Visiting USO/IOA 2/24-2/26 (FIRST TIMER!)

[omgitscorey]

Alright here's the story. I got a bit of seasonal depression and decided to book a trip on a whim, and Orlando is the landing spot. This is just a quick little 4 night/3 day get away, in hopes that I can escape my frozen tundra in Massachusetts

Info:
We're going to be staying at the Renaissance SeaWorld, checking in late Wednesday the 23rd.

We have 3 day park-to-park tickets

We want to spend Thursday at IOA, Friday at USO, and make Saturday a hybrid early morning ride / gift shop day, and hitting any restaurants/ attractions we missed the first two days.

We definitely are planning on going to Mythos, NBA City, and Margaritaville.

Harry Potter is the main point of our trip - we plan on doing that first thing Thursday morning when IOA opens.

Our main means of transportation is the free shuttle from Renaissance Sea World, so we're basically going to be at the park from 9 AM to 7ish or later.

Is there anything else specific that we should plan or bank on? Anything we DEFINITELY have to see?

I've been browsing these forums the past couple of weeks and think I got a pretty good hold on the pointers going around, but one last check before the trip is never a bad thing!

 

[IdesOmarch]

Sounds like you got a really solid plan already, you already know about Mythos definite spot, you may want to hit more than once, we always do, best restaurant in the world IMO.

My favorite rides which I consider not miss are besides the Harry Potter stuff that you already know about: 1) Jurassic Park River Adventure boat ride, great ride, 2) Spiderman, 3) Hulk coaster, if your into coasters. If you have kids you will want to hit all the rides in Suess Landing, and if you want to get wet, there is a great themed log flume in Toon Lagoon and a barge ride you will get soaked. Also if you have small kids JP also as Pteradon flyers, a pretty cool sky coaster, where you are flying on the back of a Pteradon. Lost Continent, where Mythos is, used to have the Dragon coasters, now in HP, but LC is a great place to look around and take pictures, awesome theming in this area. The shows Sinbad and Posiedons Fury are cool, but not as cool as the other stuff IMO, but if you have time do them.

For Universal: 1) The Mummy (best ride in this park) 2) Twister, cool tornado simulator show, 3) Terminator, another very cool 3-D show, 4) Men In Black, 5) Rip Rid Rocket (if you like coasters, 6) Jaws, 7) ET.

Now I always suggest people try and do everything in the parks since you're paying for everything, but these are my highlights.

 

[omgitscorey]

Sounds like you got a really solid plan already, you already know about Mythos definite spot, you may want to hit more than once, we always do, best restaurant in the world IMO.

My favorite rides which I consider not miss are besides the Harry Potter stuff that you already know about: 1) Jurassic Park River Adventure boat ride, great ride, 2) Spiderman, 3) Hulk coaster, if your into coasters. If you have kids you will want to hit all the rides in Suess Landing, and if you want to get wet, there is a great themed log flume in Toon Lagoon and a barge ride you will get soaked. Also if you have small kids JP also as Pteradon flyers, a pretty cool sky coaster, where you are flying on the back of a Pteradon. Lost Continent, where Mythos is, used to have the Dragon coasters, now in HP, but LC is a great place to look around and take pictures, awesome theming in this area. The shows Sinbad and Posiedons Fury are cool, but not as cool as the other stuff IMO, but if you have time do them.

For Universal: 1) The Mummy (best ride in this park) 2) Twister, cool tornado simulator show, 3) Terminator, another very cool 3-D show, 4) Men In Black, 5) Rip Rid Rocket (if you like coasters, 6) Jaws, 7) ET.

Now I always suggest people try and do everything in the parks since you're paying for everything, but these are my highlights.

I should have prefaced by saying that I'm 20 and my partner in crime on this trip is 17, so we wont have to worry about pleasing any kids

I appreciate the quick response. We'll likely try to just hit as much as possible as many times as we can the first two days, making a point to do HP first because of crowds, and whatnot...like you suggested. I appreciate the ride suggestions, though. The girlfriend is a huge coaster buff, so we've been trying to narrow down a list of the best coasters for her.

 

[Metro West]

Your plan sounds good but I would like suggest something to you that you might enjoy...you're going to be here on Saturday night.

Go to the Studios on Saturday instead of Friday because of the Mardi Gras parade and concert that night...it's included with your park admission. Pitbull is performing that night so it will be mobbed with teenagers but if you like him, try to go. If nothing else...see the parade. It's a lot of fun and there are lots of new floats this year.

Just thought I would mention it to you.

 

[omgitscorey]

Your plan sounds good but I would like suggest something to you that you might enjoy...you're going to be here on Saturday night.

Go to the Studios on Saturday instead of Friday because of the Mardi Gras parade and concert that night...it's included with your park admission. Pitbull is performing that night so it will be mobbed with teenagers but if you like him, try to go. If nothing else...see the parade. It's a lot of fun and there are lots of new floats this year.

Just thought I would mention it to you.

Great suggestion!

We wouldn't be adverse to going back again anyways to take part in the Mardi Gras festivities. Can't say either of us are huge Pitbull fans, but he's not terrible. Certainly a good club-type-artist that would create a good atmosphere around CityWalk I imagine, though.

Thanks!

 

[Metro West]

We wouldn't be adverse to going back again anyways to take part in the Mardi Gras festivities. Can't say either of us are huge Pitbull fans, but he's not terrible. Certainly a good club-type-artist that would create a good atmosphere around CityWalk I imagine, though.

Thanks!

I just wanted to make sure you knew the concerts are inside the Studios...not CityWalk so that's why I was saying to go to the Studios on Saturday and just stay all day.

 

[xApril]

Don't miss the Horror Make-Up Show!

 

[omgitscorey]

I've heard great things about that show!

 

[omgitscorey]

So, just to clarify, if my girlfriend or I bring a backpack with water and snacks...each ride has a locker service right?

How large are the mandatory lockers? What size bag can I get away with?