What's Your Vote: Two Day or Three Day at Universal/IOA?

[tamaraten]

Just wondering in the course of planning our first visit to Universal, what is the most effective and enjoyable way to do the parks (US/IOA) - in two days or three days?

And, what type of tickets to buy (one park per day or park to park) in this case? (in my case, coming from abroad with DH and four kids, ages 6,8,10, 12, and have only four days total in Orlando).

 

[Metro West]

Just wondering in the course of planning our first visit to Universal, what is the most effective and enjoyable way to do the parks (US/IOA) - in two days or three days?

And, what type of tickets to buy (one park per day or park to park) in this case? (in my case, coming from abroad with DH and four kids, ages 6,8,10, 12, and have only four days total in Orlando).

Depending on when you're coming, you should allow two full days at least. Lots of people stay the third day to redo their favorite attractions. If you're coming during a busy period, you might want to stick to three days so you can take your time.

 

[tamaraten]

Depending on when you're coming, you should allow two full days at least. Lots of people stay the third day to redo their favorite attractions. If you're coming during a busy period, you might want to stick to three days so you can take your time.

We're coming Sunday December 4rth, staying on-site for three nights.

 

[KellyWasHere]

We chose 3. Not much $ to add on that third day.

 

[Planogirl]

A lot depends on your touring style and whether you want to see everything. If you tour efficiently and get there at rope drop you can see a lot in two days. Will you want to take breaks? Do you like to explore resorts and eat in full-serve restaurants? Do you like to shop a lot? Those things call kill lots of time too.

We tour hard in the mornings and then kind of relax and meander more later in the day. It takes us three days to comfortably visit Universal.

 

[tamaraten]

A lot depends on your touring style and whether you want to see everything. If you tour efficiently and get there at rope drop you can see a lot in two days. Will you want to take breaks? Do you like to explore resorts and eat in full-serve restaurants? Do you like to shop a lot? Those things call kill lots of time too.

We tour hard in the mornings and then kind of relax and meander more later in the day. It takes us three days to comfortably visit Universal.

Those are good questions to consider - thank you for replying Planogirl. We're not that into exploring the resorts, and we'll eat in a full-serve restaurant only for dinner (I assumed we'll do this after the park closes which I understand is 6 p.m. for when we're there, except for one night). We also wouldn't spend too much time shopping. Mainly, because we're coming from overseas, we really want to see the parks fully - by that I mean the rides and shows - as opposed to food/resort/shopping type stuff.

About breaks, that's a great one. Last year, we went to WDW for the first time ever, again with only 4 days, and with four kids one year younger. I assumed we'd have to return for breaks mid-day, but my kids were so excited that they were go-go-go from 9 a.m. until midnight each night. It was unbelievable. They were too excited to stop, just going on energy. And, we all had a blast. Therefore, because of that experience, I'm assuming they'll be pretty much the same.

For the three days that you go, do you do park-to-park tickets, or one-day-per-park tickets?

 

[tamaraten]

We chose 3. Not much $ to add on that third day.

Thanks KellyWasHere. Do you do park to park tickets for the 3 days, or one park/day tickets?

 

[brenda1966]

Do your kids like to do the same ride over and over and over and over. Even with FOTL, this takes up time. We spent 2 full days there and didn't get to see and do everything. We mostly skipped shows because DD likes to do rides over and over. We really enjoyed ourselves! I think 2 days is very doable, but a third day would have been nice. Since you're already paying for the hotel, the extra park day shouldn't be that much more. And yes, we had hoppers and they were worth it. Spent each morning and each evening in Harry Potter land.

 

[Mtnman44]

We had a great time on our last visit, staying two nights on-site (almost three full park days). We loved it so much, we are adding another night four our upcoming trip. Three nights and four parks days with FOTL is alot of un-rushed time. looking forward to it.

 

[tamaraten]

Do your kids like to do the same ride over and over and over and over. Even with FOTL, this takes up time. We spent 2 full days there and didn't get to see and do everything. We mostly skipped shows because DD likes to do rides over and over. We really enjoyed ourselves! I think 2 days is very doable, but a third day would have been nice. Since you're already paying for the hotel, the extra park day shouldn't be that much more. And yes, we had hoppers and they were worth it. Spent each morning and each evening in Harry Potter land.

Yes, my kids do like riding over and over now that you mention it. That's a very good point. Was that your first time there? Did you spend the mornings in Harry Potter and go to Universal for the middle part of the day on both days? When did you do the rest of IOA? I'm asking just for planning purposes and wondering what the reasons are for doing it that way as opposed to staying one day in one park and the 2nd day in the other park - no experience here!

 

[tamaraten]

We had a great time on our last visit, staying two nights on-site (almost three full park days). We loved it so much, we are adding another night four our upcoming trip. Three nights and four parks days with FOTL is alot of un-rushed time. looking forward to it.

