If you only have 1 day...Sea world or Universal/IOA?

[kitten25]

Hello all this is my first time posting but I have been enjoying all the great information on this board for awhile now. I am taking my lil sis to orlando on thanksgiving weekend for her 18th b-day. The main purpose of the trip is to go to pleasure island which we will do friday night. However I would like to try and get in a theme park on saturday. So my question is if you only have 1 day would you go to seaworld or Universal studios/ IOA. The cost is about the same for both a seaworld ticket or a 1 day/2 park universal ticket.

Other info that might factor in we are staying at the Sheraton Studio City which is right by unversal. I am also planning on having dinner at Hard Rock saturday night and hangin out at CityWalk maybe catch a movie

Any info would be welcome.
Thanks All!!
little over 2 months and counting

 

[isla bonita]

If you plan on doing all that at US/IOA you might just start out there. Make it a day trip. There is plenty to do and it is a great park.

 

[kitten25]

Thats one option I was thinking of but I was worried one day isn't enough for universal/ IOA. Neither of us ride roller coasters so that will make touring time faster. Has anybody been to either of these parks during thanksgiving weekend? Wondering how the crowds are at that time.
Thanks

 

[jctwizzer]

Based on experience, I'd skip both those and go to one of the Disney Parks...probably Magic Kingdom...jmho

 

[kitten25]

I considered that but we did disney in january and might try to go again next january. Would be a very hard choice to pick just one disney park.

btw i'm also in st louis small world huh

 

['Canes Fan]

all of the parks are going to busy that weekend. if you're not into coasters, you're really not going to make a dent in seaworld, there's just Kraken and the water ride, Journey to Atlantis. one day between US and IOA that weekend is going to be hectic trying to get a lot of things in, but you've got more 'theme park' options. and you're right at Citywalk. it's a hard question, becauses Seaworld and the UO parks are totally different. if you're ready for the lines, UO. Seaworld if you want to feel less rushed.

and BTW, the MK on a weekend around thanksgiving? good luck.

 

[dgaston]

If you're not coaster people there still is a lot to do at Universal. I love Shrek, Mummy, Terminator 3-D, Back to the Future, and Men in Black. At IOA there is nothing like the Spiderman ride, Popeye's Bilge Rafts, and the Poseidon adventure. We also like the stunt show at IOA.

 

[Snoopymom]

I'd ask about Thanksgiving crowds on the Universal board, but most stay on property and have front of the line access, so I don't know if it will be that helpful.

I'm sure both will be pretty crowded, but my vote would be for Univ/IOA

If you get there super early before the parks open, you can do and see a lot without long lines. Ds and I did this on a Saturday in June, and we were able to do just about everything at Universal before 2:00, and that included playing in the water area, and doing some rides twice. Of course we don't do roller coasters with a 5 yr old, but there are so many other great rides, and the atmosphere is really fun. I thought Spiderman was worth the price of admission alone.

We used to always go to Sea World during Thanksgiving, because it's mostly shows, so you really don't miss anything due to long lines, but you'll be so close to Universal and once you're at City Walk and the Hard Rock, you'll want to see the parks. Everything is compact and very walkable.

Have fun plannning!

 

[dizneefreak29]

Another vote for Universal/IOA.....I had never been until last October and have been three times since. My first love is Disney of course! But Universal is a lot of fun and the theming is great! I was just there a couple weekend ago and went to Universal just for the day.....did both parks and did not feel rushed.

Have fun!

 

[tweetylori]

I vote for Universal/IOA also...there's plenty to do if you don't ride coasters(which I don't either). Don't miss Men In Black & Spiderman! As for crowds, try the Single Rider Lines...they will save you a ton of time.

 

[Lewisc]

People staying at one of the Universal hotesl will go to front of the line. Other guests will be buying express passes. The machine issued express passes will be gone by late morning. You'll have long lines. I'd probably go to SW where you won't start out behind.

 

[HolidayRose]

I LOVE US/IOA but Thanksgiving weekend, Sea World would probably be better bet for visiting more attractions. Most of the shows in Sea World are performed in large venues that accommodate lots of people.

 

[Friendly Frog]

Another vote for US/IOA!

 

[jdm]

While you will be close to Universal and will probably enjoy the day there, I think you couldn't go wrong with Seaworld either. Are you not coaster people or thrill ride all together people? If you're not big ride people then I'm not sure you'd be that impressed with US / IOA. They are not my favorite parks. I personally love Sea World. It's an absolutely gorgeous park to stroll through and you don't have that high stress / concrete jungle feeling. And the shows are wonderful. But, you'd have to be into marine life, dolphins and all that Sea World stuff!! Really depends on your personal preferences...... but you'd probably have a good time at either.

Good Luck
Jenn

 

[QT Pooh]

You're such a nice sister (wanna adopt an older sister???)!

IMHO, the Kraken in Sea World is the best roller coaster in either of those two parks. IoA is going to be mobbed. The weekends are generally its heaviest days anyway and Thanksgiving weekend is going to be 10x so. I'm sure all the parks will be like that though. Sea World is much more mellow. I think an 18 yo would prefer the US theme parks.

I thought that a 1 day Sea World ticket was $59 and a 1 day/2 park ticket to Universal was $74.50??

 

[calgarygary]

Whether you are coaster people or not. The only time I would recommend Seaworld over Universal is if you are with very young children. An 18 year old will definitely enjoy the Universal shows/rides more than those at Seaworld. Plus, I believe you will see more eye candy at Universal.

 

[kitten25]

Just wanted to say thanks to all who replied I talked to my sis last night and sounds like she would rather go to US/IOA than seaworld even though it will mean a longer day. So right now thats where I am leaning.

The 1 day 1 park ticket is around $54 per person and the 1 day 2 park ticket is about $60 per person with florida resident discount. My sis is a florida resident and I still have my id since I just moved to MO for school. Sea world is a bit cheaper I think it was $50 per person.

We don't like coasters but do enjoy rides. I have been to both parks and really liked spider man, the poiseden ride at IOA, and a lot of the others.
The Mummy ride sounds really cool byt how bad is the roller coaster part? Has anybody who doesn't normally like roller coasters been on it?

Again thanks I love this board

 

[HappyLawyer]

IOA hands down you will have a ball