Universal has 2 parks!!!

[Zipadeelady]

Ok...you can pick your mouth up off the floor! I didn't know, I'm a Universal virgin.

Planning our trip and want to spend 1 day at Universal because my DD is a huge Potter fan. Lo and behold there are 2 parks!! What I have figured is that Potter world is at IOA so that's where we will be but what I want to know is which park do you think is better Universal or IOA?

 

[disney fan 13]

When are you going out of curiosity?

 

[Zipadeelady]

around Thanksgiving so I still have so time......I tend to be an obnoxious planner

 

[HenryMystic]

Ok...you can pick your mouth up off the floor! I didn't know, I'm a Universal virgin.

Planning our trip and want to spend 1 day at Universal because my DD is a huge Potter fan. Lo and behold there are 2 parks!! What I have figured is that Potter world is at IOA so that's where we will be but what I want to know is which park do you think is better Universal or IOA?

Right now, IoA is clearly the best, but in 2 years, USF will surpass it, IMO. Of course, with the JP expansion, who knows?

 

[JT3000]

You can't see all of both parks in one day, but you may want to consider getting a park hopper in order to hit the highlights of both, especially with Transformers and the new Simpsons expansion opening in the Studios by the time you arrive. The wealth is spread pretty fairly between parks.

 

[HTF]

I would truly try a 2park pass if possible, Transformers, Springfield, Despicable Me, Revenge of the Mummy, MIB, Cinespec, Spider-Man, Hulk, Dudley, Popeye, River Adventure, Camp Jurassic and Cat in the Hat must all be done! Then you have Potter as well It's a resort on the rise and worth two days and up to four for the average family within 2.5 more years. But if two days are just not possible, then I would go IOA as Potter is the best themepark addition ever IMO.

 

[BryceM]

Though I love Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure is the one I like better. It is a beautiful theme park that is separated into seven different themed "islands" for you to explore:

1. Port of Entry
2. Seuss Landing
3. The Lost Continent
4. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter
5. Jurassic Park
6. Toon Lagoon
7. Marvel Super Hero Island

If you only have one day, I would choose Islands of Adventure. But keep in mind that Islands of Adventure has more "thrilling rides" than Universal Studios. Though since she's a huge Potter fan, Islands of Adventure would still be the obvious choice. I suggest that you buy a 2-day pass. They are worth it because there is so much to explore between the two parks. And though they're expensive, an on-site hotel would be worth it. They are extremely nice, close to the parks and the room key doubles as an Express Pass.

 

[Disneyhead'71]

And one night in an on-site hotel gives you 2 days of Express Passes (Check in day, and Check out day). That alone makes the hotels a bargain even though by Disney standards all 3 hotels are Deluxes.

 

[marni1971]

Seriously?

If you've never been you need a day at each.

 

[Zipadeelady]

Though I love Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure is the one I like better. It is a beautiful theme park that is separated into seven different themed "islands" for you to explore:

1. Port of Entry
2. Seuss Landing
3. The Lost Continent
4. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter
5. Jurassic Park
6. Toon Lagoon
7. Marvel Super Hero Island

If you only have one day, I would choose Islands of Adventure. But keep in mind that Islands of Adventure has more "thrilling rides" than Universal Studios. Though since she's a huge Potter fan, Islands of Adventure would still be the obvious choice. I suggest that you buy a 2-day pass. They are worth it because there is so much to explore between the two parks. And though they're expensive, an on-site hotel would be worth it. They are extremely nice, close to the parks and the room key doubles as an Express Pass.

Good info thanks! We are spending the week at Disney and not sure if our time frame and wallet can handle two days. But it's definately worth looking into .

 

[fosse76]

Seriously?

If you've never been you need a day at each.

However, if you only have one day, then I'd highly reccommend getting the Express Pass for two parks. You'd be able to experience most of what they have to offer.

