US & IOA 3/14-18 need tips!

[momo30]

This will be my first trip there, I am trying to prepare the best I can.

Can you take coolers(small of course) into the parks? I have heard you can but was thinking that was wrong info. We have 3 kids (2 under4) and want to take drinks and snacks so we won't spend a fortune in the park.

Also, should we wear swimsuits to IOA under our clothes? I have heard that is a good idea to do for the wet rides.

Should we rent or bring our own stroller? I'd like the double stroller but not real sure about the size of it.

We have the 5 day passes (got the great internet deal so the kids were free)

We are so excited but I want to make sure to be prepared for the kids sake anwyay

Thanks for all the tips!
MOMO

 

[Grand2me]

HI! First, let me say that I don't have any kids, so I am NO HELP on the issue of the strollers . I can pretty much help with everything else though.

We went to US/IOA last year in June and had a ball! We brought a bag for snacks and small drinks. We saw other folks in the parks with small coolers. We would snack on different things throughout the day and have one meal at one of the places in the park. Universal has some of the BEST park food I have ever had! I was amazed. Some of the eatery places were a little messy but the food was good and not to expensive. Me and my husband had two bags: one with snacks and drinks and another with small towels and dry clothes. The dry clothes we put in a locker(there are PLENTY) just in case we went on any wet rides(there are plenty) and left the towels in the bag with the drinks so they would stay cool. We are going back to IOA in May and I am SO Excited !

 

[momo30]

I am glad to know we can take a cooler. I have a calapsobal(sp?) cooler on wheels that I think will be easy to keep up with. That was a worry, I am just hopin it won't get in the way shluping it around the park ha ha!

 

[Foladar]

Hope the lines and such are good, we're going the 17th and 18th I hear it's suppose to rain .. hope not! Of course, I won't believe it until the 16th if it says rain .. and even then it was wrong last time except for our last day

 

[TENIA66]

i put two kids four and 1 in a double last time and they fit fine

 

[joloco]

yes wear swim suits - we were there in may - it was hot - and we got very wet - just make sure if you have girls they wear a two piece - makes going to the bathroom easier! we used double stroller - if you keep receipt you can "exchange" stroller at other park....not sure but i think you might be able to use it between parks too - i think you get $1.00 back on return or something. have fun....we are going march 26th i hope it's hot.

 

[robvia]

With kids that young you'll basically be in the play areas, where there is water. Yes, bring a change of cloths for them. You can put it all in a bag and hang it on the back of the stroller.
Parks open at 9am. Even though you won't be going on the major rides (unless you do baby swap), it's still a good idea to arrive early. Most arrive at 11am. If you are there before this time, the play areas won't have many kids in them, and your kids can get their turn shooting the water guns, and pushing the buttons that make noises and stuff like that.
In the early afternoon, they'll start asking for food and drinks they see from the snack stands. Go to lunch early to beat the crowd. In the afternoon, you can get autographs from characters, they appear near the front of USF.
By this time, they'll get tired, become cranky, and fall asleep in the stroller. You midas well leave at this point, go back to your hotel, and take a nap.

 

[momo30]

I think I am misunderstanding what you said about "exchanging" the stroller. Can I rent one and one park and then take it to another or can I return it at one park and get another free one at the other park?

Seems like I read they are $16 to rent ?

 

[momo30]

we will for sure do the baby swap the good thing is my parents are going with us. They can't walk much but you bet I am going to get them to help with the kids..... my kids are pretty durable when it comes to things like that. My 4 yo doesn't really take naps....the baby will sleep in the stroller pretty well. I am debating whether or not to take my double jog stroller.....its pretty faded.....

OH,question. the strollers that they have at the parks do they recline???