One Day for IOA/Universal - Need Help!

[maui2k5]

I will be in WDW in late this September and only have one day to split between Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios. I know that is not really enough to see everything, but I only have one day to work with. What I need help with is a plan to see as much as possible. I am hoping that one thing in my favor may be light crowds on September 23 (Friday) which is the day we will be going. I have have been to Universal Studios in Orlando once (not (not IOA) and Universal in Hollywood last summer. My girlfriend who will be with me has not been to either. That being said here are the rides/shows I am trying to figure out a plan for. This is what I am thinking...

Morning @ IOA
1) The Adventures of Spider-Man (Must See)
2) The Incredible Hulk Coaster (Must See)
3) Dr. Doom's Fearful (Optional)
4) Dueling Dragons (Must See)
5) Poseidon's Fury (Optional)
6) Eigth Voyage of Sinbad (Optional)
7) Jurassic Park River Adventure (Must See)
8) Dudley Do-Right's Ripsaw Falls (Must See)
9) Bilge Rat Barges (Must See)

Afternoon @ Universal
1) Get Express Pass for Shrek 4-D then eat lunch
2) See Twister...Ride It Out (Optional)
2) See Shrek (Must See)
3) Get Express Pass for Mummy
4) Ride Earthquake (Optional)
5) Ride the Mummy (Must See)
5) Get Express Pass for Jaws
6) See Animal Planet (Optional)
7) Ride Jaws (Must See)
8) Ride Men In Black (Must See)
9) See Terminator 2: 3D (Must See)

Other low priority attractions:
E.T. Adventure
Fear Factor Live
Back to the Future

What I am not sure about is the best way to see the parks while making the most efficient use of my time. Since I am a novice at the Express Pass and have never been to IOA, I could use the help such as an Express Pass plan. Any advice is greatly appreciated!

 

[phamton]

One problem I see is the express at Mummy. Even though you are going when it isn't very busy, Mummy is one of the first places to run out of express passes. You won't need an express for Shrek if you wait to go on that 15 minutes before park closing. You could also stop by Universal on your way over to IOA and pick up an express for Mummy. Just choose the later return time. (Express passes give you two choices for return times.) Choose a return time in the afternoon for Mummy. If you don't want to pick one up on your way to IOA, at least pick one up the minute you get to Universal before eating or seeing Twister or Shrek.

You can also get some ideas by reading this thread on 1 day/2 park strategies:
http://www.ioacentral.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=6119

 

[layzphil]

I would agree with your plan but echo phantom in that the first UE pass you should get should be for The Mummy. It is a bit of a long walk to go from one park to the other just to get a UE pass but do-able.

Also I'd put MIB higher up the list for an UE pass - that's a much bigger draw than Jaws is now.

If you arrive 40-50 mins before opening and get to IoA first, then you should be able to ride Hulk and Spiderman (Hulk first, closer to the entrance) with no wait - get the biggies out of the way. Be aware that you can't take carry-on bags on Hulk and you'll be made to put them in the banks of free lockers. This will slow you down and get you swarmed in with the pack of the first people in the park (you want to be the first).

You could consider DD after Spiderman as that will be the next attraction to get big lines, and then backtrack to Bluto and Dudley. You will get wet (very) on Bluto, Dudley and Jurassic Park (if you sit anywhere near the front of the boat) so maybe it makes sense to poncho up and do them all together.

I did the 2 parks last week in one day and it was very successful. IoA was very empty in the morning (walk on most rides) but it was raining, and we didnt need a UE pass for anything at IoA.

 

[Motherfletcher]

The DD is Dr. Doom's Fearfall. Not to be confused with Dueling Dragons.
I agree that Hulk should be first.

 

[layzphil]

I meant Dueling Dragons - can't see Dr Doom being worth the time, nothing special about it - they have rides like this everywhere. Ride Tower of Terror instead

 

[phamton]

You can enter Universal first to get your Mummy express pass and then exit the park behind Nickelodeon Studios. The exit there behind Nick that will get you to IOA quicker than the regular exit. It is right behind Hard Rock Cafe.

On MIB, if the line is long, consider going as a single rider. There is a good chance you may end up on the same car but just not sitting beside each other.

 

[DisneylandPlanner]

subscribing

 

[phamton]

subscribing

I wouldn't be subscribing to this thread since it is 1 1/2 years old. Things have changed a lot, including there is no express pass to pick up for the rides. Maybe you should start a new thread as the touring plans have changed drastically. Also, just an FYI, you can subscribe to a thread without posting.

 

[lindalinda]

I think we need some ways to "purge" old or invalid threads. This happens quite often. How many times do we get questions about those great entertainment book rates that are posted on threads from 2003? Mods, if your listening...can we find a way to do away with out of date threads? Or maybe just the old posts?

 

[Amity 3]

You can enter Universal first to get your Mummy express pass and then exit the park behind Nickelodeon Studios.

talk about the 'good old days'.