 

[flynnibus]

However, if you only have one day, then I'd highly reccommend getting the Express Pass for two parks. You'd be able to experience most of what they have to offer.

But she said thanksgiving.. meaning express pass will cost a metric @#$%-ton

If one only has one park.. one day.. IOA is probably the best if your group has the height requirements covered and you don't mind water and thrill rides. A group of more 'slow movers' would probably prefer the studios.

The resort right now is in a bit of a no-man's land between 1-2 days if you are going during a non-busy period or are just a 'selective' visitor. But if you are the type that likes exploring or going deep.. you really need at least 3 days to see it all. 2 days is good for most, 1 day is highlights at best. And 1 day during busy period.. without express pass.. may leave a bad taste in people's mouth.

My parents went to USF with my aunts and uncles.. and basically ended up blowing 5+ hrs in Forbidden Journey breakdowns and lines.. they were not pleased with their trip :/

 

[Disneyhead'71]

But she said thanksgiving.. meaning express pass will cost a metric @#$%-ton

If one only has one park.. one day.. IOA is probably the best if your group has the height requirements covered and you don't mind water and thrill rides. A group of more 'slow movers' would probably prefer the studios.

The resort right now is in a bit of a no-man's land between 1-2 days if you are going during a non-busy period or are just a 'selective' visitor. But if you are the type that likes exploring or going deep.. you really need at least 3 days to see it all. 2 days is good for most, 1 day is highlights at best. And 1 day during busy period.. without express pass.. may leave a bad taste in people's mouth.

My parents went to USF with my aunts and uncles.. and basically ended up blowing 5+ hrs in Forbidden Journey breakdowns and lines.. they were not pleased with their trip :/

I'm not doubting your story. But I have to think that Disney fans have a tendency to GREATLY exaggerate the incidences of Forbidden Journey's breakdowns. To say that I am at the parks a lot would be an understatement. And I have NEVER been stuck on Forbidden Journey. Nor been in the queue when the ride has stopped. I know it happens. I have a friend who was on it once when it stopped. And after it started back up everything was out of sync through 1 cycle. And another who was in the line when it stopped 4 times in an hour before they closed it and cleared the queue. It was opened 2 hours later.

But Disney fans bring it up every time anyone mentions the ride. But I have to remember, the person telling this particular story has about 1200 post saying that NextGen is God's gift to theme parks. So take that for what it's worth.

 

[Zipadeelady]

I do believe that we will only do IOA..not that Uni isn't worth it but the majority of our time will be at Disney. My DS 10 isn't a big coaster fan but our main reason for going for Potter World. It looks like from the comments above that we may only be hitting the highlights of IOA.

 

[Zipadeelady]

Just for all to know we won't be going during Thanksgiving. I wanted to be mysterious and not let everyone know the exact days we were going..there's crazy people out there that might stalk our family.

But it will be...maybe a week before or maybe a week after....maybe.

 

[flynnibus]

I'm not doubting your story. But I have to think that Disney fans have a tendency to GREATLY exaggerate the incidences of Forbidden Journey's breakdowns

It never went down when I was there either.. but as I said.. they left USF with a bad taste in their mouth because of the sour experience they had (which I blame alot on for only going one day). They were in line twice for breakdowns. The first time, after a period they were cleared from the line. Then coming back later, they were held up in line again, and had another extended wait. They basically went to WWOHP at the start of their day.. and blew the day until 2pm focusing on trying to get on FJ. I fault them for putting such an emphasis of 'getting on..' instead of taking a more relaxed approach to it.. but that was their day - not mine. They went in the fall of '10 - I went in the fall of '11. They were soured to the point they didn't want to return... that's customer perception - you can't mandate that no matter what your personal experience has been. They didn't like theirs.

But Disney fans bring it up every time anyone mentions the ride. But I have to remember, the person telling this particular story has about 1200 post saying that NextGen is God's gift to theme parks. So take that for what it's worth.

So you show your true colors... what a load of crap. You obviously aren't reading my posts for their points, but glossing over them because of what you think they say.

