US/IOA Newbie: Need Itinerary Help 6/16 to 6/18

[mchames]

Hi all! Normally I research and plan trips to death, but we just decided yesterday to add US/IOA on to our June WDW trip. We are me, DH, DD7 (50") and DD5 (42"). We will be at the YC June 12-16 and will move to the Sheraton Studio City Hotel (cheap on Priceline) on Thursday, June 16 and check out on Saturday, June 18. I am purchasing the "buy 2 days get 3 free tickets" even though we will only be able to use 3 days worth. The plan is to spend most of Saturday at the parks and then visit my parents in Ocala that evening.

Here are my questions:

We will be there on a Thurs, Fri & Sat, does it matter which park we visit first? Is one more crowded than the other on a weekend?

We will not have FOTL access since we are not staying onsite, is an express pass PLUS necessary if we will NOT be riding at IOA: Doctor Doom's Fearfall, Hulk and Dueling Dragons? (The girls don't meet the height requirements and DH is not a thrill ride junkie.) What about US, are there rides that Express Plus will be a necessity?

What is the best plan of attack for each park?

Are there rides (like DUMBO) that must be ridden in the first 30 minutes of park opening or forget about it?

What are the not to be missed attractions for a family with two young, but seasoned WDW veterans?

I know we will not get to do everything in the short amount of time that we will be at US/IOA, but I don't want to waste what little time we have floundering like a fish out of water.

Thanks for your help.
Mary

 

[Motherfletcher]

I think you'll appreciate Universal after WDW even without on-site hotel express. Sheraton Studio City is great and in a great location for access to Universal. Ask for an upper floor. At 21 storys its considered a skyscraper.
You have an IHOP next door and a Denny's not too far for a quick breakfast.

Dumbo-like rides? Yes, at IOA you need to ride Pteranadon Flyers shortly after the park opens. You can and probably should ride Spiderman on the way. The park opens about a half hour before scheduled so try to be at the parking garage at 8.
After the flyers...
JPRA,
Unicorn, kids coaster
Suess Landing:
One fish, Two fish
Cat In The Hat
Carosuessell
Toon Lagoon:
Popeye ( you are now wet!)
Ripsaw (wetter)
Me Ship Olive
Recommend lunch at Mytho's.

Universal
Jimmy Nuetron
Shrek
Mummy (indoor coaster- DH might want to sit it out)
Jaws
MIB
ET
Barney
Woody's coaster
Fievel's playground
Animal Planet
T2
Horror Makeup
Beetlejuice
Earthquake
Twister

These are just suggestions for quick touring. Take time to smell the roses and flounder a little since it will be easier than WDW. Have fun!

 

[mchames]

Thank you. This sounds great. I now need to familiarize myself with all of these rides.

Which park for Thursday? Friday? Does it even matter? I figure that we'll do our favorites or whatever we've missed on Saturday.

Thanks for your help. I can take all the advise I can get for this US/IOA trip. We've been doing WDW for so long that aside from making PS, I barely think about what we're going to do when anymore. We just go with the flow and if we miss something this trip we make it a priority for the next trip. I'm a little more stressed about US/IOA. I think it's the fear of the unknown.

Thanks again.
Mary