Island of Adventure Touring Time?

[GreenCntryGirl]

Approximately how long does it take to tour Islands of Adventure?

Which of the 4 Disney Parks would you most consider equal to IoA in terms of walking?

Also, we will be a group of 8. What is the best way to get there from Pop Century at WDW if we are not renting a car? Mears? Town Car?

 

[DavidNYC]

IoA if probably closest in comparison to World Showcase at Epcot in terms of walking. It's one big circle. Never measured but I wouldn't be surprised if they were relatively close in size. Never walked 100% around each in 1 shot to see how long but based on my trips there I'd say they were comparable.

As far as how long? Depends on what time of year. We've gone in early December when almost every ride was walk right (except 20 minutes for Harry Potter) and we could do every ride we wanted in the park (some several times) in 5-6 hours. If you're waiting on lines for 30+ minutes a ride it'll obviously be much longer to see what you want.

 

[GreenCntryGirl]

IoA if probably closest in comparison to World Showcase at Epcot in terms of walking. It's one big circle. Never measured but I wouldn't be surprised if they were relatively close in size. Never walked 100% around each in 1 shot to see how long but based on my trips there I'd say they were comparable.

As far as how long? Depends on what time of year. We've gone in early December when almost every ride was walk right (except 20 minutes for Harry Potter) and we could do every ride we wanted in the park (some several times) in 5-6 hours. If you're waiting on lines for 30+ minutes a ride it'll obviously be much longer to see what you want.

Thank you. We will be taking a day mid-week next May during Star Wars Weekend.

 

[conniehar90]

We went last summer so it was a bit busier. We went on Sunday - I was told on these boards that this was the slowest day of the week and it appeared to be true. We got there before opening (8am) and headed right to HP. After that, we made our way around the park and were done early afternoon. We headed back to HP for another ride and found the wait to be about 40 minutes. This wasn't bad as a lot of the line is inside the a/c.

We did wait a long time in the afternoon for the Dudley Do Right log ride. I am not a water ride lover and hated this one. You get absolutely soaked. I was glad we went on it last as I wouldn't have wanted to walk around all day in those wet clothes.

We were back at our hotel by late afternoon and felt like we saw everything.

 

[DavidNYC]

Thank you. We will be taking a day mid-week next May during Star Wars Weekend.

My guess is you'll be in decent shape. Not horrible crowds but not as light as when I was there. I'd say get there right at opening and head right to Potter. After you've done it all together once - if you want to do it again, you might check to see how the single rider line is.

Olivander's is a cute show but the line moves SLOW and I don't think it's worth waiting more than 20 minutes especially if you've got one day there.

Rest of the rides probably won't be horrible. Lot's of rides with bag restrictions so I'd advise you to travel light. It once took us longer to get to a locker at HP than it did to get on the ride!

Oh - and if the weather's nice and you want to ride the Popeye raft ride - bring a change of clothes! (Last trip when there was no line we basically were allowed to stay on the ride without getting out and rode about 7 times in a row. It's a really good raft ride and you get really wet!

 

[GreenCntryGirl]

My guess is you'll be in decent shape. Not horrible crowds but not as light as when I was there. I'd say get there right at opening and head right to Potter. After you've done it all together once - if you want to do it again, you might check to see how the single rider line is.

Olivander's is a cute show but the line moves SLOW and I don't think it's worth waiting more than 20 minutes especially if you've got one day there.

Rest of the rides probably won't be horrible. Lot's of rides with bag restrictions so I'd advise you to travel light. It once took us longer to get to a locker at HP than it did to get on the ride!

Oh - and if the weather's nice and you want to ride the Popeye raft ride - bring a change of clothes! (Last trip when there was no line we basically were allowed to stay on the ride without getting out and rode about 7 times in a row. It's a really good raft ride and you get really wet!

I won't be riding most of the rides so I can be the designated bag holder. I want to see the queue inside Hogwarts so I'll wait in line with the family and then take the opt out door. I probably will take the time for Ollivander's, though. I can maybe do that when everyone else is on the coasters.

And no water rides for me except Splash Mountain. My most miserable theme park experience with getting soaked was on Jaws.

 

[GreenCntryGirl]

We went last summer so it was a bit busier. We went on Sunday - I was told on these boards that this was the slowest day of the week and it appeared to be true. We got there before opening (8am) and headed right to HP. After that, we made our way around the park and were done early afternoon. We headed back to HP for another ride and found the wait to be about 40 minutes. This wasn't bad as a lot of the line is inside the a/c.

We did wait a long time in the afternoon for the Dudley Do Right log ride. I am not a water ride lover and hated this one. You get absolutely soaked. I was glad we went on it last as I wouldn't have wanted to walk around all day in those wet clothes.

We were back at our hotel by late afternoon and felt like we saw everything.

Thank you for the feedback. We'll be on the DDP and will have meals for this day even though we won't be at a Disney park and I was wondering if it would work with a late ADR onsite. Looks like that is possible.

 

[DavidNYC]

I won't be riding most of the rides so I can be the designated bag holder. I want to see the queue inside Hogwarts so I'll wait in line with the family and then take the opt out door. I probably will take the time for Ollivander's, though. I can maybe do that when everyone else is on the coasters.

And no water rides for me except Splash Mountain. My most miserable theme park experience with getting soaked was on Jaws.

There's actually a separate line where you can basically walk through the queue and spend as much time as you want looking without holding up the line as well if you want to go through that one.

 

[GreenCntryGirl]

There's actually a separate line where you can basically walk through the queue and spend as much time as you want looking without holding up the line as well if you want to go through that one.

Thank you...I hadn't heard about that. These message boards are really great for these seemingly little tips that make a big difference.

 

[DCTooTall]

Universal has its own forum here on the DIS. If you really want to find out a lot about the park, I highly recommend a trip over there.