Thinking of skipping US in favor of IOA...are we missing out?

[jkc0325]

I haven't been to Universal Studios since it opened. I went the month it opened it was LAME at that time. They had only a few rides and not much to do. I'm sure it's improved a lot since then but I have no idea what they've added.

My question is this: My kids are 7,9, and 11. I know they really want to check out Harry Potter as they are huge fans. To be honest, the price of tickets to both parks astounds me. For our family to visit both parks for one day is almost as expensive as the tickets for Disney for a full 7 days.

If we skip Universal and just go to IOA, are we really missing out?

Thanks!!

 

[Metro West]

I haven't been to Universal Studios since it opened. I went the month it opened it was LAME at that time. They had only a few rides and not much to do. I'm sure it's improved a lot since then but I have no idea what they've added.

My question is this: My kids are 7,9, and 11. I know they really want to check out Harry Potter as they are huge fans. To be honest, the price of tickets to both parks astounds me. For our family to visit both parks for one day is almost as expensive as the tickets for Disney for a full 7 days.

If we skip Universal and just go to IOA, are we really missing out?

Thanks!!

Theme parks tickets are cheaper the longer you stay and Disney are just as expensive for a single day. The Studios has some great attractions (The Simpsons, MIB, Revenge of the Mummy and the Rockit...to name a few) so I would say try to do both if you have time. However...if you only have the one day, stick with IOA since you wouldn't be able to do everything in both parks in a single day...especially if HP is high on your list of must do attractions.

 

[Planogirl]

I can only speak for us and we would miss out. We personally like the Studios better than IOA but that's just our taste. I agree though that if HP is of most importance, go to IOA!

 

[Bluer101]

I would say do both in 2 days. Its a lot cheaper to make one trip than to return later to see the other park. Or buy annual passes and make lots of trips.

 

[Bradsdadg]

We have been to both only once. I would def skip US over IOA. In fact we are planning on skipping US this summer in favor of IOA. Good luck!

 

[damo]

There are things at the Studios that we absolutely love. For us, we have to do both.

 

[LUVIOA]

Definitely have to do both. I can never decide which park i like best. The theming is amazing at IOA but there is more to do at the Studios. If there is a chance of rain that day you are way better off at the studios. Why not stay a couple of days to really get your money's worth. A 2 day ticket is not much more than a one day, and 7-day Disney tickets are over $1500 so i think it's safe to say that the Universal tickets are a steal.

 

[lamb616]

I haven't been to US in a long time (12 years) and if you thought it was lame before, you will probably be disappointed, lol. We just came back last week and I could not BELIEVE how lame it was. I will skip it from now on. Unless you're REALLY into those 3D rides (Simpsons, Shrek), there's not much else. I remember how awesome I used to think Jaws and ET was (I had gone to US numerous times during the 90s, before IoA opened. I was in my 20s) and this time I laughed at how fake and old fashioned they seemed. Sad. We were ready to be done by noon time but had to hang around because the first Mears pick up doesn't come 'til 3:00.

Anywho, that's my opinion. Still love IoA and the kids did too. Maybe you can get the 2 day and do 1.5 days at IoA and half day at US?

BTW, I've been meaning to start a thread about US -- not sure if it was just a particularly slow day (March 2nd) or if that's how it normally is, but US was D-E-A-D. It was like a ghost town! IDK how they can stay in business much longer if that was a normal day. The next day at IoA was much, much more crowded.

 

[Ratatosk]

DS7 prefered US -- Simpsons, Jimmy Neutron, MIB, ET, Woody Woodpecker, Shrek 4-D, Disaster. Went multiple times on all of those. We took 2 days. First day we spent left US 2 hours before closing and wandered over to IOA. Got right on the Hippogriph & FJ. Long line for Olivanders, so promised him the next day. The next day we went back to US and went on some rides, got to IOA -- Hippogriph, Olivanders & HJ and then he wanted to finish up his day back at US.

 

[Planogirl]

I haven't been to US in a long time (12 years) and if you thought it was lame before, you will probably be disappointed, lol. We just came back last week and I could not BELIEVE how lame it was. I will skip it from now on. Unless you're REALLY into those 3D rides (Simpsons, Shrek), there's not much else. I remember how awesome I used to think Jaws and ET was (I had gone to US numerous times during the 90s, before IoA opened. I was in my 20s) and this time I laughed at how fake and old fashioned they seemed. Sad. We were ready to be done by noon time but had to hang around because the first Mears pick up doesn't come 'til 3:00.

