how many days and what type of tickets are best?

[proud_canadian]

Thinking about september for me, dh, dd7 and dd4

Thanks!

 

[mesaboy2]

Each of Universal Orlando's two parks deserve at least one day's attention. A third day could be used to redo favorites or check out some of the smaller details. Whether you want the flexibility to park-hop at increased cost is up to you.

 

[tinydancer09]

Depending on your kids it might take a little longer to do each park. Don't forget times to let the kids go back to the room to nap, snack times, bathroom breaks etc. Also the pools at the hotels are great so if you're staying onsite make sure you allow time to visit them a bit and let the kids relax. If you are staying onsite also remember you will have express passes so that will help make time for naps and such.

All that said I always allow a day per park but enjoy a third day to reride and visit everything. 3day 2 park tickets are the way to go, but the hopper is optional.

Also, if you're staying onsite I would suggest looking into an AP. You have the chance to save 30% on an onsite hotel, 10-15% on food, 10-20% on merch. and 10-15% on other families tickets. Call the hotel and make sure AP discounts are still available for the time period you're going.

 

[macraven]

i would go for 3 days.

your kids probably don't need naps at this age and the parks will close earlier than the summer hours.

once the park closes, then spend the time at the hotel pool and relax there.

barney is a big hit with the young set.
you could spend hours at the kid section located near ET in the studios side. (woody woodpecker section)


take in animal planet as it is very entertaining for young ones.
do the character pictures that are in the park.
ask at guest services for times, locations and characters that will be available that day.

for IOA, seussland is fabulous for all ages.
again, another place to spend lots of time there for the kids.


spend one day in each park.
use the third day for repeats of your favorites.

spend time at mystic fountain.
the fountain loves children.

do the sinbad show.
it really is good.
the kids will like the action and acrobatic moves in it.
catch the fantastic four ride in to marvel land.
you can do meet and greet and pictures with the characters.

all the characters at universal talk.
you can carry on a conversation with them as they stay in character.

hope you have a great visit!

 

[Metro West]

Each of Universal Orlando's two parks deserve at least one day's attention. A third day could be used to redo favorites or check out some of the smaller details. Whether you want the flexibility to park-hop at increased cost is up to you.

 

[tinydancer09]

Macraven a four year old doesn't need a nap? Heck I'm 20 and I need a nap halfway through a hot park day.

Random, sorry. you know your child better than we do.

 

[macraven]

Macraven a four year old doesn't need a nap? Heck I'm 20 and I need a nap halfway through a hot park day.

Random, sorry. you know your child better than we do.

it depends on your kids.
not all follow a nap schedule.


i have 4 boys and they never napped and went all day at parks at the age of 4.

(i didn't have friends that had kids that napped once they were 4.)


i just assumed since the 2 kids of the op were close in age, the 4 year old would be keeping up with the 7 year old.

if the op's kids are on a schedule of napping, then so be it.

september hours are short hours in the parks compared to the spring and summer hours.

 

[tinydancer09]

it depends on your kids.
not all follow a nap schedule.


i have 4 boys and they never napped and went all day at parks at the age of 4.

(i didn't have friends that had kids that napped once they were 4.)


i just assumed since the 2 kids of the op were close in age, the 4 year old would be keeping up with the 7 year old.

if the op's kids are on a schedule of napping, then so be it.

september hours are short hours in the parks compared to the spring and summer hours.

True I suppose. I didn't even consider the close age difference. But what's it really matter, I'm just playing devils advocate

 

[proud_canadian]

OP'er here. Thanks for the help.

No, my DD4 did fine last September at Disney with no naps, and hasn't napped since she was about 3 1/4. She will be 4.5 when we go.

Sounds like 2-3 days!

Do you like being able to go back and forth and how close together are they?

 

[mesaboy2]

OP'er here. Thanks for the help.

No, my DD4 did fine last September at Disney with no naps, and hasn't napped since she was about 3 1/4. She will be 4.5 when we go.

Sounds like 2-3 days!

Do you like being able to go back and forth and how close together are they?

Back and forth is helpful, but not necessary in my opinion. Handy on that third day when you're going back to see things again, I suppose.

The two parks are a 5-minute walk apart.

 

[tinydancer09]

OP'er here. Thanks for the help.

No, my DD4 did fine last September at Disney with no naps, and hasn't napped since she was about 3 1/4. She will be 4.5 when we go.

Sounds like 2-3 days!

Do you like being able to go back and forth and how close together are they?

My family tends to spend an entire day in each park without hopper. If we go and eat somewhere else besides in the park we tend to hop back and forth. If we have anything other 2 days we do add park hopper though so that our group can split up and do what we want and still have the freedom.

 

[macraven]

to the op....

if you do hop, you do not have to enter at the front, under the arch at the studios side.

take the short cut.

at the side of Hard Rock Cafe, there is an entrance to the Studios.

if you are at IOA, going to the studios, turn left at the end of HRC.
walk to the back of the building, go past BMG/blue man group, curve to the right.

there will be a TM checking your hand stamp for entrance to UO.
you will come out at the side of the big merch store on your right side and what was jimmy neutrons, on your left side.

i hop.

i always take in the Horror Make Up show at the studios side.
i check the guide map to see the time of the shows.

once i do the major items at ioa, i skip over to do a couple of shows at the studios.
same for the shows at ioa.

since i stay at RPH, i usually stop in at ioa for the fudge after leaving the studios on the way back to my hotel.

 

[macraven]

you can also do the same if going from the studios to ioa.
just reverse the route i mentioned above.

 

[Metro West]

i hop.

And you do it better than anyone I know.

 

[aprile]

I ended up getting the four day hopper because it was only about $5 more than the 3 day, and that gave me the option of going the extra day and if I didn't want to I didn't feel like I was losing money. It worked out well because I got in around six the first night and it was the only night the park was open late and I did want to see HP's world lit up.

I also liked starting with the calmer Studios and then getting so hot I was ready for the water rides at IOA.

My last day was friday and I started at IOA because I wanted to ride FP again but it was crazy with class trips so it was nice to move over to studios and take in an inside show.

 

[tinydancer09]

Oh yeah I dont think anyone has mentioned. If you would like to be safe and not waste money you can always upgrade your tickets once you get into the park. Say you buy a 2day and want to upgrade to a 3day hopper just go up to guests services and all you have to do is pay the difference.