IOA in an afternoon touring plan

[bostontim]

I am planning on a one-day trip to Universal as part of my Disney trip and I would like to do both parks in a day. I have the Disney Unofficial Guide, so I thought it would be wise to follow the UG touring plan for the morning at Universal Studios. Does anyone have any suggestions on doing Islands of Adventure after lunch? I have never been to either park and would like to see as much as possible. Or is it better to do IOA first?

Thanks,
Tim (Universal Newbie)

 

[macraven]

what is the date you are doing universal?

 

[Metro West]

what is the date you are doing universal?

Yes...please tell us.

 

[bostontim]

Friday, May 8...also I forgot to mention that I thought it would be a good idea to buy the express pass also.

 

[flfun]

May 8th should not be a very busy day so I'd wait and purchase passes only if I saw I needed them once I was there. You'll zip through lots of rides in the morning before any significant lines start to form.

The order of parks depends on what kind of attractions you like the most. If you're a coaster person, I'd start with IOA but if you don't like the wilder rides, I'd start with the Studios.

Assuming you like coasters, I'd start with the IOA park. Get there about 45 minutes before the scheduled opening to be among the first to enter, you'll have that much more time to cover ground. Once inside, go to the left and ride The Hulk and Spiderman a couple of times each if you like since lines will be super short (5 minutes or so) in the morning. Then make your way around the park doing anything else that interests you. Watch your time and do what you can til late morning.

Then just before lunch, I'd head to the Studios and hit the highlights there. Do the most popular attractions (Mummy, MIB, the Simpsons) first. Don't waste time on your secondary list til your have-tos have been done.

I'm sure you'll get lots great tips but that's what I'd do, and have done.

Good Luck!

 

[Darcy03231]

Friday, May 8...also I forgot to mention that I thought it would be a good idea to buy the express pass also.

I think I read on another thread that the parks are closing early that night for Gradadventure (private party). You might want to check that out.

 

[Darcy03231]

Here's the thread:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2144308

 

[bostontim]

Thank you Darcy, that's a bummer, you'd think they would have updated the hours on the calendar! I guess I'm really going to have to book it now!

 

[Metro West]

May 8th should not be a very busy day so I'd wait and purchase passes only if I saw I needed them once I was there. You'll zip through lots of rides in the morning before any significant lines start to form.

 

[donaldduck352]

I got a hint to shave some time going to the parks.
Say you did IOA 1'st,stay to the left of the lagoon at CW and go to Tthe Blue Man Group theatre.There is a entrance to the studios there and brings you out by Shrek and Jimmy Nuetron.This way you can gain valueable time instead of walking thru the main gate..

Now this path was opend last week.It might be closed at anytime cause of HR3!!

 

[Darcy03231]

I got a hint to shave some time going to the parks.
Say you did IOA 1'st,stay to the left of the lagoon at CW and go to Tthe Blue Man Group theatre.There is a entrance to the studios there and brings you out by Shrek and Jimmy Nuetron.This way you can gain valueable time instead of walking thru the main gate..

Now this path was opend last week.It might be closed at anytime cause of HR3!!

We used this path several times last week and it was a great time saver!

 

[orlando-rocks]

Make sure you get to the parks by opening, you'll be able to get the popular rides done before the crowds build up! We go in August, always get to Universal/IOA by opening and have never Q'd more than 15 minutes! Last year we rode Simpsons 3 times in a row, all were walkons! By the time we were leaving around 1:30pm crowds levels were getting high and there were lots of people making their way in as we were on the way back to the carpark!