how much should we designate to US & IOA?

[Mrs.viv07]

This would be our first time going EVER! we were in WDW last january and we are going back for 11 days next January. we were thinking of doing our days something like this
2 days at MK
2 days at Epcot
1 day at mgm
1 day at AK
1 day seaworld
that leaves us 3 days

should i do 2 days at each park US / IOA? or can they be both done on one day? is it worth it to do 2 days?
we also want to do the blue man group show, is this inside US? or is it like cirque du solei being in DTD
TIA

 

[calgarygary]

If you have 3 days left, I would suggest 1 day each for US and IOA and 1 day to repeat your favourites. If you can stay 2 nights at a Universal resort, that would be even better so that you would have fotl for the 3 days.

 

[yaytezIOA]

Wow...so many questions....lets see....did you check the FAQ? That helps out a lot too....just have to read it a bit.

Stay onsite at one of the Universal hotels. You get free "fastpass" that lets you go to the front of the line whenever you want...no reservations needed. If you do that, you'll need one day at each park, and maybe do a third to just hang out.
Blue Man group is being built, and its not open yet....HOWEVER, it will technically be part of CityWalk, and a seperate ticket like Cirque.
The amount of time needed depends on the day that you go...its pretty much dead the first week after new years.

 

[macraven]

3 days to play in, eh.......

for sure, do UO.
spend one day in each park and the third go back for repeats of what you missed or want to do again.

also take in city walk.

i agree that staying on site is the way to go.
you get perks, front of the line access to all rides and attractions at ioa and the studios.

when you check out on the last day, you are allowed to use your hotel room card key for fotl on check out day.

check the website for the special passes , multi days for $85 pp
it's cheaper than disney tickets

 

[dreamscometrue47]

One day for each park would work. It would be easier and faster if you did stay on site, but one day in each park should still be ok since you are going in January. We just got back from our first trip to UO and loved it. Very clean, well kept up, not hard to get around. My DD's new favorite parks!

 

[Mrs.viv07]

if i stay on site at US do they have a Dining plan like disney does? or you pay out of pocket for all food?
here is what i came up with
if i stay at US for 3 nights get the package w/ hotel that's available now it would be about $450-$460 total NOT including food.

if i stay at disney(value) w/ DDP PLUS the $260 for US tix the total would be about $560-$570

i would be saving $100 which if food isn't included will be very easily spent anyway and how much does US charge for parking?

( i know to get the dining plan you have to buy at least one tix day for WDW but we will be there anyway for a total of 11 days so i just did the math for the 3 nights.)

 

[macraven]

if i stay on site at US do they have a Dining plan like disney does? or you pay out of pocket for all food?
here is what i came up with
if i stay at US for 3 nights get the package w/ hotel that's available now it would be about $450-$460 total NOT including food.

if i stay at disney(value) w/ DDP PLUS the $260 for US tix the total would be about $560-$570

i would be saving $100 which if food isn't included will be very easily spent anyway and how much does US charge for parking?

( i know to get the dining plan you have to buy at least one tix day for WDW but we will be there anyway for a total of 11 days so i just did the math for the 3 nights.)

i just checked the universal hotels website and a few have a breakfast package with the hotel and some food voucher, i assume, at another hotel.

i find that when you book a full package, you are paying more in the long run.

there is a meal deal at both parks but designated to only 6 resturants which are counter service.

there is no dining plan at UO like it is at disney. just some promo packages options when booking certain hotels.

if you stay on site, you can get head of the line at some resturants at city walk.
you can get a discount with your AAA card

the ts places are very good but the prices are not even close to disney prices with the exception of the Palm at the hrh and emils at city walk

 

[shelemm]

One day at each park is plenty of time. And Universal Express works like a charm. Either stay on site or simply buy this outright. (you can do this and print up your passes at your home computer.)