Which Theme Park?

[ObiWan]

We live in Florida and we will be in Orlando in a couple of weeks with enough time to visit one theme park. We are Disney'd out, but we haven't been to Universal Studios in several years... since they first opened the Harry Potter attraction. We would like to know which of the two theme parks at Universal has the most new things to do (i.e. three years or newer)? We will not hop, so which park should we visit and why? Thanks!

 

[DPCummerbund]

Well, if you've already seen Hogsmeade at IoA, then the biggest expansion (by far) over the last three years has been Diagon Alley at USF. Aside from that... in the last three years, the newest rides I can think of are Minion Mayhem (also USF, opened 2012) and Transformers (USF, 2013). At IoA, Spider-Man has been slightly re-done, but it's still the same ride.

So, at USF you have an entirely new land in Diagon Alley, as well as the Minions and Transformers rides. At IoA, essentially nothing has changed. Winner - USF!

 

[wookiebeck]

USF also had the Springfield overlay around the Simpsons Ride. The Kang & Kodos ride is new.

 

[johde]

You mentioned not planning on park hopping. But, if you are a big Harry Potter fan you should know the Hogwarts Express travels between the 2 parks and requires a Park to Park pass to ride. But, like everyone else has said, most of the new stuff is in USF. So, you might want to consider hopping for Hogwarts Express and to pickup a couple of Favorites like Spiderman and Forbidden Journey.

King Kong is rumored to be being built at IOA (there is definitely construction but Universal hasn't confirmed what) but won't be open until late very 2015 or more likely 2016.

 

[ObiWan]

You mentioned not planning on park hopping. But, if you are a big Harry Potter fan you should know the Hogwarts Express travels between the 2 parks and requires a Park to Park pass to ride. But, like everyone else has said, most of the new stuff is in USF. So, you might want to consider hopping for Hogwarts Express and to pickup a couple of Favorites like Spiderman and Forbidden Journey.

King Kong is rumored to be being built at IOA (there is definitely construction but Universal hasn't confirmed what) but won't be open until late very 2015 or more likely 2016.

What are the crowds like during weekends in late February? Since we will only be there one day I don't know if it is worthwhile to do two parks unless the crowds are way down.

We are four adults (if you can call a 14 year old an adult!). Based on the on-line ticket prices, a one day, Park-to Park ticket would cost $136 per adult. Adding the Universal Express feature (which would be a must if doing two parks in one day) would bring it to $229.99 for one day. W would have to pack quite a bit into one day to justify paying $920 plus tax for one day at the themes parks!

For a one park ticket the cost is $96. Adding the express feature ($69.99) would bring it to $165.99 per adult. I think if we stick with USF only we could probably even forgo the express feature and get everything in by spending a full day at the park.

So it comes down to $384 to do one park, or $919.96 to do two parks. No brainer I think. What say you?

PS Ticket prices at both Disney and Universal are out of control!

 

[johde]

Another option to think about is getting Power Passes for $189.99 + tax. Right now they are offering a special 15 months for the price of 12 for Florida residents with a coke can. You could do a day now and a day or 2 on the Thanksgiving trip in your signature. You'd get 2 or 3 days worth of visits. Also, with a good plan, you can do the highlights of both parks in 1 day without an express pass especially if your only hitting a couple of things at IOA.

 

[wookiebeck]

IMHO, Express Pass is not worth it at USF. There are tons of attractions that advertise its use, but are not 'real' lines. Terminator, Shrek and Disaster are examples of this. The express gets you in a large room, then hundreds more file in behind. No real value there. FearFactor and Animal Actors are shows that also take Express. Meh.

I'm not saying don't do it, just ask yourself what the value is to your family to save time at Mummy, RRR, Minions and Transformers.

 

[HM]

If I had to choose one park, it would definitely be US. I think there is just more there.
I would not do both parks, OP. Too much money! I'm not sure I'd even buy the express passes..

My DD and I did just IOA a couple years ago so that we could see the Harry Potter things and do whatever else we wanted there. We were staying offsite and did not get express pass. Had no problems doing the things we wanted....though we did stand in FJ line for an hour and a half!

