Universal - how long do I need?

[tentaguasu]

I did AK and MGM each in a day. I needed 2 days each for MK and Epcot.

At that "touring pace" how long should I budget for my next trip to comfortably do Universal Studios + Islands of Adventure?

Also, how painful is it to not have a fastpass option?

Thanks!!

 

[Dan Murphy]

I typically spend one day total, for both the parks. Keep in mind, I do not do the coasters there. I think most people would enjoy two days though, one for each park.

 

[spincandy]

DBF and I manage to do Universal in a day at a comfortable pace- but this is with Universal's version of Fastpass. We see all the major rides (except the Mummy due to health restrictions), have about an hour for lunch. We're probably in there for 8am and out of there for 5pm. I think it would be a bit of a rush if you wanted to get ALL the rides in in one day without FP. It also take us 2 days to do MK and EPCOT properly. IMO, if you can afford the extra outlay for FP- do it.

(When I used to go with my parents, as a party of four, we also managed to do it in a day. But this is with FP and my father who is a real fast-paced bush leader )

Sorry, can't help you on IOA- we don't go because we feel we wouldn't get the benefit being banned from coasters.. but I've heard it's similar to US.

HTH!

 

[Todd&Copper]

Last time I went to US it was in late August of '06, I only went to US not IOA and I went on every ride once, MIB, Mummy, Shrek twice. I wasn't interested in the Beetlejuice show or the animal show, so I skipped them. I also was not traveling with any kids so we didn't have to waste time letting them play on essentially jungle gym equipment at the Playland or whatever it is called. I think it is entirely possible to do US and IOA in one day each and see everyhting.

 

[pooch]

a good solid day each, maybe a little longer in IOA and a little shorter in US. We love these parks and the coasters are fabulous, especially Spiderman. Yes, I am a devoted WDW fan but US blows DHS away IMHO and IOA has thrill rides that don't exist in the different mind-set that is my beloved Disney. I think the 2 complement each other very well for theme parks that have something for everyone and every taste in the Orlando area.

On the girls only trips, we never leave WDW property but when the guys join us, we always hit US/IOA!!!

 

[magicalfoursome]

I would allow for a day each at US and IA. Of course it is dependent on what time of year you go and the hours the parks are open. We stayed on property- the Royal Pacific is beautiful!- so we had axcess to the preferred line. It was awesome! We went the day after Thanksgiving and it was crowded but we got to go in the express lane for the rides and had short waits! We got spoiled because we REALLY missed that perk at WDW. US and IA are so much fun and worth going to but my heart still belongs to Mickey!!

 

[stacym]

We did IOA in one day and rode many attractions numerous times. Of course, the park was not very crowded that day.

On our next trip, we plan on buying the one day/two park pass and see how that goes. There are rides we love at both so this sounds like a great option!

 

[tim17]

Both parks require a day each to see and do everything - PROVIDED you have the US/IOA equivalent of FP. Without FP's the wait times for the popular rides will be long. If you have the time US are doing a great deal at the moment. For $89.99 plus tax you can have 7 days unlimited access to both parks which is not much more than their daily FP inclusive rate.

Our kids (all teenagers) love both parks, but if you're not into coasters IOA might be a waste of time.

 

[Darcy03231]

We were there in August 2007. We got there when the parks opened and there were virtually no lines until about 11 am. At that time the lines started forming (about 20 min). By noon they were at 30-40 min. By 1 they were over an hour for the major attractions. I would say that you would need at least a full day for each park. Because we were there in August we found we were ready to leave by about 1-2 each day due to the heat (we were also there for 16 days so we had plenty of time to see/do everything). Some days we went back at night (5-6 pm) when it got a bit cooler. Lines at night didn't seem to be as bad (35 min for Spiderman at 6 pm). We stayed offsite so we didn't have the express passes. If I were there for a limited period of time during peak season I would stay one night on site to get the express passes for two days. You could definitely see/do everything in both parks in two days (and most likely ride your favorites more than once) with the express passes.

 

[Dimaline312000]

In Oct of 09 we are spending over two weeks and we are going to Disney World and Universal. I would say at least a day or two in each park.

 

[WillCAD]

If you've never been to Uni, you definitely need a full day at each park to check everything out.

Also, don't forget to look over the Uni resorts and CityWalk, especially for dining. The best dining at Uni is in the resorts, not the parks. I especially recommend the Islands ining Room at Royal Pacific Resort - outstanding food in a wonderful South Seas atmosphere, and I have never seen the place crowded (though I do go in the off-season).

 

[Disney1976]

Not trying to hijack the OP's thread, but just curious, when did Universal/IOA get rid of the regular free fast pass option for vistors (those not staying on property, or buying the express-plus pass)? I am a FL resident and annual passholder to both parks, but I haven't been in probably at least 6months (possibly longer) but I remember being able to get fast passes with my AP at no cost on all the major attractions. In fact, I remember that as an AP, I could get 3 at one time, which was great! Resort guests still got front of the line access and anyone could buy the express plus pass, but this was something similar to what Disney had just for everyday visitors.

