Thrown for an IoA Loop for May 2012 trip plan

[smellyia]

I need some serious recommendationss here....myself, DH and DD (2.5) will be going to WDW from 5/28-6/2. We are arriving late on 5/28 and WERE planning to leave after a character breakfast at our on 6/2 for a week on Amelia Island.

Now, I am a HUGE HP fan. Like I love the books, the movies, but most of all, I love the FANDOM. I have spent the last decade being active in the fandom and watched the creation of WWOHP along with millions of others with bated breaths. BUt....but, I planned this trip without IoA factored in because of DD (2.5).

This is our first vacation to Orlando and I was very concerned that IoA would be...wasteful? as part of the trip since it would be mostly to my benefit. However, while discussing our itinerary with DH today, he asked where WWOHP was. I told him it wasn't in the plan and maybe in a few years when DD was older. To my utter surprise, he put the gauntlet down and said we WOULD be going to WWOHP and in no way was I skipping something so integral to my inner nerd. (Yes, I am one of those who dressed up to every movie). I do so love this man.

So basically, it comes to this: how do I fit WWOHP/IoA into our schedule while factoring in the needs of DD (2.5)

My choices are as follows:

1. Change ADR on last day and leave resort first thingafter checking out on Sat 6/2 for IoA opening. Spend about half a day - would need to leave no later than 2pm to drive to Amelia Island. Experience WWOHP and maybe see some other sites (albeit briefly) in IoA - maybe Dr. Suess? I really hate to cut this so short

2. Pick a whole day from the week at WDW and move around one of my RD - maybe the Epcot day since we have multiple evenings planned there and can stagger FP's for Soarin' and Mission Space throughout the week. Go to IoA opening, see WWOHP and have whole day there (DD will have to nap in park and be a trooper which is entirely possible for her). This way maybe we can see more of the Islands and catch a few rides - seems to be the best bang for our buck and not as wasteful as only a half day trip.

Is there enough to do at IoA for parents with a 2.5yo? We aren't huge thrill seekers, but there are some interesting rides....should we get Park Hoppers? do they even have those *sheepishly begs* - what is express lines? Will WWOHP be overrun with early guests from US resorts???? I really don't want to have to switch hotels and lose a half day touring Orlando :/

I'm at a total loss.....

Help!

 

[macraven]

you don't want to do ioa on a saturday.

crowds and crowds and wait lines.

no express plus passes are valid for FJ ride.
(express plus passes are valid for each ride one time only.
it is park and date designated. they are not free, you must purchase them)

the shops will have lots of peeps in them by the time you get there on saturday. onsite hotel guests are allowed in to parry hotter and spiderman ride one hour prior to park opening.
Memorial weekend could have crowds.

if you have to do saturday, that wouldn't give you enough time to check out the parks. if you got into the park at opening, 9:00, and left at 2:00, you would need to stick with one park only.
for the 5 hours you have on that saturday to do the park, you might hesitate when it comes to the ticket prices.


i think tue, wed, thur are better days to go crowd wise.
and you could arrive 30 minutes prior to opening, wait in line at the gate and not find parry hotter ville packed.

the last few hours that the park is open has lighter crowds at parry hotter.
if you could be at the darkside all day, you could enjoy seeing that section thoroughly in the evening time.

you could go as a family or would your husband consider you going alone?
the mears shuttle can be booked at the hotel concierge at your disney resort.
it would be $19 + gratuity round trip per adult.
you are picked up at your motherland resort and dropped off at the darkside drop off point.

if you can't do it solo, then make it a family event.
bring the stoller.
you can use the child swap program for some of the rides.

seussland would be quite a bit of fun for all of you.
on the studio side, fieval playground, barney, animal actors on location show would also be things your child could enjoy.

 

[bumbershoot]

Your husband is a good person. :good vibes

I figure...if a 2.5 year old will have fun at Epcot, they'll have fun with you guys at IOW. Nice thing about Universal is that you do the "child swap" INSIDE the ride, unlike where you split up at WDW outside.


The Seuss area is lovely, there's a play area in the Pteranodon Flyers area (though she probably isn't big/old enough for that ride) that would probably be fun for her as long as you guys don't mind following her (ah, Camp Jurassic), and the Discovery Center also in Jurassic Park that she might have fun in.



