Questions for USO/IOA newbie

[tdonahue]

Family of 6 - Dw and I and 4 kids (7,9,12,13) will be making first USO/IOA visit October 6-8 M-W. A couple of questions:

1) Would crowds during this time of year even require use of the FOTL. Answer to that one will drive whether we stay onsite or off.

2) 9 and 13 year old will ride anything. No fear. 7 and 12 year olds are somewhat reluctant on scarier roller coasters etc and on top of that 7 year old is very petite and will push height restrictions. Also, I will ride anything, dw will not. Will we get as much enjoyment out of US and IOA with this in mind? Is kid swapping available?

3) AAA has a 2 day unlimited access with 3rd day free for $90 adults and $80 for kids. It looks like this is probably our best best. Any thoughts on better ticket offers.

4) Disney guide books were great in planning Disney visits especially with ride info in relation to height and ages. Are there similar guide books at the book stores for USO/IOA.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[h20jag]

Welcome here td!
Perfect days to go, crowds should be light enough that you shouldn't need lots of Express.
Kelly Monaghan posts here often and he's written the most informative book which covers everything. You could do a Search for him, or someone else here will surely direct you on how to get it.
That AAA deal sounds hard to beat, you could consider an upgrade while there. Universal is very fair on upgrades.

And keep reading here. Tons of info daily!

 

[ksdave]

td;
2. You should all have a great time. There are attractions for all levels of bravery. You may want to bring the two-way radios you can get at any Wal-Mart, etc. This will allow you to split up. While you and the 9 and 13 y/o's are on rides like Dueling Dragons and Hulk, your wife and other kids can be doing less-intense attractions. Once off, you can call them and plan a place to meet.
4. I bought Kelly Monaghan's book, "Universal Orlando: The Ultimate Guide to the Ultimate Theme Park Adventure" at a local Barnes and Noble here in Kansas. Check with your local bookstores to see if they have it. Otherwise, he has a website you can buy it through,
Kelly's Website .

Hope you have a great trip!!

 

[the Dark Marauder]

(1)Crowds will be very light. The free express you get in the parks will suffice, IMO.

(2)Child swap is available at almost every attraction in some form.

(3)Sounds like a great ticket option. 3 days is plenty.

(4)My book. Wait, I dont have one, so I'm gonna say Kelly Monghan's book, even if I've never read it.

 

[AlexandNessa]

With the 3-day/2 park pass, don't forget that there's a coupon in the Entertainment book for $10 in Universal bucks for up to 4 people. That's $40 for an in park lunch/dinner or souvenirs. PM me if you don't have a coupon. I have an extra, probably two.

Have a great trip!

 

[dorisdvu]

Originally posted by h20jag
Welcome here td!
Perfect days to go, crowds should be light enough that you shouldn't need lots of Express.
Kelly Monaghan posts here often and he's written the most informative book which covers everything. You could do a Search for him, or someone else here will surely direct you on how to get it.
That AAA deal sounds hard to beat, you could consider an upgrade while there. Universal is very fair on upgrades.

And keep reading here. Tons of info daily!

What type of upgrade is being referred to?


With the 3-day/2 park pass, don't forget that there's a coupon in the Entertainment book for $10 in Universal bucks for up to 4 people. That's $40 for an in park lunch/dinner or souvenirs. PM me if you don't have a coupon. I have an extra, probably two.

Which Entertainment book..FL or local? Let me make sure I understand...1 coupon for $10 that up to 4 people can use? So, if this coupon is presented for lunch/dinner, as long as there is at least 4 people on the bill, it will be discounted $40?

 

[AlexandNessa]

Doris, the coupon is in the Orlando book, but it may be in your local Entertainment book as well. You need to present the coupon at the front gate, and they will give you Universal Bucks (I think they're similar to Disney Dollars, but you don't get any change from Universal Bucks, if I remember correctly).

You can then use the coupon to get Universal Bucks for up to 4 people ($10 per adult, $7 per child, for a max of $40 in Universal Bucks if you have 4 adults).

Universal Bucks are redeemable toward the purchase of any food or merchandise at USF or IOA.

Hope that helps.

 

[dorisdvu]

Originally posted by AlexandNessa
Doris, the coupon is in the Orlando book, but it may be in your local Entertainment book as well. You need to present the coupon at the front gate, and they will give you Universal Bucks (I think they're similar to Disney Dollars, but you don't get any change from Universal Bucks, if I remember correctly).

You can then use the coupon to get Universal Bucks for up to 4 people ($10 per adult, $7 per child, for a max of $40 in Universal Bucks if you have 4 adults).

Universal Bucks are redeemable toward the purchase of any food or merchandise at USF or IOA.

Hope that helps.

Thank you so much for the info. I just purchased an Entertainment book a couple of days ago (waiting to receive) for my area (KY). I guess maybe I should have purchased one for Orlando.

 

[AlexandNessa]

I think it should be in your book for KY. If it's not and you're going before 12/31/03, I have one I can send you.

 

[dorisdvu]

Originally posted by AlexandNessa
I think it should be in your book for KY. If it's not and you're going before 12/31/03, I have one I can send you.

Thanks for the offer, but I'm going in March 2004. Hopefully, it will be in the KY issue.

 

[dorisdvu]

3) AAA has a 2 day unlimited access with 3rd day free for $90 adults and $80 for kids. It looks like this is probably our best best. Any thoughts on better ticket offers.

Originally posted by AlexandNessa
Doris, the coupon is in the Orlando book, but it may be in your local Entertainment book as well. You need to present the coupon at the front gate, and they will give you Universal Bucks (I think they're similar to Disney Dollars, but you don't get any change from Universal Bucks, if I remember correctly).

You can then use the coupon to get Universal Bucks for up to 4 people ($10 per adult, $7 per child, for a max of $40 in Universal Bucks if you have 4 adults).

Universal Bucks are redeemable toward the purchase of any food or merchandise at USF or IOA.

Hope that helps.

I just received my Entertainment book for KY. It does have the "Universal Bucks" tickets mentioned above. The ticket says that it is to be presented at the gate with FULL ticket admission. If tickets are purchase at AAA or any other advance ticket seller, can I use these?