Now, from what it sounds like, this isn't around anymore? Can someone tell me if this is true or not, and when they did away with it?

 

[Todd&Copper]

Not trying to hijack the OP's thread, but just curious, when did Universal/IOA get rid of the regular free fast pass option for vistors (those not staying on property, or buying the express-plus pass)? I am a FL resident and annual passholder to both parks, but I haven't been in probably at least 6months (possibly longer) but I remember being able to get fast passes with my AP at no cost on all the major attractions. In fact, I remember that as an AP, I could get 3 at one time, which was great! Resort guests still got front of the line access and anyone could buy the express plus pass, but this was something similar to what Disney had just for everyday visitors.

Now, from what it sounds like, this isn't around anymore? Can someone tell me if this is true or not, and when they did away with it?

They did not have "fastpasses" at Universal in August, 2006.

 

[Cool-Beans]

Could you do them both in a day or two? Sure. You could also do the Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom in a day or two. But you wouldn't get everything done. If you only have a day or two, pick the stuff you want to ride the most and plan accordingly.

If you can, stay in a Uni hotel for your Uni days. If you do that, you go into the Express Lines as many times as you like, at any time you want, and you don't need to pick up a ticket and go back to get it.

If you don't stay in a Uni hotel, consider buying an Express Pass. It gets you at least one ride on the big rides. If they're slow, sometimes the staff people will give you another.

I've never gone to Uni without any sort of Express pass, so I don't know how "painful" it would be. I'd get there early and run to the most important stuff, like The Simpsons. Best ride in Orlando, IMO.

 

[Cool-Beans]

Not trying to hijack the OP's thread, but just curious, when did Universal/IOA get rid of the regular free fast pass option for vistors (those not staying on property, or buying the express-plus pass)? I am a FL resident and annual passholder to both parks, but I haven't been in probably at least 6months (possibly longer) but I remember being able to get fast passes with my AP at no cost on all the major attractions. In fact, I remember that as an AP, I could get 3 at one time, which was great! Resort guests still got front of the line access and anyone could buy the express plus pass, but this was something similar to what Disney had just for everyday visitors.

Now, from what it sounds like, this isn't around anymore? Can someone tell me if this is true or not, and when they did away with it?

Uni calls it "Express Pass." And unless you stay in their hotels, it isn't free.

But you can buy it if you aren't staying in their hotels. In case anyone is wondering, you cannot buy EMHs at the Disney parks.

 

[tndisneyfan]

I think you would need 2 days max. If you bought the express pass you may be able to get it done in a day.

 

[larryz]

We were just there in early May (= low crowd numbers) and found a day in each park was just about right. In fact, we did all the major rides in IOA (some twice) and still had time to hit a few majors in USF before heading back to our comfy rooms at the Royal Pacific. The next day we spent about 6 hours at USF, then the kids and I went back to IOA to hit our fav's again! I don't think that kind of speed would be possible without Universal Express, however, and I strongly recommend it.

 

[Disney1976]

Uni calls it "Express Pass." And unless you stay in their hotels, it isn't free.

But you can buy it if you aren't staying in their hotels. In case anyone is wondering, you cannot buy EMHs at the Disney parks.

Express pass, fast pass, same difference. I understand that part -what I'm saying is that regular everyday visitors, like locals (like me!) who live in town and have no need to stay in one of their awesome hotels, used to be able to take advantage of express pass on rides without paying. They had the machines just like at Disney that would spit out the tickets and give you a return time. Annual passholders could even get 3 of them at a time. A pp said they did away with this in 2006, but that doesn't seem right - I know I was there and took advantage of it in 2007.

Seems silly they don't offer this as a free service anymore for park guests, in order to "compete" with Disney. I'm going in a couple weeks anyway, guess I'll see for myself.

 

[WillCAD]

Express pass, fast pass, same difference. I understand that part -what I'm saying is that regular everyday visitors, like locals (like me!) who live in town and have no need to stay in one of their awesome hotels, used to be able to take advantage of express pass on rides without paying. They had the machines just like at Disney that would spit out the tickets and give you a return time. Annual passholders could even get 3 of them at a time. A pp said they did away with this in 2006, but that doesn't seem right - I know I was there and took advantage of it in 2007.

Seems silly they don't offer this as a free service anymore for park guests, in order to "compete" with Disney. I'm going in a couple weeks anyway, guess I'll see for myself.

Free Express Pass service was done away with in late 2005. Ever since, the only Express Passes you can get are those you pay for.

This is not to be confused with the Front Of The Line (FOTL) privilege granted to all on-site Uni hotel Guests.

 

[Brian_WDW74]

Since this thread is more about US/IOA than WDW, I'm moving it to our Universal Studios forum.