I was only relaying their experience and how if you only goto the parks for a day... you expose yourself to not getting the full experience from Universal. Not as an attack on FJ, it's reliability, or even an attack at USF at all.. but rather saying you should go LONGER than a day.

But since you half a self-admitted problem to getting the point of a post.. this doesn't surprise me you need me to spell it out for you.

 

[JillC LI]

Ok...you can pick your mouth up off the floor! I didn't know, I'm a Universal virgin.

Planning our trip and want to spend 1 day at Universal because my DD is a huge Potter fan. Lo and behold there are 2 parks!! What I have figured is that Potter world is at IOA so that's where we will be but what I want to know is which park do you think is better Universal or IOA?

LOL, we all learn somehow.
Others have made some valid points about spending 2 days in the parks, especially if it's a busy time of year. Bottom line is that if you only have one day to dedicate to Universal Orlando, and your daughter wants to see the Harry Potter section (which is well worth the trip, having just seen it myself for the first time last month!), then you have no choice but to visit IoA. There is much to do in IoA, especially if you enjoy thrill rides, and it would be easy to spend the whole day there. But if you are not a thrill ride lover, you might want to consider getting a one day two park pass so you can see the WWOHP, check out a few rides in IoA and the Seussical section, and then head over to the Studios for some other really cool but tamer shows and attractions including ET and Men in Black.

 

[scoobygirl39541]

I personally like the studios side better lol For me The Mummy, Men in Black, and the Horror Makeup Show all trump Spiderman, Potter, and Jurassic Park river adventure. Not by much mind you! I love IOA too and could never skip it, but the Studios just feels more like home for me haha

 

[BryceM]

I do believe that we will only do IOA..not that Uni isn't worth it but the majority of our time will be at Disney. My DS 10 isn't a big coaster fan but our main reason for going for Potter World. It looks like from the comments above that we may only be hitting the highlights of IOA.

Universal's Islands of Adventure technically only as 4 roller coasters.

1. The Incredible Hulk
2. Dragon Challenge (Hungarian Horntail)
3. Dragon Challenge (Chinese Fireball)
4. Flight of the Hippogriff

The Flight of the Hippogriff is a nice family coaster and it gives you a great view of Hogsmeade and Hogwarts. Plus there is a very neat Hippogriff animatronic. The other 3 coasters are definitely high in thrill. Dr. Doom's FearFall is another thrilling attraction and is located in Marvel Super Hero Island (where Hulk and Spider-Man are) and you may want to skip that one too. Though if you can handle Tower of Terror, you can handle Dr. Doom's FearFall.

It should also be known that Islands of Adventure has 3 water rides. Dudley Do-Right's Ripsaw Falls and Popeye & Bluto's Bilge Rat Barges are the two soakers and are located in Toon Lagoon. Think of Dudley Do-Right's Ripsaw Falls like a wetter version of Splash Mountain and Popeye as a far superior version of Kali River Rapids. If you don't want to get wet, then skip these two. The third is Jurassic Park River Adventure located in Jurassic Park. I suggest doing this one even if you don't want to get wet because honestly, you have far less of a chance of getting wet on this one than the two attractions in Toon Lagoon. Plus it's an amazing ride.

The park also boasts 2 of the world's best dark-rides (The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man, Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey), a classic dark-ride (The Cat in the Hat), plenty of fun and well-themed flat-rides (One Fish, Two Fish, Caro-Seuss-El), some stellar shows, different interactive experiences and places to explore (Camp Jurassic, Jurassic Park Discovery Center, etc.), and an amazing restaurant, Mythos, that is located in The Lost Continent. Oh, and don't forget to get some Butterbeer!

 

[Yankeesfan5]

I was just at UNI, and I think that IOA is a much better park. We spent 3 days at the resort, and were at IOA 2 of them. There isn't enough at Universal Studios right now to warrant 2 days at the park.