Over at Universal park (I never know how to refer to it, LOL) there's the Fievel's Play area which has a little coaster (not sure of the minimum height req) and basically two water play areas (one Fievel themed and then further back, Curious George themed) and a ball play area (very very soft balls). My son is nearly 8 and he *could* spend hours back there if we had the patience; at under 3 I'm not sure we could have gotten him out!



Being such a big HP fan...ya gotta go. Bring extra money for your souvenirs.

 

[damo]

Storm Force Acceletron is also fun for the little ones. It is a teacup spinning ride. There is a ton of eye-candy at IOA and lots of character fun. Also lots of dinosaurs. My kids loved dinosaurs at that age.

I would do a bit of prep by getting out the Dr. Suess books and reading Cat in the Hat and If I ran the zoo and The Alphabet book. They'll help to introduce the characters and feelings of Dr. Suess.

 

[Planogirl]

If you go, make it a point to ride Spiderman and take the little one to the Jurassic Park area. Plus let the baby run around in toontown if you don't mind that they might get wet.

I agree that your DH is a great guy.

 

[smellyia]

you don't want to do ioa on a saturday.

crowds and crowds and wait lines.

no express plus passes are valid for FJ ride.
(express plus passes are valid for each ride one time only.
it is park and date designated. they are not free, you must purchase them)

the shops will have lots of peeps in them by the time you get there on saturday. onsite hotel guests are allowed in to parry hotter and spiderman ride one hour prior to park opening.
Memorial weekend could have crowds.

if you have to do saturday, that wouldn't give you enough time to check out the parks. if you got into the park at opening, 9:00, and left at 2:00, you would need to stick with one park only.
for the 5 hours you have on that saturday to do the park, you might hesitate when it comes to the ticket prices.


i think tue, wed, thur are better days to go crowd wise.
and you could arrive 30 minutes prior to opening, wait in line at the gate and not find parry hotter ville packed.

the last few hours that the park is open has lighter crowds at parry hotter.
if you could be at the darkside all day, you could enjoy seeing that section thoroughly in the evening time.

you could go as a family or would your husband consider you going alone?
the mears shuttle can be booked at the hotel concierge at your disney resort.
it would be $19 + gratuity round trip per adult.
you are picked up at your motherland resort and dropped off at the darkside drop off point.

if you can't do it solo, then make it a family event.
bring the stoller.
you can use the child swap program for some of the rides.

seussland would be quite a bit of fun for all of you.
on the studio side, fieval playground, barney, animal actors on location show would also be things your child could enjoy.

Your advice was immensely helpful this morning and we decided to move some plans around and hit IoA on Thursday 5/31 one park. FIngers crossed for a successful day and Butterbeer Bellies!

Thanks so much

 

[smellyia]

Your husband is a good person. :good vibes

I figure...if a 2.5 year old will have fun at Epcot, they'll have fun with you guys at IOW. Nice thing about Universal is that you do the "child swap" INSIDE the ride, unlike where you split up at WDW outside.


The Seuss area is lovely, there's a play area in the Pteranodon Flyers area (though she probably isn't big/old enough for that ride) that would probably be fun for her as long as you guys don't mind following her (ah, Camp Jurassic), and the Discovery Center also in Jurassic Park that she might have fun in.



Over at Universal park (I never know how to refer to it, LOL) there's the Fievel's Play area which has a little coaster (not sure of the minimum height req) and basically two water play areas (one Fievel themed and then further back, Curious George themed) and a ball play area (very very soft balls). My son is nearly 8 and he *could* spend hours back there if we had the patience; at under 3 I'm not sure we could have gotten him out!



Being such a big HP fan...ya gotta go. Bring extra money for your souvenirs.

I think we will focus on IoA - I checked out Fieval (I so used to have one of his dolls as a kid) and Curious George and although she would LOVE those, I think we might be pushing it....maybe just WWOHP, Suess and Jurassic for sure....although I'd love to hit some other islands if time allows. Thanks so much!

PS-I'm totally saving the pennies from my couponing for souvenirs....Hermione wand is MINE.

 

[smellyia]

Storm Force Acceletron is also fun for the little ones. It is a teacup spinning ride. There is a ton of eye-candy at IOA and lots of character fun. Also lots of dinosaurs. My kids loved dinosaurs at that age.

I would do a bit of prep by getting out the Dr. Suess books and reading Cat in the Hat and If I ran the zoo and The Alphabet book. They'll help to introduce the characters and feelings of Dr. Suess.

