Do I need 2 days at Islands of Adventure?

[rufio]

I've never been to Universal, but I hear that Universal's Island of Adventure is pretty awesome and much better than the main park. I'm getting married at WDW in December and we have to take a day to go get our marriage license. We were going to use that day to go to Islands of Adventure. But with the addition of Harry Potter World, will we need a two day ticket? Or should I save my extra Disney day for a total of 11 days?

 

[maxairmike]

It depends how much you really want to do over there and how much of your day you'll actually be able to spend there. If you won't be able to get there until late morning or early afternoon but want to experience everything, you might want to do a 2 day ticket, because the Wizarding World will eat up a lot of your time. Or course, being December it might be a little too cool for the water rides, which will get you up to 3 hours of your day back. If all you really are interested in is Potter and Marvel Super Hero Island, a one day ticket should be more than enough. If you want to soak in the park but won't have an entire day to do so, go with a two day ticket.

 

[Millionaire2K]

In Dec id say do both parks in the 1 day. You will have more than enought time to do everything you would want.

I normally get to Universal at noon. I can do all the rides at both parks by 5 or 6 pm.

Always start with the Studios as the lines for IOA will be very low later in the day.

Also go around both parks counter clockwise.

I have nver "not" done both parks in 1 day. I can "not" see doing just 1 park in a single day.

I also NEVER need more time to do both parks and NEVER bought an express pass.

 

[maxairmike]

Well yeah, that's just focusing only on the rides. Add an hour or more to your day for each sit down meal you decide to have. Add some time if you want to take it slower and soak in the atmosphere of the parks, and see some shows. I personally almost never suggest someone power through any park just doing the rides and nothing else, especially if its their first visit and they're trying to break away from the pixie dust.

Oh, almost forgot, the first two weeks or last two of December? If its the first two, yes, it won't be very crowded and you very well may be able to power through the park(s) in one day. The last two weeks, forget it. When I go for Mannheim even three weeks before Christmas I usually get there three to four hours before the concert/parade and am lucky if I can get in more than one ride/attraction before claiming my spot for the concert. Which also reminds me, if you're going during their Christmas celebration and like Mannheim Steamroller, you might want to consider a 2-park 2 day ticket to go there the day of a concert and the day before/after.

 

[Captain Chaos]

I've never been to Universal, but I hear that Universal's Island of Adventure is pretty awesome and much better than the main park. I'm getting married at WDW in December and we have to take a day to go get our marriage license. We were going to use that day to go to Islands of Adventure. But with the addition of Harry Potter World, will we need a two day ticket? Or should I save my extra Disney day for a total of 11 days?

I'd puke if I did Disney parks for 11 days... I'd be bored with DHS after 3 hours never mind more than 1 day...

Spend more than 1 day visiting Universal's parks... I love IOA and can easily spend two days at that park... But that's me... Same with Universal Studios, I need two days to really soak the park in... If I were going for 11 days, that is how I would break my time up..

Do you only have that 1 day??? Can you squeeze another two days out of your trip?? 11 days in WDW would get to me... Escape the pixie dust... it is OK... Expose yourself to something new and exciting...

If you can squeeze out three days, I'd do two at IOA only cause it is such a wonderful park and 1 at Universal Studios... If two, then do IOA 1 day and Uni 1 day... But, if you can only get that 1 day, stick with IOA...

Remember, things are much much brighter on the dark side than the area filled with that tainted dust...

~opening a Pixiedone clinic to help those addicted to that toxic pixie dust... all healthcare will be accepted!

 

[Millionaire2K]

Well yeah, that's just focusing only on the rides. Add an hour or more to your day for each sit down meal you decide to have. Add some time if you want to take it slower and soak in the atmosphere of the parks, and see some shows. I personally almost never suggest someone power through any park just doing the rides and nothing else, especially if its their first visit and they're trying to break away from the pixie dust.

Oh, almost forgot, the first two weeks or last two of December? If its the first two, yes, it won't be very crowded and you very well may be able to power through the park(s) in one day. The last two weeks, forget it. When I go for Mannheim even three weeks before Christmas I usually get there three to four hours before the concert/parade and am lucky if I can get in more than one ride/attraction before claiming my spot for the concert. Which also reminds me, if you're going during their Christmas celebration and like Mannheim Steamroller, you might want to consider a 2-park 2 day ticket to go there the day of a concert and the day before/after.

I'll agree with all of this. But someone looking to get away a day from Disney does not sound like a person who wants to just sit on a bench and eat popcorn for 3 hrs. If you only got 1 day for Universal Id say ALWAYS buy the 2 park ticket and start at the park you really want to see. Then jump to the other park when you’re ready. If you do not have another day for Universal you MUST try both parks. It IS worth it. I normally take it kind of easy and still get through the parks pretty quick even with kids.

Also I just wanted to be clear that I always visit Universal 3 days on my 9 day semi-annual trips to Orlando. I always buy a multi-park per day ticket so I can get a full day in. I can NOT see spending 1 day at only 1 Universal park. I made 30+ visits and always get the 3 day multi park ticket if I don't own an AP. Sometimes I buy an AP if I will visit 3 times in 12 months. Like I was there in Mid Dec of 11, May of 12, and I'm going early Dec of 12.

