OK, USF/IOA experts...

[mirthmaiden]

I have a few questions. I'm in the Orlando area for the race at Daytona on the 5th, and I haven't decided what to do on the 4th yet. I'm considering a short visit to USF/IOA on July 3-4th.

1. Is the 2-park/7-day ticket for $79.99 the least expensive option out there?

2. There is no way I want to pay an extra $45.99 per ticket to get the express pass. OMG I'm betting, since they're selling these to anybody who wants them, and also giving FOTL to anybody who stays onsite, the express line isn't really going to be all that "express" and I'd be hating myself later for having spent the money. Am I right, or is the fact that it's a holiday weekend going to make it so obnoxious in the regular line that it's worth the extra money?

3. There is no charge to get into CityWalk just to eat dinner, right? I don't recall there being one, but it's been a few years since my last visit.

 

[Metro West]

I have a few questions. I'm in the Orlando area for the race at Daytona on the 5th, and I haven't decided what to do on the 4th yet. I'm considering a short visit to USF/IOA on July 3-4th.

1. Is the 2-park/7-day ticket for $79.99 the least expensive option out there?

2. There is no way I want to pay an extra $45.99 per ticket to get the express pass. OMG I'm betting, since they're selling these to anybody who wants them, and also giving FOTL to anybody who stays onsite, the express line isn't really going to be all that "express" and I'd be hating myself later for having spent the money. Am I right, or is the fact that it's a holiday weekend going to make it so obnoxious in the regular line that it's worth the extra money?

3. There is no charge to get into CityWalk just to eat dinner, right? I don't recall there being one, but it's been a few years since my last visit.

Hey Maiden...what's going on?

1.) Yes...that's the cheapest ticket available.

2.) Yes...the crowds are going to be LONG which is why I don't go to the parks on holiday weekends.

3.) Yes...you are right...no charge to eat at a CityWalk restaurant (except for the meal that is )

 

[DocOck]

Hi, no charge for Citywalk, unless that's changed recently and I'm 99.9999% sure it hasn't. The deals on tickets change every now and then and I think that is the best option right now. I would never try and talk anyone out of going, but July 4 I think is extremely busy. You may want to consider buying the EP, (never been on the 4th, but just heard its packed). But in any event you'll love it. 2 days should be enough to see both parks, but I would suggest another day in case the 4th is so packed you can't do much, if you don't get the EP.

You may want to consider staying on site those days, you get free unlimited EP with your room keys and it is so much better staying on site, the parks are walking distance from your room.

 

[ky07]

I have a few questions. I'm in the Orlando area for the race at Daytona on the 5th, and I haven't decided what to do on the 4th yet. I'm considering a short visit to USF/IOA on July 3-4th.

1. Is the 2-park/7-day ticket for $79.99 the least expensive option out there?

2. There is no way I want to pay an extra $45.99 per ticket to get the express pass. OMG I'm betting, since they're selling these to anybody who wants them, and also giving FOTL to anybody who stays onsite, the express line isn't really going to be all that "express" and I'd be hating myself later for having spent the money. Am I right, or is the fact that it's a holiday weekend going to make it so obnoxious in the regular line that it's worth the extra money?

3. There is no charge to get into CityWalk just to eat dinner, right? I don't recall there being one, but it's been a few years since my last visit.

That price online for the 2 day 2 park tickets isn't bad cause they will be higher at the gate but the best deal right now is the 7 day 2 park unlimited for the same price or a few dollars higher.
for the time of year you want to go the parks are going to be packed and if you don't want to stand in line for 90 mins or longer and thats why the express pass is so high and what you have to ask yourself if you want to wait that 90 mins or just 15 to 20 with express pass and staying onsite you won't even have to pay that it comes to you free and the big plus with that is if it gets too crowded or you get tired you can go back to the hotel and relax for awhile and then go back later and do the parks agian and there is no charge for citywalk unless your going to one of the bars at night when they charge a cover charge,

 

[mirthmaiden]

Hey Maiden...what's going on?

Hi Lots of trip planning, that's what's going on!

Hi, no charge for Citywalk, unless that's changed recently and I'm 99.9999% sure it hasn't. The deals on tickets change every now and then and I think that is the best option right now. I would never try and talk anyone out of going, but July 4 I think is extremely busy. You may want to consider buying the EP, (never been on the 4th, but just heard its packed). But in any event you'll love it. 2 days should be enough to see both parks, but I would suggest another day in case the 4th is so packed you can't do much, if you don't get the EP.

You may want to consider staying on site those days, you get free unlimited EP with your room keys and it is so much better staying on site, the parks are walking distance from your room.

