Universal Studios vs Islands of Adventure

[supraman85]

Just moved to area,making maiden trip to Universal on a weeknight in September to see Blue Man Group with family (wife and two daughters ages 12 and 9 1/2) thinking about staying overnight at a Universal Resort to take advantage of the Express Pass feature and leave late the following day. My question is which hotel should we stay at, I don't think it's a big deal since we are only staying one night, and which park should we visit? Islands of Adventure or Univeral Studios? I'm sure we will be returning for more visits, I just want to make the most efficient use of the Express Pass. Thanks for any suggestions.

 

[Lou Holtz]

Royal Pacific is probably going to be the least expensive if you're just going for the express access. Can't help you with which park to go to (why not both?), just look on the website and decide which one you want to go to.

 

[texaschick]

It really prefers on what your family likes to do. If you are big thrill riders, then IOA is the best bet. Universal has more family/ ride the movies type rides, but also has The Mummy and HRRR which are both "thrill rides." It also has MIB and The Simpsons, which are more than just show type rides.

If you are really set on going to just one park, Universal has more options for a fuller day, but with an express pass you could also just hit the major rides at each park and easily be able to do the best of both parks.