Help! I need a US tutorial

mcgypsy

DIS Veteran
Joined
Sep 9, 2006
Messages
516
This June will be our first trip to US/IOA. It's me and my 2 girls, 7 & 8.
We are staying onsite, so I've handled the FOTL thing, and we got tickets free with our room.
Now the questions...
1 - Are there character meals? If so when and where, and how do I find them? How far out can I book them? The only stuff I have seen talks about breakfast, and I would rather do lunch or dinner.

2 - Is there a photo pass type program? Are there photographers all over the place? Being the only adult, I would occasionally like to be included in pictures with my kids.

3 - Parking...I keep seeing the cost of parking. Do I have to pay to park at the hotel I'm already paying to stay at?

4 - Time - We will be there 4 nights/5 days - How much time shoud I alot for these two parks?

Thanks for the help!
 
i don't think i'd be very usefull on questions 1/3, but as for the fourth....get a lot of time at universal's islands of adventure. okay.....universal is good, but when you're at IOA, you've got things like the hulk and dueling dragons, no to mention 3 water rides, you're just gonna want to do again, and again
 
We're staying at the Royal Pacific because that's where we found the best price and the "free" ticket promotion.
 

This June will be our first trip to US/IOA. It's me and my 2 girls, 7 & 8.
We are staying onsite, so I've handled the FOTL thing, and we got tickets free with our room.
Have a great time!! Onsite is awesome, and I love RPR. :)

1 - Are there character meals? If so when and where, and how do I find them? How far out can I book them? The only stuff I have seen talks about breakfast, and I would rather do lunch or dinner.
They do have character meals, but unfortunately I don't know much about it. Sorry. However, search the forums a bit because I've seen this discussed here before.

2 - Is there a photo pass type program? Are there photographers all over the place? Being the only adult, I would occasionally like to be included in pictures with my kids.
There are photographers there, but not necessarily all over the place. I usually see them when we first walk in to the parks. Also, they take your pic on some of the rides (hulk for example).

You could always ask someone to take your picture for you with your camera. We've done this a few times. :)

3 - Parking...I keep seeing the cost of parking. Do I have to pay to park at the hotel I'm already paying to stay at?
Yes. But it's worth it IMO, and you can just walk to the parks, take the boat, etc.

4 - Time - We will be there 4 nights/5 days - How much time shoud I alot for these two parks?
With 5 days - and especially since you'll have FOTL - you should be able to see just about everything I think, while still feeling relaxed (not feeling rushed). I'd just wing it and leisurely walk around, going on rides on the spur of the moment when you want to. That's what we do; we never "plan our route" or anything like that.

Have a great trip!! :banana:
 
there are character dining meals you are able to do them at the universal hotels eg. your staying at Royal Pacific, there Nightly Entertainment is on

Monday – Character Dining
Tuesday – Character Dining
Wednesday – Doctor Cardoo, local Witch Doctor
Thursday – Face Painter & Balloonist
Friday – Hula Dancer & Strolling Musician
Saturday – Character Dining
Sunday - Hula Dancer & Strolling Musician

i dont know if you have to pre-book them , give the hotel a ring and see what they say

as for photographers there are just random ones around i think ,we got a photo taken with spiderman, when we had exited the spiderman ride. cat in the hat is normally out, somewhere in suess landing. doc martin stands outside his car at back to future thou not sure if thats there anymore as back to future has been shut, barney is out by his attraction, and other characters by playgrounds
 
i don't think i'd be very usefull on questions 1/3, but as for the fourth....get a lot of time at universal's islands of adventure. okay.....universal is good, but when you're at IOA, you've got things like the hulk and dueling dragons, no to mention 3 water rides, you're just gonna want to do again, and again
Good post! And I agree on the "again and again" part for sure. The last time we were at IOA, I didn't really want to get wet. But then we did Popeye (awesome) and I thought "okay, I'm already soaked, and I do have FOTL, so let's just keep doing it...again...okay one more time...okay once more!"

:goodvibes
 
This June will be our first trip to US/IOA. It's me and my 2 girls, 7 & 8.
We are staying onsite, so I've handled the FOTL thing, and we got tickets free with our room.
Now the questions...
1 - Are there character meals? If so when and where, and how do I find them? How far out can I book them? The only stuff I have seen talks about breakfast, and I would rather do lunch or dinner.

2 - Is there a photo pass type program? Are there photographers all over the place? Being the only adult, I would occasionally like to be included in pictures with my kids.

3 - Parking...I keep seeing the cost of parking. Do I have to pay to park at the hotel I'm already paying to stay at?

4 - Time - We will be there 4 nights/5 days - How much time shoud I alot for these two parks?

Thanks for the help!

1. Of course! It's at Confisco's in IoA (Port of Entry...equivalent to Main Street in Disney) If you call ahead, you can find out days and times. Characters include Spiderman, Cat in the Hat, Things 1 and 2, possibly others.

2. Photopass-no. There are, however, photographers at the enterences of both parks. Pictures can be picked up later at the designated shop. Of course, there are ride photos as well, for a fee that ranges on size of the picture.

3. Parking...I'm not sure. I think you do have to pay to park, but don't listen to me on this one!!

4. We were there for 4 nights/5 days as well. PLENTY of time to see everything at both parks-more than once! Also, think about spending a day at the hotel, or at CityWalk. You can pool-hop at the other hotels as well.

ABOVE ALL---HAVE FUN!! (Oh, and bring a camera with plently of film!)
 
There are many photo ops all over the place. Don't miss the one with Shrek, donkey and Fiona or the one with Spiderman.

You will find them, don't worry.

And yes, you do have to pay extra to park at the hotels. It is just one of those things that happen when the park doesn't own the hotels.
 
Thanks so much to everyone who responded!
One last question(for now) - my kids have always had
the autograph books with a slot for photos when we're at Disney.
Do they have a comparable type at US?
 
Thanks so much to everyone who responded!
One last question(for now) - my kids have always had
the autograph books with a slot for photos when we're at Disney.
Do they have a comparable type at US?

Yes the certainly do.
 












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