Anywho, that's my opinion. Still love IoA and the kids did too. Maybe you can get the 2 day and do 1.5 days at IoA and half day at US?

BTW, I've been meaning to start a thread about US -- not sure if it was just a particularly slow day (March 2nd) or if that's how it normally is, but US was D-E-A-D. It was like a ghost town! IDK how they can stay in business much longer if that was a normal day. The next day at IoA was much, much more crowded.

Universal also has two coasters and some shows and so on. There's a lot besides simulator rides and 3-d shows. Some of us actually even enjoy the more old style rides like Jaws and ET. To each their own.

Also, the Studios don't seem to usually get busy around midday. Why I don't know.

 

[jkc0325]

Thank so much for all the replies. I am LOL that ET is still around. I waited in line for over 90 minutes and was SO disappointed when I finally got on the ride. The highlight of my trip last time was Frankenstein attacking me as I walked along and my friend capturing a picture of it.

Of course, this time I am bringing my children so I more care about what they'll enjoy. I think I'm just going to bite the bullet and get the 2 park ticket to keep our options open. But, we are going in July and we only have the one day so I want to get the express tickets. For a family of five, that comes to over $800 for one day. Ouch. Our 7 days at Disney came to $1500. But DH really wants to see both parks.

 

[damo]

Studios definitely gets busier in the afternoon. I think people park hop. Mummy and Men in Black are hardly lame, lol. Shrek isn't lame, Jaws isn't lame, Terminator isn't lame, Horror Make-up Show isn't lame. Disaster isn't lame.

Twister is a bit lame and ET is a bit lame but classic.

 

[jkc0325]

None of those rides were in existence when I was at US last. I remember ET and Jaws and not much else. It was a huge waste of money. It's been almost 20 years so I'm sure they've added lots of stuff. I'm sure the park isn't lame now I just didn't really know what it has to offer now.

 

[Hug the Mouse]

You would be missing out. US is a lot of fun. Mummy, MIB, Disaster, Shrek, Neutron are all my kids faves. Anyone that tells you that it is "lame" is mis-leading you.

 

[Planogirl]

The Simpsons isn't lame either even though it's a simulator ride. We think it's a blast.

 

[Bradsdadg]

I wouldn't call them lame, it just depends on if you like the motion type rides or not. I get motion sick just thinking about them, lol. This is another reason I don't have a hard time skipping the park.

 

[lamb616]

You would be missing out. US is a lot of fun. Mummy, MIB, Disaster, Shrek, Neutron are all my kids faves. Anyone that tells you that it is "lame" is mis-leading you.

someone stating their opinion doesn't necessarily mean they are "misleading" people. OP asked for opinions, I gave mine. Sorry, I thought it was lame, what can I say? Even DH was like "uh......why did we come here?" Yes, Simpsons was cool but that was pretty much it. IMO Shrek didn't live up to the hype, and ET and Jaws were pretty boring (for me). Now why did they get rid of King Kong? That was one *awesome* ride! So as I said in my other post, it is *My opinion* that maybe OP get 2 day tickets but just do half a day at US and a day and a half at IOA. I think most people would agree IOA takes much longer to do than US, esp. if you're into the WWOHP

 

[Planogirl]

Did you try the Mummy's Revenge? I have to ask since that's my favorite themepark ride.

 

[jkc0325]

Thank you everyone for your help. To be clear, the biggest reason I felt the park was lame was that there were hardly any attractions open. The park was brand new and there wasn't much to it. I certainly didn't mean to insult anyone's taste in entertainment. At the time I remember saying "I'll come back when they add more stuff" and it's taken me this long to decide to go back. It sounds like they have added tons of stuff since I last visited.

It sounds to me like US is exactly what my 7yo would LOVE. IOA is exactly what my 9 and 11yo will love. I guess we're going with both parks.

 

[Mississippian]

To be honest, the price of tickets to both parks astounds me. For our family to visit both parks for one day is almost as expensive as the tickets for Disney for a full 7 days.

One-day tickets at both Disney and Universal are quite high in relation to longer tickets. The one-day Universal park hopper is $112 for an adult. The 7-day ticket is $174.99.

At Disney, a one Day park hopper is $136. A 7-day ticket is $301. So it seems to me the Universal tickets are much cheaper, and that the $112 isn't almost as expensive as a $301 Disney ticket.

Neither park makes it economical to come to Orlando wiith the idea of spending a couple of days at each place.