Never been to Universal or IOA - advice

[pixietwin]

We are going to Disney for 10 days in November. DH and I just won two of the 2 park 7 day passes from the superbowl promo. We're thinking of adding days to the beginning of our trip because we can't work in a second vacation this year.

The free tickets are good for 7 consecutive days, but I am wondering how 4 days at the two parks would be? I've read that some people do both in a day! DH loves thrill rides. I get motion sick, so I won't be doing any coasters, wet rides or anything that would hurt my back (2 herniated discs). I've read that Universal simulator rides do offer some stationary seating. If so, that would be awesome. (always wished that Disney's Dinosaur ride could be done stationary). My back is tricky tricky so I'm a wuss when it comes to lifting, rocking or bumping. Anyway, I do understand that DH will enjoy Universal more than I will because of the thrill rides. Surely there are things there that I could enjoy? Advice? thanks

 

[daannzzz]

I get motion sick easy as well though I don't mind getting wet. Islands of Adventure will have less attractions for you to do. But there is some great themeing to enjoy. All of the rides either spin, rattle, coast or get you wet. Even the simple Cat in the Hat dark ride spins around sometimes! There are only a couple of rides for you there as well as the Poseidon's Fury walk through.
There is more for you at Universal Studios. You can do the Twister walk through though you do get sprayed a little. ET will be fine. The earthquake attraction should be fine. You can do the Terminator 3D show and the Jaws boat ride.
I really enjoy both of the parks and I had plenty of time to see them in 3 days.

 

[pixietwin]

I'm glad you mentioned you could do them in 3 days. We don't have the time to do it in 7, but I am wondering just how many days we need to really enjoy both parks. Anybody else who wants to comment, please do - anybody tried the stationary simulator rides also? Is there a separate line for the stationary seats? How does that work? thanks

 

[mareed]

Not to be snarky, but the contest was limited to one ticket per household, and they're validating before they send the actual confirmation via mail, so unless you got pretty creative, you may not be receiving 2 (or any) tickets. I wouldn't make any definite plans until you receive the confirmations in the mail.

4 days at the 2 Universal parks would be good to be able to do everything you really want to. Could probably be done pretty easily in 3. Check out the Universal board here for good information too! We went last March and Jimmy Neutron is the only simulator that I recall having a stationary area, and you waited in the same general line and just sat in the front which didn't move. We had some stationary riders and some in the regular seats, and we were all in the same "show/ride".

 

[FayeW]

At the time of year you are going, 3-4 days will be plenty. We usually go for 1 day to each park and then a 3rd day to go back to our favourites in both parks. We have been to US/IOA 4 times since 2003. In 2003, we used 5/7 days, 2005 was 4/7, 2006 & 2008 were 3/7 days. Most rides and attractions will be walk-ons.

As I get older (I am 43) the simulator rides bother me more and more. They never used to bother me but now I feel sick after Jimmy Neutron. Definitely ask for a non-motion seat there.

 

[chicagoshannon]

4 days will be plenty. 2 would probably be enough. We've also done both parks in 1 day and done most everything.

Cat in the Hat was REALLY jerky and spinny. I'd avoid that if I were you. We took my 10 month old on it last Feb. thinking it would be fine but I was really worried she'd get whiplash!

 

[scammermom]

Check out the Universal board located further down on the main menu. Lots of great people and info!

 

[thepwa]

Count me in as one who has done both parks in one day. In August. On a weekend. More than once.

That includes riding all of the main attractions, some multiple times.

It can be done.

 

[Metro West]

We are going to Disney for 10 days in November. DH and I just won two of the 2 park 7 day passes from the superbowl promo. We're thinking of adding days to the beginning of our trip because we can't work in a second vacation this year.

The free tickets are good for 7 consecutive days, but I am wondering how 4 days at the two parks would be? I've read that some people do both in a day! DH loves thrill rides. I get motion sick, so I won't be doing any coasters, wet rides or anything that would hurt my back (2 herniated discs). I've read that Universal simulator rides do offer some stationary seating. If so, that would be awesome. (always wished that Disney's Dinosaur ride could be done stationary). My back is tricky tricky so I'm a wuss when it comes to lifting, rocking or bumping. Anyway, I do understand that DH will enjoy Universal more than I will because of the thrill rides. Surely there are things there that I could enjoy? Advice? thanks

November isn't terribly busy except for Thanksgiving weekend so you should be able to do all you want to do in two or three days. As far as the more gentle rides go...the Studios offers stationary seating on Shrek 4-D, Jimmy Neutron and stationary standing in Twister. You shouldn't have trouble on any of those attractions. E.T. should work fine for you as well as Jaws and don't forget the Horror Make-Up show. Your husband should love Revenge of the Mummy and the new Hollywood Rip, Ride, Rockit (HR3) opening this year!

At Islands of Adventure, he will certainly love the Hulk, Spiderman and Dueling Dragons. If you can take a bit of spinning, Cat in the Hat would work well for you as well as Poseidon's Fury.

Come over to the Universal boards and the Proud Redheaded homies will be glad to answer any questions you have.

 

[webray]

When we used to go for longer vacations like you are doing we spent two full days at Universal and IOA and then part of the third morning before we checked out. We always stay at a Universal resort to get front of the line access. I have horrible motion sickness and don't do the crazy rides, there is plenty to keep me busy while hubby rides. He doesn't mind and I don't mind.

You can probably only do the two parks in one day if you have front of the line access, but that will really be pushing it. Universal and IOA are bright and fabulous. You will love them.

 

[QT Pooh]

When we used to go for longer vacations like you are doing we spent two full days at Universal and IOA and then part of the third morning before we checked out. We always stay at a Universal resort to get front of the line access. I have horrible motion sickness and don't do the crazy rides, there is plenty to keep me busy while hubby rides. He doesn't mind and I don't mind.

You can probably only do the two parks in one day if you have front of the line access, but that will really be pushing it. Universal and IOA are bright and fabulous. You will love them.

You can do the 2 parks in 1 day if you are going in low season. We went in mid January one year and was able to do both parks in one day - rode all the rides we wanted to ride multiple times (all were walk ons), which was Spiderman, Dueling Dragons, Hulk, the Mummy (about 11x for the kids) who just went in the singles line, and Men in Black. We even had time for a sit down meal!! So it can be done without front of the line access!!

 

[pixietwin]

Would you guys consider Nov 12 - 14 as low season? I am hoping so - but I'm surprised that I've read about 30 minute waits over this weekend (isn't this also low season at the parks?) I have read about Daytona and other events can bring people in.

I'm going to have a brochure mailed to me and I will highlight the rides you guys have mentioned that should be safe for me. I so appreciated EVERYBODYS opinions and thoughts Keep em comin!

 

[Metro West]

Would you guys consider Nov 12 - 14 as low season? I am hoping so - but I'm surprised that I've read about 30 minute waits over this weekend (isn't this also low season at the parks?) I have read about Daytona and other events can bring people in.

I'm going to have a brochure mailed to me and I will highlight the rides you guys have mentioned that should be safe for me. I so appreciated EVERYBODYS opinions and thoughts Keep em comin!

As stated in my post above, November is not usually busy except for Thanksgiving weekend. If you're going during the week, you might be able to both parks but I doubt you would be able to do everything. If you're going on a weekend, I would say no...you could not do everything in both parks w/o Express passes.