Thanks so much! I'm adding those to the list to research.

 

[smellyia]

If you go, make it a point to ride Spiderman and take the little one to the Jurassic Park area. Plus let the baby run around in toontown if you don't mind that they might get wet.

I agree that your DH is a great guy.

He is...that one him some serious leverage and I will have to remember this next time I complain about the dishes not being done when I get home

Thanks for the pointers...on the list to research!

 

[macraven]

you'll have fun!

if you get the souvenior mug for the butterbeer, you can get discounted refills with it. for butterbeer refills, at a decent price. just give the tm your mug and say fill er' up!
if you want to get refills of soda in the butterbeer mug, you can at a discounted price. .79

if you buy a mug in the park for soda (or refillable soda mug w/soda at the cs)
that mug is valid for your lifetime.
you can refills for .79 then.

you can't get refills of butterbeer in those soda mugs though.


last summer the discount price for refills in the already owned mugs went to $.79

right now that refill price is $.89.


and if you have the AAA card or AP, show it and get a 10% discount off of that discounted refill soda price.


(it's not that i am cheap but trying to help newbies save money along the way)

if you have the AAA card, show it everywhere.
you get 10% off of food and merch in the parks (carts excluded) and at city walk.

 

[macraven]

op, save some of those pennies for the penny machines.

they are in parry hotter ville and throughout the park for the other characters.

 

[smellyia]

I DO have AAA - and am gunning for one of those fancy schmancy Butterbeer mugs and probs a plain refillable mug for DH.

I have a feeling I may go broker at WWOHP than WDW.

 

[macraven]

I DO have AAA - and am gunning for one of those fancy schmancy Butterbeer mugs and probs a plain refillable mug for DH.

I have a feeling I may go broker at WWOHP than WDW.

if you enter 3 b's at the hogshead entrance, you can use the AAA card for a discount for the butterbeer. 10%

drink your BB in the souvie cup and then get him a refill in it to take with when you both are done there.

if you enter the 3B's by the main entrance, ask the TM to show you the direction to walk to hit the hogs head section.

that way you can look around and see what is in there.


the carts that sell butterbeer do not honor the ap or aaa for the discount.

besides, the lines at the cart are long.
inside by hh, it is not.

sit inside and watch the animal heads..........

 

[bumbershoot]

I have a feeling I may go broker at WWOHP than WDW.

That's what happens to us!

After posting I was reminded that there seems to be a play area over near the Bluto Bilgerat Barges, called "Me Ship The Olive" or something like that. We haven't been to it yet, but I *think* it's a play area. Might be fun for the wee one as well.



Things we got in Wizarding World....DS got robes (be glad your kidlet is still too little, since they are $100), he and I got lanyards in house colors, all three of us got scarves during our first trip in Dec '10 when it was FREEZING (quite literally)...3 souvenir Butterbeer mugs for us (plus another so hubby can have one at work) plus 2 more for my brother and sis in law....so far hubby and son have two wands each and are annoyed with me that I don't want one... And that's just what I recall right at the moment.

Rock cakes at Honeydukes are tasty, like scones with nummy spices, and while most of the candy there is off limits for us (DH and DS have to avoid corn syrup products and we avoid colorings when possible) we've gotten chocolate there and bought a box of Bertie Bott's Beans (took out the jelly bellies and put in Trader Joes "safe" jellybeans)....it goes on and on....


At Disneyland/WDW, apart from sweatshirts for hubby, we aren't huge souvenir buyers...but at Universal we lose our minds compared to how we normally are. (and once hubby and I are closer to our goal weights it's going to get SO much worse, LOL)

If you'd like a bit of a hint of the merchandise (as well as a place to buy things that you might miss at the parks), look here.

 

[ChristineOH]

I don't know if you and hubby want to stay together the whole time or not, but we went last June on a Thursday. When the "rope dropped", they pretty much herd the crowd over to HPFJ. DH, DS, and DD headed there. I took my other DS (too short, age 4) to the Dr. Seuss area after renting a stroller and there was NO ONE else there. It was almost creepy! We rode all the rides and FoH (which he was tall enough for- yay!) and finished up about the same time as the rest of the family. We met them at WWoHP and explored there a bit, but it was crowded. (But not wait two hours to get in crowded, like I hear it can be!) If you want to stay together as a family though, the Seuss area will be fine later too... just not walk on ride empty!
I think you already recognize that Universal isn't aimed at toddlers the way WDW is, but if you are a huge HP fan, you should go. I'm not a HP fanatic, and even I found it to be awesome. And the Spiderman ride is one of the coolest rides ever! Maybe try to do that one single rider line and swap? Enjoy!

