US and IOA what are the best and worst attractions?

[Cruz Family]

We are going to WDW in Oct. and will have one day to do both US and IOA. It will be me (33) hubby (37) sons (8 & 13). Because time is a factor we would like to know what the best attractions are and what things are not so good and we should just skip all together? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Melissa

 

[wilma-bride]

Just my opinion:

I of A

The Hulk
Spiderman
Duelling Dragons
Jurassic Park River Adventure
Ripsaw Falls
Bilge Rat Barges

Universal

Terminator
Horror Make-Up Show
Revenge of the Mummy
Men in Black
Earthquake

Others may disagree with me though. I think you can get away with not doing some of the smaller kids' rides as yours are that little bit older.

Personally, I think you might be pushing it to try and do it all in a day but I suppose it depends on the crowd levels and how early you're prepared to start.

 

[ChrisFL]

It will be difficult to do both parks in one day, especially in October since often the parks will close at 5:00 to get ready for Halloween Horror Nights.

I'd reccomend at least 2 days, people too often make the mistake of trying to do both big parks in 1 day.

 

[Cruz Family]

It will be difficult to do both parks in one day, especially in October since often the parks will close at 5:00 to get ready for Halloween Horror Nights.

I'd reccomend at least 2 days, people too often make the mistake of trying to do both big parks in 1 day.

I agree totally, the thing is at first we were just going to do the Disney parks. Then we decided to take a couple of days to go to Sea World and Universal. We did not realize there were two different parks at US, so it was either US or IOA. One son loves Dinosaurs and wanted IOA and the other loves ET and wanted US. We finally found out there were 1day/2 park passes and decided on that. We are already over budget and are renting a car for the two days just to go offsite. As much as I would love to have more time for each park there is just no way. That is why I want to weed out the must see attractions and the less impressive ones. We would like to have our lists of must do's, must not do's, and if we have time for's (that sounded better in my head ). So we need all the help we can get. Thanks again, Melissa

 

[Soprano]

Taking into account all you have said and childrens wants/ages, I'd say:

Essential:

IoA
Spider-man
Hulk
Jurassic Park
Duelling Dragons

US
Revenge of the Mummy
Terminator
ET

Desirable/ones to try if you can:

IoA
Pteranadon Flyers

US
Back to the Future
Shrek
Jaws

Avoid/Don't waste your time:

IoA
Dr Seuss section
Storm

US:
Animal Planet Live

 

[Jason71]

My own 2 cents (taking into account your tight schedule):

MUST DO (IOA)
Spider-Man
Hulk
Jurrasic Park River ride
Dueling Dragons

MUST NOT DO (IOA)
Sinbad show
Posidon's Fury
Popeye's Bilge Rats
Dr. Doom's Fear Fall

MUST DO (US)
Shrek
Mummy
Men In Black
Jaws (if open)

MUST NOT DO (US)
Earthquake
Twister
Back to the Furture (unless it's a 5-minute wait or less as you happen to walk by)

Everything else is in the "if you have time fors."

 

[macraven]

jason71, i was with you totally until you eliminated dr. doom.

that is a quick ride and if there is no line, it is fun.

i put that on my must do list.

 

[Cruz Family]

Thanks for the info, I am keeping track of everyones picks. Melissa

 

[Cruz Family]

jason71, i was with you totally until you eliminated dr. doom.

that is a quick ride and if there is no line, it is fun.

i put that on my must do list.

Should I mark you down for everything the same as jason71, other than dr.doom? Thanks, Melissa

 

[Motherfletcher]

Since you requested attractions and not specifically "rides" I would have to add Horror Makeup at US as a not to be missed.
I will never ride Dr. Doom. It has been described as a poor man's Tower of Terror. If you are going to ride it you need to do it after the Hulk and Spiderman first thing after park opening as it is a slow loading ride that can build long lines.

