Sudden trip to Islands of Adventure

[cat_herder]

Greeting,
I'm in need of some help from some kind strangers.

Today my husband announced that we will be going to Islands of Adventure this coming weekend Feb. 22, 2014 for my birthday. (Talk about last minute planning- LOL). We will be at the park one day only. It is a 3 hour drive for us but we haven't been there in over 14 years because we have just been going to Disney every year.

The plan is to drive down Friday night after my husband gets off from work at 3pm. Stay the night in Orlando and get an early start at Islands of Adventure on Saturday. We will stay Saturday night as well and do some non-park things on Sunday then drive home Sunday night. Just a short quick birthday surprise trip but I've really excited about seeing the World of Harry Potter area for the first time.

I've had really good luck reading DIS for our Disney trips and have the Disney tips and help advice in a file on the computer but since we haven't done Islands of Adventure in so long I have nothing for that park.

I've been reading this section of the forum since he told me a few hours ago about the trip. But I know I won't have enough time to read it all. So I'm asking if I could get some help from some kind strangers who know about that park: Some thread URL or links?

We are an older couple 52 & 53 with a couple of health issues. We will have no children with us. I will be in mobile scooter due to hip trouble. I can walk short distance with little trouble but not long distances, I will have a cane as well. We have had good luck with the scooter at Disney but I don't know how it will be at Islands of Adventure. Does anyone have any advice I should know about that?

Are there certain things that are "must see" at the park since I doubt we will get to see everything?

Does the park give out free water like Disney does?

Are there certain times that are better for certain activities over other times?

Can I take a backpack on the back of my scooter to carry sweaters & etc?

Can you carry in your own snacks like Disney?

Disney gives out a Birthday Button, do they do that at IoA?

Years ago we bought the large souvenir cup with free soda refills that looked like the Lighthouse, is that still good now?

What else should I know?

Thank you in advance for the help.

 

[tweak89]

We are an older couple 52 & 53 with a couple of health issues. We will have no children with us. I will be in mobile scooter due to hip trouble. I can walk short distance with little trouble but not long distances, I will have a cane as well. We have had good luck with the scooter at Disney but I don't know how it will be at Islands of Adventure. Does anyone have any advice I should know about that? I would see if you qualify for an Assistance Pass more info here.

Are there certain things that are "must see" at the park since I doubt we will get to see everything? Since Hogsmeade (Harry Pooter area) is high on your list, I would strongly consider staying at one of the Resorts to gain early entry as well as unlimited Express Pass access. If that is not possible, staying at one of the many partner hotels gains you early access to the Potter area as well, but no express pass. Info on partner hotels here. Info on onsite resorts here.

Does the park give out free water like Disney does? No. UPDATE: Yes!

Are there certain times that are better for certain activities over other times?
The biggest thing you have to plan for is the Hogsmeade (Harry Potter) area. You either do it first or last. This is a moot point, though, if you stay at an onsite resort or partner hotel as earlier suggested. You will be there on a Mardis Gras event day (over at Studios) so this could affect the crowd to your benefit as people move to that park towards the evening for the parade and concert.
Can I take a backpack on the back of my scooter to carry sweaters & etc?
Yes, you can bring in a pack. But, the rides at IoA are not backpack friendly and you will either have to leave it on your scooter or us a free ride locker.

Can you carry in your own snacks like Disney?Yes. See here for more info.

Disney gives out a Birthday Button, do they do that at IoA? Not that I am aware of. UPDATE: Yes

Years ago we bought the large souvenir cup with free soda refills that looked like the Lighthouse, is that still good now? You can buy refillable cups in the park

What else should I know?
Actually 0rlando 1nformer is a great source of information, google it and read up, a ton of useful information there.

Thank you in advance for the help.

 

[damo]

Can you do a two park pass and do the highlights of both parks or are you limited to just doing IOA?

There would be more things for you if you chose to do both parks.


Oh and yes there is a birthday button. Just stop at guest services.

And yes they do give out free water. Also, if you have your own cup or thermos, you can get free water at the freestyle coke machines.

If your refillable cup was from Universal, you should still be able to get the discount on the refills but refills are not free.

If you book a package from www.universalorlando.com at an offsite hotel, you will get the hour of early admission which is a big plus for Hogsmeade. You do not get early admission by just staying at an offsite hotel...you must purchase a package of tickets and accommodation for that to happen.

 

[tweak89]

Can you do a two park pass and do the highlights of both parks or are you limited to just doing IOA?

