Worried-not a resort guest

[Riggsy]

AFter reading several of these posts I am a little worried about having to stand in line for hours. We are actually staying at WDW but traveling to Universal and IOA several days as we have never ventured there before. If I hadn't already bought tickets, (good deal, 5 days for the price of 2!) I would cancel them until I could stay on property. But since I have already bought tickets, does anyone have any tips for me about touring, meals, etc? We are going the end of August and I have two children, 8 & 5, and a big child (DH). The real kids won't do the Hulk or big rollercoasters, but the DH will want to. We plan to arrive at opening each day; where should we go first?

Thanks!

 

[ltribble31021]

We just returned from Universal yesterday. (We were there from July 2 through the 7th) This is the peak season and we stayed off site also. Best tip I can give you is to go early. The parks state that 9:00 is opening time but the really open at 8:30. If you are there early enough, you can ride anything you want pretty much walk on. Around 11:30 to 12:00 it will be real busy and you will wait in hour long lines. So get there early.

Also be sure you use your tickets to get fast passes when the lines start to build up. Don't waste your time getting them in the early morning. You won't need them.

 

[Riggsy]

I'll plan on getting there early, at 8:30. Does anyone else have touring tips?

 

[Planogirl]

We stayed offsite during our last trip and it was manageable. Treat it a bit as if you were visiting WDW.

Get to the park of the day early and hit the big rides first. At Universal, I would visit Shrek and The Mummy first. Then Jimmy Neutron and MIB. And at IOA I would ride Spiderman and the Hulk first thing. Then Dueling Dragons (excellent queue for nonriders!).

Try to find Kelly Monaghan's excellent Universal guide in your bookstore for great advice. And have fun!

 

[Tasha+Scott]

We stayed offsite last month. The lines at IOA were not an issue for us b/c it is so much like a water park in a way. Once you ride something like Popeye and get soaked, you won't mind the lines quite as much b/c you won't be as hot.
US on the other hand, is a different story. It gets extemely hot waiting in those long lines. I agree w/what was said about getting there early and getting express passes. I would go right to the Mummy and get express passes first thing though. They tend to run out of express passes for that one really fast. Now if there is something that your DH or yourself wants to ride that no one else wants to ride, check and see if single rider lines are available for it. The shortest wait times we experienced was when we rode MIB, Jurassic Park River Adventure, and the Mummy single rider. Also, when it seems too hot or you just need a break, don't forget about the shows. Another good tip: wait to ride some of the more popular rides again right before closing. The lines are usually a lot shorter then.
Just remember that you have 5 days to do it all, so don't overdo it in one day. That is the best advice I can give you.

 

[Riggsy]

I love getting wet. Unfortunately the others in my party don't share my enthusiasm. I guess we'll be packing the rain slickers...takes all the fun out of it though.

One last question, Is Spiderman likely tobe too scary for my dd (8) and ds (5)? Did you see other kids riding and doing okay?

 

[Tasha+Scott]

I think it depends on the kids but at 8 and 5 I don't think your kids will think it is too scary. We had a mother and her 2 yr. old son ride sitting beside us. I was curious of how he would react since he was so little. He LOVED it! I have never seen a kid ready to jump back on a ride so fast! I would at least do it once. I think your kids will be fine.