 

[smellyia]

That's what happens to us!

After posting I was reminded that there seems to be a play area over near the Bluto Bilgerat Barges, called "Me Ship The Olive" or something like that. We haven't been to it yet, but I *think* it's a play area. Might be fun for the wee one as well.



Things we got in Wizarding World....DS got robes (be glad your kidlet is still too little, since they are $100), he and I got lanyards in house colors, all three of us got scarves during our first trip in Dec '10 when it was FREEZING (quite literally)...3 souvenir Butterbeer mugs for us (plus another so hubby can have one at work) plus 2 more for my brother and sis in law....so far hubby and son have two wands each and are annoyed with me that I don't want one... And that's just what I recall right at the moment.

Rock cakes at Honeydukes are tasty, like scones with nummy spices, and while most of the candy there is off limits for us (DH and DS have to avoid corn syrup products and we avoid colorings when possible) we've gotten chocolate there and bought a box of Bertie Bott's Beans (took out the jelly bellies and put in Trader Joes "safe" jellybeans)....it goes on and on....


At Disneyland/WDW, apart from sweatshirts for hubby, we aren't huge souvenir buyers...but at Universal we lose our minds compared to how we normally are. (and once hubby and I are closer to our goal weights it's going to get SO much worse, LOL)

If you'd like a bit of a hint of the merchandise (as well as a place to buy things that you might miss at the parks), look here.

Your link kept me busy (slacking) for half the morning. I am for sure in for a Hermione wand, Butterbeer mug and I love lanyards for no real reason....also, I read somewhere that you can purchase HP stationary at the Owlery - which I require.

I def could not handle the robes at $100 but what a clever marketing (coughPRICEGOUGINGcough) device...*sarcasm*... as your children see they are available and that their trip could not possibly be complete without robes!

I wonder if there is a thread dedicated to the souvenirs - that'd be a great way to start a "plan" of attack on the famously congested shops and cut down on time.

 

[smellyia]

I don't know if you and hubby want to stay together the whole time or not, but we went last June on a Thursday. When the "rope dropped", they pretty much herd the crowd over to HPFJ. DH, DS, and DD headed there. I took my other DS (too short, age 4) to the Dr. Seuss area after renting a stroller and there was NO ONE else there. It was almost creepy! We rode all the rides and FoH (which he was tall enough for- yay!) and finished up about the same time as the rest of the family. We met them at WWoHP and explored there a bit, but it was crowded. (But not wait two hours to get in crowded, like I hear it can be!) If you want to stay together as a family though, the Seuss area will be fine later too... just not walk on ride empty!
I think you already recognize that Universal isn't aimed at toddlers the way WDW is, but if you are a huge HP fan, you should go. I'm not a HP fanatic, and even I found it to be awesome. And the Spiderman ride is one of the coolest rides ever! Maybe try to do that one single rider line and swap? Enjoy!

DH and I both really want to see WWOHP and specifically ride FJ - we will skip Ollivander's (saw the youtube and was unimpressed), FoH and Dueling Dragons (not coaster people). We'd like to see a couple shops and the scenery in general, take pics, get Butterbeers and maybe even grab a bite if timing/lines allow.

Then we'd both like to do Spiderman which is the only HL ride aside from FJ we are both into...so plan is this and tell me what you think (I'm still working out logistics):

RD
WWOHP-FJ
WWOHP-shops/butterbeer
Spiderman (scared this is too late here :/ and line will be crazy by 11)
Suess land

The only hiccup may be if DH loses his mind and wants to go on the Hulk (sans DH) - I am thinking he can go Single Rider then while DD and I play in Suess.

All rides we will be technically single riders with swapping out DD.

Questions?
Is it possible to go through Single Rider line AND do child swap (thinking this may solve my late arrival issue at Spiderman)?
What is the downside of doing that at FJ?
Do I have to lock up belongings if we are doing child swap at FJ & Spiderman and one of us can hold items in wait room?