 

[CyndiLooWho]

Orlando Insider rates all weeks in Feb as slow. We went during moderate attendance in June 2012 and never waited more than 30 min to get on a ride (possible exception, SpiderMan). So with the ratings as slow, I would get park to park to ride the Hogwarts Express and skip the Express Passes. YMMV.

 

[ObiWan]

Another option to think about is getting Power Passes for $189.99 + tax. Right now they are offering a special 15 months for the price of 12 for Florida residents with a coke can. You could do a day now and a day or 2 on the Thanksgiving trip in your signature. You'd get 2 or 3 days worth of visits. Also, with a good plan, you can do the highlights of both parks in 1 day without an express pass especially if your only hitting a couple of things at IOA.

Several have been kind enough to answer, but I will address the comments here. I agree that not having visited USF/IoA for three years, USF only is the way to go for a weekend where we will only have one park day. We will see more new stuff there. I also like the power pass idea, but I will have to think it over since our Thanksgiving trip to Disney will probably be Disney only, and with a daughter in college and a son in high school (who's sports schedule is crazy) who knows when we will get a chance to return to Universal?

After looking at crowd calendars I have found the following --- Undercover Tourist calls for neutral crowds on the day we are going; Isitpacked.com says Yup its packed; and Orlandoinformer.com calls for moderate crowds (Touring Plans want $$$ for this top secret info!). So, two out of three estimates say that wait times will be tolerable (we shall see). Anyway, this all leads me to believe that paying $69.99 per adult for the Express is not necessary.

Now johde, you mentioned something about a good touring plan. What would be a good plan for a one day USF visit on a "moderate" day with no express?

 

[hydrotony]

Another option to think about is getting Power Passes for $189.99 + tax. Right now they are offering a special 15 months for the price of 12 for Florida residents with a coke can. You could do a day now and a day or 2 on the Thanksgiving trip in your signature. You'd get 2 or 3 days worth of visits. Also, with a good plan, you can do the highlights of both parks in 1 day without an express pass especially if your only hitting a couple of things at IOA.

Power Pass is 1 month extra, Premier & Preferred Passes are 3 months extra is what I heard.

 

[nkereina]

As two adults, we much prefer Universal Studios over IoA. We also liked Diagon Alley better, even though there are fewer rides than Hogsmeade. We spent two days at Universal and a half day at IoA on our last trip in November.

 

[johde]

Now johde, you mentioned something about a good touring plan. What would be a good plan for a one day USF visit on a "moderate" day with no express?

Regardless of the crowds, in my opinion, the best "commando" plan for 1 day without early entry or express pass would be.

1. Despicable Me
2. HRRR
3. Transformers.
4. Revenge of the Mummy
5. Simpson.
6. MIB
7. Diagon Alley for Gringotts

If you move quickly and Gringotts is running smoothly this can be done before lunch.
From there, Grab Lunch, In the afternoon, see shows and do the high volume attractions like twister and Disaster.

In the Evening, pick up any rides you missed or reride favorites.

 

[ObiWan]

Regardless of the crowds, in my opinion, the best "commando" plan for 1 day without early entry or express pass would be.

1. Despicable Me
2. HRRR
3. Transformers.
4. Revenge of the Mummy
5. Simpson.
6. MIB
7. Diagon Alley for Gringotts

If you move quickly and Gringotts is running smoothly this can be done before lunch.
From there, Grab Lunch, In the afternoon, see shows and do the high volume attractions like twister and Disaster.

In the Evening, pick up any rides you missed or reride favorites.

Awesome. Thanks! What's good for lunch in the area? Obviously, we will be by the Leaky Cauldron. Any good?

 

[johde]

If you're looking for Counter Service or Pseudo Counter Service, Leaky Cauldron and Simpsons Fast Food Blvd are good in that part of the park. If you want to Table Service, Finnegans is fairly reasonable.

 

[DPCummerbund]

After looking at crowd calendars I have found the following --- Undercover Tourist calls for neutral crowds on the day we are going; Isitpacked.com says Yup its packed; and Orlandoinformer.com calls for moderate crowds (Touring Plans want $$$ for this top secret info!). So, two out of three estimates say that wait times will be tolerable (we shall see). Anyway, this all leads me to believe that paying $69.99 per adult for the Express is not necessary.

Where did you find Universal Orlando on Isitpacked.com? I had never heard of that site & just tried to check it out, & only found parks in California.