One Day at Both Parks: Which rides first?

[g-dad66]

We plan to go to both Universal and IOA on Tuesday, March 19.

Should be a busy time, but we are hoping to avoid purchasing Express Pass.

So if we are at the parks before opening, which park should we go to first and which rides should we do there, before hopping to the other park? And then which rides should we do first at the second park?

Probably we will then finish up at the second park and then hop back to the first park to do the less popular attractions there.

Am thinking that we might save Forbidden Journey till right before park closing, rather than doing it at park opening (since those with early admission will have the jump on us there). Also, we don't plan to do Ollivander's.

 

[Metro West]

If going to IoA first, start with Marvel Super Hero Island and work your way around. Leave HP until later...as you suggested. The rest of the park should be pretty empty that early.

If going to the Studios first, start with Despicable Me, Rockit and work your way around. DM and the Rockit still have longer lines so it's best to get those out of the way first.

 

[g-dad66]

If going to IoA first, start with Marvel Super Hero Island and work your way around. Leave HP until later...as you suggested. The rest of the park should be pretty empty that early.

If going to the Studios first, start with Despicable Me, Rockit and work your way around. DM and the Rockit still have longer lines so it's best to get those out of the way first.

Thanks.

Would it make sense to start at IoA and do Spiderman and Hulk, then hop to Studios to do Rockit and Despicable Me (or vice-versa, i.e. Rockit and Despicable Me, then hop to do Spiderman and Hulk)?

I'd rather do the extra walking than standing an equivalent amount of time in lines. (Walking is easier on my back than just standing is.)

 

[macraven]

if lines are long for the rides, use the single rider lines if they are open.

that will cut down on your wait time.

 

[g-dad66]

Thanks.

Would it make sense to start at IoA and do Spiderman and Hulk, then hop to Studios to do Rockit and Despicable Me (or vice-versa, i.e. Rockit and Despicable Me, then hop to do Spiderman and Hulk)?

I'd rather do the extra walking than standing an equivalent amount of time in lines. (Walking is easier on my back than just standing is.)

Just as a follow-up here (so yes, I'm now talking to myself...) in case anyone else has a similar question.

We carried out this plan and it worked great.

1) Was at Islands prior to 9:00 opening, and turnstiles opened at 8:45. Did Hulk twice, Spiderman and Fearfall once.

2) Then went to Universal and did Rip Ride Rocket followed by Minion Mayhem. Then Mummy, Disaster, Men in Black, ET, and Shrek.

3) Back to Islands for the three water rides in the heat of the afternoon, followed by Harry Potter between 5 pm and 8 pm (park closing).

Didn't need to buy Express Passes, which saved about $275 (for 5 of us).