Should we do both parks?

[kristennn]

So - we're going to disney in late May and we're going to Universal for one day ... even though it is NOT a cost efficient thing to do. We're going for islands of adventure - we went there for one day last year and we LOVED it. We pretty much spent all day in the dr suess and marvel areas.
So we're going to do one day passes and we're going to get the express passes that are $20
It is only 5-6$ more per person to do a two park one day pass and only about $6 more per person to do a two park express pass.
So for $10-$12 more per person (there are 3 of us) we could do both parks.
My husband does thrill rides - but i do not - and my 4 year old daughter definetly does not. If we went to universal studio's My husband would ride the Mummy - we would go to the curious gerorge waterpark/fievel play area - and if it was appropriate we would ALL ride the simpson's ride - if it was not my husband and i would probably each ride it seperately. i am not sure if there is anything else we would do there - but I looked over the list and didn't really see anything that caught my eye.
Are there many characters at Universal Studios? Is Dora there or am I thinking of soemthing different?
Do you thik it's worth about $35 to have one person ride the mummy, 2-3 people ride the simpsons , 2 people play in the little park area 9 I am sure they have equally good park areas at IOA) and for us t have a look around 9we've never been there)
We are really borderline about it.

 

[Metro West]

I think you should do both parks to really enjoy yourselves. If you only have the day to spend at Universal, I would stick to your plan as the crowds will start coming in around that time for Memorial Day weekend. You wouldn't want to rush through both parks in one day unless you find the parks completely empty. You're right...it's not much more money to get the two park ticket so even if you rode a couple of things and walked around it might be worth it.

The Studios has plenty of photo ops with characters all over the park. I think I've seen Dora there...wouldn't swear to it though.

 

[mslclark]

I think you would find more to do than the 2 attractions. Your DD probably couldn't ride it, but your DH would probably love MIB. It's not a thrill ride, but it's so much fun! I've heard it described this way, and it's a perfect description - MIB is like Buzz Lightyear on steriods. I couldn't imagine visiting US without doing it. ET is a wonderful dark ride, it's so beautiful - a step above Peter Pan. Shrek's a 3D movie, and it has stationary seats if the movement isn't for your DD. Animal actors on parade is a fun little show to watch.

The last characters we saw at US were Shrek, Donkey, the Madagascar characters, and I think I've seen Dora pretty recently. I've seen Woody Woodpecker, Curious George, Sponge Bob too. Scooby Doo and Shaggy used to be around a lot, but I don't know if they are still there.

But on the other hand, if you really enjoy IOA then you could just stay there all day. But on the third hand, the Mummy is a really cool coaster. I guess I'm the wrong person to answer your question because I can't decide either!

I think it would depend on how much time you can spend in IOA. If you're done there in half a day, then I'd definitely give US a try. But if you're happy and occupied at IOA all day long, then you could save US for a longer visit.

 

[nerdboyrockstar]

It depends on what your daughter might like. It doesn't sound like too much of a price difference.

Do you think she'd like a Shrek 4D movie with motion/stationary seating?

A motion simulator with Jimmy Neutron, Spongebob Squarepants, and
The Fairly Oddparents?

The Animal Actors On Location show? A Day In The Park with Barney show?

E.T. Adventure is also a great dark ride for all ages.

I have seen Dora, Jimmy Neutron, Spongebob, Scooby Doo, Shrek, Donkey and Princess Fiona, Madagascar characters and others.

 

[wdwgypsy]

Not knowing how carved into stone your travel plans are I would personally do and have done this. Get the 7 day 2 park online tickets for $79 +tax and go back if you had the time. You have 7 days from the first day of use and can go to one or both parks unlimted times during that day.

But then again if you don't go back you are out the extra 15 a ticket.

 

[kristennn]

Not knowing how carved into stone your travel plans are I would personally do and have done this. Get the 7 day 2 park online tickets for $79 +tax and go back if you had the time. You have 7 days from the first day of use and can go to one or both parks unlimted times during that day.

