catch all the major rides/attractions then.

check out the E P cost on the day you plan to visit UO.

the rate of the ep will be determine by the predicted crowd level for the parks.
if it is $19.99, that indicates a low crowd day.

once you buy the EP, they are yours to use even if you don't need them.
they are non refundable passes.

i also suggest to stay away from the UO parks on the weekends.
It tends to draw more crowds.
If one day is all you can swing, pick a tuesday, wednesday or thursday for your day there.