what would you do?

[foolishmortal]

We are going to be going to US/IOA, and sea world orlando for our first time ever (always just disney prior).

We fly in Saturday May 28th so nothing going on that day except to surprise our son who is a huge NBA fan with dinner at NBA city.

So we will be in Orlando Sun 29th thru Tues the 2nd of June. we do have a half day wednesday if needed but not planning in itinerary just yet as we are going to Daytona and possible boat tour on way there.

staying offsite!!

Right now we are thinking 2 days us/ioa (with park to park both days) and 1 day sea world. With First day US/IOA being Sunday, Sea world Monday and the 2nd day of US/IOA on Tuesday. being memorial weekend im sure Sunday will be packed but then we can hit what we dont on Tuesday, and hopefully Monday sea world would be lighter than it would on Sunday since we only have 1 day.

Would you experienced goers change anything like # of days at either park or order of days?

Also any other tips would be appreciated. like all day dining. we are going to have breakfast at the room but rest of time at parks. would you purchase all day dining or just wing it and pay OOP?

thx in advance!!!

 

[mesaboy2]

I like your plan. If Memorial Day weekend is when I had to go, then I probably would do something like this. If HP is a priority for you, then try to do it very early in the day or very late, especially Sunday.

 

[Metro West]

Right now we are thinking 2 days us/ioa (with park to park both days) and 1 day sea world. With First day US/IOA being Sunday, Sea world Monday and the 2nd day of US/IOA on Tuesday. being memorial weekend im sure Sunday will be packed but then we can hit what we dont on Tuesday, and hopefully Monday sea world would be lighter than it would on Sunday since we only have 1 day.

Would you experienced goers change anything like # of days at either park or order of days?

Also any other tips would be appreciated. like all day dining. we are going to have breakfast at the room but rest of time at parks. would you purchase all day dining or just wing it and pay OOP?

thx in advance!!!

Memorial Day weekend is going to be super busy at all parks so getting there as early as possible is key since you are staying offsite. You will definitely need a full day at each of the parks to try and do everything. The tricky part with SeaWorld is the timing of the shows and making sure you are able to do the other attractions w/o running out of time.

I wouldn't fool with the meal plans unless your group plans on eating a lot of theme park food. There are better restaurants that are not on the meal deal at Universal but the SeaWorld restaurants are pretty good. I don't know a lot about their meal plan since I've never done it. You might also want to eat at off peak times so the lines aren't as bad.

I will give you my recommendations for counter service at each park you're going to visit.

IOA: Thunder Falls Terrace
Studios: Louie's
SeaWorld: Terrace Cafe (make sure you try the roast beef sandwich w/potato salad...it's AWESOME!)

 

[foolishmortal]

good to know on meal plan, thx. I dont think we'd eat but maybe twice a day lunch and possible dinner. the only other reason i was looking into it was for water/soda instead of buying at higher options

Also glancing at site and the express plan option, would that be smart to consider for Sunday, or just let Sunday play out however and hope that Tuesday is slower?

 

[ky07]

I agree with all of what metro said and never messed with the meal deal since not much of a selection and I have 2 sons and they normally eat like horses but on vacation at universal they never really wanted to eat until we left the parks and the meal deal would have been a waste of money.
I think your son will enjoy NBA City cause I am not a big NBA fan but they had great food

 

[Metro West]

Also glancing at site and the express plan option, would that be smart to consider for Sunday, or just let Sunday play out however and hope that Tuesday is slower?

I would suggest waiting until you arrive to see what the lines are like before spending the money on Express passes. If you get there early, you can do several attractions w/o much of a wait. If the lines are too long for you, you can purchase the EP at numerous locations throughout both parks.

 

[tinydancer09]

good to know on meal plan, thx. I dont think we'd eat but maybe twice a day lunch and possible dinner. the only other reason i was looking into it was for water/soda instead of buying at higher options

Also glancing at site and the express plan option, would that be smart to consider for Sunday, or just let Sunday play out however and hope that Tuesday is slower?

For soda they sell souvenir cups. They look just like the meal deal cups except they are red. I believe the first one is $6.95 and sometimes they run a deal like buy 2 get 1 or maybe it was buy 3 get one. Anyways, refils on these are $.79-$.99 (my memory is foggy) and you get free water!

The good thing about these is that you can use these cups for the rest of your theme park life! I have 5 or 6 because I always forget mine... but even with one visit it pays for itself.

As for your plan it sounds like a good one. We did seaworld in a day riding everything and watching the few shows we wanted to watch. Just be laid back and don't run everyone crazy trying to ride absolutely everything! Missing a few rides is better than everyone being so exhausted the next day they dont feel like getting up. Also, like metro said, get their early. If you get everything done leave early and relax at the hotel pool. You'll thank yourself the next day.