US or IOA: Advice Needed

[toystoryduo]

Hello all!
We will be going to WDW for 7 days in December with 15 family members. Most of the adults in our party like thrill rides, but we also have 4 children under the age of 10. Which park do you think my family would enjoy most? My DH and I are the only ones who have been to Universal so it would be new for the rest of the family. Also, we only have 1 day at Universal or IOA.

One more question (and I am sure this has been asked a 100 times if not more ): Where can I get the best deal on admission for one day at US or IOA? Thanks in advance for your help!!

 

[the Dark Marauder]

Hard to choose, especially since when you go USF will have opened the Mummy, and USF is better for smaller children.

However, IOA does have more thrill rides and that would probably be ideal.

However, if you take a commando approach, you could try doing both parks in one day. But I'd recommend hitting IOA if thrill rides are the overall fave.

 

[IMGONNABE40!]

I think after you have spent your day at UO, you will be sorry that you are not spending more time there! Especially if you are not staying on site with FOTL. Are you sure you can't spare another day and get a two day two park pass? If many in your party like thrill rides and you have all been to the world, perhaps UO will be a welcome change.

 

[Tigger&Belle]

How old will the children be? There's a big difference in a 1yo and a 9yo (I know you know that--lol). My son was 9yo when we were last there and he could have done all the rides I think, but had no desire to do Hulk and Dueling Dragons. We went when you youngest was 20 months old and again when he was 3 and there were plenty of things in both parks that he could do and he had a wonderful time.

There's no way that you could spend 2 days? If not, I would go for IoA probably. Or you can get a 2 day pass so you can go to both parks and can then save the remaining day for a future trip.

T&B

 

[Mercy]

Well, from what you have said I would vote for IOA. The reason being is that you said you are going to WDW also, which has many "themed" rides as does Universal Studios, so your group may enjoy the "thrill" rides at IOA. I think IOA also has rides that would satisfy the under 10 crowd too!

That is the main reason we're doing IOA/US this trip. We had talked about not returning to those parks this trip to WDW, but with my boys being older and really enjoying the wilder thrill/coaster rides, we have changed our minds and have included IOA/US at the end of our trip.

 

[SpideyHulk24]

Stay on site and do both parks! It's doable with FOTL. Commando style, but doable! You won't regret it!

 

[toystoryduo]

How much does the two day/two park ticket cost?

 

[edie w]

Now look what you've gone and done, Spideyhulk - Toystoryduo is on the slippery slope to Universal Orlando addiction!!

Sorry can't help with prices - I'm from over the pond.

Seriously though, I have to second what SH and T&B say - there's no way I'd visit Orlando and not do both parks.

 

[ksdave]

Mercy;
You will probably wind up like us very soon. Now my kids don't want to go to WDW at all, just UO. We stay at PBH, which they absolutely love, and they ride Hulk, DD, Spidey, Dudley, MIB, etc. over and over.

toystoryduo;
Last I checked 2-day/2-park were 89.95 for adults. But that was before any price increase. Personally we buy annual passes, even though we live in Kansas. This Sunday and Monday will be my 9th and 10th days on the current passes and we got them for $125 each on the buy one, get one at half price deal. Our renewal in February will only be $99. So we are definitely getting our money out of the passes (plus the free parking, 20% off shops, etc., etc).
I also agree with most people that 2 days is a minimum at UO. That still leaves you six days at WDW, which will be plenty. I mean, how many times can you ride It's A Small World before you go a little batty .

 

[SpideyHulk24]

LOL!!!! edie! Just call us recruiters!!!!! But with the way UO is set up, it so easy to recruit new addicts!