US & IOA Advice Please ???

[cliveywolves]

Hi All...

Need to ask for some help on US & IOA please ...

We have been to Florida so many times now but believe or not never been to US or IOA .....

So im looking for help on the parks we have a 3 day park pass for this year and we will maximise those days ie Park Open / Close, There is me DW & DD (9) we all love rides and attractions so will want to ride everything we can

What are the rides / attractions we should do, what are the best rides, does it help being there at park open time ??? Ps, we are not major Harry Potter buffs so can take or leave that part !!

Thanks all...

 

[nugov2]

We got there a little before they opened. Most rushed to HP, but we hit everything else. Everything was walk on/very little wait for the first few hours. If you are skipping HP I'd recommend that. Some rides we rode 2 or 3 times in a row. We were there in June(15-22) and it did get crowded as the day went on, but nothing crazy. We started in the Marvel area. We loved Uni/IOA...enjoy your trip

 

[cliveywolves]

Thanks for help..... Just trying to best judge how to work the Parks as never been before

 

[chmurf]

It's a very different touring plan if you stay onsite vs. offsite

onsite you can enter one hour earlier and have express passes (3 deluxe hotels)
so first thing, HP, then tour the park while regular guests flock to HP


offsite, you need to Rope Drop. If you're not big on HP then it's on less thorn in your side. Most visitors will go to HP, so that's less people at other rides.

Ride the big rides just at RD.
At IoA, Hulk, Spiderman, and other rides will be at 5 minutes wait until a couple of hours after opening time (it's pretty much like Disney's RD before FP+)
At Universal, ride HRRR and popular rides (Despicable Me for example)

But TBH I only do USF with unlimited express, so I can't really tell about "standby" and touring logics.

The only thing I can talk about, is the very short lines right after RD

 

[scoobydooby]

The Touring Plans website has plans. If you want to cover a lot of ground this is probably a good idea to look at.

 

[cliveywolves]

Thanks again...
We are off site as we staying at DW, so no express pass early enter park etc..

Not to bothered about HP stuff , might have a wonder at some point while we are there..
So rope drop and just clear as much as we can in the 1st few hours and then we will just have to work the rest of the days best we can...

 

[novice101]

We are also staying at DW but booking one evening at a universal deluxe for express pass as it's cheaper than buying the passes might be worth thinking about

 

[Kath2003]

You will be fine even without Express Passes if you arrive for opening and avoid HP. At Islands, everyone will turn right toward HP, you go left toward the Hulk. Hit the Hulk, Spider-man, Dr Doom, then head to a Ripsaw Falls and Jurrasic Park. Go back on yourself and do Bluto's Barges. Change into the dry clothes you bought. By now it should be around 11am and things may be getting busy, so swing around Dr Seuss and try some of the rides. A couple of shows, then return 2 hours before closing for a final sweep or anything you miss.

Universal - arrive at opening. Despicable me if you want to, lines here get long so get there early. Simpsons, Transformers, Rip Ride n Rock It. By now it'll be around 11am so shows and the smaller rides. Return 2 hours before closing for a final sweep.

Lines should be under 20 minutes for the first two hours of the day for everything except HP, Despicable Me & a Transformers.

 

[pickers1982]

Even if your not into hp wellworth trying to go on the main rude (cant remember its name) pretty unique.

In last trip my parents whi know nothibg about it lived the ride.

As for the rest of the park if its hot the water rides in ia are great! In US the mummy is my favourite!

 

[crabbie1]

This is a good thread nigel. Cannot believe you have never been? Are u meeting up with mart this time? I know waynes going next week. We are toying with staying 1-2 nights at universal just for fotl pass but reading what people are saying about no need to worry im wondering whether to just get cabs early. Will be approx $ 160 for 2 round trips but £180 for the hotel. Again not worried about harry potter but would like to walk round. Have done forbidden journey. What are crowds like middle to end of may? Any need to buy fotl access?

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[cliveywolves]

You will be fine even without Express Passes if you arrive for opening and avoid HP. At Islands, everyone will turn right toward HP, you go left toward the Hulk. Hit the Hulk, Spider-man, Dr Doom, then head to a Ripsaw Falls and Jurrasic Park. Go back on yourself and do Bluto's Barges. Change into the dry clothes you bought. By now it should be around 11am and things may be getting busy, so swing around Dr Seuss and try some of the rides. A couple of shows, then return 2 hours before closing for a final sweep or anything you miss.

Universal - arrive at opening. Despicable me if you want to, lines here get long so get there early. Simpsons, Transformers, Rip Ride n Rock It. By now it'll be around 11am so shows and the smaller rides. Return 2 hours before closing for a final sweep.

Lines should be under 20 minutes for the first two hours of the day for everything except HP, Despicable Me & a Transformers.

Excellent ... Sounds like you have built me a plan !!

Like you say if we hit parks at rope drop do as much as we can in first hours then have another good go later in the evening..

We will go look at HP parts in between when parks gets busier. yes rides will be busy but would be good to see what we can while there...