We have a 6 flags, would we "miss" anything skipping IOA?

[nurseypoo5]

My itinerary really doesnt have room for IOA..perhaps room for Universal Studios on departure day, but not really for IOA.

I live in Dallas/FTworth and we ofcourse have Six Flags. We also have Six Flags San Antonio, Houston (Astroworld), Hurrican Harbor and Sea World all within a few hours of us.

So basically theme parks are at our disposal if we wish to attend one (its amazing how much WE DONT attend them lol).

On that note...we've never been to Disney. I'm figuring Disney is an experience in and of itself that cant compare to Universal, just because its Disney...yanno? That and we are booked thru free dining into Ocotober, so access is there for us with no extra fee's.

Here is our Itinerary...I just dont see a day i wanted to give up. I did want to go to U. Studios, but i know my son would love (10) IOA...but i dont think its a must...so you?


Sat 30th

arrival day, go to epcot check it out and eat.
Coral Reef

Sun 10/1
MGM
50's prime time


Mon 10/2
Epcot
Dinner Le Cellier

Tues 10/3
chill day
Ohana

Weds 10/4
MK all day
Kona on monorail

Thurs 10/5
Chill during day/MNSSHP night
Crystal Palace

Friday 10/6
MK or epcot in the AM and afternoon
Dinner Spoodles

Sat 10/7
AK
CAli Grill to eat for wishes/last night

Sunday to The Gulf (siesta key) for 7 nights

Could visit Un. St. Sunday before the drive...


thanks so much for looking!!!

 

[Slacking]

1- Astroworld no longer exists

2- IOA has some of the greatest themeing you will find in any park

3- IOA has some unique and spetacular rides you can't find anywhere else

In the end, its your itinerary, do what you want, but IMO, IOA is not to be missed.

 

[gschmerl]

I agree with Slacking. SIx Flags can't compare with IOA. Six Flags is more of an amusement park and IOA is definitely a theme park. The theming in IOA is incredible. The Spiderman ride alone is worth a visit, but yet there are many other fantastic attractions to entertain you.

 

[ChrisFL]

You can't compare six flags at all to IOA, they're totally different types of parks....the only similarity is they both have big rollercoasters, but IOA is so much more than that, everything about the park is totally unique and you won't find any place else like it. You'd definitely be missing out if you didn't experience it for yourself.

 

[damo]

Your son will probably prefer Universal/IOA to Disney. You might want to squeeze in an extra day or two.

 

[pixiepower1971]

Six Flags has nothing on IOA?US. Take some of the chill time out of the schedule and go to US?IOA while in the area. You won't regret it. My 10 year old DD would rather go to IOA?US then Disney many days. She LOVES Disney but is a thrill ride junkie. Spiderman, Hulk, Dueling Dragons,Ripsaw Falls....what a fun day at IOA!

 

[Fan2CSkr]

Well, if you have a six flags your all set! No need to do IOA.

 

[Spongemage]

ive never been to IOA, so I wouldn't know

 

[patster734]

I see that your itinerary includes Epcot on Monday and the MK on Wednesday. Perhaps you could visit IOA on Friday instead of repeating MK and Epcot. Afterwards, instead of having Dinner at Spoodles, try one of Citywalk's fine restaurants.

 

[babieemelly]

IOA is definitely worth it. I'm a big fan of Six Flags, but those parks don't compare to IOA. The theming is ridiculous! As much as I also like Disney, even the theming at Disney doesn't compare to what IOA offers. It's been consistantly ranked the #1 theme park in the country by the Travel Channel for the past few years. I would definitely give it a try.

 

[PrincessJen09]

I guess I am going to be the weird different one because I think Disney has better themeing than US/IOA. When we went there, granted it was a few years ago, it did not impress me that much. I love rollercoasters and thrill rides and enjoyed what the parks had to offer, but I still feel like they are just amusement parks. I can drive 2 hours from house to go to Cedar Point, why waste my Disney time at IOA/US. That being said, it is a park that you should experience at least once. It is a lot of fun, but it is not Disney. Since this is your first trip to Disney, you really have to decide if you want to take the time out to go to the other parks in the area. You may miss out on some of what Disney has to offer, but it is up to your family. If this is a once in a lifetime trip for you and your family, then I would go. Otherwise, I would really look at how you want to spend your time. Best of luck making this decision!~

 

[ChrisFL]

I guess I am going to be the weird different one because I think Disney has better themeing than US/IOA. When we went there, granted it was a few years ago, it did not impress me that much. I love rollercoasters and thrill rides and enjoyed what the parks had to offer, but I still feel like they are just amusement parks. I can drive 2 hours from house to go to Cedar Point, why waste my Disney time at IOA/US. That being said, it is a park that you should experience at least once. It is a lot of fun, but it is not Disney. Since this is your first trip to Disney, you really have to decide if you want to take the time out to go to the other parks in the area. You may miss out on some of what Disney has to offer, but it is up to your family. If this is a once in a lifetime trip for you and your family, then I would go. Otherwise, I would really look at how you want to spend your time. Best of luck making this decision!~

Sorry, I have to disagree with the "amusement parks" assessment, both US and IOA are incredibly well themed, and at least on par with their Disney counterparts.

