Universal Studios & Islands of Adventure in one day?

[Ode]

Can you cover both Universal Studios & Islands of Adventure all in one day?

 

[zack123]

Can you cover both Universal Studios & Islands of Adventure all in one day?

Possibly . . .

• When are you going?
• Do you plan to stay onsite or purchase an Express Pass?
• Do you plan to use single rider lines for attractions that offer them?
• What do you mean by "cover"? Which attractions would you like to see, are there any you don't mind skipping?
• Do you mind walking fast, or would you prefer to explore the parks at your leisure?

You probably can't see everything in one day, but if you go at a slow time you could definitely hit some highlights in each park. If you stay onsite and get FOTL, plus early entry to WWoHP, or you buy an Express Pass, things will be easier. You would definitely want to be there when the park opens, and plan to stay until closing, to experience the most.

 

[SashaFarce]

We generally do. You need a good plan and it depends on whether or not you want to see every single show etc. We always get the Express Pass and we don't do shows so that frees up time. Most of the time we go at less busy times so we probably wouldn't even need the Express Pass if we didn't want to get done by dark. Other people's mileage may vary but this is our experience.

 

[Metro West]

Can you cover both Universal Studios & Islands of Adventure all in one day?

You should allow a full day at each park if possible. There is too much to see and do to try and rush through everything in a single day. Would you try to do two Disney parks in a single day? Both Universal parks deserve a day's attention.

 

[kohlby]

Not fully cover both. You can do a few attractions from each however. For us to cover US with three young kids, it took us only about 4-5 hours during an empty day. (It was the end of Jan before WWoHP opened). It took us 1.5 days to cover what we wanted to at IOA on an empty day, and we could have spent more time there. That was before WWoHP opened. Before we had kids, we would do both parks in one day but have a two day pass so we would do both parks again the next day. BUT, that was during Christmas break so long hours meant we had the time to walk back and forth plus doing both parks - but not everything both days - allowed us to make the most of our time despite the crowds.

*We've only had 2 days at IOA/US our last 6 trips and will only have one day the next trip - so we're only doing IOA this next trip. We'll have up to 7 days on our trip after that and I'm really looking forward to finally having plenty of time!

 

[CTDisneyfan816]

I am able to do it as I've been many times and know exactly what I like to do at each park. If you know what rides you like then it is very possible. If you've never been, it may be a bit tough because you will want to try as much as possible to find out what you like/don't like.

 

[Ode]

When are you going?
We're planning for around July 18-21, 2012.

Do you plan to stay onsite or purchase an Express Pass?
We are NOT staying on-site (too exspensive). And don't want too purchase the Express Pass but, if we're going to be in line for awhile, I think we'd probably purchase these.

Do you plan to use single rider lines for attractions that offer them?
Single rider lines would not apply to our group.

What do you mean by "cover"? Which attractions would you like to see, are there any you don't mind skipping?
Our group includes 18, 17 & two 13 yo + two adults. I am sure there are a few attractions that wouldn't interest us.

Do you mind walking fast, or would you prefer to explore the parks at your leisure?
Myself, I`d be out for a leisurely stroll, probably not to much rushing around.

I think we`re planning on staying at the Holiday Inn Maingate across the street so we can walk over and we probably won`t be at the hotel until about noon, head over after we get there and then head over again on the Friday and head out on Saturday......Ode

 

[Chelley00]

In July, I couldn't see you doing both parks, unless you skip a lot of the attractions, especially without the Express Pass.

 

[zack123]

When are you going?
We're planning for around July 18-21, 2012.

Do you plan to stay onsite or purchase an Express Pass?
We are NOT staying on-site (too exspensive). And don't want too purchase the Express Pass but, if we're going to be in line for awhile, I think we'd probably purchase these.

Do you plan to use single rider lines for attractions that offer them?
Single rider lines would not apply to our group.

What do you mean by "cover"? Which attractions would you like to see, are there any you don't mind skipping?
Our group includes 18, 17 & two 13 yo + two adults. I am sure there are a few attractions that wouldn't interest us.

Do you mind walking fast, or would you prefer to explore the parks at your leisure?
Myself, I`d be out for a leisurely stroll, probably not to much rushing around.

I think we`re planning on staying at the Holiday Inn Maingate across the street so we can walk over and we probably won`t be at the hotel until about noon, head over after we get there and then head over again on the Friday and head out on Saturday......Ode

That time of year, you may need to consider Express if you want to spend more time experiencing attractions than you do waiting in line. A Friday in July is probably one of the busiest days of the year, you may have to wait 60 minutes or more for each attraction you want to see. I was there in October, for three days, and was able to just sort of wander, and saw everything as much as I wanted, but I doubt you would be able to do that in one day in July. Especially not with a group of six.

I stayed at the Holiday Inn you mentioned, and I would not stay there again. They are in the middle of a massive remodeling project, it's possible they could be done by the time you get there, but it was very inconvenient this October. The elevators closest to my room and car did not work, the stairwells were being painted and were not usable, and the construction work on the floors above mine started about 6:00 a.m. Not to mention there were dirty breakfast room service dishes (from other guests) still out in the hallway when I returned to the hotel at 8:00 p.m. You might consider staying at one of the other hotels in that area (Doubletree, Hyatt Place, HI Express) if you will not be staying onsite. Check tripadvisor for hotel reviews.

 

[cbsnyber1]

Another thing to consider: do you want to do any of the wet rides? We usually plan to to do all those on the same day to minimize the discomfort of walking around with wet clothes (even after using the giant dryers).

Personally, I'd never try to do both in one day. As a previous poster said, you'd miss too much in both parks.

 

[Ode]

thanks, All for your assistance................greatly appreciated...............Ode