Universal/IOA - 1 day 2 park pass

[TravelinGal]

OK - the tickets are free, so I'm not complaining - and I know we can't see it all...

I've only been to Universal twice (and the first time was back when Back to the Future was in pre-opening - still remember the digital display counting down when it would open but we still got to ride it - thought that was SO cool) and then last May. DS got sick that day and we left after about 2 hours. So, I'm not very familiar with US/IOA.

Here are our details:

DS (almost) 3, family friend (18-girl), DH and me.
Going last of Sept or first week of Oct. (in MCO 09/22-10/07)
We will be more interested in the child friendly rides.
DH loves the MIB and Spiderman Rides. (Will baby swap on those)
Probably won't do any coasters.
Don't need big meals during the day - will probably eat at the Palm @ Hard Rock hotel that evening​

• How would you plan on attacking 2 parks in one day?
  
• Which park first?
  
• Pay for express pass or not? ($25.99 per person for the 1 day 2 park EP)
  
• Where do you suggest to take a nice break mid-day to cool off and relax for a bit.
  
• Best days?
  
• Best lunch counter service?
  
• Any other specifics you can think of?

Thanks!!

 

[iHEARTflorida]

if your wanting to being doing all the kids stuff, go to universal studios first,
do Shrek 4d and the jimmy neutron ride in the Production Central section (first section of the park), the head over to the kids zone which has a barney show, two playgrounds (curoius george: water and ballpit playground and fievels's water playground) and there's a woody wood pecker kid's coaster and Et the ride. oh yh and MIB insnt far from the kidzone

then you could have lunch and stuff before heading off to islands of adventure and doing spiderman then really it just the seuss landing sections with cat in the hat ride, train ride, carosel, and one of those fish in the air things.

then that would proably be it, for kids stuff

 

[bubba's mom]

You didn't say if you were staying onsite, but you probably won't need Express Pass for your dates. (If you get there and find the park crowded, you can buy them at the park...same price). There are tons of places to 'take a break and relax'...catch a show...the Animal Planet show at the Studios is covered....you could go there. It will be less crowded on the weekdays vs weekends. There really isn't any 'bad' place to eat, but some of the less fav's here are: US-Internation Food & Film Festival, Mel's and IOA: Circus McGurkus. I believe there may be list in the FAQ's sticky above. Now, IMHO, i would go to IOA early in the morning or later in the day. IOA has more "outside" things and if it's hot, you'll want to be doing more "inside" things (@ Studios).....not that the above poster is wrong, I would just do the opposite.....then again, if it's not crowded, it really doesn't matter (& really doesn't matter if staying onsite!)
HTH

 

[TravelinGal]

I haven't decided about getting a room for 1 night on site yet. (I have another post asking about how far they are from the parks - walk/boat blah blah blah)

That's a good point that one park has more outdoor things/indoor things. If we're not staying onsite, we probably won't leave mid-day for a break since the parks close at 6pm.

OK - Nix circus mcgurkus - thought it sounded cute, but if the food gets more less favorable ratings - cute isnt' so important...

We do want to do some adult rides too, but since there will be 3 of us it will be easy to do the baby swap.

Open for any other imput!!

 

[bubba's mom]

I haven't decided about getting a room for 1 night on site yet. (I have another post asking about how far they are from the parks - walk/boat blah blah blah)

the walks aren't far (the actual time it takes may be in the FAQ's) HRH is closest (appx 5 min--if that), RPR second closest (appx. 7-8 min) and PBH the furthest (10-13 min)...... RPR is usually the cheapest hotel also....if that helps. Also, be sure to use AAA for your room discount (if you're a member)...saves some.

 

[TravelinGal]

I think, looking at the parks ride choices, we'll probably do IOA first. DS knows the Seuss characters better than the Nick characters.

So, what is the best way to attack the parks? (We won't be staying onsite since the rooms are so expensive. It would be a LOT cheaper to add the express pass once we get there if we need it.)

Here's a list of what would interest us - based on the map and what little we know about US/IOA

We don't have to do all of it - and I am open to what the best is from this list. (* indicates an absolute must do for us)

IOA
Spider-Man * (for DH)
Ripsaw Falls
Bilge-Rat Barges (MAYBE - if we decide we want to be soaked to the bones)
Me Ship, The Olive, for DS
Jurassic Park River Adventure
Pterandon Flyers
The Flying Unicorn
All of Seuss Landing *

US
Shrek *
Revenge of the Mummy * (for DH)
Terminator * (for DH)
MIB * (for DH)
Woody Woodpecker's KidZone *

ET * (I remember DS enjoyed this last time)
Barney (yeah, he likes the big purple fella... )
Woody's Coaster
Either Curious George OR Fievel's Playground area (if he's not too beat!)​

DS and I can find a cool place to rest while DH does his 'guy rides' at US if needed time wise.

OK - have at it folks, PLEASE! Guide us - what would be the best touring plan?