ugh, I just can't figure out my order

[wakica]

I'm getting SO frustrated trying to figure out the order I should do the rides at US and IOA.
If anyone has imput I would greatly appreciate it as it's just driving me insane.

I thought I had it somewhat figured out then read on universalexcitment.com that the following order is the longest lines to the shortest which of course means do it in this order b/c you want to get the potentially longest lines rides done first right?
However I've had other reccomend doing it a bit differently.

Here's the order on excitement in order of longest lines 1st.

US:
Mummy
MIB
Jaws
Earthquake
Twister
Jimmy Neutron
Shrek
T23D
ET

Now I've heard from others that Shrek has THEE longest lines so I just don't know what to do with this one???? I've also heard people say do Jim. Neut sooner as well or save it to very end???

IOA:
SpiderMan
Hulk
Dragons
Dr Doom
Ripsaw
Bilge Rat Barges
JP River adventure
Cat in the Hat

Now I've heard roller coasters 1st so do I do spidey 1st? or Dragons and Doom (we won't be doing Hulk).
Also, I've heard Cat In Hat can be done just before leaving fine b/c most little ones are then gone????? Also, Poseidon doesn't usually have long lines then? b/c it wasn't on this list.

Also, how long should I plan for each one the 1st week in November? We will not be getting express pass b/c I heard it's not usually too busy but what does that mean? 5 min. waits average? 10? 15? I have no clue. Will I be done that list by lunch? or do I have to do my last few on my list after lunch with the crowds?

Any help at all would be SSSOOOO appreciated.

 

[Metro West]

Calm down and relax.

The first week of November should be really slow especially during the week and the wait times should be minimal.

If you go to the Studios first, Shrek and Jimmy Neutron are right across from each other and easy to do both. From there, just make a lap around the park with Twister, ROTM, Earthquake, Jaws, MIB, ET, T23D and you're done.

Since you aren't doing Hulk, Dr. Doom is the next ride and then Spiderman. Continue through Toon Lagoon and onto Jurassic Park River Adventure. From there, you'll hit The Lost Continent with The Flying Unicorn and DD...this is the back of the park. And finally Seuss Landing.

For lunch, I would recommend Louie's at the Studios and either Thunder Falls Terrace (open seasonally) or The Enchanted Oak at IOA.

Here's the general rule about Universal...DO NOT do the Disney commando style of touring. Take your time, relax and enjoy both parks.

 

[phamton]

I second everything Metrowest said. That would be my order.

Plus, he is right about November being slow except for Thanksgiving weekend.

 

[wakica]

Ya, I tend to want to know exactly what I'm doing and when. Just worried that I might not be able to fit everything in.

So, minimal lines is like what.... 30 min. waits max? 5 to 10 average? Just wanting to gage it a bit.

Thanks so much for your suggestions too.

 

[Metro West]

Ya, I tend to want to know exactly what I'm doing and when. Just worried that I might not be able to fit everything in.

So, minimal lines is like what.... 30 min. waits max? 5 to 10 average? Just wanting to gage it a bit.

Thanks so much for your suggestions too.

I would say minimal lines for that time of year is anywhere from 10-20 mins...maybe 30 but I doubt if it would be any longer.

 

[wakica]

That sounds just about perfect to me. I can now just relax and trust that I will get it all done.
I do plan to be there earlier than opening time as well so I should be just fine.

Thanks again.

 

[robvia]

Sounds good. When you arrive before the opening time, everything works out.

A few people will argue they're on vacation and want to sleep in. I don't get it. If you've traveled from far away, and want to get on all the rides with no wait, you'd think people would wake up early. Yet most people arrive the gate at 11am. If they want to sleep in, why travel across the country to do it?

Waiting at the gate is actually fun and the excitement builds. At 08:30am the line will go past the ticket booths. The big advantage to being near the front, is you enter the park in the order you stand at the gate. There is no rope drop like they have at Disney. So let's say you're near the front. You can ride Hulk in the front, Hulk in the back, Spiderman, and Dr. Doom before others have even made it into the park.

Crowds will be light in November, but the arrive early thing is still good to do.

 

[F-L-A]

Erm... How 'bout doing the attractions as you get to them? That would seem like the logical thing to do, rather than running around the park because someone guessed which rides would have a longer wait at any given time. Commandos go to war, not vacation.

 

[patster734]

Erm... How 'bout doing the attractions as you get to them? That would seem like the logical thing to do, rather than running around the park because someone guessed which rides would have a longer wait at any given time. Commandos go to war, not vacation.

That's pretty much how we do it. If the wait is longer than we prefer, we'll skip it and catch it later in the day. The only exceptions are the shows (Beetlejuice, Fear Factor Live, Sinbad Stunt Show, etc.) because they aren't constantly running attractions.

 

[macraven]

if you are going the first week of november, hhn will be held on nov 1-2-3.

ioa will close at 6 and the studios will close at 5 pm


the parks should get crowded around 3ish in the afternoon.