Help me choose, US or IOA...

[paysensmom]

We have a four year old daughter and a seven year old son. Which park would be best? We will be only going for one day, so which one do we do? Or will we have time to do some of each??

Also, is there some sort of guide for Universal similar to TGM? I love to do Disney using his advice. I love not waiting in lines!!

Thanks so much!!

 

[TIGGERGUY]

We have a four year old daughter and a seven year old son. Which park would be best? We will be only going for one day, so which one do we do? Or will we have time to do some of each??

Also, is there some sort of guide for Universal similar to TGM? I love to do Disney using his advice. I love not waiting in lines!!

Thanks so much!!

Do both parks. Since the kids will be too short for many rides at IOA if you have to do only one park do US, but I take my godchildren ages 6-9 and hop between the parks. Go heavy on the play areas in both parks. If you get there before opening you can knock out the most popular rides before the crowds build up then let the kids play in the play/water areas until the crowds thin out later in the day.

 

[paysensmom]

Is there a place to get touring plans for these parks? I wantto have a plan!
Thanks so much!!

 

[macraven]

um, that's what you have the regulars here for...........

we probably will do much better than a tour guide book to help you out.




i have some older threads saved for those with young kids in mind for when doing the parks.

let me find some and i'll come back and post some.

 

[paysensmom]

Thank you so much!!

um, that's what you have the regulars here for...........

we probably will do much better than a tour guide book to help you out.




i have some older threads saved for those with young kids in mind for when doing the parks.

let me find some and i'll come back and post some.

 

[macraven]

http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2163881

http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2145620

if one of your kids will not do a ride or too short for the ride, you can child swap
http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2123850

http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2114886

in case you need a stroller: http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2112841

spider and spongebob characters
http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2109912

height restrictions for rides. use the baby swap thread for help
http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2112469


need an autograph book for the kids?
http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2108454

http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2105958

http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2105809

http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2105013

http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2101602

on characters: http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2094306

characters you will see in the parks
http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2068369


be at the park garage line by 7:40.
you should be about the 4th car in line then.
the garage opens at 8:00 and you will be parked in the garage and ready to walk thru city walk by 8:03 then.
most times the park will open early if the line is long at the turnstiles. maybe around 8:30ish. the official opening time is 9:00
most rides up front will be open if the park opens early.
you will avoid all crowds and be able to do repeat rides easily.


do IOA first.
use the child swap for the rides your kids don't want to do or can't do due to height.
be sure to spend time in Suessland.
all of you will enjoy it.

the crowds will start around 11ish.
go over to the studio side then.

hit the kiddy area, fieval, and i'm sure it will entertain your kids for a good hour.
take in animal planet show.
it's always a good thing to see at least once.

i'm thinking if you definitely can do only one park for the day, check out the interactive map at universalorlando.com
when you click on a ride, you will receive more 411 about it.

most of ioa is outdoors, and just the opposite of the studios side.
in case of rain, you can still enjoy your day at the parks.


i'm not sure what all you are seeking so the above threads i linked here might not be of total interest to you.

i hope youse all enjoy your day at Universal!

 

[paysensmom]

OOHhhh.....!!!!!!!!!


Great threads!!
Thanks so much!! Going to try to figure out which order we should do the rides! Anybody know which would be best? My daughter is 40 inches and my son is 46 1/2 (maybe 48 with shoes?)


Want to help with a plan?
Thanks!

 

[Planogirl]

There's a great guidebook written by Kelly Monaghan at all of the bookstores. I believe that it includes touring plans.

The main thing is to get to the parks early!

 

[Metro West]

There's a great guidebook written by Kelly Monaghan at all of the bookstores. I believe that it includes touring plans.

This is the link for the 2008 volume...I'm not sure if the 2009 edition is out yet.

http://www.amazon.com/Universal-Orl...=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1243285926&sr=1-1

 

[Planogirl]

The 2009 volume is out and I have it. I just found it back to see if there are touring plans.

He included a few but I don't see anything right off hand that combines both parks. I would certainly grab a copy - I imagine that the 2008 edition would be helpful too.

 

[macraven]

if you go to the universalorlando.com site, you can find the height requirements for each ride.

i would start at ioa and then go over to the studios side.
ioa, if they open early to the public will have more rides opened at the early entrance time period than the studios side would.

some rides at the studios open later than the 9:00 time period.