IOA
If you're a thrill seeker, head left to Marvel Superhero Island and ride Hulk, Spider-man and Doctor Doom's Fear Fall (skip Storm Force). Head to Toon Lagoon and ride Popeye's and Dudley Do-Right's. Head to Jurassic Park and ride the River Adventure, and if you've got time to spare, head over too the Discovery Center and brush up on your dinosaur knowledge! Head over to Lost Continent and ride Flying Unicorn and then hit Dueling Dragons (ride both sides as Dueling Dragons almost always has the shortest queue). Watch the Sindbad show and view Posiden’s Fury afterwards. At Suess Landing, ride only one side of the Suess Trolley (both sides are pretty much the same but with different views of the land and scenery) and if you’re really brave, ride The Cat In The Hat.
USF
Head straight for Twister (visit Shrek 4D later) and then head for the Mummy. Like IOA, go round the park in a circuit (the difference being that IOA is a circle shape, while USF is a rectangle). Hit all the attractions you come to and hit Shrek 4D last.
Seeing as you’re going in August, the place is going to be packed. Even if it is you’re first time, I wouldn’t recommend queuing for anything for more than 60mins. The ‘circuit idea’ will help but I can’t guarantee that you will be able to hit everything. Find the most appropriate time for lunch and take plenty of sun lotion!
Hope this helps!
Well...
In USF, there isn't really anything that I definitely wouldn't bother doing. I haven't been on Disaster! yet, but if they haven't made any changes at all to the ride from Earthquake, it's best to miss it. Was really showing it's age last year.
Also Jimmy Neutron, is a little on the bland side. But as mentioned before here it is hillarious to just watch others. At the end the carts bop up and down to 'the birdie song', as a rather generously busted girl, I was rather funny to watch. I barely escaped two black eyes!
My must do in USF, is (possibly controversially)is the Mummy ride. I know it is mentioned a lot in the most disappointing ride discussion, but I really, really enjoyed it, as did all my family.
Of course, I am really looking forward to the much anticipated Simpsons ride. Will probably be vast queues, but I hear very good things, so I shall wait it out.
I also love Jaws. It's a classic.
Right IOA
Must dos - Spiderman, the Hulk (although I swear it's far slower than when it was new, is this because people died on it, or is it just my imagination and I'm becoming a theme park stereotpe?), Duelling Dragons (I don't have a favourite between fire & ice, so if possible ride both! otherwise, others will have to suggest which to ride), Popeye's rapid and Dudley Do-Right's ripsaw falls.
Don't even bother - storm force acceleration (a very mundane teacups ride, usually has no queue whatsoever though), Dr Doom's fearfall (same as everywhere else)
Well I hope to have been of some help, but these are just my personal opinions. Everyone enjoys something different and have a lovely trip!
Islands of Adventure:
Arrive 25 minutes prior to opening
Ride Hulk Coaster
Ride Amazing Spider-Man
Ride Dueling Dragons (Fire)
Ride Dueling Dragons (Ice)
Ride One Fish Two Fish (if you have young kids)
Ride Caro-Seuss-El (if you have young kids)
Ride Cat In The Hat
Eat at Mythos (get reservations in advance)
See Poseidon’s Fury! [17 minutes]
See The Eighth Voyage Of Sinbad [17 minutes]
Ride Flying Unicorn (if you have young kids)
Visit Jurassic Park Discovery Center
Visit Camp Jurassic (if you have kids)
Ride Jurassic Park River Adventure
Ride Ripsaw Falls
Ride Bilge-Rat Barges (you will get soaked)
Visit Me Ship, The Olive (if you have kids)
Repeat Favorites (Spider-Man and Hulk, for sure!)
Skipped Attractions for this Tour:
Storm Force Acceleration (slow loading, standard Tea Cup ride)
Dr. Doom’s Fearfall (slow loading, standard space shot ride)
Pteranodon Flyers (line may be prohibitive – not Universal Express)
High In The Sky Seuss Trolley Train Ride (line may be prohibitive – not Universal Express).
Universal Studios:
Arrive 25 minutes prior to opening
Ride Jimmy Neutron
Ride Revenge of the Mummy
Ride Men In Black
Ride The Simpsons
Ride ET
Ride Woody Woodpecker Coaster (if you have young kids)
Ride Jaws
Experience Disaster! [25 minutes]
Experience Twister [15 minutes]
See Shrek 4D [20 minutes]
See Terminator 2: 3D (not a Universal Express attraction) [28 minutes]
Visit Curious George Playland (if you have young kids)
Visit Fievel’s Playland (if you have young kids)
See Animal Actors On Location (check times) [20 minutes]
See Beetlejuice’s Graveyard Revue (check times) [18 minutes]
See Universal Horror Makeup Show (check times) [25 minutes]
See Cinescape 360 [25 minutes] – Seasonal
Skipped Attractions:
Fear Factor Live (I have less than zero interest in reality shows)
Barney Live on Stage (my kids are getting too old for this one)
Lucy (not a huge fan at all)
In park dining options:
Lombard's Landing – SF/Amity (very good food, full-service restaurant)
Classic Monster Café – Production Central (nicely themed cafeteria)
Richter’s Burger Co – SF/Amity (great earthquake theme)
SF Pastery Company – SF/Amity (breakfast sweets, sandwiches, coffee)
Also keep in mind that many of the Universal Studios shows and rides may be inappropriate for kids under age 13. Think of it as a PG-13 park and you should be fine!
Also keep in mind that the Citywalk area has some excellent dining options, so other than Mythos, feel free to eat in Citywalk instead of in the parks.
Hope this info helps!
The worst line you will get in IOA will be Spiderman. Always averaging the 60 min mark.
The worst line in USF is a tie between the Mummy and MIB alien attack. Tip supplied further on in this comment.
My advice: Arrive early (9:00 is optimal because any attraction you want to do first will be a walk on, straight on re-ride if your lucky) regardless of which park it is.
Then basically follow Mark's attack plan and your set!
It is important to note that whilst you may want to try to get on everything, some attractions you may have to skip due to wait times.
This can be avoided if you do single rider for all attractions when possible as this will massively reduce wait times and ensure you ride everything before you leave.
However, if you are going in a group, you will be split up. Seeing as this is your first time, spliting from your group may have a negative effect on your first time experience.
It's your call, make judgements based on the situations you find yourself in, and most importantly, have a great time!
One more note about Mark's plan....since you are hitting the Barges, Rip Saw Falls, and JP River Adventure early on, just note that you will probably be soaked unless you bring a change of clothes, or run back to the resort for a change. We always like to skip the water rides on the first pass through IOA, and hit them on the way out....with UE the lines will not be bad.
To beat the crowd to Dragons in the morning, stay as close to the lagoon as possible after you enter Seuss Landing (unless things have changed recently, you can pretty much turn left at Green Eggs and Ham and continue along the perimeter). This minor shortcut will save you a minute or two, thus putting you ahead of everyone who didn't go that way (if you stay along the lagoon, you end up near some restrooms right at the bridge into Lost Continent).
I'm not usually a front row advocate, but DD on the front row is an entirely different ride experience.
Even with the room keys, don't wait too long for Simpsons. With the building only at half capacity, the lines will get very long very early...
MUST RIDE IN FRONT!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I always wear cargo swim trunks that will dry fast and provide pockets for keys, atm cards, and stuff. And I always wear a dri-fit shirt to keep the sweat off and they they dry fast after a water ride. And I always wear my super comfy crocs!! :D
