How many days for Universal/IOA?

[KCheatle]

I'm planning how many days I need to book for my next trip. We are going to go to US/IOA, but I don't know how many days I need for that? I've got a 3 yo and a 7 yo - can I get it done in one day if we get a 2 park pass or do I need two days?

 

[captainkidd]

 

[bsiev1977]

I'm planning how many days I need to book for my next trip. We are going to go to US/IOA, but I don't know how many days I need for that? I've got a 3 yo and a 7 yo - can I get it done in one day if we get a 2 park pass or do I need two days?

If you have the money, pay the extra for the Express Pass. With those and a two day ticket you'd be able to do everything.

 

[zurgandfriend]

1 day usually.

 

[BigRedDad]

Personally, I do not recommend going unless you are staying on site there. No wait in lines is priceless. 1 day at each park is sufficient IMHO if you are doing just the parks. If you are enjoying the resorts, City Walk also, 3-4 days is enough there.

 

[KCheatle]

Personally, I do not recommend going unless you are staying on site there. No wait in lines is priceless. 1 day at each park is sufficient IMHO if you are doing just the parks. If you are enjoying the resorts, City Walk also, 3-4 days is enough there.

Ok...I haven't been to US or IOA since 2005 and we didn't stay in site. Tell me more about the no-line thing. I'm assuming you mean that if you stay in one of their 3 hotels there that it basically gives you unlimited fastpass?

 

[bsiev1977]

Ok...I haven't been to US or IOA since 2005 and we didn't stay in site. Tell me more about the no-line thing. I'm assuming you mean that if you stay in one of their 3 hotels there that it basically gives you unlimited fastpass?

Pretty much. The Express pass is a perk you get as part of your onside stay. You have to pay for it otherwise.
The Express Pass is good on almost everything, except the Harry potter stuff, and the Rip Ride Rockit coaster. Not sure if anything else is currently exempted.

 

[bsiev1977]

Sorry, I'm just not getting the reference here as it relates to the original question.

 

[dave&di]

I'd say one day is fine but with 2 young children I'd go for 2, definitely don't need more!

 

[BigRedDad]

Ok...I haven't been to US or IOA since 2005 and we didn't stay in site. Tell me more about the no-line thing. I'm assuming you mean that if you stay in one of their 3 hotels there that it basically gives you unlimited fastpass?

There are 2 forms of Express Pass at US/IoA: one for a resort guest and another if you purchase it. The one you purchase is good only once per ride. When you figure the cost of 4, it is cheaper to stay on site for a night. The one as a resort guest is unlimited. The Express Pass system amounts to about a 5 minute wait on the high end. One example is when my DD wanted to go on Cat in the Hat. The standby line was 30 minutes. We passed the same people 8 times riding it. The same goes for Hulk, Spiderman, The Mummy, MIB, Simpsons, and all of the other countless rides. It is definitely a huge perk.

 

[KCheatle]

Thanks for the info!! I definitely will get the express pass one way or another. With little ones, the extra expense is worth it IMO.

 

[bsiev1977]

There are 2 forms of Express Pass at US/IoA: one for a resort guest and another if you purchase it. The one you purchase is good only once per ride. When you figure the cost of 4, it is cheaper to stay on site for a night. The one as a resort guest is unlimited. The Express Pass system amounts to about a 5 minute wait on the high end. One example is when my DD wanted to go on Cat in the Hat. The standby line was 30 minutes. We passed the same people 8 times riding it. The same goes for Hulk, Spiderman, The Mummy, MIB, Simpsons, and all of the other countless rides. It is definitely a huge perk.

There is an option to purchase Unlimited Express, if you're not staying onsite.

 

[Summerland24]

2 days at least minimum 1 at each park. I hint of caution, on our last visit our 2 yr old did not find I.O.A very entertaining, past Dr Seuss area she was less than engaged. We find the Universal parks much different than Disney, at the Disney parks there is always something for her to watch or due while others are on the rides. We didn't find that at all at I.O.A, it does improve a bit at Universal when Dora and pals are walking around.

 

[KCheatle]

2 days at least minimum 1 at each park. I hint of caution, on our last visit our 2 yr old did not find I.O.A very entertaining, past Dr Seuss area she was less than engaged. We find the Universal parks much different than Disney, at the Disney parks there is always something for her to watch or due while others are on the rides. We didn't find that at all at I.O.A, it does improve a bit at Universal when Dora and pals are walking around.

Good to know because I actually looked at IOA and thought it might be better for my 3 yo. I just really have no idea whether they'll like them or not? I know they'll like Shrek and Despicable Me. Other than that, it's going to be a crap shoot. I may jsut get a 1 day park pass and if we get bored, we'll go to the other one.

Random question - is it easy to get from park to park? Is there a backdoor way or do you have to go out the front and all the way around to the other park's entrance?

 

[Club Cooloholic]

Its super easy to walk from one to the other. Maybe 10 to 15 mins? I went when my daughter was 2 and half. She adored the ET ride, the barney show, the fival playland. IOA she loved all the suess stuff, we rode the merrygoround there 5 times. If your going during a non crowd time I think one day could work, but two is better, the parks tend to close earlier than disney ones.

 

[Todd L]

We used to do a Full week at The Onsites at Universal and with the front of the Line Passes It was a Nice long Laid back week where we were never in a line and never stressed about adrs!! I think If it were Just the wife and I we could do 2 parks in 2 days !! have fun!!

 

[BigRedDad]

There is an option to purchase Unlimited Express, if you're not staying onsite.

Yes, that is why I stated that. However, the one you purchase is only good ONCE per ride. It is not worth the $35+ for each one.

 

[bsiev1977]

Yes, that is why I stated that. However, the one you purchase is only good ONCE per ride. It is not worth the $35+ for each one.

There is an option for Unlimited Express, which means you can use it multiple times per ride. There is a separate Express option which is cheaper, and only good for one time each ride.

 

[luv]

2-3 for most people.

Figure out how many days you need for the MK and DHS and then use the same number.

 

[luv]

Sorry, I'm just not getting the reference here as it relates to the original question.

Me, either.

But a pic of Jon is a welcome addition to any thread, AFAIAC.