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

[Zsa Zsa]

Not sure when you're going, but if it's at the end of Sep (30-Sep) 3 adults and 1 child with AAA is $203/nite + $99/person for tickets + free child + free children meals =$300 so altogether it would be about $500 or $125/person. And if you can stay Sat and Sun, you get FOTL access both days, even if you only stay the one night (Sat). Not so bad when you look at it that way!

Hope that helps!

 

[Zsa Zsa]

Forgot to say that the above scenario was at the RPR!

 

[dancegrl1093]

if i was you, i would take out your chill day and go to IOA instead. unless you're obsessed with animals or love educational things, i think that IOA is MUCH better than animal kingdom or epcot.

 

[dancegrl1093]

i was just thinking........... since you live so close to the fla parks, why don't you buy a year-round pass to universal? i think it's definatly worth it!!!!! you don't even have to pay for park admission if you have the pass!!!!

 

[WillCAD]

Nurseypoo5, you have two chill days in your schedule, Tuesday and Thursday.

Tuesday is normally the lowest crowd day of the week at the Uni parks. I usually try to schedule my visits to Uni on Tuesday and Wednesday. So why not take that one chill day out and head up to IOA on Tuesday?

Crowds in early August will still be summer peak crowds, but it is certainly possible to go to either Uni park without spending the fortune it would cost to stay at a Uni resort to get FOTL access. You will wait in lines, but guess what - you will be waiting in lines at the Disney parks all week, too, even with the FastPass system.

Give IOA a try. The themes of the various lands are as good as it gets in any theme park, and the rides and shows are fantastic (don't miss the Spider-Man ride, Jurassic Park River Adventure, or Posiedon's fury).

Since you are going to 'Ohana for dinner that night, I recommend a light counter-service lunch. IOA has several excellent choices in this area; I recommend either the Enchanted Oak Tavern in the Lost Continent, or Thunderfalls Terrace in Jurassic Park. Either will give you an excellent meal.

When leaving to go to dinner at 'Ohana, leave the park gates no less than 75 minutes (1-1/4 hour) before your ADR. It takes 10 minutes to get to your car, then another 5-10 to get to I-4, and about 25 minutes to get to Polynesian once you get to I-4. Total time from IOA gate to Poly is about 45 minutes, but you want to give yourself some leeway in case of traffic. If you arrive at Poly early, check in anyway and have a look around the lobby.

There are also plenty of comfy chairs just outside the 'Ohana podium where you can sit and chill while looking over your digital pics of the day, talking about what you saw and did, and having a cool drink from the Tambu Lounge (waiters walk through the seating area and take drink orders from the people waiting to get into 'Ohana). There is often a singer in this area, as well, playing relaxing music to soothe the savage Guest.

Try IOA. You won't regret it!

 

[tarheelmjfan]

Give IOA a try. The themes of the various lands are as good as it gets in any theme park, and the rides and shows are fantastic (don't miss the Spider-Man ride, Jurassic Park River Adventure, or Posiedon's fury).

Since you are going to 'Ohana for dinner that night, I recommend a light counter-service lunch. IOA has several excellent choices in this area; I recommend either the Enchanted Oak Tavern in the Lost Continent, or Thunderfalls Terrace in Jurassic Park. Either will give you an excellent meal.

When leaving to go to dinner at 'Ohana, leave the park gates no less than 75 minutes (1-1/4 hour) before your ADR. It takes 10 minutes to get to your car, then another 5-10 to get to I-4, and about 25 minutes to get to Polynesian once you get to I-4. Total time from IOA gate to Poly is about 45 minutes, but you want to give yourself some leeway in case of traffic. If you arrive at Poly early, check in anyway and have a look around the lobby.

I have another suggestion. Skip Ohana & go to Mythos @ IOA instead. Mythos has both great food & great theming. The only Orlando theme park rest. we like better is Chefs de France, & we would probably consider Le Cellier a tie. I'm not sure if it's still true, but Mythos has consistently been ranked the #1 theme park restaurant ahead of all those in WDW parks. IMHO, there's no comparison in these 2 restaurants. Ohana is one of the worst meals we've had at WDW & that includes counter service, which I don't like at all. We've eaten at a large majority of WDW restaurants, & thought Ohana was awful. Some people love it, but I think the games & atmosphere has a lot to do with that, or possibly the fact that it's all you can eat appeals to them. The night we were there we didn't see any games going on. That wasn't the reason we went, so we didn't care. Based on food alone, we wouldn't return to Ohana.

 

[nurseypoo5]

I'm looking into going to IOA on Tues (our off day). Wondering if transportation to and from would be horrible. Looking at ebay for discount IOA tickets but a little skeered
We would be leaving POR and needing to return to the Poly.

I wont give up our Ohana ADR...I'm ready to try it. Besides we wont pay for it, its free since were on free dining plan while were there.

 

[WillCAD]

I'm looking into going to IOA on Tues (our off day). Wondering if transportation to and from would be horrible. Looking at ebay for discount IOA tickets but a little skeered
We would be leaving POR and needing to return to the Poly.

I wont give up our Ohana ADR...I'm ready to try it. Besides we wont pay for it, its free since were on free dining plan while were there.

Will you have a car, or will you be looking for some other type of transportation? Driving yourself, transportation will be easy; failing that, you can either get a taxi or hire a towncar service, which will be easy but cost you some moola.

Forget eBay! There is never any way to tell whether a Disney or Universal ticket is any good before you buy it.

Get your IOA tickets either direct from Universal's web site, or from TicketMania.

And I have never had bad food at 'Ohana. I have had bad service once, but the food has always been wonderful.

You may be tempted to gorge yourself on the excellent food at 'Ohana, but believe me, as good as it is, you will REALLY regret if you don't leave room for desert! The bread pudding and ice cream with bananas foster is the very best sweet treat anywhere at WDW. I could make a meal of it by itself!

 

[mslclark]

Yay, I'm happy you're giving IOA a try! I'd pick it over US if I could only visit one USF park.

And no way can anyone who has walked through the entire park say that IOA has no theming. It has the most elaborate theming of any park I've ever been to. Enjoy your trip!!

 

[F-L-A]

IOA - random amusement park comparisons make me want to pull my hair out. At the current rate in which they appear, I'll be bald before I reach 25.

Six Flags:

IOA:

Slightly noticeable differences here and there.