Never been to USF or IoA, please help........

[disney4us2002]

We are planning a Christmas trip to Disney and my kids are really wanting to do USF/IoA this time around. My dh is set to stay at the Polynesian even though I went all thru the whole front of the line argument with him. Whatever! Soooo, what I need and cannot seem to find is a site and/or book that gives specific touring plans for each park. We will probably go on Dec 21 and 23 and will be certain to arrive in plenty of time for opening. I realize it is a very crowded time but this is our only option. My kids are 8, 11, and 15 and want to ride all of the biggest thrillers (the youngest may miss out by height on a few as he is 51" at the moment). We're thinking Universal all day w/HRC for lunch and then IoA a second day all day with Emeril's for dinner afterward. Am I absolutely crazy to think we will be able to do most of the rides in one day? I doubt I can talk hubby into the paid express pass for all five of us ($100 more per park - WOW!).

Any suggestions are greatly appreciated.

Incidentally we will have our own vehicle so transportation isn't an issue at least.

 

[damo]

why don't you stay at the poly while at WDW and Royal Pacific while at Universal? You are right in that it will be extremely busy at Christmas.

 

[robvia]

You already know the answer.
Wake up at 6am, get ready, and arrive the parking garage at 07:45am, getting to the gate first. That will get you 1 lap around IOA before the crowd arrives.
What I can't understand, is how you can afford to eat at Emerils, but not buy the express booklets at the front of the park. The booklets would get you rides in the afternoon. With 10 months to go, you can save up for the express booklets. Get a white envelope, write IOA on it, and start putting cash in it. $10 a week ads up.
Touring plan for each park is easy, but there are web sites and other messages posted on this.
USF - Run to the Mummy, get an express pass for the Mummy for 11am. Ride the Mummy, Go to MIB, Jaws, back to the Mummy, then it's a toss up.
IOA - Head left to Hulk, get front seat rides, get an express pass for Hulk. Spiderman, Dr. Doom, run to Deuling Dragons in the back of the park, come back around to JPRA, Rip Saw Falls, and Popeye. Come back to Hulk for your express pass ride.

 

[disney4us2002]

Originally posted by robvia
You already know the answer.
Wake up at 6am, get ready, and arrive the parking garage at 07:45am, getting to the gate first. That will get you 1 lap around IOA before the crowd arrives.
What I can't understand, is how you can afford to eat at Emerils, but not buy the express booklets at the front of the park. The booklets would get you rides in the afternoon. With 10 months to go, you can save up for the express booklets. Get a white envelope, write IOA on it, and start putting cash in it. $10 a week ads up.
Touring plan for each park is easy, but there are web sites and other messages posted on this.
USF - Run to the Mummy, get an express pass for the Mummy for 11am. Ride the Mummy, Go to MIB, Jaws, back to the Mummy, then it's a toss up.
IOA - Head left to Hulk, get front seat rides, get an express pass for Hulk. Spiderman, Dr. Doom, run to Deuling Dragons in the back of the park, come back around to JPRA, Rip Saw Falls, and Popeye. Come back to Hulk for your express pass ride.

First, do the parks in December open at 8am? I was figuring 9am.

Second, it's not a matter of affording the cost of the express pass. For my hubby who loves foodnetwork and good food, Emeril's is a big priority. He isn't a big ride person and really isn't too keen on doing USF at all so to tell him that the tickets for 5 of us is $400 then we need another $200 (hello, that's 50% of the ticket cost!) just to be sure to get to ride the best rides will no doubt be a tough sell.

Third, is there a book such as the Passporter, Unofficial WDW guide, or others that have touring plans, ie, as soon as park opens head directly to Dueling Dragons, then go directly to such and such, etc.? I like to plan and really don't want to be standing around the opening area with a park map in hand saying "Where should we go guys?"

As for staying at any of the Uni hotels, I tried to talk to him about that but he views this as a Christmas present to us and he planned it for Disney at Christmas. He isn't happy that I'm throwing in Univ (really for the kids' sakes). I don't think I'm explaining this well. Imagine getting a beautiful pearl necklace for Christmas and then saying to your hubby, "No earrings?" That is sort of how he's feeling.

 

[Tigger&Belle]

I agree, stay at the Poly for the WDw portion and Royal Pacific for the Universal part. I've stayed at both places and RPR is a very beautiful resort. Your kids would probably like the Hard Rock Hotel, but if your husband is set on the Poly he might like RPR better. Or bring him to Portifino Bay--I bet he'd really like that. I've also stayed at the HRH, but not at Portifino Bay (PB is a bit too remote for my liking, but will eventually give it a try).

Your husband will like the Universal parks a lot better if you can all ride as much as you want without all the lines. It makes for a much more relaxing vacation, especially when crowds are high.

T&B

 

[Tigger&Belle]

The Unofficial Guide has touring plans for the Universal parks.

I understand about your husband. My husband would have been happy not even going to Orlando last April and then again this April (Universal both trips). When I planted the seed about buying an AP last April so we could return this April, he wasn't too crazy about the idea. This trip we are only spending 3 days at Unviersal, one at Kennedy Space Center, time with my sister in the FL Panhandle, and a stop in Atlanta to see a Braves/Cubs game. I'm doing my best to plan something for everyone, not easy when I have 4 children who are far apart in age. Kind of strssful on me to try and make everything perfect...

T&B

 

[the Dark Marauder]

The parks still open at 9a, except for the week of 12/26-12/31. That's when they open at 8, but are horrendously pakced (60+ minute waits). At least when you're going it will not be that busy, but will be getting there (30-45+ minute waits).

 

[highlander447]

I can see the problem your hubby does a wonderful gift for xmas and he feels u are saying and what else although the parks will be busy don't forget the majority of goers don't stay onsite and they also do not but the express passes so I reckon u should be ok if your hubby likes nice food has he thought about TchopuTchoup at RPR also if u can get a good rate at RPR u will get 2 nights FOTL access for about $140 2 days 4 people a lot better than the books and remember u don't need to use the rooms

 

[robvia]

Well, December 21 - 23 is mid week leading into the holiday. Many will still be at work until Friday, but kids may be out of school.

No, the park won't open early, but I always tell people to get there early, so you can be near the front of the line, first to the gate. Sometimes they open at 08:45am, but never officially announce it.

Disney is the kind of park where people go slow, and take an entire week to see everything. IOA/USF is a go go go park, where you show up early, and hit the major rides before the crowd arrives at 11am.

The books you read will be outdated, because the Mummy will not be included in their strategy plans. You've got 10 months to lurk these boards and get an exact plan. I predict the line for Shrek will drop once the Mummy opens. That changes the touring plan because you'll be closer to MIB after riding the Mummy.