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Going to Islands of Adventure on 9th November?

Universal Orlando: Recommendations?

From Olivia Edgar
Posted October 26, 2009 at 5:27 PM
I am heading over to Florida for the weekend from Oregon, where I am on exchange at OSU from Australia, and have a day to spend in Orlando on Monday before flying back to Portland. I was thinking about going to Islands of Adventure as it looks pretty cool, but only have myself to go with so was wondering if there is anyone out there who was considering going or has any recommendations on if its a good place to go or not!
Cheers
Olivia :)


Comments in chronological order. Most recent at the bottom. Scroll down to respond.

From Nick Markham
Posted October 26, 2009 at 6:51 PM
It is a good place to go if you don't mind seeing some construction. If you are someone who thinks that would takee away from the experience, then you should either go to Universal Florida or Sea World Orlando.

But if you don't mind, then grab yourself an Express pass for IOA as it is a very incredible park!

From James Rao
Posted October 27, 2009 at 2:40 AM
Honestly, if I had only one day to spend in Orlando at a theme park, I would probably go to Disney's Epcot. There is just so much there to occupy your time, in fact too much even for a solo traveler with a full day to tour.

However, I love IOA, and despite the Harry Potter construction, everything really good is still open and ready for business.

If you do have a full day, and the parks are open late enough, and you have never been to Universal, why not attempt to visit both Universal parks and hit all the headliner attractions? Normally I wouldn't recommend commando touring, but because the parks are so close to each other, and because your are traveling solo (and don't have the baggage of a family in tow), I think you would have a lot of fun (especially if you purchase Universal Express passes for the day).

Here is a potential touring plan for both parks in a single day:

Universal Studios
Arrive 30 minutes prior to opening
Rip, Ride, Rockit
Revenge of the Mummy
Men In Black
The Simpsons

Islands of Adventure
Hulk Coaster
Amazing Spider-Man
Dueling Dragons (Fire)
Dueling Dragons (Ice)
Cat In The Hat
Eat at Mythos (make reservations in advance of your trip)
Jurassic Park River Adventure
Ripsaw Falls
Bilge-Rat Barges (store shoes/socks under cover in center)

Universal Studios
See Terminator 2: 3D (lines are shorter after 3 PM)

If you still have time before park closing, there are plenty of other good attractions at USF/IOA, pick the one's you like best and check them out. Otherwise, head out to Citywalk and enjoy the nightlife.

Granted, running back and forth between parks does not afford you a lot of time to stop and smell the roses, but you will at least experience all the best of USO and can always come back at a later date for a more leisurely tour.

Enjoy!

From dylan k
Posted October 27, 2009 at 5:51 PM
Islands of Adventure is the best theme park in the world definitely go! If your going by yourself you should definatley hold out on the express passes. You dont need them! Islands of adventure has EXTREMLY fast single riders lines escpiecailly Doctor Doom, and if you get to the park within 45min-1hour of its opening all of the Marvel Super Heroe Island waits will be little to none. Also Mythoes is fantastic, but if you dont want to spend alot on lunch there are some pretty good counter service places in IOA. The best probably being The Comic Strip Cafe in toon lagoon because it has EVERYTHING to choose from. Finally the shows are fantastic (8th Voyage of Sinbad, and Poseidon's Fury are both must sees, your IOA trip wont be complete without them!) and if your a jurassic park fan definatley go into the discovery center. Overall you probably wont have to wait in any long lines, at IOA a unforgettable day is included with general admission!

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