US & IOA in 1 day???

[AustralianJetsetter]

Hi,

Just wondering what the opinions are about doing US and IOA comfortably in one FULL day during early September? Is it possible? We wouldn't have the express pass either....should we if we are going to attempt both parks in one day?

Any advice/opinions would be appreciated

Thanks in advance,

AJ.

 

[Metro West]

You'll be able to do the highlights but not everything. Each park deserves a full day to itself.

 

[StitchandPooh'sMom]

You'll be able to do the highlights but not everything. Each park deserves a full day to itself.

We usually spend three days in the Universal parks, but we might pop in for a day after a cruise in January. We have been to Universal several times and would just be hitting our favorites, but we know we won't get everything done. We will stay onsite to get express access - you might consider paying for express or staying onsite, OP, if you are trying to do both parks in one day.

 

[Crystal824]

We did Universal and IOA this past May in one day. We didn't do everything but we hit almost all of the rides in both parks, but we didn't really do any shows (well, DH took DD to a couple while I was riding). We had DD with us who was 21 months. We went on a Wed. and the parks weren't crowded. We did get Express Pass and used it like Disney's baby swap. With Express Pass, most rides were a walk on. We would each do a ride or a couple of rides and then switch the baby. The person with the baby would do a splash area or a show she would like.

I would recommend Express Pass if you plan to do both parks in one day. We waited no longer than 10 min. for any ride. It was great and really helps you do more in one day. Initally our plan was to focus on IOA and anything we did at US would just be extra. We had the Costco tickets that give you any 3 days over 3 years and include both parks. I was surprised that we were able to do as much as were we. I think it was mostly due to the low crowds day and Express Pass.

We went to IOA first and got to the park before opening and headed right to WWOHH. I'm glad we did b/c after that ride that area got very crowded where it had not been earlier. This was mostly due to the fact that this area is pretty small and everyone in the park was in that area. We did everything we wanted at IOA first because it opened first and closed earlier, and then headed to US where we stayed for the rest of the day. US opened later and closed later.

We didn't spend alot of time together as a family at these parks b/c they are really meant for older kids, but we all had a good time. The Universal Parks aren't quite as large as the Disney parks so it is easier to do more in one day. They are very nice parks with alot of details, which you probably miss in trying to do it all in one day.

I think you probably do need one day in each park to really see everything, but if you only have 1 day make the most of it.

 

[AustralianJetsetter]

Thank you for the information. It's definitely given us something to think about

I think we will try to squeeze in a day for each park. It's a long way to come to not do/see all that we want to

Do you think if we did dedicate a day to each park that we would have time to be able to finish at the park then hit one of the outlets/malls? Our kids are around 10yrs old so not little anymore & they can keep a good pace!!

Cheers again,
AJ

 

[StitchandPooh'sMom]

Thank you for the information. It's definitely given us something to think about

I think we will try to squeeze in a day for each park. It's a long way to come to not do/see all that we want to

Do you think if we did dedicate a day to each park that we would have time to be able to finish at the park then hit one of the outlets/malls? Our kids are around 10yrs old so not little anymore & they can keep a good pace!!

Cheers again,
AJ

My kids are 13 and 9. Islands of Adventure has more rides that they want to do than the Studios, so IOA is always a longer day for us. My 9 year old won't ride the big coasters, but my 13 year old will. If you won't have express, plan to get there before opening and take care of the rides with the longest lines first.

Onsite guests have early entry to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. If you are not onsite, you might start in other areas of IOA and go to WWOHP at night - you should be able to get a lot done while everyone is in WWOHP.

If you are doing the Disney parks as well, Animal Kingdom closes earlier than the other parks. You might have time to shop on that day if you will have a car during that part of your trip.

 

[Crystal824]

Thank you for the information. It's definitely given us something to think about

I think we will try to squeeze in a day for each park. It's a long way to come to not do/see all that we want to

Do you think if we did dedicate a day to each park that we would have time to be able to finish at the park then hit one of the outlets/malls? Our kids are around 10yrs old so not little anymore & they can keep a good pace!!

Cheers again,
AJ

Yes, I think you would have time in the evening to hit the outlets/malls or other activites. You can do one park probably 9-5. IOA, at least when we were there, closed at 7. US is opens later and has a night show (at least on some nights) so you might want to stay for that but could proably leave earlier if you didn't want to see it or it wasn't running.

 

[macraven]

september has shorter park hours.

 

[AydensMom]

I am a Costco member and have never seen these tickets? Where did you find them? In store or online? If in store what location? Thanks in advance

 

[Metro West]

I am a Costco member and have never seen these tickets? Where did you find them? In store or online? If in store what location? Thanks in advance

I think most people have purchased the tickets in store but the availability greatly varies by location. Start by checking your area and have friends check other areas to see if they have them.

 

[pemberly]

Here's the Costco info - we bought our tickets there about a week or so ago for our trip . . . Some Costco stores have a park-to-park pass good for any 3 days until a certain expiration date (most recently 12/31/15), priced at $146.99. It's valid for all ages, has no blockout dates, and includes 3 nights of CityWalk access. Not all stores are carrying this ticket, so call your local store and check before making a special trip. The Costco item # is 671130

Also, I bought them in the store and called to ask if they had the particular item number (671130) in stock before heading out to buy them. From what I understand, you cannot buy them online.

 

[Crystal824]

Yes, that is the Costco ticket deal. If you go to Orlando once a year or so; it makes sense. It works out to about $50.00 per day for a park to park ticket, which is way less than the $123.00 per day gate price. Our Costco had them last year. In fact, that is why we became Costco members. We used to belong to Sam's Club. Our Costco doesn't have them now at least they didn't the last time I was there.