Us/ioa

[PrincessBelle39]

Do you think we can do both parks in a day in late September or early October? We will be travelling with dd's 5 and 7 so there are going to be a lot of things that we wont be able to do. We have been before to both parks and spent most of our time around the kids rides with dh going off to do a couple of other things. Last time 2 days was definitely enough but I'd really like to try and condense it a bit.

 

[spiceycat]

you should. especially Sept - now not sure when their Halloween party starts. but you don't want your young kids anywhere near IOA halloween party - it is not Disney - it is about as far removed from Disney as a Halloween party can get.

but more information go ask on the ioa/sw board

http://www.disboards.com/forumdisplay.php?f=30


here is univeral studio
http://www.universalorlando.com/

 

[L. Thomas]

If you stay in one of the on site hotels you can easily do both parks in 1 day. Actually you can do both parks, go back to the hotel, swim, take a nap and eat in the park restaurants (you get preferential seating with your room key.), ..All between check in and check out. AND we went in peek season..middle of June. There were 4 adults and a 3 year old and everyone did everything as many times as they wanted.

You get speed passes for everyone staying in your room at no additional cost..it is your room key. It works like a credit card for park purchases and everything is charge to your room. All you need to take to the park is you room key. .You will have basically no wait for the water taxi to the parks so you can go back to the room when ever you need anything. Your pass is good for the day you check-in and the day you check-out. When you subtract the cost of speed passes from the room cost it really isn't as pricy as you think and don't forget parking is free for hotel guest.

You can check in early but you probably won't get your room until the regular check-in time. Early check in was hectic but don't worry you will have plenty of time for the park. It was easy to get in the park because we bought our park tickets before we got to the park.

I was leery about the speed pass so I went to an attraction that had a long line. We cut to the front through a second entrance. My husband was critical of speed pass saying it wasn't fair but I told him they had the same opportunity as we did. All they had to do was spend the money..your time or your money.

I'm not sure but I have been told the speed pass you buy at the park doesn't work exactly the same, but I don't know.
Some tell me the lines are so short off-season that you don't need a speed pass. As for me..I will stay on-site every time.


OOps This is for Orlando Unniversal..Don't have a clue about California.

 

[PrincessBelle39]

Thanks everyone for the information. I guess we will give it a go. We wont be staying on site as we have already booked 12 nights at Windsor Hills. I did look at possibly 1 night onsite for the express pass but at $219 for the cheapest, I could buy express passes for us and save over $100. As its late September/early October, I'm thinking maybe I could wait and see how we go as to whether we need them.

 

[L. Thomas]

I will have to tell you about our great deal when we went to Universal in 2007. We lived in FL in 1973-1975 about 75 miles from Disney (HOT DISNEY I and I don't mean just the weather). We have terrific friends that we still visit every year.

My daughter and her boyfriend wanted to go to Universal as a graduation present. Sooo I got on their web site and low and behold there was a "click" for FL residents. The rooms at the Lowe's Pacific on site were $125 a night and the park admission was 2day 2 park pass for the price of a 1day 1park pass.

I called my girlfriend and asked her if she wanted to go to Universal. So we got 2 rooms for 2 days @ $125 a night and park tickets @ $68 each. What a steal!!! Almost makes you want to move to FL. Disney has some sweet deals for FL residents too but I think their deals are good for just FL residents, even if you are in their party.

When Disney first opened they had gate admission and you bought tickets A-E. A's the cheapest and E's the most expensive. The rides were assigned a ticket value. We were state employees so the deal was a discount on admission and a book of 20 E-tickets for $15. We saw friends and family from TN that we hadn't seen in years. Just give me a bullhorn and a flag and keep up..comando in charge.

I guess I don't have to tell you to be prepared for rain every afternoon around 3:00. But I don't think you will have any hurricanes. Things usually calm down after August.

 

[PrincessBelle39]

I would so pay $125 per night even though we have other accommodation booked. It would be well worth it.

 

[spiceycat]

I would so pay $125 per night even though we have other accommodation booked. It would be well worth it.

well a couple of years ago they gave annual pass owners a great discount - not sure if they do it now or not.

 

[Lisa P.]

PrincessBelle, on a September weekday, the lines will be very short. Since you've been there before, you're familiar with the kinds of things you want to do in each park so I think you'll be able to hit all the highlights at both parks in a long day. Locals tend to visit on the weekends so if you go between Monday-Thursday, you should be fine with your offsite stay. Have fun!!!

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

yes, with an annual pass, it's very cheap. I just got the Royal Pacific for $129/$159(Fri/Sat) in Sept and this past Jan. Last year got an obstructed view at the Hard Rock Hotel for just $144.
Keep in mind it must be Preferred Annual Pass or better, not the Power Pass.

To the PP who said hotel guests don't have to pay for parking when staying onsite, remember that their onsite hotels charge for parking at the hotel so either way you pay to park.

The difference between using your room key to access the express line and buying an Express Pass is that the room key allows you to ride any particular ride more than once if you like. When you buy an express pass, they swipe it as you enter each ride and it's only good once per attraction.

We love the room key as my kids can ride again and again and again. omg! esp. Popeye/Bluto and Ripsaw Falls. lol!

As much as we love staying onsite, I don't think I'd pay for their hotels in addition to an off site rental home. Good excuse to add on more days though!
We love the atmosphere of the Hard Rock Hotel.

 

[Metro West]

I was leery about the speed pass so I went to an attraction that had a long line. We cut to the front through a second entrance. My husband was critical of speed pass saying it wasn't fair but I told him they had the same opportunity as we did. All they had to do was spend the money..your time or your money.

I'm not sure but I have been told the speed pass you buy at the park doesn't work exactly the same, but I don't know.

The Express Plus passes for onsite guests are good for unlimited access through the EP line for each attraction but the EP's you purchase the parks are only good for one time on each attraction. The only attraction that does not have EP access is the Pteranodon Flyers at IOA.

After Labor Day weekend, the crowds greatly reduce in size so purchasing an EP at the park is not really necessary but staying onsite is always a treat.