Itinerary Planning Help Needed

[Mickey_Maniac]

OK, Here's the situation. DW and I last went to US over 10 years ago, have never been to IOA.

We are going on Monday, Aug 20th with our 10 yr old DD. We want to be able to do as much of both parks as we can. We might go back for a 1/2 day on Thursday the 23rd, not sure.

They are not big ride (roller coaster) folks, I on the other hand am. Would love to be able to do the big coasters without having to make them wait too long. About the only ride we know we will not be doing is ROTM.

We plan to be at the gate at opening time (or pretty close).

Does anyone have a touring plan that works that they would like to share? Where should we start? US or IOA? Keep in mind, we do not know our way around the parks at all, other than looking at the maps on the web site.

Thanks in advance...

 

[mseg16222]

I am leaving on the 16th of August and am wondering the same thing. I was wondering what time to be at the gate. School I beleive in Florida starts back at the end of August??? I am hoping that the crowds have thinned

 

[yaytezIOA]

A "Touring Plan" is not necessary, its not disney. But I recommed being there, at least in some close proximity to the gate by 8 a.m. School starts back for a lot of Florida Schools August 20th, but usually does not start for everyone until later, so it will still be pretty darn busy.
I would start at IOA, why? Because it has the coasters.......and everyone wants to ride the coasters. I'd get in the big rides first like Hulk, Doom, and Spider Man, then go directly to JP and hit the Camp Jurassic Area and do the flyers, if the line isnt huge by then. Tool around there for a while, and hit Lost Continent where they have Flying Unicorn and Dueling Dragons. Then head for Poseidon, or Suess Landing....hit all the rides there, then dart out the front gate heading over to Universal. Now you should have your tickets...so head up the path to Blue Man Group, and go to your right.....a single solitary ticket person, and no line to get in. This will dump you out right at Jimmy Nuetron which should have a 20 min wait, with Shrek right across the street......and go from there. The longest waits will be Shrek, Mummy and MIB...I really suggest mummy, everyone is tall enough, and I have a sneaking suspicion they like Everest.....they're going to LOVE mummy...no inversions, its in the dark, and its not so rough on your liver.
But you have the first part down pat, EARLY.
If you choose to wait and go to USF first, you will go to IOA and most likely have lines of 30-45 minutes for the big rides like Hulk and Spiderman.
We are very hardcore in our parks, and usually have everything done at IOA by 11, and head over to USF.....we are generally done with the parks by 3...but we know our ways around them. Early is the key.

 

[Metro West]

I am leaving on the 16th of August and am wondering the same thing. I was wondering what time to be at the gate. School I beleive in Florida starts back at the end of August??? I am hoping that the crowds have thinned

Most of the schools here start August 20th so the crowds will thin some but the bigger "thinning" will we after Labor Day weekend. Like YaytezIOA said...get there early to beat some of the heat and do the bigger rides first. There is plenty of shade of IOA and they have fans and misters to help keep you cool.

Have a great time!