Thanks for all the tips!

[wb3690]

Hi!

We're heading to Universal/IOA this weekend and I have been pouring over tips/ideas/thoughts for a week. What's funny is that I seem to see repeating sentiment "when i went to WDW I planned like crazy and now I feel overwhelmed" because I feel like that too! I've done WDW several times with family and at the urging of my 14 year old we're going to Universal/IOA this time.

I'm not looking forward to Saturday/Sunday in the park, but my husband's job wouldn't let him have next week off when our school has spring break so we are going to drive down and squeeze a 2 day trip to the parks in.

We're staying in a hotel that allows us early entry to IOA so I am guessing we'll run back to WWOHP then. After that I'm at a loss of what to do next.......(see NO planning!). We'll have my husband, myself a 15 year old and a 7 year old. I think at some point we'll split up so the older ones can hit the big rides and I can do other rides with my 7 year old.....we'll see.

I think next time we do this we'll plan a bit more (this was VERY last minute) and have a higher budget and stay onsite so we can use the unlimited express passes. I am really wondering if the express plus passes are really worth it or not since you can only use them for each ride one time (am I correct in understanding that?)

Will 2 days give us enough time in the parks? I realize Saturday will be nutso. Sunday will be busy too I have a feeling since Florida schools are starting their spring breaks. (we're florida) Should I possibly buy express plus passes for ONE day? I don't think we can really afford two. This trip was a "hey I NEED to get out of the area for spring break, let's drive down to Orlando" type of trip so it has a lower budget than most of our other trips. (probably a mistake, but hey.....)

I think we'll get into the parks early, do WWOHP (olivanders if they want) and FJ then hogsmeade, the other rides and just enjoy it. Then we'll spread out....and if it seems crazy we can purchase the express passes or save them for a sunday purchase. Who knows (see bad planning!)

anyway I'm looking forward to the trip....the kids are excited....should be fun!

Amy

 

[anorman]

Hi!
We're staying in a hotel that allows us early entry to IOA so I am guessing we'll run back to WWOHP then. After that I'm at a loss of what to do next.......(see NO planning!). We'll have my husband, myself a 15 year old and a 7 year old. I think at some point we'll split up so the older ones can hit the big rides and I can do other rides with my 7 year old.....we'll see.

Amy

Sounds exciting! Don't discount the 7 year old and the big rides. Last year we went to Busch Gardens and Seaworld with my then 7 year old DD (and DD9) and we did all the big rides! She was just tall enough with her sneakers on......so long as they aren't high heel sneakers or flip flops then this seems to be acceptable. She did Sheikra, Montu, Kraken, Manta, and all the headliners and loved it! All I could hear when she got off each ride was, "Let's do it again!" and we did!

 

[macraven]

i know there are discounted ticket prices for floridian residents.
check the UO site for those costs or call and inquire.


saturdays will be busy.
all parks tend to bring in the crowds on that day.


do not buy the express pass in advance.
wait and see how the crowds are first.
the express pass plus is only valid once per ride.
it does not cover pflyers, FJ and riprocket.

you can buy the express pass once in the park at the major merch store located near the entrance or at guest services.

i suggest you go early and hit ollivanders early, then on to
FJ.
once the park is open to the general public, that area in parry hotter will be soon full.
if that happens, the tm's limit the number that can enter.
do everything in potterland first, then leave for the rest of IOA.

if you find that the lines are well over 30 minutes, consider buying the EPP.
that would be one way to handle crowd lines and give you more time to do all of the park.

if you buy a 2 day 2 park ticket, you can upgrade them to hoppers even if you are inside the park.
this upgrade can be done at guest services.

i hope your family has fun!

 

[LUVIOA]

It is still worth it to stay onsite. The Express Passes are unlimited for onsite hotel guests, but the ones you buy are only good for one ride. My kids like to do things over and over so it's worth every penny of the onsite hotels. Not to mention being able to go back and forth to the hotel so easily.

Have a great trip!

 

[Metro West]

I hope you have a great trip!

 

[wb3690]

It is still worth it to stay onsite. The Express Passes are unlimited for onsite hotel guests, but the ones you buy are only good for one ride. My kids like to do things over and over so it's worth every penny of the onsite hotels. Not to mention being able to go back and forth to the hotel so easily.

Have a great trip!

yeah. I think after talking to my friend about this very thing I'll do that next time.

We have the 2 day 2 park Florida passes........and we'll see how it goes with the Express Plus Passes (I was under the impression at first you could use them over and over, now I know!)

We'll have fun. We did WDW, SeaWorld last year in the summer and I swore I'd NEVER go back to sweat to death in the summer.

Thanks for all the good tips....you guys rock!