Help me plan my IOA day!

[TikiGoddess07]

My daughters (ages 10 and 11) and I will be flying into MCO on Dec 11 (Thurs). We will check in at the Royal Pacific and head to IOA around 12 noon.

We will only have 12pm-7pm in the park.
The touring plans website rates the crowd level as a 2.
We will have Unlimited Express Pass.

Harry Potter Hogsmeade is a priority for us, but we'd also like to ride the other major rides. No shows necessary.

Any tips on how we should tour? Food recommendations also welcome...

Kathy

 

[damo]

This is a great time to go. The crowds are some of the lowest of the year. You'll have express for pretty much everything except Forbidden Journey, so I'd keep an eye on the wait board as soon as you get into the park. It probably is better to wait until dinner time but at this time of year, waits could just be low all day. I'd probably head straight there and ride it and grab some lunch at Three Broomsticks. Make sure you try Butterbeer!

Since you time is so limited, I'd just do quick service for lunch at Three Broomsticks and get dinner when the park closes.

Personally, I like Diagon Alley better and there are probably more things to do at Universal than IOA in the cool weather. Three of the rides at IOA are water rides, where Universal has none. More of the rides are family friendly. Have you given any thought to doing Diagon instead?

 

[TikiGoddess07]

This is a great time to go. The crowds are some of the lowest of the year. You'll have express for pretty much everything except Forbidden Journey, so I'd keep an eye on the wait board as soon as you get into the park. It probably is better to wait until dinner time but at this time of year, waits could just be low all day. I'd probably head straight there and ride it and grab some lunch at Three Broomsticks. Make sure you try Butterbeer!

Since you time is so limited, I'd just do quick service for lunch at Three Broomsticks and get dinner when the park closes.

Personally, I like Diagon Alley better and there are probably more things to do at Universal than IOA in the cool weather. Three of the rides at IOA are water rides, where Universal has none. More of the rides are family friendly. Have you given any thought to doing Diagon instead?

We are going to Universal Studios the next day when we have more time. We will have early entry at 8am, and will be at the park until 7pm (or whenever we tire out). We're moving over to WDW that evening for Sat-Sun park days.

I had heard that waiting until evening would help with crowds in Hogsmeade/Forbidden Journey, but didn't know about this time of year. We'll play it by ear, I guess. (can you tell I'm used to Disney planning...? Trying to plan too much out in advance...)

Kathy