Should we do IOA first or 2nd?

[MOMMYMOUSEOF2]

We will be staying at Universal in the Royal Pacific from March 7-9. We will arrive late on the 7th, have all day in one of the parks on the 8th and go to the other park the following day. Our town car service is picking us up from our hotel on the 9th to go to Disney. I have 3 kids (ages 4, 7 and 10). They all love roller coasters and aren't scared of anything.

I am confused about which day to go to IOA and which one to go to US. Should we go to IOA all day on the 8th so we have a full day? Will it take a full day to see everything at both parks? Which park would take longer? Obviously, I would probably want to do the park that takes the longest on March 8 (the full day we are there). Please let me know your thoughts as to what that would be.

Thanks

 

[blackjack68]

Hmmm, probably would take the whole day for IOA.

Get to WW of Harry Potter for early hours and hit Ollivanders then Forbidden Journey. Then work the rest of the park. Do you have park-to-park tickets or one-park per day?

Just double check height restrictions for the kids. Several have 48" - 54" requirement. That way, there is no disappointment when they arrive.

My 9-year old is mad he cannot ride Dragon Challenge or Hulk yet.

 

[pixeegrl]

I voted before reading your post but in your case I would use the full day at IOA so you can get there for Early entry the morning of the 8th for Harry and visit it again that evening. You should easily be able to do Studios with the Express Hotel Pass on the 7th.

 

[MOMMYMOUSEOF2]

Thank you guys. That's what I was thinking too. The last time I was at Universal, there was no IOA, so I was not really sure.

 

[Metro West]

I'll go along with the others and say IOA.

 

[christophfam]

Defintely IOA, especially if your kids are excited about seeing WWOHP! I made the mistake after WWOHP opened to go to the Studio side first because we had a late arrival. My son pouted all afternoon in the Studios and just wanted to get over to IOA to see Harry! He didn't care that it would packed in the afternoon and if we would just wait until later in the day the crowds over at WWOHP would die down.