Is 3 days to long at IOA/Us 6/18

[scottmel]

Hello I plan on staying at Disney for a week and then moving down to Universal hotel - royal pacific i believe it is called - on site property. at any rate, i plan to check in around 12 noon on Friday the 18th.

Me, Dh,dd11 plan to go to theUniversal side for the day. We have never been to US before. i am thinking with FOTLA we are able to knock out this park pretty good today.

On Saturday, we plan to do ioa and use our time to gain 8 AM access to WWOHP.
STay on and off all day, take break whatever.

Sunday - repeat of Saturday....

Monday - leave at lunch.

Have I budgeted TOO much time for US/ioa?? I was half toying with doing discovery cove for a day but not at the expense of being rushed at universal...

Thoughts/ thanks...

 

[mikehn]

2 days at IOA and 1 day at US sounds like a good plan, considering opening weekend of harry potter. Good luck and bring plenty of patience.

 

[scottmel]

I should have added we are expert 'tourers' of disney, etc. and will apply the same philosophies at US as well. But Discovery Cove nags at me b/c there is a good coupon out but i wouldn't be able to use the bonus Sea world day that they offer, just no time. it is almost like you have to do either Disney OR Us/Seaword/Discovery Cove.

staying status quo would certainly be cheaper - using the extra day at Universal - but would also be great to do Disovery Cove too.....

 

[Metro West]

2 days at IOA and 1 day at US sounds like a good plan, considering opening weekend of harry potter. Good luck and bring plenty of patience.

 

[BrerFoxx]

I think you have budget the right amount of time for Uni. Remember, the weekend of June 18th will not be a normal weekend for the resort. Staying on site will be a life-saver with FOTL access, but there are still going to be massive crowds.

Have fun.

 

[scottmel]

Good thoughts...thanks everyone. I won't try to throw discovery cove into the mix....Will stick as planned and if we do finish early, etc. well then we can RELAX for a change@@

 

[Planogirl]

If I'm reading your post right you don't plan to go to the Studios until sometime after noon on that Friday and then spend the next two days at IOA. For me half a day is not long enough at the Studios. We want at least one full day even with FOTL.

 

[scottmel]

Ok thanks for the input. I can figure more when i get there and maybe will end up at US more vs. IOA if that is just crazy. From what I am reading there isn't a TON to do on the HP Side - FJ seems like 1 time and you are done due to the line...so perhaps there isn't as mcuh on the ioa side as i am thinking...thanks

 

[heatherwillmom]

We always do 2-3 days at Universal after our WDW trips. When you stay on-site, you get the express pass benefits, so you rarely wait in line. With the exception of a few rides, most are on express pass. I'm not sure if any of the HP rides will be on it or not. The express pass at Universal is easier than Disney's. You walk up to the attendant at the express line at an attraction, show him your room key & walk on. Yu can get off & right back into line. This saves a lot of time. We usually finish our days at Universal much earlier than Disney because we can go through lines so fast. Also, you are within walking distance to the parks You can always take the boat or bicycle carts too. The only thing that we waited long for back in March was the Rip Rocket Roller Coaster or what-ever that thing was called. By the way, Royal Pacific is beautiful.

 

[scottmel]

We always do 2-3 days at Universal after our WDW trips. When you stay on-site, you get the express pass benefits, so you rarely wait in line. With the exception of a few rides, most are on express pass. I'm not sure if any of the HP rides will be on it or not. The express pass at Universal is easier than Disney's. You walk up to the attendant at the express line at an attraction, show him your room key & walk on. Yu can get off & right back into line. This saves a lot of time. We usually finish our days at Universal much earlier than Disney because we can go through lines so fast. Also, you are within walking distance to the parks You can always take the boat or bicycle carts too. The only thing that we waited long for back in March was the Rip Rocket Roller Coaster or what-ever that thing was called. By the way, Royal Pacific is beautiful.

thanks heather! I need to psych myself up for this trip. I am just NOT excited. I am such a disney person and after spending 7 nights there, i hope I am not let down going to US. Nothing against US but you know how different strokes for different folks. I was at Us about 18 years ago and loved it....but that was way before kids and just a different time. having that pass soudns wonderful so that should help the days along nicely!! thanks for the detailed explaination...

 

[Metro West]

thanks heather! I need to psych myself up for this trip. I am just NOT excited. I am such a disney person and after spending 7 nights there, i hope I am not let down going to US. Nothing against US but you know how different strokes for different folks. I was at Us about 18 years ago and loved it....but that was way before kids and just a different time. having that pass soudns wonderful so that should help the days along nicely!! thanks for the detailed explaination...

Just go in with the attitude of NOT comparing everything to Disney and you should have a great time. If you try to compare, you won't enjoy youself.

 

[heatherwillmom]

Actually, Heather is my daughter, but your welcome. I am a huge Disney fanatic, but DH is not. He actually prefers Universal so we do both.

 

[Planogirl]

I'm fortunate because I love both Disney and Universal with the edge going to Universal in my case.

I agree though, just don't expect Universal to be like Disney but recognize that it has its own style and attitude. I was talked into Universal by my son and went in with the outlook that I'd forget about Disney for a while and was I ever pleasantly surprised. I just assumed that Universal would be something to please DS but before I knew I was excitedly going from ride to ride. I was also surprised by the good theming in most of IOA and in some parts of Universal.

The Universal team members are great and the hotels are very nice. Try to get to the Hard Rock pool and just have fun!