Universal & IOA - First Time

[jt9999]

I have never been to Universal and was wondering if someone could tell me how long you would need for Universal and IOA. We are staying at Royal Pacific and it will just be me and my boyfriend(ages 29 & 32). How long should we allow for each park?

Any other tips or suggestions(restaurants etc??)

Thanks!!!!!!!!!

 

[PartyofSix]

Boy you have asked the wrong one! I could live there! I visited my first time and only stayed 2nights three days and less than two months later we are heading back for another two days and are thinking x-mas as well. I would highly recommend 3 nights 4 days just so you can wonder each park each day and you'll find things you can't get enough of and want to wonder back and do again and again. Staying on site is a great move and you'll want to spend time enjoying your hotel and the pool and not to even mention dining at citiwalk and check out pbh's delfino rivera resturant. you don't mention what time you plan visiting but park hours are getting shorter near fall and winter so that's my 2 cents worth.

 

[gschmerl]

As far as restaurants, I HIGHLY recommend Mythos in Islands of Adventure. EXCELLENT food, atmosphere, and service.
We usually go to the parks early and then take a "pool break" at the hotel and go back to the parks in the evening. The parks are great after dark. By staying on site, you can do the parks at a leisurely pace.

 

[LIFERBABE]

We purchased AP's because the price was right. I'd say you will want to spend at least 6 hours in each park and that's if you have it all planned and don't take time to stop and enjoy any of it but the "must-do" rides and get there before the express passes run out on Spidey or stay on-site.
I personally enjoyed our leisurely times in the parks and we ended up going 4 of the 7 days we were in Florida. I have little boys and they were thrilled with all the characters walking around and Curious George.
Universal is very reasonably priced and you can enjoy much more in the way of food and drinks (alcohol) than at WDW.
We still didnt get to all the Islands and you will be very surprised by some of the "shows". We were not feeling Poseidon's Adventure at all when they said it was a walking tour, but this was a Vegas quality attraction and we were truly impressed.
We saved our "precious" disney passes for the last part of our trip and other than the "magic" you feel at seeing Magic Kingdom for the first time, The adults in our party preferred US and IOA.