 

[macraven]

Should I mark you down for everything the same as jason71, other than dr.doom? Thanks, Melissa

lol

and add what motherfletcher just said, add horror make up show.

it is a hoot.
well worth the time

 

[JohnnySharp2]

At US , the must do's are:

Shrek
Jimmy Neutron
Terminator 2
Jaws
Twister
The Mummy

At IOA:

Spiderman
Popeye's Barges
Ripsaw Falls
Jurassic Park River Adventure
and if you like coasters, Hulk and Duelling Dragons

To me missed:

US:

Lucille Ball
Earthquake

IOA:

Suess Landing
Posiedon's Fury
Suess

 

[Red-Snapper]

TRY

IOA
Spiderman
Jurrasic Park
Hulk
Popeyes Barges
Ripsaw falls

US
The Mummy
Shrek
Jaws
Back to the Future

Dont bother with

IOA
Anything in Suess landing
Dooms Fall thingy

US
Well I would miss ET but I guess you have to do it

 

[yaytezIOA]

IOA

DO
In this order:
Hulk
SPider man
Dueling Dragons
Flying Unicorn
Jurassic Park River Adventure

US

DO
In this order:
Mummy
Shrek
MIB
JAWS (if open)
ET

If there is time
IOA
Popeye and Dudley Do right
Dr. Doom
Poseidons Fury
And Seuss Landing....its fun and quick

US
Horror Make up show
Earthquake
Twister
Jimmy Nuetron
T2

SKIP: Back to the future, Barney, Fear Factor Live and Animal Planet live
Everything at IOA is fun....do as much as you can there. Maybe not Camp Jurassic or the Discovery Center, though it is neat. And your kids are too old for Pteradon Flyers.

 

[damo]

Do:

Universal:
Shrek
Mummy
Jaws
MIB
ET
Make Up Show

IOA:
Hulk
Spidey
Dr. Doom
Ripsaw
Popeye
Jurassic Park
Dueling Dragons
Cat in the Hat

Don't waste time on:
Universal:
Twister
Earthquake
BACK TO THE FUTURE!!!!!!(unless you want to be sick for the rest of the day)
Animal Show
Jimmy Neutron

IOA:
Storm Force Acceletron
Flying Unicorn
One Fish Two Fish
Poseidan's Fury
Sinbad Show

 

[Motherfletcher]

If you are going to try it in one day you should probably start at IOA. You need to be there at or before 8:30 a.m. You might want to skip Ripsaw and Popeye as they will get you wet and commando touring can get uncomfortable (even painful) in wet shoes/attire. They are both fun rides and you should consider returning to IOA for them on your way to the car at the end of the day.
If you are looking for a touring plan I'd consider:

IOA
Hulk
Spidey
Doom
JPRA
Dueling Dragons
Cat in the Hat (for the 8 y.o.)
Get stamped as you leave.

Lunch at either NBA City for basketball fans or Hard Rock Cafe.

Enter US through gate behind HRC.

Lines are going to be rather long by now at US.
Shrek
Jimmy
Mummy
Jaws (if open)
MIB
ET
Horror Make UP
T2 3D

If you are not exhausted you can return to IOA and get soaked on Popeye and Ripsaw.

 

[Cruz Family]

Thanks for all the great info, it is really helping me a lot.

One question for Motherfletcher.
You mentioned lunch at NBA or HRC, How much time do you think lunch would take at each place? As much as I love a table service resturants I don't want to use up a lot a valuable time eating. What do you think?
Thanks, Melissa

 

[Motherfletcher]

I'm trying to guess at the timing to complete the IOA tour. We make the outlined tour by 11 but my kids have ran to the Hulk twice so early that they were givien their own train. We walk so fast to JPRA (which feels like uphill the whole way) that I suffer from shin splints. My guess is that you will be leaving IOA at about 11:30. When either of those restaurants open the service is fairly fast. NBA is better than HRC. Both restaurants are on the way. Using the HRC gate (opens when HRC does) is a time saver because the regular turnstiles will have lengthy queues around noon. The only counter service I would recommend at US would be Richter's and that would come after the Mummy which could be after 2.

 

[Motherfletcher]

Another consideration for your October visit would be Halloween Horror Nights. On those nights the parks close early (6) and crowds arrive early for the night time festivities (not recommended for the 8 y.o.).

 

[Cruz Family]

Another consideration for your October visit would be Halloween Horror Nights. On those nights the parks close early (6) and crowds arrive early for the night time festivities (not recommended for the 8 y.o.).

I looked into it and I think you are right it will be a little much for my 8yr. old. Thanks for all your help! Melissa