We're back!

We went to Universal and IOA for 2 days, then the 4 Disney parks. It was a very tiring 6 days! I won't get into a big review - just wanted to say a few things. First, it was our first time to Uni/IOA. I can't believe I was worried that my kids might like Uni better... it was just ok, kind of like Hollywood Studios, but I will admit IOA was really cool, especially if you are into coasters, and Harry Potter --- totally awesome! If Disney could have that ride, there would be no reason to go anywhere else. Did I say it was awesome? Overall, we agreed Univ/IOA was closer to a cooler Six Flags; however, Disney does have some serious competition, especially with the Harry Potter ride, and should develop some more modern rides (and keep the classics of course). Still, we agreed we all love Disney best! No doubt the "magic" is still there.

Some other interesting things... I guess we timed it right - no tour groups at all. Apparently, our wait times on our phones are not accurate and the actual wait times were not that bad. I was really surprised that it didn't seem that crowded (compared to when we went in July one year). No complaints! Our trip was great! Haunted Mansion's queue seemed a little disorganized, but the ride had closed earlier so I'm guessing that was why. The cast members were as they've always been to us - great. Oh, American Idol is still going and Splash seemed exactly the same. (Not bad, just didn't notice any refurbishments.)

Some firsts... Be Our Guest - Fantastic! The Tiki Lounge and the American Show - LOL well at least we did it once in our lives, but we'll skip next time.

 

[Zipadeelady]

Our family is going to be spending 1 day at IOA during our vacation later this year. Any tips?

 

[Shere_Khan]

We went to Universal and IOA for 2 days, then the 4 Disney parks. It was a very tiring 6 days! I won't get into a big review - just wanted to say a few things. First, it was our first time to Uni/IOA. I can't believe I was worried that my kids might like Uni better... it was just ok, kind of like Hollywood Studios, but I will admit IOA was really cool, especially if you are into coasters, and Harry Potter --- totally awesome! If Disney could have that ride, there would be no reason to go anywhere else. Did I say it was awesome? Overall, we agreed Univ/IOA was closer to a cooler Six Flags; however, Disney does have some serious competition, especially with the Harry Potter ride, and should develop some more modern rides (and keep the classics of course). Still, we agreed we all love Disney best! No doubt the "magic" is still there.

Some other interesting things... I guess we timed it right - no tour groups at all. Apparently, our wait times on our phones are not accurate and the actual wait times were not that bad. I was really surprised that it didn't seem that crowded (compared to when we went in July one year). No complaints! Our trip was great! Haunted Mansion's queue seemed a little disorganized, but the ride had closed earlier so I'm guessing that was why. The cast members were as they've always been to us - great. Oh, American Idol is still going and Splash seemed exactly the same. (Not bad, just didn't notice any refurbishments.)

Some firsts... Be Our Guest - Fantastic! The Tiki Lounge and the American Show - LOL well at least we did it once in our lives, but we'll skip next time.

We too ventured over to IOA for the very first time on our last trip. Mainly because I am a huge fan of Harry Potter.

I also sort of thought it was just ... Meh...
Harry Potter was gorgeous. I can't take roller coasters quite as well as I could a couple years ago. For some reason after I had my baby, I just can't take that stuff. So needless to say IOA didn't have a lot I was wanting to do. It was 90 plus degrees and the wait times for everything were ridiculous. So I felt a little ill for most of it and did not enjoy it maybe as much as I would have.

Not sure if I would go back. We always have package at Disney so the cab ride to IOA there and back plus the one day admission seemed pretty pricey when it was all said and done. It is good to experience at least once though. Harry Potter was awesome and you are right. If Disney had that there would be no draw to Uni or IOA.

 

[DfromATX]

Our family is going to be spending 1 day at IOA during our vacation later this year. Any tips?

Just make sure you do Harry Potter! It is so cool! Even if you do the fast passes (whatever they call them), HP is not included. We waited 110 minutes for it, but the line seemed to move pretty fast. Believe it or not, it wasn't unbearable to wait. Later we rode it again when it dropped down to 45 minutes, but that was the lowest we ever saw it. All the other rides were around a 20 minute wait, even less. They do a good job having plenty of fan misters and shade. We decided next time we do Disney, we will also include one day at IOA (not Univ).

