Planning IOA & US Trip .. help pls :)

[Foladar]

I'm planning to go with family (Me, Mother, Bro) to IOA/US. Universal Studios is more prefered, but we love the Hulk & the coasters at IOA .. Popeye and JP: River Adv is great too. We've been to US, twice or three times (once at HHN) & to IOA about five times. I'm seeking a bit of advice how to plan out a trip to both, I've never really planned but i want to so we can use our time well..we're also going to attend Mardi Gras that evening (Saturday) as we're going the weekend of Feb 26..here's a list of rides I've decided should be good, pls give advice

Saturday (Feb 26)
Universal Studios
MIB
Back to the Future
Shrek 4-D
Revenge of the Mummy
Jaws
T2
Earthquake
Twister

Sunday (Feb 27)
Islands of Adventures
Popeye (if it isn't cold)
Spider-Man
JP River Adv (if it isn't cold)
Dueling Dragon
the Hulk

 

[Immelman]

are you looking for an attack plan for the parks? you're going to be fine on sunday at IOA. if you want to shake things up, be there at opening and turn right. make your way to DD. there'll be no one there, ride repeatedly. if not, take a left and you'll be able to bang out hulk, spidey, BRB, and JPRA in an hour.

for US, get in line for shrek first, have someone run and get EP's for ROTM. head there and ride standby until it's time to use the EP's then skip Jaws and hit MIB. do MIB until your finger falls off, and then either back to jaws or BTTF. you can use EP's to fill in the rest.

 

[JessicaR]

I'm not so sure they will be fine at IOA on that Sunday. Thats winter recess in a whole lot of places.

 

[Foladar]

EP, does that cost money or is it like the kind you swipe your ticket and get a free express? I remember it _used_ to be like that, dunno how it works nowadays..so in US, hit Shrek, get EPs for Mummy & ride it til those EPs are good to go, skip Jaws, hit MIB for a few rides, BTTF, then Jaws..when does EPs work, all day? And how crowded will IOA be?

 

[Immelman]

EP's work almost exactly like FP's. they do tend to be 'sold out' faster than Disney. on the weekends if you want to have a good day, be at the front gate to both parks a half hour prior to opening. the gates tend to open early, and you'll be ahead of the curve. both parks are going to be busy both days, but you'll stay ahead of the pack. US draws crowds straight in, and IOA pulls crowds to the left. you'll be good.

 

[Foladar]

so EP / FP cost $$ yes? I know previously (maybe when it first came in) you could swipe your ticket and use one free express pass.

 

[Immelman]

FP's in short for fastpasses @ disney
EP's is short for Express passes @ universal

sorry for the abbreviations. the only express pass that costs money is the express plus pass, which is good for 1 trip into each attraction. and both parks have separate books. the basic express pass is the one you swipe your park ticket for, and are free all day until they're gone for that attraction.

 

[Foladar]

ah okies, wasn't sure how it worked, I thought the EP / FP was free The EPs/FPs work for a set time too yes? Thanks, still open to suggestions of course!

 

[Foladar]

How are these for approx's on our days?

Saturday:
Shrek 4D (Get EPs for Mummy)
Mummy (2x incl EP)
MIB (3x)
BTTF (2x)
T2 (EP?)
Earthquake (pending time)
Twister (pending time)
Jaws (pending time)

Sunday:
Hulk (2x)
Spiderman
JPRA
Popeye (2x)
Dueling Dragons (2x)

Comments and additions/fixing is great : ) Appreciate it!

 

[phamton]

Don't forget Horror Makeup show at Universal. It's great!

Also you may want to do Cat in the Hat at IoA.

 

[Immelman]

I'd add ripsaw falls to IOA. as far as an express pass for T2, we've never needed one, the theater is large. but if you don't want to wait 15 minutes prior to a show, I guess you could get one. same thing if you want to see Animal Planet Live!. you won't need an EP.

 

[Foladar]

Dudley Do Right is no fun anymore, I'm 6'1" and a bit chubby and it's rough for my legs to fit into the ride. I rode it twice with only friends on the ride, so I could push my legs up the bar to fit in .. lol

 

[robvia]

Saturday:
Shrek 4D (Get EPs for Mummy)
Mummy (2x incl EP)
MIB (3x)
XXX BTTF (2x) <---- Don't ride it. Move on to Jaws.
Jaws
Earthquake
Twister
T2 (EP is not needed).
ET
Kids playground area
Beatle Juice Show
Happy hour, start slamming drinks then head to a City Walk Restaurant at 4pm to beat the crowd.

Sunday:
Hulk (2x) First ride in the front seat. Get an express pass for noon.
Spiderman
Dr Doom (you can do it, you'll laugh after the first ride)
Dueling Dragons (Fire and Ice in the front row)
JPRA
Popeye (2x)
Rip Saw Falls.
Hulk (use your express pass)
Lunch

You'll be done by 1pm, then you can go back to do favorites.

 

[Foladar]

Saturday:
Shrek 4D (Get EPs for Mummy)
Mummy (2x incl EP)
MIB (3x)
BTTF (2x)
Jaws
Earthquake
Twister
T2 (EP is not needed)
head to a City Walk Restaurant at 4pm to beat the crowd. (for Mardi Gras?)

Sunday:
Hulk (2x) First ride in the front seat. Get an express pass for noon.
Spiderman
Dueling Dragons (Fire and Ice in the front row)
JPRA
Popeye (2x)
Hulk (use your express pass)
Lunch

--
ET is no longer fun, and we never enjoyed beetle juice. Dr Doom is one I highly dislike, and Rip Saw i don't fit into .. stinks being 6'1"+ .. BTTF is a family favorite ..

 

[robvia]

Well, then you've pretty much have it figured out.

Head to the happy hours at 4pm and you'll be set.

I'm sure you can go on all the rides you want in the morning, and then to favorites in the afternoon.

 

[Immelman]

you're looking good. take time for a few and you're set. but remember to be flexible.

 

[Foladar]

Do you think it will be too crowded? I know MGM has ESPN the Weekend that weekend, yay I'm going there too .. but how would Universal be that Saturday as for the rides / Mardi Gras crowd?