Newbie to IOA

[motaei]

WOW! I didn't even know this forum existed before today.

I heard so many cool things about IOA on the Disney boards, I finally realized this was here.

This will be our second trip to Orlando in one year, so I think we will venture outside of WDW for a day & visit IOA. (Besides, DH is not a "Disneyite" as I think some threads here put it) DH husband has to work some of the days we are there, so the kids & I will overload on Disney without him.

I'm going to skip US, as we have US here in California & can much more easily visit that another time. But IOA seems more unique & doesn't seem to have much overlap with US Hollywood.

Anyway, as I babble on, any tips you can give an IOA newbie? It will be me, DH, DD-22, DS-11 & DD-9

Thanks in advance!!!

 

[Tigger&Belle]

You will have a wonderful time!!! When will you be going? If it's at a busy time of the year try to stay onsite so you can use your magic room key and get the front of the line access. That's a wonderful perk and you could stay onsite for 1 night and get 2 days of FOTL.

You'll get some great advice on this forum!

T&B

 

[motaei]

Sorry I was not more clear in my initial post. We will be there from 6/26 - 7/3 (a total of 6 active days & 2 traveling days). We are staying on-site at WDW & don't want to be packing & unpacking a family of 5 just to stay in US/IOA hotel for one night. The FOTL thing sounds cool, but maybe next visit (if there is one).

 

[gschmerl]

Originally posted by motaei
Sorry I was not more clear in my initial post. We will be there from 6/26 - 7/3 (a total of 6 active days & 2 traveling days). We are staying on-site at WDW & don't want to be packing & unpacking a family of 5 just to stay in US/IOA hotel for one night. The FOTL thing sounds cool, but maybe next visit (if there is one).

That will be a pretty busy time. My nephew has a time share at WDW and he actually got a room for one night at the Royal Pacific, but did NOT move his family to the hotel. They just used the room keys and used the room to rest during the day and enjoy the pool. When they were finished with the park in the evening, they went back to their room at WDW and returned to IOA the next day for day two of FOTL access. Booking a room on site for one night will get you two days FOTL.

 

[RescueRanger]

Originally posted by gschmerl
That will be a pretty busy time. My nephew has a time share at WDW and he actually got a room for one night at the Royal Pacific, but did NOT move his family to the hotel. They just used the room keys and used the room to rest during the day and enjoy the pool. When they were finished with the park in the evening, they went back to their room at WDW and returned to IOA the next day for day two of FOTL access. Booking a room on site for one night will get you two days FOTL.

It's funny you mention this because we have a vacation home rented for the week we will be there but we are still getting a room at RPR for 2 seperate nights to give us 4 days of FOTL. It will be our first time on-site and we can't wait. Motaei, I know you don't want the hassle, but from all the info I have gotten from these boards, FOTL is well worth it.

 

[Tigger&Belle]

It is a pain to move for sure, but I think worth it for the FOTL. I have 4 kids so I know what a hassle moving can be, but at least yours are old enough to pack their own bags.

If you don't want to do that then consider getting the express passes that you can buy (one pass for each ride, park specific). With those and the regular express that will help with the crowds.

This will give you a good taste of IoA and you may want to come back another time and stay for more days or even skip WDW. That's what happened to us.

T&B

 

[Slacking]

FoTL sounds nice, but the parks are easy to navigate and tour without it.

Its a shame you aren't doing the studios, its quite different from the one in CA, but if you've got limited time, IOA is a good choice too.

 

[motaei]

Originally posted by Tigger&Belle
If you don't want to do that then consider getting the express passes that you can buy (one pass for each ride, park specific). With those and the regular express that will help with the crowds.

This will give you a good taste of IoA and you may want to come back another time and stay for more days or even skip WDW. That's what happened to us.

T&B

T&B - I did a little research & did not see any express passes except the FOTL ones. What am I missing?

And you are right about next time. If we ever get to Orlando again, the kids will have done the Disney thing (and be older) that we may concentrate on some of the other Orlando adventures. I know DH would prefer that. It's me & the kids who are dragging him to WDW!!

 

[Tigger&Belle]

I haven't actually used them, but there are booklets (actually, I think that they are cards now) that you can buy for around $25 I think (the price varies depending on the time of the year). It gives you one express pass at each attraction that has express. There are also free expresses that work like the fastpasses at WDW (and, like at WDW, they can run out early during a busy day).

My kids prefer Universal to WDW, but they like them both. It's been a while since my older kids have gone to WDW (I brought my 4yo in Feb) and they are excited about our trip that is planned for January. My husband could really do ok by NOT visiting these parks on a regular basis. My 4yo and I got annual passes for WDW and I've decided that I need to get my fix with my 4yo this year and just leave my husband out of it. lol He's fine with that! He grew up down the street for Disneyland (a couple of miles) so it just isn't that special to him. He is a good sport when we do go, though.

Geez, I need to get packing!

T&B