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two parks one day

Universal Orlando: can you fit both parks in one day?

From thomas snell
Posted October 7, 2012 at 8:34 PM
we will be going to Disney world and universal studios nest sept we plan on spending one day at universal studios. we are ok skipping a few of the kiddie rides can we do both universal parks in one day.


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

From Dominick D
Posted October 7, 2012 at 9:04 PM
Considering you're going in September, the parks will be very quiet, so park hopping would be the best way to go. Just watch out for Horror Nights,as USF will close at 5.

From Anthony Murphy
Posted October 8, 2012 at 9:37 PM
Yes

From Russell Meyer
Posted October 9, 2012 at 9:28 AM
You can certainly do both park in one day, but you may not be satisfied with just one day devoted to the 2 parks. There are a number of good attractions at Universal Studios that you will need to skip because they can take over an hour because of the pre-shows and queue design. Also, September hours tend to be limited somewhat with the parks closing around 8 PM. You would do much better giving yourself 2 days for these parks, but they can be done in a single day with a strict plan and efficient execution.

From robert morris
Posted October 12, 2012 at 8:23 AM
Biggest key to both parks at Universal is be at park EARLY be in the parking lots by 8am at least.

But make sure you go on Mon or Tue and USF closing time is at least 8pm

It's a brisk walk and they generally open the gates early.

at IOA do these in order:(bring a change of clothes)
Hulk
Spiderman
Ripsaw Falls
Popeye
Jurassic Park
(change clothes)

FJ (single rider if needed)
Dueling Dragon
Three Broomsticks for lunch
Cat in the Hat
One Fish Two Fish (if under 15 minutes)

Head to USF
Check wait times as you enter infront of Betty Boop Store

Parade is at 2pm if you want to stop for it

Head to back of park for MIB and Simpsons if waits are under 30 minutes and avoid waits for rides in front of park from post parade watchers

Single Rider for MIB will actually send you half the time in same car just not in the same row

Then knock out Mummy and then Horror Make Up Show

Try and do Despicable Me and Rockit as late as possible and nightshow is at 8pm

Mels is reasonable bargain for food

From Mike Gallagher
Posted October 12, 2012 at 8:21 AM
Robert Morris wins the first ever TPI DUAL Typo Of The Week Award!!!

For:

"parking lost"

AND

"Betty Bop Store"

Congratulations!!!! We'll await your acceptance speech. :))

From robert morris
Posted October 12, 2012 at 8:24 AM
typos fixed and still a good plan

From Kevin Hanaoka
Posted October 13, 2012 at 12:12 PM
I don't normally suffer from motion sickness, but the only ride that got me sick was Cat in the Hat! The ride is slow, but the ride vehicle movement and the Seuss visuals made me ill. I was perfectly fine on Hulk and the dueling coasters (right after another, even with my head bouncing violently side to side). Yet Cat in the Hat did me in. If you have people prone to motion sickness in your group, you might want to skip it.

From thomas snell
Posted October 28, 2012 at 5:14 PM
lol that's me for sure. no spinning like that the old tea cup ride makes me sick. going in September what kind of wait should i expect on the top rides at IOA and Universal.

From thomas snell
Posted October 28, 2012 at 5:18 PM
thank you for that list Robert i will follow your advise.

From Jason Jackson
Posted October 30, 2012 at 8:49 AM
We went in July one year and did both parks, but we did purchase the express pass, so that helped, but many of the attractions we would not have even had to use it. This was before Harry Potter opened, though.

From Doug Jenkins
Posted October 31, 2012 at 1:56 PM
Speed riding and doing both parks is good IF you have been before. If not, Hulk, FJ, Spiderman, Mummy, MIB Rip Ride Rocket, Dueling Dragons, Simpson's are all rides you will probably want to do twice or more. Best to stay on property or do the front of line thing. Then 2 parks are no problem, even for newbies. And if you have never been check out Terminator and Twister, both of which may not be around for much longer. Tip; Most rides have single riders lines too.

From Bryce McGibeny
Posted October 31, 2012 at 7:25 PM
You can if you do the major attractions in each. I'm having this problem because my next Universal trip is mid-November and we have a park-hopping pass.

If you do the major rides such as Hulk, Spider-Man, Forbidden Journey, Dragon Challenge, Jurassic Park and Dudley Do-Right Ripsaw Falls in IOA, it should allot you a lot of time to do the attractions in Universal Studios such as Mummy, RockIt, Simpsons, Men In Black and Despicable Me.

It would help to have Express passes! And you can always do all the rides at either IOA or USF and then just your favorites at the other one.

From thomas snell
Posted November 5, 2012 at 2:52 PM
Does it matter what park we go to first going on Friday

From robert morris
Posted November 6, 2012 at 1:28 AM
Yes it does do Islands first as the night show is at the studios

And as crowds are this week you should be done with the big hitters in Islands by 1pm 2pm ish

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