 

[Slacking]

It is a lot of fun, but it is not Disney.

And thats a bad thing?

 

[Gonz Of Lancashire]

I guess I am going to be the weird different one because I think Disney has better themeing than US/IOA. When we went there, granted it was a few years ago, it did not impress me that much. I love rollercoasters and thrill rides and enjoyed what the parks had to offer, but I still feel like they are just amusement parks. I can drive 2 hours from house to go to Cedar Point, why waste my Disney time at IOA/US. That being said, it is a park that you should experience at least once. It is a lot of fun, but it is not Disney. Since this is your first trip to Disney, you really have to decide if you want to take the time out to go to the other parks in the area. You may miss out on some of what Disney has to offer, but it is up to your family. If this is a once in a lifetime trip for you and your family, then I would go. Otherwise, I would really look at how you want to spend your time. Best of luck making this decision!~

I agree that the theming at Disney is better than US/IOA, but you can't say that they are just amusement parks.

 

[nerdboyrockstar]

I guess I am going to be the weird different one because I think Disney has better themeing than US/IOA. When we went there, granted it was a few years ago, it did not impress me that much. I love rollercoasters and thrill rides and enjoyed what the parks had to offer, but I still feel like they are just amusement parks. I can drive 2 hours from house to go to Cedar Point, why waste my Disney time at IOA/US. That being said, it is a park that you should experience at least once. It is a lot of fun, but it is not Disney. Since this is your first trip to Disney, you really have to decide if you want to take the time out to go to the other parks in the area. You may miss out on some of what Disney has to offer, but it is up to your family. If this is a once in a lifetime trip for you and your family, then I would go. Otherwise, I would really look at how you want to spend your time. Best of luck making this decision!~

IOA/US are not just amusement parks. I really don't think there's anything different from Disney and the Universal parks that wouldn't classify Disney as an amusement park as well.

There's no way that Disney parks are the only theme parks in the world. Because basically, that's what you're saying.

 

[kimberh]

IOA is very interesting. We love it and I am a Disney nut. You can get a US/IOA 2 park 1 day ticket. Combine them in the same day. You will be tired but it can be done.

 

[nurseypoo5]

Thanks for all the replies I'm sorry if i made you all out to look bad. I've apologized and i will again. I'm Sorry.

Now on that note we have decided to (probably LOL...really depends on how burnt out or tired we are) to try and have a go at IOA before leaving. The issue now is to trade our FREE day of pool and rest for AK and use our AK (which is a Sat, and our last day) to go to IOA. I'm hoping its not too crowded. Weve paid for our condo already on the gulf and cant do any nights at a Universal Hotel. Our free day was in the middle of the week and could use it for our IOA day but would need to find cheap transportation. OUr budget is shot to you know where!

 

[FayeW]

We actually prefer both US/IOA to the Disney parks. Insofar as theming goes, I think that MK is the flagship Orlando park, BUT the theming at the other 3 WDW parks does not compare to EITHER US or IOA!

On our first trip to Orlando 3 yrs ago it was supposed to be "once in a lifetime". With that in mind, we wanted to experience a little bit of everything, and choose to do 5 days at US/IOA (because 5 day tickets were $89.!), 2 days at SW (because when you buy a park admission, you get to come back again within 7 days for free), and 1 full day at MK, with another part day for their Christmas party. MK was our least favourite park! We went back this past Oct, to experience the other WDW parks, the water parks and Disney Quest. When I asked my husband how to justify spending an extra $400 to go to US/IOA, when for $13 we could add 3 extra days to our disney tickets he said " Very easily, 'cause I'm going to Universal!"

I feel more magic in Islands of the Lost Continent, than anywhere on Disney property. (However, breaking into a rousing rendition of "O Canada" with the roving mandolin players in Adventureland was pretty magical).

 

[nurseypoo5]

this was posted else where but since youve been kind enough to answer this, ill post it here too...


wow I just looked up how much it would cost vs savings to stay at Hard Rock on our last night (sat night) so we could have spent Sat and Sun at IOA and U. S.. the cost for 1 night in a standard no frills room at the hard rock and 2 day park passes for 3 adults and 1 child was just under 800.00 Am i doing something wrong??? That just seems way over the top to me. The portifino was a few dollars cheaper but not much. I think the Portifino was the cheapest at 760.00 for 1 night. WOW.


That made up our mind for us i guess No way can we swing that. I can see how important the "front of the line" thing is at IOA also, being a holiday weekend i think that would be a necessity.

Doesnt look good for us now. Thanks for your help tho

 

[damo]

AAA rate for Friday, Oct. 6 at Royal Pacific is $183. Tickets are $99 for adults for 2 days get 3 free tickets. I would imagine the kids free deal would still be on.

Use the www.loewshotels.com link to get prices for rooms. Use AAA for the promo code. You might be able to get some other specials too.