Sept.- Can both parks be done in one day?

[dopeyluvsgrumpy]

Hi there. We have booked a disney vacation for the middle of Sept. and have decided that we want to visit Universal while we're in the area. Does anyone know what the crowds are like during this time and if it is possible to fit both parks into a one day visit.....one day is all we have free during this trip

 

[DIZNUT57]

Not if you want to see everything and have a really enjoyable time.

 

[robvia]

Welcome aboard. Crowds are very light in September. Yes, it can be done if you show up at 8am. Start with IOA, take a lap going clockwise. Skip Popeye and Rip Saw Falls. You can ride JPRA in the back row. The IOA thrill ride tour takes about 2-3 hours, then head over to the Studios.

 

[damo]

I don't believe you can do all the attractions at both parks in one day, but you can do the highlights.

 

[SusanDK]

Skip Popeye and Rip Saw Falls.

Robvia, why do you recommend skipping these? I think they're two of the best rides at IOA, if you don't mind getting wet.

To the OP - keep in mind that the parks will probably close fairly early in September, so you definitely want to go early and have a plan for what you absolutely want to see. Even with low crowds, many of the shows at Universal are going to consume a bit of time just because of the duration of the shows (Fear Factor, Horror Makeup Show, Terminator, Animal Actors, Beetlejuice, etc.), many of which are 20-30 minutes or more each. But they're all a lot of fun so be sure to schedule at least some of them.

Are you more interested in riding the thrill rides, seeing shows, a combination of both?

Susan

 

[dopeyluvsgrumpy]

Thanks everybody. It will be myself, DH, DS4 and grandma going. Basically we are going because DH likes the thrill rides and doesn't get much of this at Disney. DS is also a superhero fantic. We would love to get a little taste of everything especially from things that aren't offered at disney. DS4 is very tall for his age, but won't meet the requirements of all the bigger thrill rides. Does anyone know if Universal offers the kid swap like at Disney?

 

[damo]

Thanks everybody. It will be myself, DH, DS4 and grandma going. Basically we are going because DH likes the thrill rides and doesn't get much of this at Disney. DS is also a superhero fantic. We would love to get a little taste of everything especially from things that aren't offered at disney. DS4 is very tall for his age, but won't meet the requirements of all the bigger thrill rides. Does anyone know if Universal offers the kid swap like at Disney?

Yes, there is a kid swap for all rides that have a height restriction.

 

[therealgoofy]

Welcome aboard. Crowds are very light in September. Yes, it can be done if you show up at 8am. Start with IOA, take a lap going clockwise. Skip Popeye and Rip Saw Falls. You can ride JPRA in the back row. The IOA thrill ride tour takes about 2-3 hours, then head over to the Studios.

We did this in Sept 2003 and easily did both parks in one day. We even rode several rides twice. The key is getting there early. I can't think of anything that we weren't able to do and were still done before the evening.

 

[robvia]

Why skip Popeye and Rip Saw Falls? Because you'll get soaked. On Rip Saw Falls your upper body is guaranteed to get soaked. On Popeye there's a chance you'll get drenched like taking a shower. After a few hours of wearing a wet shirt, it causes a skin rash. If your shoes and socks get wet, forget it.

I tell people to put their shoes and socks in the middle compartment on Popeye, but who knows how many remember that once they get in the raft.

If you're staying onsite and going back to the hotel room in the afternoon, great, get soaked. Otherwise it makes for a very uncomfortable afternoon.

If someone really wants to ride Popeye and Rip Saw Falls, then I'd recommend bringing a change of cloths, and putting it in a locker at the front of the park. They're located to the left as you enter IOA. The locker would be good for the entire day, just remember to get your hand stamped.

 

[PlutoLuvr]

Aww, heck, Popeye's ride is one of the few rides at IOA that non thrill ride people can enjoy.

September is always a definite week we do USO/IOA (we own a timeshare around a corner and Sept.'s our week). Popeye can absolutely be done with no rash and no chaffing on the thigh. It can be done over and over and over

Wear cotton clothes, light shorts and shirt -- no denim. Don't wear socks and sneakers. Have rubbery flip flops or crocs or something. Socks and sneakers in September heat with afternoon thunderstorms is a bad idea, IMO, anyway. Bring a poncho you paid $0.50 for at your local Dollar Store back home. Save Popeye for last, put on your poncho right before you get on the ride, and make sure your butt, front and back, is protected with the poncho. September is so dead with crowds, more than likely, the TM will let you just stay on the ride when you're done, so you won't have to keep re-adjusting the poncho.

You will get off Popeye 80-90 percent dry. With heat indeces in the 110-120 range -- remember, Orlando isn't coastal and doesn't get the seabreezes other parts of FL do -- a splash or two on your neck and legs will be wonderful.

My mom and I can't do thrill rides, and there's no way we'd ever give up Popeye. It's the one ride we can do 20 times in a row! With a poncho and the right shoes, it's not a problem at all. Your feet, shins and neck are dried by the time you walk to Marvel Island or JP.

Oh ... donate the poncho when you're finally done! They sell them at the park for like eight bucks. We just returned from a trip to O-Town, and every time we were done with our ponchos, a family asked for them. Worked out great.