 

[AswaySuller]

We do two days to make sure we get to do everything twice, you could do it all in one long day though.

 

[JT3000]

IMO, a Universal newbie shouldn't be trying to do more than one park a day. Is it possible to do the highlights of both parks in a day? Yes, I do it regularly, but I'm not sure that's the sort of trip a newbie wants. They'd probably rather get a feel for the place and see all it has to offer instead of going from ride to ride commando style. I think many Disney fans make the mistake of approaching Universal this way, and it leaves them with... interesting opinions of the place.

That said, one day should be enough to see IOA. The only exceptions would be Summer or Christmas/New Year's without Express.

 

[captainkidd]

I find the Universal parks to be much easier to do in 1 day than any of the Disney parks (except for DHS). Not to say there isn't a lot to do, by any means. Plus, we use Universal Express, so it's easy for us. That being said, we stay for 3-5 days at Universal because the parks are so much fun.

 

[flynnibus]

IMO, a Universal newbie shouldn't be trying to do more than one park a day. Is it possible to do the highlights of both parks in a day? Yes, I do it regularly, but I'm not sure that's the sort of trip a newbie wants. They'd probably rather get a feel for the place and see all it has to offer instead of going from ride to ride commando style. I think many Disney fans make the mistake of approaching Universal this way, and it leaves them with... interesting opinions of the place.

That said, one day should be enough to see IOA. The only exceptions would be Summer or Christmas/New Year's without Express.

I agree with this..

One day you can certainly do the highlights... but if you are the 'take in the little things' type.. which if you are going to spend 10+ days in Disney.. you likely are. A slower pace is probably recommended. Also remember, check the park hours! The hours are generally shorter at UNI.

I think 2 days for both parks is generally enough to see 'most' of the place and would be a good dose for new people.

 

[rufio]

All great advice! I bought a two day pass to Uni and plan on spending one day at each park! And yes, I do love Disney and would love to stay there for 3 weeks if I could get the time off of life!

dxer07002, do you even like WDW? I'm beginning to wonder. You seem to be very negative about the parks in general. Then again, I've only been around for a couple of months.

 

[maxairmike]

Are you going in early or late December? Regardless, you definitely want to allow time to experience both Grinchmas and the Macy's parade and see Mannheim Steamroller if you go during the weekend, so definitely a good decision with the 2 day pass.

 

[rufio]

Are you going in early or late December? Regardless, you definitely want to allow time to experience both Grinchmas and the Macy's parade and see Mannheim Steamroller if you go during the weekend, so definitely a good decision with the 2 day pass.

December 15-29th. We're planning on going to Uni on the 17th & 18th. Wedding is on the 21st.

 

[maxairmike]

You might miss the entertainment in Universal Studios (I only go on the weekends for Mannheim, so they may run the parade during the week, but I wouldn't know), but Grinchmas should be in full swing during the week, I believe.

 

[JT3000]

The Macy*s Parade runs every day.

 

[Captain Chaos]

dxer07002, do you even like WDW? I'm beginning to wonder. You seem to be very negative about the parks in general. Then again, I've only been around for a couple of months.

I hate it so much, I became a DVC member just to pay Disney several thousand dollars so I can come to an online forum and announce my hatred... :lol:

In all seriousness, no I do not hate WDW... I enjoy it... But, I hold no blind allegiance to it... I know that is a hard concept for those addicted to the pixie dust... Told you, it is bad for your health!!!

I used to be that way... But, I have since kicked the addiction.. it has opened up a world of enjoyment and entertainment I refused to see or acknowledge existed, kind of like a lot of the members here...

I and others can be fans of a place (or team) and enjoy what the place (or team) offers, and yet still be critical of it... I like to try to live in reality and not believe in what I am told to believe in... I like to form my own opinions based on an open mind and reality rather than preaching the word of a social blogger or a company whose job it is to spin their product... I like to make my own informed opinions (and that is all they are, opinions though some things can be considered fact)...

I hold no grudge against anyone who enjoys WDW cause then I'd be holding a grudge against my self, if that is even possible.. I just laugh when I see the pixie dust addicts try to mock Universal for the same things that plague their holy church, WDW... Some people need to step away from the Cult of Walt and join others in reality... I'm not saying this about you, please don't take it that way...

I just get frustrated when I see the blind allegiance because i used to be that person... I am so glad I am no longer...

BTW, I forgot, and I'm sorry, congrats on your wedding!!!

~opening a Pixiedone clinic to help those addicted to that toxic pixie dust... all healthcare will be accepted!

 

[DisneyFan 2000]

dxer07002, do you even like WDW? I'm beginning to wonder. You seem to be very negative about the parks in general. Then again, I've only been around for a couple of months.

I think you can assume that anyone posting here loves WDW, some of us just hold a more critical eye towards the mentality it has allowed itself to fall into. Add to that Universal's opposite attitude and you have many fans seemingly hating on Disney and praising Universal but alas, that is not the case. Everyone just wants the best for the parks, and right now, sadly, it seems that the best we want is down the road and not at home base.