Memorial Day Wknd...HELP!!

[joiev98]

I need help with a touring plan for both IOA (Friday May 25) and US (Saturday May 26). We are travelling with 18 people in total. We are staying offsite. We are in walking distance to the parks, which is how we plan to arrive! None of us have ever been to Universal Orlando! We are very excited!! We consist of 8 adults and 10 kids (yikes!) 13,12,12,11,11,10,9,8,6 & 5. The 3 oldest kids are thrill ride seekers, the rest...not so much... They will not be doing the coasters, but probably everything else.
How can I make the most of this busy weekend? How can I come up with an effective plan? Please help! We are getting closer and I am getting worried.

 

[drj1950]

Others will be here with the same advice Arrive Early (830)As soon as the parks open go to what you want to see first.Where are you staying?Have you read the thread a little further down about walking to the parks?

 

[robvia]

With 18 you'll be dragging people around.
You may want to split up into groups and stay in touch with cell phones. The little ones will like the play grounds, while the big kids will go on the coasters.
For example, the kiddie group can head right towards Suess to start, while the older kids start with Marvel Island. If you can't use cell phones or don't want to bring them, then set a meeting time at a wait board or in front of the Backwater Bar, which is across from a play ground and next to a bathroom.

For the busy holiday weekend, the parks will probably open at 08:30am. That means you want to start your walk from the hotel at 07:30am.

You'll basically have 2 hours of short lines until 11am. After that the crowds will arrive and it will be packed. You can get a lot done in 2 hours.

If some people in your group want to sleep in, leave them behind. I'm sure some of the adults will say they're on vacation and want to go at 11am. This is the worst time to show up.

 

[joiev98]

Thanks for the advice! Yes, we will definitely have to split up!! Having the little ones to Suess first and the older ones to Marvel is a good idea. The express pass will cost an extra $300 in total for my family of 6...do you think it is necessary?

 

[yaytezIOA]

Neccessary? No..... Nice? Oh yes. You may want to reconsider the hotel you are staying at and see if you can get rooms at one of the onsite hotels instead as you will have FREE express with your room key.
http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1353733
For more advice, I recomend that thread.

 

[joiev98]

I wish we could stay onsite, but unfortunately it just isn't in the budget. The cost of the rooms per night is $239...and can only fit 5 of us!! We will just plan on hitting the parks early and trying to get as much done as we can the first couple of hours.