Universal/Islands of Adventure or Sea World in 1 Day???

[maui2k5]

I will be at the WDW Swan for 10 days and 9 nights and was thinking about hitting up Universal/IOA and/or Sea World mid week while we are there. The trip is in late September 2005 (slow time of year) and will be just me and my gf (I am 33 she is 27). I do not want to take more than 2 days out of my trip for non WDW parks, so I if I wanted to see all three parks I would have to do IOA and Universal in one day and leave Sea World for its own day. Given this scenario, how would you fit in Universal/IOA and/or Sea World if you only had 1 or two days to visit parks outside of Walt Disney World?

 

[MissionMouse]

"How would you fit in Universal/IOA and/or Sea World if you only had 1 or two days to visit parks outside of Walt Disney World?"

First off, don't overload yourself...remember it is a vacation. Be realisitic with your time and the offerings of each park.

If you only have two days then you might consider Universal/IOA, since one day is not enough to see everything. There is enough here that you will most likely not see/ride eveything in just one day. If you spend only one day here, you may feel like you just got a taste of what Universal has to offer. For some individuals, that may be all they want or need, for others a sensation or thought of the things they wished they experienced will linger until they return to finish what they started.

If I only had one day...I would go to Sea World. This is a park you can see in one day and your pace will be stress free with you still seeing and doing everything you desire.

 

[dixipixi]

We have actually visited Universal and Sea World in one day. We went to Universal in the morning, returned to our room for a break, and went to Sea World in the evening. Keep in mind we had already been to both parks and only did the things we liked most on this day. I wouldn't recommend it for someone who wants to see everything, but it is possible to hit the high spots and still have some sort of break during the day.

 

[kikipug]

If you want to truly enjoy SeaWorld... take a whole day for it... get there when the gates open, and stay til they close, and you should be able to get it all in.

You would miss quite a bit by taking only 1/2 day to see the whole park. All the shows are great (well... almost all...skip the pet show), there isn't an attraction to miss, and Krakken is the best coaster around (wait the extra 10 minutes to ride in front).

 

[Gamblers]

We tried to do Universal/Island of Adventure in 1 day and it did not happen. We were actually able to cover Island of Adventure for the 1 day. Able to ride Hulk, Spiderman, etc. It was rushed. We are planning to go back in Dec this year and we are setting aside 2 days for Universal/IoA so we can take our time and enjoy the parks. Hope this helps.

 

[Macca1111]

If you've seen something like seaworld before, or you don't particularly enjoy watching dolphins jump around, then I would recommend one day in Islands of Adventure. Obviously I am in this category...I don't really need to see shamu again, and IA is most definetly worth it, as long as you guys enjoy roller coasters...my mom hated the park because she couldn't ride anything. The themeing and construction is just amazing in this park...it's beautiful, it's clever, and it has a lot of what Disney's been lacking as of late. The water rides are particularly fantastic and soak you really well. Universal is starting to rebuild and add main attractions (like Mummy, which is wonderful) but most of the park is old and boring in my opinion. I remember how torqued off I was after waiting in line 2 hours to ride Kong to find out how incredibly lame it was. Of course, I only spend 1 day in MGM too...so take my opinion knowing that. Hope you have a good time whatever you do!

 

[lucyjuce27]

When I went last time. We managed to do I of A in one day doing every single ride we wanted to see. We also completed seaworld, wecouldnt fit in Universal studios though! I didnt finf Seaworld that great so consider missing it.

 

[marriedmarylander]

I've heard it's possible to do IOA and universal on one day when it's not crowded or peak season. I think it's usually hitting the must-see's and not EVERYTHING at the parks. DH and I are planning to do IOA for a day because neither DH or I have been there before. We are 25 and no kids. If it's not crowded and we get done early we may do Universal depending on how we feel, but it's not a must see. If we do hit Universal we'll probably do the few attractions we haven't seen before first and if we have time do others.

Have you been to Universal before? Maybe you can choose which park is a must-do and take your time at that park. Then if you have time and want to checkout the other park, you can upgrade your ticket.

I last went to Sea World when I was really young - like 8 years old. I just remember getting splashed during a show. I also don't really know how long this park takes so I can't give advise there.

