IOA...First timer....Help....Hints....Tips

chudson98

Mouseketeer
Joined
Feb 25, 2011
Messages
277
Me, DH and DS (8) are going to IOA for one day in February. We have never been before and would love any advice, hints, or tips to make the most of our day.

We are mainly interested in WWoHP but would love to check out other "must sees" at IOA.

What rides should we hit?

Is there a specific order that's best?

Recommendations for lunch or dinner?

We are staying at the Double Tree so we can get in early! Any "insider tips" would be wonderful.

Can't wait! Thanks.
 
Since you can get in early, go to WWoHP first. Get to the gate about 15-20 minutes before early entry starts (or 75-80 minutes before official park open). Also, if you have any interest in Ollivander's do it FIRST. Resist the urge to go straight to Forbidden Journey--it's line will not build as quickly as Ollivander's.

After that, take your time with any other attractions or shops in WWoHP then meander around the rest of the park at your leisure. I would think things like all of SeussLand and Marvel Superhero Island, plus attractions like Jurassic Park River Adventure, and Spiderman (to name a couple) would be big hits to a boy of 8.
 
Since you can get in early, go to WWoHP first. Get to the gate about 15-20 minutes before early entry starts (or 75-80 minutes before official park open). Also, if you have any interest in Ollivander's do it FIRST. Resist the urge to go straight to Forbidden Journey--it's line will not build as quickly as Ollivander's.

After that, take your time with any other attractions or shops in WWoHP then meander around the rest of the park at your leisure. I would think things like all of SeussLand and Marvel Superhero Island, plus attractions like Jurassic Park River Adventure, and Spiderman (to name a couple) would be big hits to a boy of 8.

Thanks so much. Sounds perfect. :thumbsup2
 
Recommendations for lunch or dinner?
I would recommend Thunder Falls Terrace in Jurassic Park for a counter service lunch and Mythos in The Lost Continent for table service...also for lunch.

Your son should really enjoy himself. I'm sure he'll love Marvel Super Hero Island, Jurassic Park, Cartoon Lagoon and Seuss Landing so he will be busy all day. Don't forget to find the talking fountain in front of the Sinbad show in The Lost Continent section. It's a riot!
 

I would recommend Thunder Falls Terrace in Jurassic Park for a counter service lunch and Mythos in The Lost Continent for table service...also for lunch.

Your son should really enjoy himself. I'm sure he'll love Marvel Super Hero Island, Jurassic Park, Cartoon Lagoon and Seuss Landing so he will be busy all day. Don't forget to find the talking fountain in front of the Sinbad show in The Lost Continent section. It's a riot!

Thanks! Can't wait. :banana:
 
If you're HP fans, after you do Ollivander's and FJ, don't forget to stop in Hog's Head for a butterbeer. It is awesome (and non-alcoholic, so kids can drink it too). I prefer the frozen kind, but the regular is good too. The line is usually shorter inside Hog's Head than at the outdoor carts.

And you can hear Moaning Myrtle in the WWoHP restrooms, it's kind of funny.

Don't know if an 8-year-old can handle Dragon Challenge (or is tall enough), but at least walk through the beginning of the line to see the Weasley's car stuck in a tree. And don't forget to look for Hagrid's hut while you're in line for Hippogriff.

Throughout the day you can also watch the Frog Chorus and the Triwizard Spirit Rally, both are short fun shows and you can have your photo taken with the Hogwarts students afterwards.


The rest of the park is great too. The others have good suggestions for the rides and attractions you should see.

Just be sure you are prepared to get soaked if you do Ripsaw Falls or Bilgerat Barges. If you get a cold day, you may want to skip those. You can either pay for a dryer afterwards, bring an extra set of clothes, or just deal with it like I did. You also get wet (to varying degrees) on Jurassic Park. I only got a few drops, some people got a little more wet than that.

If your son is into superheroes, you might see what time they will have the Marvel Superhero parade, or when the heroes will be available for photos.

For dinner, be sure to check park hours. The restaurants may close or stop serving up to 30 minutes before the park closes, if they close at 6 on a day you're there, you may want to wait and eat dinner at one of the CityWalk restaurants instead.
 
Throughout the day you can also watch the Frog Chorus and the Triwizard Spirit Rally, both are short fun shows and you can have your photo taken with the Hogwarts students afterwards.

Most people don't seem to think of this, but you can get a picture with the students (sometimes in full robes, especially if it's chilly), working right in front of the Hogwarts gates. Just ask them- most of 'em are hams for the camera ;)
 
We'll be there for the first time in April and am loving reading all these great tips and advice ! :banana:
 
If you're HP fans, after you do Ollivander's and FJ, don't forget to stop in Hog's Head for a butterbeer. It is awesome (and non-alcoholic, so kids can drink it too). I prefer the frozen kind, but the regular is good too. The line is usually shorter inside Hog's Head than at the outdoor carts.

And you can hear Moaning Myrtle in the WWoHP restrooms, it's kind of funny.

Don't know if an 8-year-old can handle Dragon Challenge (or is tall enough), but at least walk through the beginning of the line to see the Weasley's car stuck in a tree. And don't forget to look for Hagrid's hut while you're in line for Hippogriff.

Throughout the day you can also watch the Frog Chorus and the Triwizard Spirit Rally, both are short fun shows and you can have your photo taken with the Hogwarts students afterwards.


The rest of the park is great too. The others have good suggestions for the rides and attractions you should see.

Just be sure you are prepared to get soaked if you do Ripsaw Falls or Bilgerat Barges. If you get a cold day, you may want to skip those. You can either pay for a dryer afterwards, bring an extra set of clothes, or just deal with it like I did. You also get wet (to varying degrees) on Jurassic Park. I only got a few drops, some people got a little more wet than that.

If your son is into superheroes, you might see what time they will have the Marvel Superhero parade, or when the heroes will be available for photos.

For dinner, be sure to check park hours. The restaurants may close or stop serving up to 30 minutes before the park closes, if they close at 6 on a day you're there, you may want to wait and eat dinner at one of the CityWalk restaurants instead.

When you say "pay for a dryer" - what exactly do you mean? I think I'd be willing to pay for a dryer if I'm soaked after one of those rides.
 
When you say "pay for a dryer" - what exactly do you mean? I think I'd be willing to pay for a dryer if I'm soaked after one of those rides.

Five bucks for about 5 minutes in a family-sized EZ-Bake oven.
 
Great tips! Keep them coming! We would be definitely focused on WWoHP & Superhero Island as well.
 
Be aware that depending on when in Feb you're going, Spiderman may be closed. It'll be down for refurb for a significant portion of the month. We're pretty bummed; between not being fans of HP and the fact that it's mid-winter and water rides are iffy at best, I think we're gonna end up skipping IOA this trip. :( So you might not want to hype your DS up too much for that ride.
 


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