UiA and US - Help with Plans for Spring Break Week

[Loth]

Hey, guys! I'm brazilian, new to this forum and next week I'll be in Orlando for the first time.

I know, I know, it's a terrible week to get to know the parks, but we do what we can. Anyway, I've got only 5 days in Orlando (March 11th-16th) and I'm planning to visit IoA on Wednesday (13th) and US on Friday (15th). I need some help in order to decide what my itinerary should be. I intend to arrive at the parks 1 hour prior to the opening (I'm staying off site).

At IoA the attractions I'd like to try are: HP and the FJ, Dragon Challenge, Spiderman, Hulk, Dr. Doom, Popeye & Bluto, Dudley Ripsaw, Jurassic Park River Adventure and Poseidon's Fury. I'm considering beginning at HP. Around what time would I be finished there? Is it better to go back to Marvel Island by Dr. Seuss immediatly after or do I go to Jurassic Park and Toon Lagoon first? Are Cat in the Hat and Sinbad and worthy of the wait line?

At US the attractions I'd like to try are: Mummy; MIB; Rip, Ride, Rockit; Simpsons; Shrek; Twister; Disaster; ET; Terminator; and Horror Make-Up Show. I don't know if Beetlejuice and Despicable Me are worth the big lines. Where do I begin? Shrek and Rip, Ride, Rockit? I've read that on Friday there'll be a Mardi Gras Parade in the park. Do all the attractions close after 7pm or 8pm because of that? To see the parade do I need to get out of the park and then back inside or the visitors stay in and are able to watch the whole thing?

Will I be able to do both these itineeraries on each of the days without Express Pass and get to know at least a little all the areas of the parks? Can I expect lines from 90 min or up for each of these attractions?

I'm 26yo, there will be no kids on the trip and my family and I are ok with riding single rider and intend to endure until the closure of the parks. But I don't think these factors are really that big of an advantage in such a crowded day... Are there any special tips to make through the crowds?

Sorry for the long text and the poor english. Any help counts! Thank you!

 

[macraven]

at the studios on the evening they have the mardi gras event, you can stay in the park without additional charge.

your park ticket allows you to stay for that special event.


you have a decent plan.
arrive early, utilize the express lines when available, etc.

pick up the park guide map when you enter for show times.
check at the front gate for any new closures of rides, changes of showtimes, etc.



i would study the lay out of each park at www.universalorlando.com so you will be aware of what direction of each area.
spring break will have lines but if parry hotter is your main draw, head there when the park opening and wait it out for the rides.
sometimes at the end of the evening, people have thinned out from that back section of the park and lines could lessen for potter.

eat at off times if you can.
many keep an eating schedule they are used to such as noon for lunch, 6:00 for dinner. lines will be greater during that time period.

hope all works out for you and you will be able to hit all the rides/shows that are on your list!