Questions...

[iluvwdw_2002]

Hello, Everyone!!

I have been to Universal Studios, but it has been six years. Too long!! I have not been to IOA.

So, my question is....are they two separate parks or one park divided into two sections? Can I purchase a one day pass and use it for both US and IOA? Can you hop between the two?

If not, then which would you recommend we go to since we only have one day to Universal?

Thanks!!!

 

[Flyfly_Eclipse]

Hi! They are two seperate parks, but are within a short walking distance to each other.

You can purchase a one-day/two-park pass for slightly more than the one-day/one-park pass. You can buy these tickets are either park's front gate OR at www.aaasouth.com (you don't have to be a AAA member to buy tickets from their site, I think).

You can "hop" between the two parks easily. Just keep your ticket and MAKE SURE to get your hand stamped when leaving the park.

 

[Gabriel&Nana]

Hi, Flyfly

I think that as a frequent visitor at USF and IOA, you coul help me ...

* I'll spend 17 days in Orlando, starting January 16th, and I'll get an Orlando Flex Ticket (14 consecutive days at USF, IOA, SW and Wet'n'Wild). Which days of the week are better to go to USF and IOA in order to avoid crowds ? I'm planning 2 days at Usf and 2/3 days at IOA.

* Are there parades at these parks ?

* Do they have lockers near the wet attractions (Popeye & Bluto's, JP River Adventure, and so on) for me to put my things before these rides ? How works the locker rental ?

* Can we go to these wet rides with slippers, to avoid wet shoes ?

Sorry for being too long, but as I'm coming from Brasil, and my english is not so fluent (as you can see ), I prefer to understand the rules before ...

Any help would be very appreciated !

 

[edie w]

Your English is brilliant!

Can't help with the busy times question - but FlyFly will!

There aren't any parades - or at least there weren't when we were there - but characters do visit from time to time e.g. Scooby Doo and the Mystery Machine at US, and all the Marvel Superheroes on quad bikes in IOA.

There are free (2 hour) lockers near the rollercoasters at IOA, but not near the water rides. The lockers work by using a fingerprint recognition system so they are pretty secure. The other lockers are at the entrances and you pay $7 or $10 for a large one for unlimited access all day. You make up your own 6 digit code, so again, pretty secure.

Popeye & Bluto's Bilge Rat Barges have a covered compartment in the middle of most of the barges. I've worn a bum-bag on Dudley Doright. It got very wet - should have wrapped it in a plastic bag first I think!

You can wear what you like on your feet - many people wear flip flops or water sandals.

 

[Gabriel&Nana]

After hearing that my english is brilliant, I'm feeling so much happy !!!

Thanks for your help !

I remember that l when went to IOA (2000), all in the Popeye's got soaked. But it was September and it was very hot.

I think that in January, we'll not feel fine using wet tennis.

Have a great time !!!

 

[highlander447]

Remember if u pay for a locker I think u can transfer locker hire to other park same day so long as u keep ticket at least I know we did in Disney but not so sure if we did at Universal

 

[Flyfly_Eclipse]

Popeye & Bluto's Bilge Rat Barges have a covered compartment in the middle of most of the barges.

I personally don't recommend this...usually things still get wet in the compartment...especially if people before you didn't need it and didn't bother to cover it up...leaving you with a lovely puddle of water inside.

Anyway, weekdays are usually the best time to go. I've found Thursdays to be great. Friday, Saturday and Sunday are the "busiest" though January should have pretty low crowds (I remember they had some special deal for Annual Pass Holders this past January. APH could get up to 3 Express Passes at a time BUT, the catch was...you didn't need them! Even MIB had a 5 minutes wait all day!). I say, mid-week would be best, however, Universal isn't usually as bad as IOA on the weekends...things just seem to get more crowded at IOA...possibly because the park is smaller (walkable area, at least)?

I think if you use the weekdays to go to IOA/US you'll be fine, but if you have to include a weekend in there, you shouldn't have too many problems at all.

Hope this helps you!

If you have any other questions, just let me know! (And I second that your English is VERY good! I took Spanish for 2 years and can never imagine ever becoming fluent in the language...)

 

[Gabriel&Nana]

I agree with you, FlyFly... I also think that this compartment is not water safe. When I went to AK Kali RIver Rapids, this compartment was full of water ... It would be so nice if they have lockers near wet attractions

Using your information, I'm trying to schedule IOA , MK, USF and MGM during weekdays and planning to go to SW and AK at the weekend.

Thanks a lot ! You were very kind !

Oh, and I have to tell you that I took English for 5 years , but what really improves my English is my Orlando vacations .

 

[highlander447]

Use a poncho for the middle of the raft wrap up your belongings and put in bin

 

[IMGONNABE40!]

I always carry plastic shopping bags in my fanny pack for the water rides. I put my fanny pack and other items in it and everything stays nice and dry. I have never put my shoes in it but I'm sure that would work fine--as long as the bag was large enough. I also like to carry a wash cloth or small towel to wipe up afterwards.

 

[Selina]

Not sure which airline you come in on - obviously my flight is from the UK - so fly "virgin" - each adult gets a plastic swim-type bag in the form of a rucksack filled with goodies. When I get to the hotel I empty them out and used them to put in my travel bag plus sandles, etc (they fold up really small and flat so easily fit into travel bag) - everything dry. Though I do remember one year being told you are not allowed to ride "bare feet" - so we all had to put our sandles back on!

 

[SpideyHulk24]

Have to agree about those compartments. Definitely rent a locker...at least for cameras and the like.

 

[the Dark Marauder]

You're supposed to keep shoes on at Popeye & Blutos. Once your raft has left the loading/unloading area and has moved into the rapids, shoes can come off, but you hafta be quick!

 

[Gabriel&Nana]

I'm still laughing figuring out me, my DH and my kids taking off our shoes in a hurry.

I think is better for us to carry plain rubber sandals and change it before wet rides. And I'm taking some plastic bags to carry things inside, too

Thanks a lot, all of you. This board (and the people here) is really nice !