Tip's Tip's I need your Tip's

[stahshee]

ok it is my first time going in 28 days . I am going with my dd2 dd4 dd8 dd12 and dh. so what should I hit first I have the 5 day pass for the 2 parks. Can I bring coolers in? What rides should we hit first. how are the evening croweds. please let me know all I need to know. I am staying in the days in main gate is that a good place. How is the trolly on I drive? please help!

 

[robvia]

Yes, you can bring in a soft sided cooler.
What to hit first is a big question mark, because of the ages of the kids. The 8 and 12 year old may make the height requirements of the big coasters. The little kids will want to stay in the play grounds for a long time. You may want to split up and set meeting places. The husband taking the older kids on the coasters, and you baby sit the smaller kids in the play grounds.

Visiting near the end of September is good, crowds are light, so if you go in the evening, things should be ok. Only thing is, the park closes early at 6 or 7pm, so your plan would be to arrive early at 8am, and then no one is there.

Haven't stayed at the Days Inn maingate, and most of the time, it's luck of the draw when it comes to getting a good room.

The trolley doesn't stop at Universal, but across Kirkman road in the TGIFridays parking lot, so I don't know if that will work for you. Renting a car is a good idea even if you have to pay for gas and parking fees. The convience far outweighs the costs.

 

[goofy!]

Have you looked into staying on-site during your time of stay? If you purchase one PAP (179.00 or 15.95 per month) you may be able to get the Royal Pacific with their APH promotion they are offering right now. $129.99 per night, 4th night free and kids eat free. Staying on site would allow you to just go back to the hotel when the kids are tired and will give you that coveted FOTL pass that is priceless. It might be worth it if you have to spend money daily on cabs or a rental car.

Personally, I would hate to try to cross Kirkman with the age of your children!

With little kids, it makes a vacation so much less stressful if you can stay onsite. It might be worth a glance at the Loews hotel site to see if it is doable. Just put in APH in the promotion code box.

Just another option.

 

[UniversalAddict]

robvia, Are you sure soft sided coolers are allowed? I seem to remember seeing a sign that said coolers were not allowed. I know bringing in a few small food items would be no problem but a whole cooler full? I don't know.

 

[mommi97]

Yes soft sided coolers are allowed, my sister was there the other day and was nervous about them not letting it in but they just asked her to open it to look inside and they sent them on their way.

 

[dcookies]

A few tips:

- Go early to hit the more popular rides. There's hardly any lines early in the morning. Decide which park you want to go to first, and get there first thing (unless you're staying on-site, then you can use Express, but I still like the early morning no-crowds time).

- Bring water. It can get hot, and it costs mega $ to buy at the parks.

- Bring your AAA or PAP, and don't forget to show it when buying or eating anything! 10% to 20% discounts.

- If you plan on any of the "wet" rides in IOA, bring a towel and consider a change of clothes, or bring a rain poncho. You can get really wet, and walking around the park in wet sneakers/jean shorts is not fun.

- Have fun!!!!