Thanks for reply Mtnman44! When you were there for last visit, what type of tickets did you get? (ie. park to park or one-park/day). How did you divide up the time between the parks? We have 4 days to play with but one of those days we're seriously considering Seaworld (or KSC, can't decide), so we actually have 3 days to play with re Universal (on the other hand, I thought if two days at Universal is enough I don't have to drive myself crazy deciding between SW and KSC!).

 

[brenda1966]

We were there 2 days and spent each morning in IOA because of early entry. It also allowed us to do Olivanders twice. Also, keep in mind that FJ seems to be a bit tempermental. It was not open at all our first morning there! We left the area around 9:30 and it still wasn't open. We came back in the evenings because the area is quieter and it looks so pretty all lit up.

We did IOA all day our first day. Our second day we did the early hour at IOA and then over to US until about 5:30 and then back to Harry Potter land (with a stop at Spidey and Jurrassic along the way, which was down, so we did those Pterradactyl fliers instead).

And yes, this was our first visit to US FL. At first I hadn't intended to get hoppers, thinking we'd do one park one day, and the other the next day. But we ended up with the Costco tickets and they are hoppers, and I was very glad about that.

 

[tamaraten]

We were there 2 days and spent each morning in IOA because of early entry. It also allowed us to do Olivanders twice. Also, keep in mind that FJ seems to be a bit tempermental. It was not open at all our first morning there! We left the area around 9:30 and it still wasn't open. We came back in the evenings because the area is quieter and it looks so pretty all lit up.

We did IOA all day our first day. Our second day we did the early hour at IOA and then over to US until about 5:30 and then back to Harry Potter land (with a stop at Spidey and Jurrassic along the way, which was down, so we did those Pterradactyl fliers instead).

And yes, this was our first visit to US FL. At first I hadn't intended to get hoppers, thinking we'd do one park one day, and the other the next day. But we ended up with the Costco tickets and they are hoppers, and I was very glad about that.

thanks for reply Brenda1966!

 

[KellyWasHere]

Thanks KellyWasHere. Do you do park to park tickets for the 3 days, or one park/day tickets?

We got the park to park tickets. Got tickets from undercover tourist. So the 2 day non park to park ticket is $123. The 3 day park to park ticket is $142. For $19 more, I think it's totally worth it to get an extra day and park-to-park access.

 

[Mtnman44]

We split our time probably about 60% IOA and 40% US, but that is really going to depend on the individuals' choices I suppose.

I think park to park tickets are almost always the way to go just for the flexibility...If you get bored or finish early at one park, head over to the other.

3 park days at universal and 1 at sea world sounds good to me.

Thanks for reply Mtnman44! When you were there for last visit, what type of tickets did you get? (ie. park to park or one-park/day). How did you divide up the time between the parks? We have 4 days to play with but one of those days we're seriously considering Seaworld (or KSC, can't decide), so we actually have 3 days to play with re Universal (on the other hand, I thought if two days at Universal is enough I don't have to drive myself crazy deciding between SW and KSC!).

 

[Planogirl]

We also get park to park. It's just easier since we like to visit WWoHP in the morning and then go over to the Studios for a while. The Studios is our favorite park.

Considering your answer two days would probably be enough but be sure to get there at rope drop. I still enjoy a more relaxed style of touring but if you go pretty hard and can keep up the pace then more power to you!

 

[Lucky4me]

Staying off site, we spent 28 hours over 4 days at UO last week.
We experienced every square inch of both parks and our favorite rides many times over.

 

[damo]

We like to do IOA dry rides in the morning, then go do our favourites at Universal and come back and do the wet rides at IOA in the afternoon before heading back to the room.

It is really nice to just walk around saying, "What should we do next?" instead of having it all planned out.

 

[tamaraten]

We got the park to park tickets. Got tickets from undercover tourist. So the 2 day non park to park ticket is $123. The 3 day park to park ticket is $142. For $19 more, I think it's totally worth it to get an extra day and park-to-park access.

Thanks KellyWas Here - I am considering the park to park tickets now. I hadn't before because as a first timer, I figured there's so much to do in each park, I'd just do one park a day without the stress of feeling we should be in Park A when we're in Park B. Also, we're 6 people so it does add up, which I'm ok with as long as we use it. I just keep thinking if we're at IOA for example, there's so much to do and see, why pay more if we won't have any time to go to US that same day anyway? I'm trying to figure out how they'd be beneficial in our (newbie) case!

 

[tamaraten]

Staying off site, we spent 28 hours over 4 days at UO last week.
We experienced every square inch of both parks and our favorite rides many times over.

Thanks Lucky4me - did you have park to park tickets, or one day/park tickets? I'm in the midst of that dilemma at the moment! For our first time there, wondering if the park-to-parks would be used considering all there is to do in each park.