Should we go?

[MichaelaMouse]

Hi!!!
My husband and I are going to be in Orlando March 28 - April 4. We typically do an on-site, Disney only vacation.
This time, we're staying off-site and we'll have a car. So while we're still doing mostly Disney, I'd like to do 1 day at Universal. My husband's never been, and I haven't been since 2005.
I'm having a hard time convincing my husband we should go, for 2 main reasons: the cost (especially with the crap Canadian exchange rate), and he's not into thrill rides (I am).
So, I figured that 1 day 1 park tickets may be the best.
My questions:
What park would you recommend for us to do? (my husband loves super heroes, Transformers & The Simpsons - wish they were all in the same park!)
We're thinking to go March 29 or April 3 - will be need express passes? (More $$ )

 

[Penguinempress]

I would do Universal Studios as opposed to Islands of Adventure. I find there isn't much to do at Islands of Adventure, especially if your husband doesn't like thrill rides. At least US has shows (I really like the horror makeup show and the animal actors but there are others) and you can explore Diagon Alley. And you can see Springfield USA (which has lots of cool non-thrill ride related stuff) and you can meet the Transformers (I loved this, they were so cool!). I don't think there's much at either park he can ride if he really doesn't like thrill rides but at least he could do ET (I know people complain it's dated but it's such a classic, I still love it!)

 

[MichaelaMouse]

I would do Universal Studios as opposed to Islands of Adventure. I find there isn't much to do at Islands of Adventure, especially if your husband doesn't like thrill rides. At least US has shows (I really like the horror makeup show and the animal actors but there are others) and you can explore Diagon Alley. And you can see Springfield USA (which has lots of cool non-thrill ride related stuff) and you can meet the Transformers (I loved this, they were so cool!). I don't think there's much at either park he can ride if he really doesn't like thrill rides but at least he could do ET (I know people complain it's dated but it's such a classic, I still love it!)

I think he'd love the horror show, and ET! Thanks for the suggestion!

 

[wagman67]

I would do Universal Studios as opposed to Islands of Adventure. I find there isn't much to do at Islands of Adventure, especially if your husband doesn't like thrill rides. At least US has shows (I really like the horror makeup show and the animal actors but there are others) and you can explore Diagon Alley. And you can see Springfield USA (which has lots of cool non-thrill ride related stuff) and you can meet the Transformers (I loved this, they were so cool!). I don't think there's much at either park he can ride if he really doesn't like thrill rides but at least he could do ET (I know people complain it's dated but it's such a classic, I still love it!)

Yeah, if he is not into thrill rides, go the US route...the only three real thrill rides are RRR, Mummy and EFG...there are the couple shows mentioned already, Blues Bros, Celestina Warbeck, the characters out and about, parade, the Cinematic Spectatular (stay for it)...and, of course, the milder rides...Shrek, Minion Mayhem, Simpsons, Men in Black...and the Diagon Alley experience...those will keep you busy.

As for the Express Pass question, that is really going to depend on you...get to the park early and expect heavy crowds either day...once in, you can decide whether the wait times are too long...if so, get you an Express pass, if you want. Grab their mobile app to keep up with wait times.

 

[cassie58]

Most of the major rides also have single rider lines, as opposed to very few at Disney, so that can help with waits. Also, get the app as PP mentioned on your phone for map and wait times, to help navigate and make best use of time.

 

[MichaelaMouse]

Yeah, if he is not into thrill rides, go the US route...the only three real thrill rides are RRR, Mummy and EFG...there are the couple shows mentioned already, Blues Bros, Celestina Warbeck, the characters out and about, parade, the Cinematic Spectatular (stay for it)...and, of course, the milder rides...Shrek, Minion Mayhem, Simpsons, Men in Black...and the Diagon Alley experience...those will keep you busy.

As for the Express Pass question, that is really going to depend on you...get to the park early and expect heavy crowds either day...once in, you can decide whether the wait times are too long...if so, get you an Express pass, if you want. Grab their mobile app to keep up with wait times.

Thanks so much!! US definitely sounds like the way to go!!
I didn't know that we could get the Express Pass while we were there, I thought we had to buy it with our tickets ahead of time. Happy to hear this! I'll wait and see what crowds and lines are like that day.

 

[MichaelaMouse]

Most of the major rides also have single rider lines, as opposed to very few at Disney, so that can help with waits. Also, get the app as PP mentioned on your phone for map and wait times, to help navigate and make best use of time.

Good to know about the single rider lines, I hadn't even thought of that! Thanks!
Just downloaded the app too!