is it possible to do both parks in one day?

[ilovemky]

friend wants to know------------

 

[yaytezIOA]

Yes.

 

[JohnnySharp2]

Definitely yes, the parks are side by side so you can easily walk from one to the other.
Would advise them to get there early though, crowds are at their lightest the first 2 hours after park opening.

 

[damo]

I say you can do the highlights of both parks in one day but not both parks in their entirety.

 

[GreyStr0ke]

I say you can do the highlights of both parks in one day but not both parks in their entirety.

I agree with Damo. You can probably get all the attractions done at one park and then a majority of the attractions at the other but it's very tiring. Me and my GF just did this (*See my Trip Report, Link is in my Sig) and we didn't get as much done at Universal as we would have liked too but we got everything done at IOA and rode most of the popular attractions twice.

 

[ChrisFL]

is it possible? well, you won't be able to see everything, it also depends on what time of year you plan to go, if you're staying on-site for front of the line access, etc.

 

[diskids2]

To tag on to this.... I'd like some suggestions on how to do this....also some advice....MY dh and I really aren't big coaster fans but the kids are....we have one day for Universal during our trip....I wanted to start off with them at IOA ... do the things we all wanted to do .... then meet up with them at Universal.....they will be 17 and 13....advice please

 

[phamton]

It is possible especially for veterans but it is not ideal. Just as you could do Disney in 2 days by doing two parks a day for two days, it is not an ideal way to truly get a feel for the Disney parks. IMO, the minimum trip for Disney should be 5-7 days and the minimum trip for Universal/IoA would be three days.

Often when newbies visit Universal and IoA and try to do it in one day, they come away disappointed. Is there anyway you can plan a two day trip? The 7 day tickets are only $8 more than a one day ticket.

 

[LukenDC]

I visited Universal and IOA at the end of September when crowds were sparse and I did both parks in under three hours. That was on my first day of visiting the Universal parks when I was so excited to be there that I was like a kid in a candy shop. I subsequently spent two more days exploring the parks at a more leisurely pace.

So yes, depending upon the crowd levels both parks can be experienced in one day. But there is so much to do and see that one day does not do justice to both parks.

 

[damo]

I visited Universal and IOA at the end of September when crowds were sparse and I did both parks in under three hours. That was on my first day of visiting the Universal parks when I was so excited to be there that I was like a kid in a candy shop. I subsequently spent two more days exploring the parks at a more leisurely pace.

So yes, depending upon the crowd levels both parks can be experienced in one day. But there is so much to do and see that one day does not do justice to both parks.

You did every ride and attraction in under 3 hours. Is that even physically possible? Terminator, Shrek and Horror Make-up show plus Twister and Earthquake would take up a ton of that time. Then put Poseidan, Sinbad, Fear Factor, Animal Actors on that and I would think your three hours are about up. And that would mean that you literally walk out of one ride right into another and there is no pre-show.

 

[DisOrBust]

I also have friends doing this. Would Express help.

 

[LukenDC]

You did every ride and attraction in under 3 hours. Is that even physically possible? Terminator, Shrek and Horror Make-up show plus Twister and Earthquake would take up a ton of that time. Then put Poseidan, Sinbad, Fear Factor, Animal Actors on that and I would think your three hours are about up. And that would mean that you literally walk out of one ride right into another and there is no pre-show.

I did not do Shrek, Men in Black, Fear Factor, and the rides that are designed for small children. Both parks were nearly empty and I was able to walk on to each and every attraction. It was amazing, but obviously not the best way to experience IOA and UO. Thankfully I had two more days to leisurely explore. And I am returning in September for three days!