Our first trip to US/IOA will be the weekend of Rock the Universe, Sept. 7th-9th. Along for the trip will be dh and myself with our dc ages 17, 13, 10, 7 and 2. We'll be purchasing the "Rock Your Whole Weekend" tickets which include admission to both nights of the concerts and all day admission to both parks Friday through Sunday. We are not scheduled to arrive in Orlando until mid-day Friday, and I am concerned about us having time to fully explore both parks. Based on the information I have been able to find, the concerts will be going on from 6pm-10:30 pm Friday and Saturday, and I don't expect that we will be doing any riding/exploring during that time. I know US is open 'til 1 am those nights but we will be leaving right after the concerts for the sake of our younger ones.
The whole weekend tickets are the only ones that include all day admission (the others are for admission beginning at 4) as well as the only ones including admission to IOA. For that reason I am hopeful that the crowds will be somewhat manageable until sometime in the afternoon. Still, I am wondering if we should either A) try to leave home Wed. night and drive for a few hours, rather than leaving Thursday morning as planned. This could allow us to make it to Orlando much earlier Friday morning (possibly even late Thursday) and give us the whole day at the parks. I would like to think that the crowds in the parks during the day Friday would be minimal due to school?
or, B) plan to get EP's for Sunday, which will be the one day we are there for a full day with no concerts. I am not sure this would be worthwhile for all of us, but not sure it would be a good idea to do it for only part of the group?
Unfortunately staying on site is not an option with our larger family. We have rented a pool home about a 30 minute drive away.
Any advice greatly appreciated! Y'all are great and this board has been a blessing in planning our vacation!
The whole weekend tickets are the only ones that include all day admission (the others are for admission beginning at 4) as well as the only ones including admission to IOA. For that reason I am hopeful that the crowds will be somewhat manageable until sometime in the afternoon. Still, I am wondering if we should either A) try to leave home Wed. night and drive for a few hours, rather than leaving Thursday morning as planned. This could allow us to make it to Orlando much earlier Friday morning (possibly even late Thursday) and give us the whole day at the parks. I would like to think that the crowds in the parks during the day Friday would be minimal due to school?
or, B) plan to get EP's for Sunday, which will be the one day we are there for a full day with no concerts. I am not sure this would be worthwhile for all of us, but not sure it would be a good idea to do it for only part of the group?
Unfortunately staying on site is not an option with our larger family. We have rented a pool home about a 30 minute drive away.
Any advice greatly appreciated! Y'all are great and this board has been a blessing in planning our vacation!
