UPSET!! UGH not staying onsite

[iluvdizknee]

Great....never been to US or IOA and leaving on 7/8 for 5nights. We got a hotel about 1/4 mile from the parks, Sleep Inn. Now after reading all the info on FOTL, I am so upset about staying off prem ... Is it that bad?

 

[robvia]

Not if you arrive early each morning.

Be in the parking garage at 8am. Be first to the gate, and wait.
Go in, and get a front seat ride on Hulk, Spiderman, Dr. Doom, then Dueling Dragons. After that, do the water rides.

If going to USF, head to Shrek first, then the Mummy, then MIB, Jaws, Earthquake, Twister, look at the long line for Shrek you missed, have lunch, head to T2, ET.
Don't ride BTTF, it will make you sick.

 

[zaxmom]

Well...after staying onsite there and having FOTL, I would never stay offsite again. If the rates were too high, I would not even go. But, you will have fun no matter what. Use their Express Pass and plan it out well. You can also use Single Rider lines on some attractions.

 

[welovedisneyfamily]

I just got back a few days ago and it was my first time at the HRH. and I must say that it would be the ONLY way I'd visit US/IOA. Those lines were crazy !!!....with my hotel key I felt like a king..

 

[iluvdizknee]

Well I have no choice now. I am staying for $89.00 a nite that included breakfast, 1/4 mile away from US. I got 2 nights for free, so I am getting the hotel for almost nothing. We will just do the fast pass for everything and take our time. We have 5 days so we have plenty of it. Next time, Iwill save to stay on site. Thanks for eveyones in-put....please keep it coming

 

[A Mickeyfan]

I have done onsite & off... and I will do on & off again... don't let others make you feel bad... at least you can go You will have fun ... just be sure to get to the parks early...say about 8:15-8:30 am. You will have most of the attractions finished by 11ish when the real crowds start. Remember to get your Express pass for Shrek as soon as you get into the Studios. Then head over to the Mummy, then to MIB....the rest of the attractions will not have as long lines as those. Do the Studios & IOA on different mornings. When in IOA... head to Spiderman & get your Express pass then do the water rides...they will get very long lines. After them head to the coasters (if that is what you like) or into Suess Landings (if you have young children).... There are single riders in IOA for nearly everything (except Suess Landings).... take advantage of them. In the Studios they are at MIB & the Mummy only (I think). When it gets really hot & crowded... leave & head back to your hotel. You can go back to the parks about 5ish...when it starts to cool down & crowds thin a little. Robvia has a good plan also... I think either of these will work for you... HAVE A GREAT TIME

 

[Metallicat]

Your going to have a ball anyway. don't let not staying onsite bother you too much. I go several times a year and usually stay with Disney and I still have fun at Universal even without FOTL. just use express passes when you can (don't bother with express for the make up show b/c everybody gets in) and get there early. people manage every day without FOTL (but it is nice) your going to have fun regardless of where you stay
Linda

 

[zaxmom]

I hope I did not make you have regrets or feel bad. If you have 5 days to enjoy there, you will be fine. Take your time and have leisurely lunches and such. If you have kids, make sure to put them in bathing suits to enjoy all the wet playgrounds. You will be sure to see and do it all. Probably a couple of times.

 

[iluvdizknee]

OMG, thanks so much for the advice. I was very worried but you all have made me feel so much better. I will definetly listen to u , get the express pass for Shrek, Hulk and/or Spiderman. I have a son 14 and a daughter 10. We have done WDW about 5 times, but never US. THANKS SO MUCH....u have made me feel better about the trip.....

 

[robvia]

Just be there early.

Many people don't talk about this, but walking around the entrances to the parks early, is really nice.

The temperatures are cool, the music is playing, and you "feel" the parks coming to life.

How can I explain this. The grounds leading to the turnstyles will be wet. Why? Because they just pressure cleaned them.
You'll hear music at IOA, and its the "Ocean Trader Market" song, which I'm listening to right now. The birds singing, the bells, the drums. It's so much better early in the morning, when you can hear it, and go into the park first.

 

[26555]

Definately look for single rider line opportunities. With the time you have you can get alot done. I'd almost just plan on 5 half days and see how much fun you can have -- you'll get it all in. Consider eating at off peak times. You might find you have accomplished a lot by 11:30 and its getting hot and crowded. You can get some lunch at Margaritaville or Nascar (chicken strips/mashed potatoes/veggie combo tasty and good value) and see a movie at Citywalk. (Save a few movies you want to see for the trip, great break from the heat and the pace.) After the movie you can decide if you are up for US or want to go back for a swim at the hotel. I like to hit shows at US in the late afternoon/evening and save the rides at US for a day we get there in the early morning. Maybe get one fastpass if they aren't sold out already then try to see as many shows as you can until fastpass time is ready.

At IOA I would suggest hitting the water rides right after you get done with Spidy and Hulk before the lines get long for those, it will be hot enough for them early. (Think offpeak regarding everything --- most people don't want to get wet until later. Most will want lunch between 12-2, etc.) Always try to have a fastpass in your pocket and try to get another as soon as you can (time stated on fast pass ticket, you don't have to have used your current one yet).