There would be more things for you if you chose to do both parks.


Oh and yes there is a birthday button. Just stop at guest services.

And yes they do give out free water. Also, if you have your own cup or thermos, you can get free water at the freestyle coke machines.

I stand corrected on two counts!! That's good to know on both issues.

I would think with mobility issues and the Mardis Gras crowds that may be too much work.

 

[snitchseeker]

Happy Birthday!!

I'm heading there this weekend too!

Keep up to date at 0rland0inf0rmer (dot) com ! To grab a birthday button, go to guest services after you get inside! It's on the right once you get past the gates!

I would suggest going to the Harry Potter area in the afternoon/evening. The party will be over at Universal Studios and people will be lining up for the Robin Thicke concert!

Have fun and good luck!

P.S. Three Broomsticks (Harry Potter area) is great for a early/late lunch or late dinner or Mythos in Islands of Adventure but make a reservation at opentable.com or at the resturant early! and don't forget BUTTERBEER!

 

[Step]

3 days here for me! We'll be on the Universal side, which will probably get crowded as the mardi gras event approaches later that day. Crowd levels will drop a lot if you can go this sunday instead of saturday. (like 5/10 down to 2/10)

I'm not sure if you can get a 1 night package to get the early entry with an offsite hotel? I know if you stay at one of the main three hotels for one night (room only) you can get early entry and express pass.

 

[RAPstar]

Just wanted to put a disclaimer that the early entry for the partner hotels is only if you book them through a Universal package. Otherwise, it's not even listed on the regular benefits for the partner hotels.

 

[Schmeck]

The stores in Harry-land are not scooter friendly - so be prepared to use your cane in there. We saw many scooter/display accidents in the shops. The scooter takes up the entire aisle, and so you can get stuck in one area too, and not be able to get turned about.

The Forbidden journey is pretty rough - you may want to see if there are any videos on YouTube to give you an idea if you can handle the jostling, sharp turns, sudden stops, etc. There should be a list of warnings on their website too. You used to be able to tour the castle even if you didn't ride though.

To be honest, if you're only going down for Harry, I'd postpone the trip until after the second area is open. But if you plan on touring around a bit, some parts of the Islands are gorgeous, some parts are just downright tacky. You might even like the Seuss area. DD19 and I rode a couple of the attractions there and they were cute.

 

[cat_herder]

Thanks so much for the help. I knew I could count on DISers.

Yes, we plan to see the full IoA park. I don't know about the hotel my husband is surprising me.

I can walk through the shops now since I can walk short distances without the scooter. Without the scooter I would be done with a park (and the whole day) in less then an hour if I had to walk it.

About 15 years ago we had to actually leave a park in the late morning due to my back given out (before the scooter - which was actually a gift from my father-in-law). We had been there about 2.5 hours and - pow - my hip freeze up I literally couldn't move my left leg and my husband had to carry me to a bench so I could rest for about 2 hours and then I could walk out of the park. It was the worst ever day of my life- I thought I would never walk at all.

Short story: Many trips to the doctor, lots of x-rays, MRIs, pain pills, surgery, and physical theory later and I can walk around the house pretty well but long distances is out. The grocery store tires me out.

I was scared to go to the scooter at first thinking I would never get to go anywhere then I realized that I was going nowhere now by just staying home to avoid the pain in my hip and back. But the scooter actually allows me to go places I couldn't before. It saves my strength between rides or shows so I can use all my strength for that.

True, I never get front row looking at any displays because everyone pushes forward and I have to look at their rear-ends. (I should take photos of that) LOL, but my husband is really good at taking care of me so we kind of stand back and let the kids and others push up and with luck I can see the display last in my group and before the next group comes along.

I'm really grateful for my life now, thanks to the doctors and the love and care of my husband.

Dianne

 

[damo]

Dianne, are you able to ride rougher rides? Most of the rides at IOA are quite rough.

 

[cat_herder]

Dianne, are you able to ride rougher rides? Most of the rides at IOA are quite rough.

Yes, I'm actually in better shape now then a few years ago. I've lost some weight and am doing my exercises regularly to strengthen my core. If I find that I have to skip a ride I will still be happy to be there and have time with my husband.

Thanks for asking.

Oh, and I just wormed the hotel name from my husband "Westgate Town Center", it looks pretty nice to me. Any reviews?

 

[lilipad64]

Happy Birthday Dianne. I hope you have a wonderful time. We're also booked for the Westgate Towers in March, so i'd be interested to see how it is. Have a fun trip!