WDWTrekker and clan - 11/19/01 day 3

Trekker

I've gone to find myself, If I return make me stay
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Feb 1, 2001
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WDWTrekker 11/19/01 Day 3

Today was a different day for us. We started with breakfast at McDonald’s and then drove over to IOA for the day. The park opened at 9:00 AM, but we did not arrive until about 9:45 AM. The traffic going into the parking area was horrible. One tip is that when you are driving in avoid the middle of the three lanes, as you get closed to the gate the lanes split out to about 7 lanes and the middle one seems to be a bottle neck, either go far left or far right, it is quicker. Also if you have handicapped parking – stay far left it just works the best.

This is the first trip to IOA for any of us; I’m not going to give to many details on rides and attractions in case there are others who have never been. We enjoyed discovering what they were for ourselves.

The first thing we did was head for Dueling Dragons, this is an incredible ride, it was tough to get DW on here when she saw no floor, but, we all loved it. One thing to say is make sure you do both sides (Ice and Fire) they are different. I recommend doing Ice first and then Fire. IMHO Fire is faster and better….

The next thing we did was head over and see Poseidon’s Fury, As far as I was concerned this started off pretty lame, but it didn’t take long for it to get pretty good. This was a kind of long wait – only because it is a show type thing and they let in 200 at a time.

Walked over to Jurassic Park and explored a little at Discovery Center, this is a very nice attraction for younger kids, my 14 & 11 YO enjoyed it a bit, they would have really liked this at a younger age. Headed for River Adventure next, I enjoyed this a lot – and we did not get very wet at all. We meet some folks on this ride that told us about how wet you get on the Bilge-Rat Barges and Ripsaw Falls, so we decided to skip those ‘til just before we were ready to head home.

Our next stop was for Spiderman, this was the longest wait of the day about 45 minutes, but it was worth it, this is an awesome 3D adventure ride. If you have seen Honey I shrunk the audience, do not be deceived into thinking this is the same thing!

Next was the Hulk coaster – and the name says it all Incredible!

It was now time to head over to Toon Lagoon for the Soaking from the wet rides. DW thought we should do Dueling Dragon’s one more time, so we headed over and did
”Fire”. As we were headed off DW suggested we go back on and do “Ice”, I’m getting suspicious now, because she normally is not that big on coasters. Well, it turns out she doesn’t want to get wet. LOL - After doing “Ice” we walk over to Toon Lagoon, it is getting cloudy and windy, and we all agree it is not a good time to get soaked.

Just a few notes, we had one down pour of rain today, and it could not have come at a better time, we were in the inside queue for Spiderman, by the time we got out the downpour was over.

IMHO, I did notice that we were not a Disney. I felt like the employees were more interested in talking to each other, and did not spend any time talking with the guests. There was just a more business like feel in the parks instead of the Magical feel of Disney. Please remember this is JMHO and we did have a wonderful day and will go to IOA in the future.

We finished the day with dinner at Ponderosa of all places, I wanted a steak, but no one else was very hungry and we did not want to spend a lot of time, etc. So Ponderosa worked.

See you on day 4.
 
A bunch of years ago we spent a day at Universal. The place was packed, the lines were long, and we were miserable. We have never felt a need to go back. Now that IOA is open, I will consider a trip there in the future, but I was sad to hear that the place wasn't as magical as Disney was for you (that is exactly how I found Universal on my one and only visit). I guess I will be in no hurry to try IOA for now. Thanks for your honest opinion. I'm looking forward to the rest of your trip reports. Keep 'em coming!
 
Great report! I agree that IOA is no WDW (not even close!), but it's still fun to go there for a day. Universal, on the other hand, well, that's a whole other story. I don't really plan on going back there. Ever. Looking forward to more great reports!

Beth
 
I hope no one gets the wrong idea, I did mention that IOA did not have the Disney feel (which I guess makes sense, it is not Disney) but, I also said we would go back. They have some of the most awesome roller coasters I've ever been on.

I think the difference is that I look at IOA as being a thrill park, in the same category as a Six Flags park, great places for me to spend a day. While I look at Disney parks as Theme Parks in a category all thier own, a great place for me to spend a vacation.

I know there are others who love US & IOA and I'm not saying you are wrong, I'm just stating my opinion.

Thanks,
 

I just love Islands of Adventure. Spiderman and Hulk are just the best!
 














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