I am doing a timeshare presentation, very cheap stay at another hotel before I check in at WDW for a 14-night stay. I would LOVE to stay at HRH again. I did that once and it was awesome, but it won't happen this time.

I have annual passes at WDW, so I could always go there, or to one of their water parks, and not have it cost anything extra. I was just trying to figure out a way to squeeze in a quick USF/IOA visit and not have it cost a fortune. But if it's so ridiculously crowded on the 4th, and I have to spend another $45.99 per ticket, per day to get the express line, I'll probably skip it.

I guess my main question is "are the express lines really all that express?" Is it worth the money?" If I paid that kind of money and still had to wait a long time in line, I would be PO'd!

 

[DocOck]

Yes, I've never seen the E lines be longer than 15 minutes when its packed. Of course there are always exceptions to the rule, but I'm guessing the 4th, one of the most packed days of the year, lines still should not be longer than 15-20 minutes tops for E lines, most should probably be like they usually are which is walk right on or 5-10 minute waits. I was there in late July last year, which was still peak time and packed, but we never had a problem with the E lines, ever being over a 15 minute wait and usually it was walk right on.

 

[RAPstar]

Hey Maiden...what's going on?

1.) Yes...that's the cheapest ticket available.

2.) Yes...the crowds are going to be LONG which is why I don't go to the parks on holiday weekends.

3.) Yes...you are right...no charge to eat at a CityWalk restaurant (except for the meal that is )

no charge for citywalk except for parking, unless you park after 6pm

 

[Metro West]

no charge for citywalk except for parking, unless you park after 6pm

Yeah I know.

 

[nerdboyrockstar]

Okay, let's be completely honest.

July 4th is one of the busiest days of the year to visit any theme park.

BUT.. somebody's gotta be in first right? If you're willing, the park opens as early as 8:30-8:45am. You can knockout a few attractions before 10am. Start with attractions with the lowest capacities, save the larger capacity attractions for later, etc.

You don't need Express. It can be done.. but like any theme park, you just can't waltz in at anytime on July 4th and not expect long wait times.

 

[mirthmaiden]

Okay, let's be completely honest.

July 4th is one of the busiest days of the year to visit any theme park.

BUT.. somebody's gotta be in first right? If you're willing, the park opens as early as 8:30-8:45am. You can knockout a few attractions before 10am. Start with attractions with the lowest capacities, save the larger capacity attractions for later, etc.

You don't need Express. It can be done.. but like any theme park, you just can't waltz in at anytime on July 4th and not expect long wait times.

Yes, that makes sense. I'm still undecided about going to Universal, or just staying at the hotel and hanging by the pool drinking margaritas.

 

[Metro West]

Yes, that makes sense. I'm still undecided about going to Universal, or just staying at the hotel and hanging by the pool drinking margaritas.

That's a tough choice...lol. I think I would have to flip a coin but that's me.

 

[mirthmaiden]

Maybe I'll do both. Maybe I'll go to Universal and drink margaritas all day.

 

[the Dark Marauder]

If you can find me, I'll get you VIP access on my attraction.

 

[RAPstar]

Yeah I know.

Well, I knew you knew. I was pointing it out for the OP! You rock, Todd!!

 

[Metro West]

Maybe I'll do both. Maybe I'll go to Universal and drink margaritas all day.

Now THAT sounds like a plan!

 

[donaldduck352]

Maybe I'll do both. Maybe I'll go to Universal and drink margaritas all day.

Sounds like my kinda vacation.

 

[mirthmaiden]

Sounds like my kinda vacation.

I know, right? I doesn't get much better than that.

Well, I'm sure everybody here has been holding their collective breath waiting to know what I will do

Y'all talked me into it. I cancelled my timeshare thing, booked Royal Pacific for 2 days, and am now planning to enjoy said margaritas.

Now I need to figure out just where in heck I'm going to eat. Such decisions!

 

[LeslieR]

So many choices, so little time....My short list includes Sal's, Mythos and Margaritaville..

 

[MRS AR]

We were in US/IOA during the 4th of July several years ago and it seemed that the crowds were lighter early in the am and in the middle of the afternoon. We always went early, then back to the hotel for a swim and lunch and back into the parks in the afternoon again. The FOTL was a wonderful perk during those crowds.

 

[Metro West]

We were in US/IOA during the 4th of July several years ago and it seemed that the crowds were lighter early in the am and in the middle of the afternoon. We always went early, then back to the hotel for a swim and lunch and back into the parks in the afternoon again. The FOTL was a wonderful perk during those crowds.

That's the best strategy!