Which days for parks in early Feb?

[Tigger&Belle]

I will be in Orlando from 2/6-13 with my 4yo. Unless I am able to get a great rate on-site I will be traveling back and forth from Pop Century at WDW (got a $49 rate there) so for the first time will not have FOTL.

What days should I plan on for the two Universal parks (will plan on 2 days)? I will be there Sat-Friday and will work my WDW portion of the trip around the best days to go to Universal. Jake is 42" tall so we won't be going on Hulk, Dragons, and Dr Doom, but will be going on anything else he is tall enough for.

I'm assuming that I should not go to Universal that first weekend that I am in town, but are some weekdays better than others?

I will plan on getting to the parks before opening time and going on the more popular rides then. Do the parks normally open before the official opening time? We were there last spring break, but I'm assuming they opened early then because of the crowds.

Thanks, T&B

 

[robvia]

You don't have anything to worry about. Crowds will be light in the morning, building in the afternoon. In the morning, they don't even turn on the express pass machines. If they do, it's really not needed.
You still want to get there early so you're at the front of the gate. Don't think they'll open before 9am, if they do, it would be 5 or 10 minutes before, but I'd expect 9am.

At IOA, the front section of the park will be open, and the back opens at 10am. So head to Suess landing, do those kiddie rides and the play area, then head the opposite direction to Pteranodon Flyers at 10am.

Temps will be in the mid 50s, you'll need a light jacket or two t-shirts. It warms up in the afternoon to 75.
You'll be spoiled by the short waits in the morning, you'll think the place is boring, but in the afternoon, it comes alive, so take advantage and be happy. I'd say you can be done with IOA by 1pm and head back to your hotel room so the kid can nap. Then you either hit a Disney park, or come back to IOA for a few hours as they close early at 6pm.

 

[Tigger&Belle]

Thanks, Robvia! Does Spiderman open at 9 or 10am? If it's 9 should I head there first before Suess Landing?

What plan of attack should I use for Universal? I assume Shrek, Neutron, and then MiB? Then I can catch the other rides. Anything else that would be busy? Do all the Universal areas open at the same time or do they stagger it, too?

How about the days? Should I avoid it weekends or would a Sunday morning work out ok?

How long of a drive (with traffic) is it from WDW? Should I hop on the freeway or is there another way that would be better?

I know, I'm full of questions!

T&B

 

[the Dark Marauder]

At IOA, about 90% of people head towards Marvel first. It's then split between Hulk or Spider-Man where people head first.

At USF, 90% of people head for Shrek or Jimmy Neutron first. Jaws Earthquake, Curious George, and the Nuthouse Coaster open at 10. Twister opens around 9 or 930. The first show for T2 is around 10-1030.

Shrek, Jimmy Neutron, ET, BTTF, and MIB are open at park opening...