Which park is wetter?

[lejaf]

Only 9 days until our trip and after this horrible winter, I'm hoping for some really warm sunny weather...but, I realize March can be unpredictable ( a few years ago when we were in Florida, one day was 50 degrees at 8:00 in the morning and two days later it was 75 at 8:00 in the morning) There is nothing worse than a cold day at a park with lots of water rides! Does either park have more "wet" rides than the other?

 

[No11's Mom]

lejaf - get to your local Dollar Tree store, or probably any dollar store, and get some disposable plastic ponchos. My local Dollar Tree sells them in packs of two for $1. They really help on the water rides. Once we carried in plastic garbage bags and ponchos to ride Popeye. We used the ponchos for our tops and the garbage bags for our bottoms. We looked ridiculous, but we were the envy of everyone when we came off that raft nice and dry and everyone else was soaked.

We were there in March last year, and it was warm enough every day for the pool and water rides. Hopefully it will be the same for you. If you do have a really cold day, go to the Studios that day.

Enjoy your vacation and post a trip report when you get back.

 

[Spaceman Spiff]

the weather looks very good for when you'll be at universal, lejaf. in the high 70's, low 80's with a few showers(but when is that not normal in central florida? lol) and lots of sunshine.

 

[MsDisney]

Originally posted by lejaf
Only 9 days until our trip and after this horrible winter, I'm hoping for some really warm sunny weather...but, I realize March can be unpredictable ( a few years ago when we were in Florida, one day was 50 degrees at 8:00 in the morning and two days later it was 75 at 8:00 in the morning) There is nothing worse than a cold day at a park with lots of water rides! Does either park have more "wet" rides than the other?

Hi lejaf! You're from my home state! Boy you sure have had a tough winter up there!!! Sure am glad I moved here!

Anyway, IOA is definitely the wetter park. Although, there is the Curious George play area at Universal for those who CHOOSE to get wet!

IOA has 3 rides that are actually water rides, that you can and probably will get wet on. Popeye, Dudley DoRight and Jurassic Park.

That said, the weather has shifted so that every day is pretty much warm now...yesterday was 88 or so! I don't think you have much to worry about with cool weather! They have lockers you can rent to store dry clothing if it's a concern though. That might be a good idea anyway!

Karen

 

[lejaf]

Thanks everyone! We started our countdown at 70 days, and I can't beleive that we are down to 8 days now! I'm in panic mode trying to get everything ready for the trip..but I'm so excited and what doesn't get done, will just have to go un-done!

MsDisney, I'm glad to hear the weather has been so warm....I just can't tell you how bad this winter has been temperature wise up here...we've had more days hovering around 0 degrees than I can ever remember. We've had cold winters, but usually we get a break here or there where the weather warms up just enough to make you not go completely out of your mind, but not this year!

 

[jeannej]

Currently we are expereining warmer than normal weather. This is expected to be the pattern most of the month of March. It is also humid. After two rather cold months, having summer begin early is an unwelcome change. I live in south Florida.

As for the wetter park.......................IOA defintiely.

jeannej

 

[camdevjor]

You can get a real soaking at IOA on Bilge Rat Barges, Ripsaw Falls and somewhat on Jurassic Park depending on where you sit. When we go to IOA the boys wear tshirts and bathing suits. My daughter and I usually put on our bathng suit and wear a t and nylon shorts over it. We also have a stroller with a large basket and since either my husband and I sit out the ride with our little guy and watch the stuff we stow in the stroller basket. We bring flip flops or athletic "slide" type shoes to wear on the ride and leave our sneakers and socks in the basket to stay dry. We also throw a couple of
towels in the basket as well. I've seen people in jeans come off rides sopping wet. I can't imagine traipsing around in soaked jeans without being utterly
miserable. USF is a drier park with the exception of Curious George waterpark. When we go, we plan the same strategy but carry less depending on how warm it is. WE take a break after Curious George and grab a snack or
drink in the sun. Curious George is intended for the younger set, but my 14 and 11 year old love it. They probably wouldn't be caught dead there if any
of their friends from home were around!
I haven't seen long term forecast, but this week's weather has been in the
mid to even upper 80s. I'm crossing my fingers it holds, especially from
that lovely snowstorm yesterday (I see we are both from Mass.) Took me
2.5 hours yesterday on a usual 30 minute commute. We leave next Friday
and it can't get here fast enough!!!!