We finally did it! Booked our first trip to US/IOA.

[vcgirl925]

After talking about it for years, It's finally time to go to Universal/IOA. A little history we are Disney folk, have been going since 2000 and this Feb will be our 15th trip. We usually go when the weather is cooler (nov, dec, jan, feb). So we don't get to enjoy the water activities or the pools much. I think we can finally do US/IOA and our kids will be able to go on most things (except the baby). Plus I've been dying to go to WWHP! This year we decided to book universal end of September. We are going to stay 7 nights at the LRP. I bought a 4 day ticket (1 park each day). I'm sure it's a day too long but the price difference wasn't that significant and we can stop and smell the roses. But we'll have plenty of time to relax at the pools and hit up Citywalk. We got tickets to see blue man group and we might rent a car for a day and make the trek to LEGOLAND.

We did NOT get meal plans. We didn't book any character meals. Except breakfast at the three broomsticks in included.

We have to FOTL access because we are staying onsite. How long do you think we might have to wait around that time of year? Do they have a similar thing as the child swap at Disney?

 

[Planogirl]

Wow, your trip sounds great. The nice thing about having four days is that you can revisit whatever you want to. We enjoyed just spending a few hours, then swimming at one of the resorts and maybe eating in the park and then maybe playing mini-golf or whatever. Expect to relax!

I don't think that you'll see much in the way of lines with only a few attractions in WWoHP maybe needing a little planning. But not much, staying onsite is amazing. The Royal Pacific is a great resort but I do recommend also checking out the Hard Rock pool. It's a lot of fun.

I understand that they have child swap but don't know the particulars. I'm sure that one of the resident experts will be along soon.

 

[hydrotony]

Great trip planned. Between now and then, maybe you can think about upgrading your 4-day 1-park tickets to annual Power Pass. For about $44 per pass, you can get them which are park-hoppers and good for a year except for Christmas week and Easter break. You can also do short 1 or 2 hour trips to the parks on the 3 days you are not now planning to go to the parks. September is after the July Studios blockout so that won't matter. Then, you can maybe take another trip within a year on non-blockout dates and you still have entry. Just saying.

 

[Metro West]

We have to FOTL access because we are staying onsite. How long do you think we might have to wait around that time of year? Do they have a similar thing as the child swap at Disney?

You will have very short wait times during February which is generally slow. Universal's child swap is different from Disney and those who've used it say it's better than Disney. I don't know all the details since I don't have kids but from what I can remember reading about, everyone goes through the line together then the child and parent go into the holding room. Once the other parent comes off the ride, they swap and the first parent goes right to the front of the line.

 

[Lynne G]

Yes, both IOA and USO have child swap. Most of the time, it's a room, and some of them even have toys in there for the kids. Very friendly. Just ask when in line, and they will direct you.

Both parks are fun to explore. The colors and details are amazing.

The Royal Pacific is a nice hotel. If you want to be close to the boat and walkway, ask for a room in the tower closest to them. Also, since pool hopping is encouraged, you may want to check out the Hard Rock and Portofino pools. Just show your room key, and they give you towels. Water, with cups is usually available at the pool, for free. If its hot, it's nice to sip cool water.

Have a great vacation!

 

[RMulieri]

They do have child swap, it is differnet than disney though.AT Uni/IOA the whole group goes through the line together .When you get to the boarding areas you let the cms know and you will be directed to take the non-riding children to the child swp area( at Uni/IOA they are rooms with benches,air conditioning and usually a movie or cartoon playing.Example- Forbidden Journey has harry Potter movies playing).IF that is too much for your little ones, the only other option is to have the first adult go thru the express pass line and then come out and have the 2nd person go.This can be problematic on Forbidden Journey, Rip Ride Rocket, Ollivanders and Pteranodon flyers since THEY DO NOT HAVE EXPRESS PASS..
We much prefer Universals Child swp, but my DD is older and not afraid or intimidated by dark ride queues.

 

[TheAviator]

That's great I know you will be blown away, everyone I know that considered themselves a Disney only person when they go there they are like, wow, I have been really missing out, this is just as good as Disney. Although it is very different.

 

[vcgirl925]

Thanks for all the information everyone! We will definitely consider pool hopping. Since I think we'll have plenty of time to do so. It also sounds like the child swap is nice, everyone going together through the line sound nice actually. It's not as much fun to be separated all the time.....and A/C?

That's great I know you will be blown away, everyone I know that considered themselves a Disney only person when they go there they are like, wow, I have been really missing out, this is just as good as Disney. Although it is very different.

My dear friend is a DVC owner. They decided to take a trip to universal/ioa in December. They said it was the best vacation they've had! Their son who is 9 really had a great time with all the superheroes and was able to get on most of the rides. They said FOTL was fantastic and favorable over FP. Especially not that FP has strict return times.

I'm also excited the baby (who will be two at the time), She is a complete Barney and Dr. Seuss fan. I also think she'll love the animal actors show.

I'm thinking if we really enjoy US/IOA we might alternate between US and Disney every other year. Instead of doing Disney every year.

 

[RMulieri]

Thanks for all the information everyone! We will definitely consider pool hopping. Since I think we'll have plenty of time to do so. It also sounds like the child swap is nice, everyone going together through the line sound nice actually. It's not as much fun to be separated all the time.....and A/C?



My dear friend is a DVC owner. They decided to take a trip to universal/ioa in December. They said it was the best vacation they've had! Their son who is 9 really had a great time with all the superheroes and was able to get on most of the rides. They said FOTL was fantastic and favorable over FP. Especially not that FP has strict return times.

I'm also excited the baby (who will be two at the time), She is a complete Barney and Dr. Seuss fan. I also think she'll love the animal actors show.

I'm thinking if we really enjoy US/IOA we might alternate between US and Disney every other year. Instead of doing Disney every year.

We took our DD for her first Universal Orlando trip last Jan at age 8..She had The BEST time ( even though she didnt ride everything).DH had a fantastic time and he is SOOO not a themepark guy but goes because I ask him too..We had so much fun we are doing our 2nd Universal trip this summer..WE thought about doing Disney for the day but decided not to and might do Seaworld since we will be at Portofino nay for 7 days now! I Hope you guys have a BLAST!

 

[Planogirl]

Thanks for all the information everyone! We will definitely consider pool hopping. Since I think we'll have plenty of time to do so. It also sounds like the child swap is nice, everyone going together through the line sound nice actually. It's not as much fun to be separated all the time.....and A/C?



My dear friend is a DVC owner. They decided to take a trip to universal/ioa in December. They said it was the best vacation they've had! Their son who is 9 really had a great time with all the superheroes and was able to get on most of the rides. They said FOTL was fantastic and favorable over FP. Especially not that FP has strict return times.

I'm also excited the baby (who will be two at the time), She is a complete Barney and Dr. Seuss fan. I also think she'll love the animal actors show.

I'm thinking if we really enjoy US/IOA we might alternate between US and Disney every other year. Instead of doing Disney every year.

We do both on the same trip now. I split the time down the middle even though we sometimes spend half a day in Universal and half in a Disney park. You can't mind driving a lot though!

The area around the Barney show will probably be fun for your little one too. Unfortunately DS was too old for the area but I know that I would have had to drag him out when he was little.