Will US/IOA be a waste of money for us?

[PrincessSarah314]

We are going to WDW around the holidays for a week (12/27-1/3). We are considering 2 days for US/IOA, and we both really want to see WWoHP. It will be just me and my DBF.

I don't ride coasters anymore. I love them, but I have PVCs (heart issue) now and the idea of riding a coaster makes me uncomfortable even though my doctor says I'm okay to ride. Not worth a panic attack, IMO.

My DBF will ride anything. I don't mind waiting for him if we can get a FP of some sort for the rides though.

My main concern is that I won't fit on the rides I DO want to ride. Are there even many rides that are not thrill rides that would appeal to an adult? I've heard that US/IOA is not exactly friendly to us bigger folks. Is this something I should just scrap because it will end up being a waste of time and money for me? FYI I'm a size 26.

 

[Metro West]

I think you would enjoy a couple of days at Universal but because of when you're visiting, it might very well be a waste of time. That's the busiest week of the year and getting into HP will be almost impossible for most of that time. It's just not a good time to visit because of the crowds. I would suggest coming back when crowds are lower so you can take your time and enjoy both parks.

 

[PrincessSarah314]

I think you would enjoy a couple of days at Universal but because of when you're visiting, it might very well be a waste of time. That's the busiest week of the year and getting into HP will be almost impossible for most of that time. It's just not a good time to visit because of the crowds. I would suggest coming back when crowds are lower so you can take your time and enjoy both parks.

Is it really that hard to do HP? It is the main reason we wanted to go to US!

 

[Planogirl]

If you can get to IOA for rope drop and don't mind waiting in some lines, you can see WWoHP. Expect the streets to be jammed though.

As for the size issue, the only complaint I see regularly is about the restrictions on the Harry Potter ride Forbidden Journey. There are test seats outside but I'd hate for you to be disappointed if you couldn't ride. You can still tour the castle but again you'd have to deal with those mobs!

 

[Metro West]

Is it really that hard to do HP? It is the main reason we wanted to go to US!

It's not normally too hard to do HP but you're talking Christmas week. IOA will close every day due to capacity mainly because of the people trying to see HP. It's just not a good mix. I'm not trying to discourage you...I'm just trying to let you know what you're going to be up against.

 

[Brit_Jude]

I think you will enjoy HP and IOA the atmosphere is amazing and the details are lovely. Some in our party don't ride rollercoasters either and have a great time at both parks in Universal.

Christmas is a busy time. Are you planning to stay on-site at Universal? As this could make a difference. It will get you in an hour early to IOA for Harry Potter, and currently Spiderman, and on-site guests get express pass on a good number of rides. You could stay one night at an on-site hotel and get two days of express pass in both parks.

As for the size issue there is a thread on who fits and doesn't fit on Forbidden Journey which may give you the information you need to help with your decision for that ride.

 

[bumbershoot]

I've found that it's the thrill rides that are hard to get on, size-wise. Forbidden Journey seems like something borderline for you, thrill/heart-wise, so I'm not sure if you'll want to ride that. Please check the "who fits" thread for FJ.

Just SEEING Wizarding World, especially if you won't be going on FJ (or the small Hippogriff ride since it's a coaster, or especially the big coaster Dragon Challenge), might be crowded but it's worth it. If you're not waiting for any other ride in there, waiting for Ollivander's won't be a problem for you. And just being in there is lovely.

DH can't yet fit on the thrill rides, DS is still a little scared of some of them, and I'm a chicken, so our first trip was spent without thrill rides apart from me riding FJ and us riding Spiderman. On our last trip, DS and I went on Rip Ride Rockit and Forbidden Journey, and I tried Dragon Challenge and Mummy. Those are the thrill rides we've gone on, and we LOVE LOVE LOVE Universal.

I would say that DH is bigger than a women's size 26, but he still does a lot at Universal, just not the thrill rides yet. Since the thrill rides aren't of interest to you, I would say there's still thing you can do and have fun with!

 

[RMulieri]

If you can stay onsite in a Universal resort that week, that will definitely help.You get in an hour early and you get unlimited resort express pass good for everything but : Harry Potter Forbidden Journey , Ollivanders wand shop, Pteranodon flyers in Jurassic park,Rip,Ride Rocket at universal.Otherwise even IF you arrive prior to opening to the public, you are going to face long lines already in WWoHP since resort guests get in an hour early.As for size issues, on Forbidden Journey alot has to do with WHERE you carry that weight .If it is mostly in your chest/abdomen, you may not fit.They have test seats outside the ride to try it before you wait

 

[CyndiLooWho]

It sounds like the week you're looking at is just one that is super crowded. Only you can decide if you want to go during that time period.

I just spent 3 days at US/IOA with my 66 yo mother and 2 tweens. I am the only roller coaster rider in the group. We had a blast. We rode pretty much everything that wasn't a coaster in US, saw several of the shows, went to WWOHP to shop and ride FJ, rode a few other things in IOA, and thoroughly enjoyed the trip. The boys want to go back SOON, esp the younger one, who thinks he could do some bigger roller coasters in a year or so (yeah, right, he'll never get on Hulk or RRR).

So there is definitely plenty to do if you don't do roller coasters.