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1 day enough for Universal Studios and IOA using xpress passes?

Universal Orlando: I was planning to do universal studios on thursday and islands of adventure on friday.

From Alvaro Reyes
Posted March 15, 2010 at 9:05 PM
hi

i am flying to orlando the first week of May with my wife, I was planning to do universal studios on thursday and islands of adventure on friday.

I was wondering what if i get 1 day express pass for 2 parks, can i make both parks in one day? so i can visit typhoon lagoon on friday.

Thypphoon lagoon isnt a must ..


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

From Rob P
Posted March 16, 2010 at 2:22 AM
Don't forget that guests staying onsite can use their room key as a fastpass at both Parks. Build that into any cost of added fastpass fees. It may work out cheaper to stay at the Royal Pacific.

I think you may be able to do selected rides at both Parks in one day but it will be a rush even with fast access to do everything. Not impossible but unenjoyable.

From Derek Potter
Posted March 16, 2010 at 5:54 AM
My wife and I did about everything at IOA at a pretty leisurely pace in about 8 hours. That includes sitting down to lunch and dinner, most of the rides, and a couple of shows. We waited in the normal line for everything. Universal Studios is about the same size.

I look at it this way. You are paying a lot of money to come to Universal and there's a lot to take in and do. Not taking enough time will take the fun out of the experience. While you could perhaps run like a crazy person and get every ride in with the pass, you will miss out on a lot if you do so and you won't get your real money's worth. If Typhoon Lagoon isn't a must, I say scratch it off the list and take your time at Universal.

From Sylvain Comeau
Posted March 16, 2010 at 6:45 AM
I did both parks in one day with an Express Pass, last May, although I did skip a few attractions. Then again, I rode The Simpsons four times, and Mummy three times. Was it fun? Yes, but not ideal. I did feel a bit worn out at the end of the day, from running around so much and doing that many thrill rides.

Bottom line, it really depends on how much time you have, and whether you want to do just about everything at both parks. If this is a first Universal trip and you want to savor the experience, I would say give yourself two days at least. If you've been to Universal before and just want to do all your favorites, one day with the Express Pass can be enough.

From Don Neal
Posted March 16, 2010 at 7:35 AM
I recommend two days to fully enjoy the parks. Allows you to ride the attractions you liked the most a second time and enjoy shows and any good restaurants.

From Pyra Dong
Posted March 16, 2010 at 6:28 PM
No no no. Don't try to cram both parks in one day. While it may be possible-- believe me-- at the end of the day you'll just feel worn out, rushed, and you'll develop the mindset that you're visiting the attractions for the sake of visiting the attractions.

Yes, it's best to give one full day for each park. There's LOTS to explore besides the rides and the shows. And LOTS of picture opportunities and things to point around with your significant other.

Rather than Typhoon Lagoon, I would replace that experience with some evening fun around Orlando-- like seeing hundreds of classic cars in Old Town on Friday (plus there's FunSpot nearby) or clubbing/shopping/more pictures in Downtown Disney or CityWalk.

From steve lee
Posted March 16, 2010 at 8:39 PM
Pretty much agree with the last few folks. If you've been to Universal before you can certainly do everything you want in a day. But if it's your first time, you really should slow down a bit and enjoy what these parks have to offer.

From Michael Smith
Posted March 16, 2010 at 10:41 PM
If you and your wife aren't into shows much and just like to ride rides, it's pretty easy to do. With an express pass, 5hrs should be plenty of time in the studios even with a show or two. 3 hrs is more than plenty of time for the rides at IOA. That gives you 30 min for lunch, and 30 min. to exit the studios and enter IOA. I think it would be fun to do it like that. It just depends on your and your wife's likes and personalities.

From Tyler Bell
Posted March 19, 2010 at 10:49 AM
no there is so much to discover at universal, take your time at the parks.Get a two day two park pass,and go to one park a day

From Lyndsey Jones
Posted March 22, 2010 at 1:57 AM
Is it possible? Most definitely yes.

Last year on July 5th we had the most insane day ever, the last day of our holiday, spent mostly in Naples, but we had our last day in Orlando.

We started by going to Downtown Disney to drop off our luggage with Virgin, this took an unexpectedly long time so didn't quite get to Universal by opening.

We went to IOA first and did everything we wanted to there. Then we stopped in the Nascar restaurant for some lunch, a proper sit down lunch with drink refills seemed essential as it was far too hot for us to be going at the pace we were! Then did Universal Studios.

We rode everything we wanted to in the park, fast passes really were essential. Then we went to Florida Mall to pick up some last minute buys!

All of this and we had to be at the airport for 5!

It was an utterly exhausting day, but still brilliant! It would have probably been more bearable if we would have been able to shower before our journey home. It did help us sleep like babies throughout our flight though.

So it is most definitely doable, but Harry Potter land may just have opened and it may be insane in the parks. Also if I had two days I'd probably take them both at Universal, or possibly go to Seaworld on the other day and take a go at Manta again! I certainly wouldn't bother with Typhoon Lagoon.

From Jason Jackson
Posted March 22, 2010 at 6:51 AM
I have done both in one day using the express pass...saw what I wanted to see, so it was good. Hadn't planned on seeing everything any way. Would recommend two days if possible, but if it was one day at US/IOA with SeaWorld vs. 2 days for US/IOA, I would take the one day option as I love Sea World.

From Alvaro Reyes
Posted March 22, 2010 at 8:01 AM
Thanks for your answers, i think i get a 2 day pass to IOA and Universal, since this is my wife´s first time in Orlando.

I am still hoping the opening of Harry Potter for the first week of may, in that case the park will be crowded and i will need that 2nd day for sure

From James Rao
Posted March 23, 2010 at 4:16 AM
Rumors persist that Harry Potter will be in soft opening this month - if it has not already happened. You should be good to go for May.

From Chris Walton
Posted March 24, 2010 at 4:18 PM
Simply put, you can probably hit all of the major attractions in one day using the Express Pass, but I recommend one day per park to absorb everything each park has to offer.

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