First time at universal
Universal Orlando: Which park to choose?
Hi
first timer visitor at Universal Florida, and we have a few questions. We only have one day (dec. 6). We can see, that their are two parks, so which one should we choose? We are 39 years old, and love Disneyland Paris - the atmosphere, Big Thunder Mountain, Tower of Terror and Space Mountain. Not a big fan of shows.
So any suggestions and hints? Should we buy the tickets online in advance?
Islands of adventures is perfect. Has more rides than shows. Theming is great. Not a lot of kiddie rides. And of course it has the two greatest rides in the world.
^...which are, IYHO?
I'm with you on the shows, Kennet. Go to Islands of Adventure! Incredible rides!
Yes, buy your tickets online so you don't have to wait in a line the morning of.
If I remember correctly, it isn't all that expensive to get a one day, two park pass. The parks are close together so you can walk from one to the other. I would reccomend getting the one day, two park pass and sampling stuff at both parks. That way, you can experience the best of what both parks have to offer.
From steve lee
Posted October 22, 2010 at 1:05 PM
Don't be glib, Mike. Voters of TPI have voted Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey and The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man as the two best themed rides in the world (just look at the sidebar). TPI readers' judgments = truth. Oops, now I'm being glib.
But I want to second what Derek said. December 6th is a Monday and it's right in the dead zone between the Thanksgiving and Christmas crowds. It's also cooler, so odds are good that you'll be hesitant to avoid Dudley Do Right and Popeye (both water rides where you get drenched). You could conceivably tear through Islands by 1 or 2 pm, affording you a few hours to go through the greatest hits at the Studios (or just ride Men in Black over and over again). It's a little more expensive to do the 1-day 2 park ticket, but you'll have a LOT more to do in your time.
But I would insist on starting at Islands, I would demand buying your tickets in advance, and I would hit you with a stick if you weren't lined up at the gates half an hour before the park opened.
Oh, and welcome to the site, Kennet!
Well, if your adiment you only want to pay for one park, then obviously go for IOA BUT if you can afford the two park pass, I would SERIOUSLY suggest that you go to both as they each have many things to offer. Start off with IOA and then head over to Universal with your remaining time to hit the rides there :)
Enjoy yourself! Very jealous! :D
Harry Potter aside, I consider the Studios superior to Islands for attractions and atmosphere. However, if you're really not a fan of shows and don't mind some of the older attractions appearing run-down, then go with Islands.
A note on the shows... Universal and Disney are two very different companies. If you're basing your opinion of shows on visits to Disneyland Paris, you may find Universal's fare far more entertaining. Universal's shows tend to be edgier and much funnier than Disney's. Terminator 2: 3D is action-packed and still impressive after all these years, while shows like Horror Make-up and Beetlejuice are good for laughs.
I'd buy the two-park, one-day pass and hit the seven worthwhile attractions at Islands, then hop over to the Studios and experience whatever interests you.
My personal opinion includes a question for you. Are you going specifically for Wizarding World of Harry Potter? If so choose Islands of Adventure as you will not have access to Harry Potter if you choose Universal Studios unless you do purchase a 1-day, 2-park ticket which will then allow you to park hop. If Harry Potter isn't all that big a deal to you and you are only getting a 1-day/1-park ticket then I would choose Universal Studios, because just like with Disney, Universal Studios is the main/original park which contains classic attractions such as Jaws, E.T. Adventure and Terminator 2:3-D. If you guys like thrills as well, then the Studios park still has you covered with Revenge of the Mummy and Hollywood Rip, Ride, Rockit. Overall you will have a more enjoyable first time if you start with the original park first: Universal Studios. If it was your first time to Walt Disney World, I would say the same thing and do Magic Kingdom first as it is the original park for that complex.
I would do a day each, if its your first time then you dont want to be rushing around. You kinda have to go to Islands of Adventure for Harry Potter, dont know how the lines will be in Dec, but we were there two weeks ago (which is supposed to be the 4th quietest week in the year) and the lines were 75mins at one stage.
From steve lee
Posted November 1, 2010 at 1:27 PM
The 4th quietest week of the year is in October? I'd take that guidebook back if I were you...
I would recommend going to both parks also. Its possible to do almost every ride in both parks in a day, especially during the first week of December.
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