Which park first, to maximize time?

[agent86]

For my girlfriend's and my upcoming trip next weekend, we will only have one day to see both Universal parks. The good news is that it will be on a Monday, so I'm hoping that means it will be relatively slow. I'm wondering if anyone has any tried and true strategies on how to maximize our use of time. For example, which of the two parks is better to go to first? What we'd like to do is see one park, finish that up, and then go visit the other one and stay until closing (rather than park hop back and forth). We don't really want to do it "commando style", rather we would like to be able to still allow ourselves to be immersed in the experience. I've been there more times than I can count, but I've always done it over multiple days, so time was never really an issue. I'm mostly excited about getting to show the parks to her because she's never been there before (likewise with Disney's Animal Kingdom, which we'll be going to on Sunday). Any advice that anyone has would be greatly appreciated! If it will help, here are the things I really want to make sure she gets to do at each park (PS: I won't be offended at all if anyone would like to put together a suggested itinerary for us :animwink:

USF
- Mummy (preferably 2 or 3 times)
- Shrek
- Fear Factor (I've actually never done this one)
- ET
- Simpsons
- Men in Black
- Twister
- Disaster (if time permits)
- Jaws (if open and time permits)

IOA
- Hulk (preferably 2 or 3 times)
- Dueling Dragons (preferably once per dragon)
- Spider Man
- Jurassic Park River Adventure
- Cat in the Hat
- Ripsaw Falls
- Bilge Rat Barges (if time permits)

 

[NemoRocks78]

I'd start off first thing in the morning at IOA - get Hulk/Spidey done before the lines shoot up, especially if you want to go multiple times. Go right around the park and do Ripsaw, JPRA, Dragons, and Cat and then head over to USF. You can use SRL at Mummy/MIB if you want to save time. Shrek's wait shouldn't be for more than one show, FFL happens at various times, and Twister should be under 20 min. E.T.'s wait is always different so it's hard to judge that one but I'd say you'll probably need an hour for The Simpsons.

 

[krankenstein]

I'd start off first thing in the morning at IOA - get Hulk/Spidey done before the lines shoot up, especially if you want to go multiple times. Go right around the park and do Ripsaw, JPRA, Dragons, and Cat and then head over to USF. You can use SRL at Mummy/MIB if you want to save time. Shrek's wait shouldn't be for more than one show, FFL happens at various times, and Twister should be under 20 min. E.T.'s wait is always different so it's hard to judge that one but I'd say you'll probably need an hour for The Simpsons.

I agree with this plan. I think Nemo has hit the nail on the head. Have a blast! :wave:

 

[Zip-a-Dee Do Da]

I aggree with Nemo also! Sounds like a great plan. I think you will be safe whatever you do however. Ever since IOA opened we do both of them in one day, however we always start with Universal at opening, do everything, and then off to IOA. And this always on a Friday, we have always been able to do everything, and a lot of things more than once. (I am a die-hard Mummy fan...rode it 6 times, no wait in the morning.) And we had time for shows (Beetlejuice) and shop browsing. And also most of the Water Rides like Ripsaw falles, and Jurassic Park are at IOA, so it's nice to do those in the afternoon when it's warmer and your not walking around wet all day! But I don't think you will have any problems whatever you decide to do! Have fun!

 

[Philo]

I would also start off at IOA and go round the lagoon anti-clockwise - you'll be amazed how many people run straight for HULK. This way you will get on Dueling Dragons before the crowds build up, have a small wait at Spiderman and a short wait at HULK rather than following the crowds round.

Depending on crowds you could do all this in a few hours and head over to US for most of the afternoon although I would doubt that you could fit in all the shows.

 

[Mad Stitch]

I have no advice to add, just a comment. The nice thing about US is that the parks are within walking distance of each other so that way you don’t spend 20 min waiting/on a bus between parks. You’ll save a lot of time right there.

 

[figment1988]

Here's my take on your planned attractions:

USF
- Mummy (preferably 2 or 3 times): Defintely do it, however if you want to go on RotM a couple of times quickly, use the single rider line.
- Shrek: Good show, it's a must see
- Fear Factor (I've actually never done this one): it's a great show, however seeing it is one thing, but to participate in the show is another thing. just be warned that "BTW, There's One More Thing" will stick with you.
- ET: Great classic
- Simpsons: Good ride
- Men in Black: Good ride, however use the single rider if you want to experience the ride quickly
- Twister: it's a decent attraction
- Disaster (if time permits): if you have to go on it, do it. but as a warning, it's a disappointing re-hash of Earthquake
- Jaws (if open and time permits): another classic which shouldn't be missed.


IOA
- Hulk (preferably 2 or 3 times): This can be possible if the single rider line is open
- Dueling Dragons (preferably once per dragon): must ride, and if the line's wait time allows it, then go ahead and ride both versions
- Spider Man: this ride shouldn't be missed
- Jurassic Park River Adventure*
- Cat in the Hat: it's an ok ride
- Ripsaw Falls*
- Bilge Rat Barges*

regarding the asterisks in the attractions, since they're water rides that will guarantee a decent to major soaking, it's best to wear a swimsuit under your clothes, as well as have water friendly footwear (i.e. flip-flops or those water shoes that are mostly seen in waterparks). also, since there is a high possibility that you might get soaked in the face, there's no shame in bringing in a pair of swimming goggles to avoid getting splashed in the face.

also, if you choose not to go on Disaster, there's always a compensator (an alternate attraction or show) such as the Animal Actors Show, the Horror Make-up Show (which has a Halloween Horror Nights section in the waiting area), and T2:3D.

 

[SanFrancisco]

Thanks for posting this thread! My DH and I are visiting the Universal Parks for the first time on our next trip and we've allotted one day to do both parks. It sounds like we should be doing IOA first and follow up with US. I'd rather not park-hop either if possible.

Do either of the parks offer something that's best seen in the evening? A fireworks show?

 

[figment1988]

Thanks for posting this thread! My DH and I are visiting the Universal Parks for the first time on our next trip and we've allotted one day to do both parks. It sounds like we should be doing IOA first and follow up with US. I'd rather not park-hop either if possible.

Do either of the parks offer something that's best seen in the evening? A fireworks show?

the good news: USF has Universal 360 which is like Reflections of Earth down at Epcot but with more "balls" that show a lot of clips from a handful of Universal movies.

the bad news: it's a seasonal show (which means they only show it during the summer until labor day, and in the winter during the holiday season.)

 

[a2grafix]

Just got back from Central Florida and I must tell you that my day at Universal felt like my trip back in October -- due to Tropical Storm Fay. A lot of the Islands of Adventure rides were less than a 5 minute wait when I hit the park in the rain in the morning.

The studios weren't that bad either. Light crowds and got to ride the Mummy 5-7 times through the single-rider line in about 30 minutes. And just like IOA, all the rollercoaster-type rides, walking the cue was longer in getting to the train.

As in October, and thanks to Fay, the rollercoasters were less than a 10-minute wait. It hit it perfectly. The only thing, The Hulk was down for about 30 minutes to start the day so I took in Spider-man three times. And good thing too -- I heard The Hulk would be open for about 90 minutes before Fay reared her ugly head. Actually The Hulk stayed open until about 1 p.m. before the winds and moderate rain forced Universal to close the ride.

As as posters said previous ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ -- start at Islands and then tour the studios part around noon, early afternoon.