IOA in January

[DLRtravel]

My husband and I will be in Orlando in January (no children) and are not sure if we should got to IOA since we have heard that some of the rides get you wet - I am a southern girl and don't think 70 degrees is warm. So that we have a full day, should we still go there, or should we go to Universal or MGM? We haven't been to MGM, haven't been to Universal in 15 years. Thanks for your help.

 

[NashvilleTrio]

IOA is a park like no other. Your eyes get no relief from visual stimulation. Everything is so well themed and the attractions are really top notch.

I've talked to several people that have been to IOA and not been impressed. Then I proceed to ask them. Did you ride the Popeye Raft Ride? Jurassic Park? Dudley Doo Right Flume? Poseidon's Fury? Did you eat at Mythos? Did you ride in the front seats of Dueling Dragons?

When I ask the IOA nay sayers these questions the response I get is, nope didn't do that.

IMO, you *can* visit IOA and not do Hulk and Dueling Dragons and have a great day if coasters aren't your thing. I understand some people just don't do coasters --- I'm not one of them. However, if you visit IOA you simply must do the water rides.

Popeye's & Bluto's Bilge Rat Barges (rapids ride) is like nothing else --- Disney's Kali River Rapids doesn't even come close. Did you know that this ride has a patented mechanism that sends the rafts over a waterfall? It is unbelievable!!!

Jurassic Park is a great ride and extremely well themed. The animatronics and the big guy right before the drop are great.

Dudley Doo Right is a good water ride. I think it comes in a close second to Disney's Splash Mountain (mostly because you don't sit side by side). The final drop is such a blast.

We're heading back to Universal Orlando the first week of January and will be riding all the water rides --- regardless of the temperature. How, you may ask? The magic of disposable ponchos from WalMart/Target. Generally costing less than $1 a piece, these little guys will fit in your back pocket until needed, and allow you to enjoy the water rides without freezing to death or being miserable for the remainder of the day. After you hope of the ride, drop the poncho in the trash, or save it for the next water ride just around the corner.

Of course when the temperature is 90+ degrees, we leave the ponchos at home, but we always take these guys with us if the weather isn't water ride friendly.

Also, in my experience, the parks generally tone down the "extra" water features during the cooler months. Yes, you'll still get wet, but you don't have tons of water hitting from sprayers, overhead buckets, etc.

Try IOA, you won't be disappointed --- Spiderman, Hulk, Cat in the Hat and the other rides I mentioned are top notch. Disney should be jealous.

Good luck with your trip.

 

[skifast22]

I fully agree with Nashville Trio. I Love disney and all amusement parks, but IoA is my favorite park of all. It combines top notch theming and thrill rides better than any other park. I also carry a poncho in my pocket to wear on the water rides. Even when it was 90 degress this past september, I still wore it (it's one thing to get cooled off, another thing to walk around in soggy boxer shorts the rest of the day!)

If your still weary of the water rides, IoA offers plenty of other diversions. The Hulk, Dueling Dragons (both sides since they are very different coasters), and Spiderman are attractions you can't miss. Have a meal at Mythos, theres a reason it's been ranked #1 theme park restaurant for the past 3-4 years. Explore the caves in Camp Jurassic even if you don't have children, theres some very neat effects inside. Walk throughout the park and enjoy the scenery. IoA is filled with details most people never see because they are more concerned about rushing to get their next fast pass. For example, keep your ears open as you pass the buildings in the Port of Entry. Or, jot down the phone number you see on the cinema sign in the Spiderman ride and give it a call after you get off the ride. If you see a path that just seems to head off to no where special, follow it and you may be surprised at some of the theming in these remote areas off the beaten path. And lastly, don't let the theming of Seuss Island trick you into thinking it's just a kiddie land. The Cat in the Hat ride rivals any of Disney's dark rides. I hope this helps.