Never been to USO, so need all information!!

[Sheaboys]

I am driving down to Florida with my 5 boys (maybe 6, a friend). We all really want to go to Universal Studios, both parks.

I would stay on site, as it seems that is the best bet for getting onto the rides in a timely fashion. Should I go for the Park to Park tickets or just One Park a Day? Dates, would be July 2-5th or 6th, again not sure yet. So I would do either 3 days or 4 days at the parks. Ages of boys 15, 13, 10, 6 and 4. All but 6yr old are thrill seekers, as am I.

Food, should I do a meal plan? Cheaper without? Which onsite hotel is biggest bang for the buck?

Touring...I know nothing about touring these parks. I could use all kinds of help here.

After our stay here, we will drive to Tampa with possibly doing Busch Gardens, then up to see relatives.

 

[RMulieri]

Staying onsite ( esp for those dates) is the best bet and it will still be packed.All 3 resorts are gorgeous and within walking distance or a dedicated boat ride and pool hopping between the 3 is allowed..AFAIK, Rooms only sleep 5.Anymore than that and you would need 2 rooms or a suite ( not cheap at all).Portofino Bay has the largest rooms, but is the furthest from the parks.Still not all that far and walkable.
Meal plan is only good for certain Counter service places in the 2 parks( not all of them and not even the better ones)I don't find it a great value , but that is me.If you are staying onsite, touring plans are not really all that neccessary other than..Use early entry ( resort guests get early entry at IOA and this summer also at the studios- though only Harry Potter is opened at IOA and Depsicable me and Transformers at the studios).AT Ioa, do ollivanders than Forbidden Journey.Once the park opens if Pteranodon Flyers interests you do that.Other than that you can hit the rides in whatever order you want.

 

[kohlby]

I would not do the meal plan. We found that it did save money for children - which is under 10 only. We did the plan on one trip just for two kids (since the third was a baby) and not for the adults. That restricted where we could eat, but it was worth it for one day. I would not want it for more than one day like that though. We will not be doing the meal plan for any days on our next trip.

Staying onsite will mean you don't need a touring plan, but you would need two rooms or a suite for that many people. We're only 5 people, so I don't have any advice for that.