But then again if you don't go back you are out the extra 15 a ticket.

I have to admit it drives me insane to know we could have 7 days of both parks for a few dollars more. I Do wish we had made our trip longer - but I know we won't have more time to visit universal. We're having a hard time fitting in everything we want to do at Disney.
If we really wanted to be pragmatic we would have skipped universal altogether - but when we were debating about doing the vacation at all - one of the qualifying factors for my husband was going to universal for a day. So even though we have disney tickets for every day we're there - we are buying the least cost effective universal tickets AND renting a car - and we'll have to pay parking and food seperately too.
I have to admit though i am just as excited to go to universal as I am to animal kingdom, epcott or Hollywood studios - maybe a little more than the last two - after all we're only devoting a half day to HS.
I am leaning towards doing both parks ... if only to check out a few attractions at US. There's a lot we haven't seen yet at IOA but a lot of it is because it's not even really age appropriate for my dd anyway.
One last question - I can't remmeber from when we were there last summer - Both parks ARE right next to each other right? How long does it take to get from one park to the other?

 

[BrownDalmatian]

So - we're going to disney in late May and we're going to Universal for one day ... even though it is NOT a cost efficient thing to do. We're going for islands of adventure - we went there for one day last year and we LOVED it. We pretty much spent all day in the dr suess and marvel areas.
So we're going to do one day passes and we're going to get the express passes that are $20
It is only 5-6$ more per person to do a two park one day pass and only about $6 more per person to do a two park express pass.
So for $10-$12 more per person (there are 3 of us) we could do both parks.
My husband does thrill rides - but i do not - and my 4 year old daughter definetly does not. If we went to universal studio's My husband would ride the Mummy - we would go to the curious gerorge waterpark/fievel play area - and if it was appropriate we would ALL ride the simpson's ride - if it was not my husband and i would probably each ride it seperately. i am not sure if there is anything else we would do there - but I looked over the list and didn't really see anything that caught my eye.
Are there many characters at Universal Studios? Is Dora there or am I thinking of soemthing different?
Do you thik it's worth about $35 to have one person ride the mummy, 2-3 people ride the simpsons , 2 people play in the little park area 9 I am sure they have equally good park areas at IOA) and for us t have a look around 9we've never been there)
We are really borderline about it.

Whether or not it's worth it depends on the person I guess. For me, I say it's well worth the extra $35 to do both parks. My only hesitation with that opinion however is the fact that you've only got one day and you're not staying onsite (no FOTL). It's going to be pretty difficult to see everything there is to see at both parks in one day this way. Your daughter could easily spend several hours in the US water area.

Oh yeah, and we saw Dora (and many other characters) at US when we were there this past Thursday.

So, I really want to say "yes, it's worth it," but I'm thinking you might feel a bit rushed. I personally always do both parks when we go for just one day, but since we live close by (and have annual passes) we don't mind skipping several things we've already seen and we also know how to get around the parks quickly.

Sorry, guess I'm not really answering your question very well! I guess I would say that if you don't mind getting there very early and don't mind skipping a few things then my answer is "yes." US has a lot to offer you and your family IMO.

Also, maybe your husband can hit the thrill rides (Hulk, DD, Mummy) while you and your daughter do other things (water area, meeting characters, ET, shows).

I have to admit it drives me insane to know we could have 7 days of both parks for a few dollars more. I Do wish we had made our trip longer - but I know we won't have more time to visit universal. We're having a hard time fitting in everything we want to do at Disney.

Part of me really wants to suggest you cut the Disney part of your trip 1-2 days shorter, get yourself 1-2 nights at a Universal on-site hotel and spend 2-3 days at US/IoA. I know that suggestion may not go over well though.

One last question - I can't remmeber from when we were there last summer - Both parks ARE right next to each other right? How long does it take to get from one park to the other?

Yes they're right next to each other. It only takes a few minutes to walk from one park to the next.