Is One Day Enough?
Universal Orlando: Have an 8 and 10-yo. Is one day on Sunday, Dec. 19 (start of week before Xmas) enough to do all of Universal Islands of Adventure?
From Jeff Crist
Posted October 25, 2010 at 5:24 PM
Spending a week in Orlando week before Xmas (arriving Friday night the 17th and leaving Friday night the 24th). We HAVE to go to Universal on Sat the 18th or Sun the 19th due to itinerary constraints of someone in our party.
I have an 8-yo and 10-yo that are both tall enough to ride all the rides at Islands of Adventure. We've done in the past 8 years, WDW once (saw all 4 parks with 5-day pass), Disneyland 4 times, and have NEVER been to Universal Orlando.
We have 6-1/2 days for park touring. We are setting aside 4-5 days for WDW. We are planning to arrive at Universal very early on Sunday before it opens and get the Flex Pass (although someone recommended checking the lines first and by the pass in the park only if needed.) Based on people's experience, do you think my 8 and 10-yo will be begging to go back to Universal again and so we would regret not getting a 2-day, 2-park Universal pass?
I'm a big Disneyland fan/afficianado, but I have to be honest and say last time we were there it wasn't as *magical* as it used to be when the kids were younger. I think they are gravitating more towards the 'serious' ride parks. If Universal Islands is easily done in one day on Sunday, then we may spend the extra time doing Discovery Cove.
I would give it two (one for each park) days because Harry Potter seems to make it a bit harder.
The last time I went, I was able to do both parks, but that was before HP. I started with USO first and then went to IOA.
From Jeff Crist
Posted October 26, 2010 at 6:52 AM
I read the Universal Studios pales in comparison to Islands of Adventure. Is it even worth doing both. Sounds like one day is plenty for just one park even with Harry Potter?
I'm actually thinking Saturday will be better as less families will have arrived for that week as most travel on Sat or Sun.
I disagree and think you should DEFINATELY do Universal as well as IOA. Although IOA IS better, Universal has so many awesome rides also, that it would be a shame to miss it. I would go to IOA first, hitting HP and working your way round, then with the remander of your time, hit the best things at Universal (The Mummy, Men in Black etc)
Have a great time! :D
Whoever thinks Universal studios Florida is lacking has obviously not visited the park. It's attractions, in my opinion, are more re-rideable than IOA (IOA has great attractions, just some especially the water rides are great to experience just once). Especially when you ride Men In Black, you will be wanting to ride at least once more!
So I would give it two days. Plus, Discovery Cove isn't really worth a full day.
I was there this past week and we didn't make both parks in one day I recomend to do one day at USF and other at UIA and as soon as you enter UIA go straight to Harry Potter so you can see te entire park and in USF there are awesome rides like Hollywood RIP Rock it that is open Men In Black and the Simpsons ride ect you will enjoy both parks and the boys too.
I would recommend two days as well. Have only been twice, and needed the two days to enjoy it without having to rush around. Harry Potter area is was still very busy last week, and will probably be busier the week before Christmas. Rest of the park, and Islands of Adventure were fine, but I thought we still needed the two days to fully enjoy it. Your children are the perfect age for both parks.
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