I would download the Univ/IOA app for wait times, not just for the wait times, but also so you know what all they have (better than following a paper map). We also used the "near me" function which was pretty handy too as it pointed us in the right direction to rides closest to us.

 

[DfromATX]

We too ventured over to IOA for the very first time on our last trip. Mainly because I am a huge fan of Harry Potter.

I also sort of thought it was just ... Meh...
Harry Potter was gorgeous. I can't take roller coasters quite as well as I could a couple years ago. For some reason after I had my baby, I just can't take that stuff. So needless to say IOA didn't have a lot I was wanting to do. It was 90 plus degrees and the wait times for everything were ridiculous. So I felt a little ill for most of it and did not enjoy it maybe as much as I would have.

Not sure if I would go back. We always have package at Disney so the cab ride to IOA there and back plus the one day admission seemed pretty pricey when it was all said and done. It is good to experience at least once though. Harry Potter was awesome and you are right. If Disney had that there would be no draw to Uni or IOA.

Yep, lot's of thrill at IOA, which my teens loved, but they still preferred Disney. I also think the food at Disney is much better. We do the dining plan as well and the Univ dining deal doesn't compare at all! We were almost grossed out by the food choices at Univ. We tossed around the idea of next time staying on Disney property the whole time and taking a cab for that one day, but you are right, it would probably cost too much.

 

[Shere_Khan]

Yep, lot's of thrill at IOA, which my teens loved, but they still preferred Disney. I also think the food at Disney is much better. We do the dining plan as well and the Univ dining deal doesn't compare at all! We were almost grossed out by the food choices at Univ. We tossed around the idea of next time staying on Disney property the whole time and taking a cab for that one day, but you are right, it would probably cost too much.

Well if I remember correctly the cab was like $50-$60 from Port Orleans one way. I don't recall though so don't quote me on it. I think there are other cheaper ways to get there. Some metro bus from DTD I think? But we didn't want to do the planning and not knowing the area I just wanted someone to take me right there.

 

[englanddg]

Yep, lot's of thrill at IOA, which my teens loved, but they still preferred Disney. I also think the food at Disney is much better. We do the dining plan as well and the Univ dining deal doesn't compare at all! We were almost grossed out by the food choices at Univ. We tossed around the idea of next time staying on Disney property the whole time and taking a cab for that one day, but you are right, it would probably cost too much.

This site sells 1 and 2 day Universal Tickets with Mears shuttle transport from Disney Resorts to Uni/IoA included.

http://destinationsinflorida.com/universaltickets/

 

[Shere_Khan]

This site sells 1 and 2 day Universal Tickets with Mears shuttle transport from Disney Resorts to Uni/IoA included.

http://destinationsinflorida.com/universaltickets/

That is awesome! I knew nothing about Universal at the time. Oh well - live and learn.

 

[englanddg]

That is awesome! I knew nothing about Universal at the time. Oh well - live and learn.

Yeah, I only found them recently, and it took some digging! It came up because I'm planning to peel off 2 days for Uni/IoA (I think...it may only be one) and one for Legoland, which the kid is fascinated by (and, being a fellow lego fan, I plan to nurture that fascination!).

I don't like to rent a car when in Orlando, as I normally don't drive much anyhow. I ride a bike to work, shop, etc most of the time.

Unless the weather is bad...then I break out the company car! Which is wrapped with company logos and phone numbers...but hey, it's free, I don't have to pay for insurance for it, etc...so MORE MOOLAH FOR DISNAYYYY!

Anyhow...the legoland shuttle is $5 round trip.

http://florida.legoland.com/en/buy_tickets/Admission-Tickets1/shuttle/

But, getting there is gonna involve a cab ride I think...based on where it departs from.

 

[DfromATX]

We had a car for our universal portion of the trip. Seems like Florida doesn't believe too much in U-turns! We missed our exit once and it took forever to exit off again. While we felt more independent having a car, I think I prefer the "Disney bubble" lol. I did see the Mear' s vans which might be good too. We paid $40 for a taxi van (for 6) from a Holiday Inn to Port Orleans.