 

[DisneyGurl55]

Seeing as how you are older with no kids, you would most likely prefer to go to Islands of Adventure. It has rollar coasters, etc. And since your going in september, there wont be alot of people since most kids will be in school, and parents don't want to take their kids out for a vaction right after school starts. You might be able to fit in Universal to, but go to Islands of Adventure in the morning, then go to Universal that afternoon. And have fun!

 

[maui2k5]

I have only been to Universal Orlando once in 1997 for a day, but was in Universal Hollywood for a couple of days last summer. I am familar with the rides at Universal Orlando, but not as familiar with the layout. My girlfriend has never been to Universal Studios or Islands of Adventure and I have never been to IOA. I agree that starting with IOA is likely the way to go since the types of rides at IOA (Hulk and Dueling Dragons) are not available in WDW. We may skip the water rides since I understand you can get very soaked and walking around drenched all day does not sound all that fun - but we will see... I would like to devote an entire day at Sea World, but IOA and USO will have to be done in one day as to not take too many away from WDW - first time back in 6 yrs!

 

[Forevryoung]

I had a similar question except there are kids involved. Can we do IOA and Universal in a day? how about a day and a half? or do we REALLY need the two days?

Our vacation is only 6 days to begin with and some of us have never been (4 out of the 5). 3 Adults and 2 kids (10 and 12) but I have a good feeling we will be skipping the roller coasters and the scarier rides. Maybe I am just saying that because I dont like them

 

[striker3636]

It really depends on what you want to do. Our family all love marine life, so for us Sea World is a 2 day event. We spend about the same amount as a single admission on food for the dolphins, rays, etc. If you are looking for more interaction with the marine life this is a key activity (ok, maybe not spending as much $$ in fish as we do!) The behind the scenes tours are great, especially the ones where you see more about the animal rescue work and the non-commercial elements to Sea World.

If you are not a huge marine lover and much prefer going on rides, then Universal would probably be a better fit. Depends on the type of day you want to have too. Sea World is more low key in pace and you can rest more during the day with all the animal shows.

 

[jeffn5631]

My wife and I are Sea World AP holders and it is an "all day" park, or even a second day. Universal Islands of Adventure, in my opinion is for the young people, so unless you like the adventure thrill rides.....stick with Sea World.

 

[wicket2005]

To be honest I think a day at each park would be best. Our favourite is IoA, it is such a state of the art park and nothing like anything we had experienced before. We also love Sea World, in our country we cannot see many of the animals so seeing a killer whale was quite an experience. Universal is a great park too. You would still be left with 7 days for the Disney parks.

What I would recommend is for everyone if they can to try each park once, then if you can go again you can pick the parks you really want to go to. Personally I love all the parks so we have an extremely hectic time revisiting them.

 

[doberlady]

We did US and IOA in one day with 2 small kids. We waited for the nicest day and got there before they opened and stayed ALLLLLL day and it was fine! We had lunch in Dr. Suessville and then let the kids splash in that water area.

 

[pavil]

Unless you a speed demon and don't go on everthing. We went and ended up spending most of the day at IOA. As much as we love Disney, IOA is pretty cool too, definitely worth the time and price. You can get a 3day ticket for $104 for US/IOA. Pretty good deal IMO. Have fun on your vaction, don't cram pack full of things you "must do". Relax it's a vacation

 

[iwish81792]

In October, we will be ATTEMPTING to have a four day vacation.
1st day-MK
2nd day-MGM + Epcot
3rd day- IoA
4th day- Universal Studios

Then again, it will be two 12-year old girls and Mom. Lots of sugar will be involved. Speedy people, we are. Get in, have fun, get out. LOL!

 

[lmjacobs]

The water rides are great. I don't like being drenched either so I used a poncho (yes i looked dorky but i was more dry than wet when finished). A little water snuck in the arm holes but it was not bad. IOA has lockers when you first enter the gates. I think it was a one time fee so you could put your stuff in and take it out at the end of the day. there are rest rooms close to the lockers.

We did ripsaw falls and coming off that hill is FANtastic! got drenched on that one but it was the end of the day. Just do them at the end and change. the wet sneakers are the worst part - yuk!

 

[disneyaddict121784]

When my family went to WDW in 2003 we went to IoA midway through the week. It took my sister, dad, and I HALF a day to get through the whole park!! This was in the middle of June! We rode every ride and and the dueling dragons 4 times! I think you could probably do both Universal and IoA in one day. Sea World would be pushing it.