A few Universal Orlando questions...

[Ayeegit]

Our family is heading to Orlando for a week in February - we were originally planning on doing Disney for 6 days, but now we're thinking we might check out one or both of the Universal parks while we're there.

Does it take a full day (each) to see both Universal and IOA? They don't have park hours posted for Feb 2010 yet, so I'm not sure what kind of hours they run at that time of year.

I was at Universal about 10 years ago, but have never been to IOA - so I really don't know much about either park at this point. I know we could probably get a "hoper" type pass and try to hit the highlights of both parks in one day, and give us 5 days @ Disney - or just go ahead and plan for 2 days at Universal.

We've got a 9 year-old who LOVES roller coasters and thrill rides, and her sister is heading in that direction as well, but she'll be 6 and isn't *quite* as daring yet.

Suggestions/thoughts?

[OC2Epcot]

Re: A few Universal Orlando questions...

If you only have one day for Universal you could probably decided between the two parks what you really want to see. I think to really see both you need a day at each. It has been several years since I've been to Universal Orlando, but I know each park has some decent attractions worth checking out.

[NeverNeverland]

Re: A few Universal Orlando questions...

It takes about a day for both. IOA goes by fairly quickly, you can knock it out easily in the morning and spend the rest of the day at Universal, esp. if you get thereat opening before lines get too long.

[aimster]

Re: A few Universal Orlando questions...

I spent less than a day at the Studios park last month... mainly because the BF got sick and so we skipped on a lot of attractions he couldn't go on. I need to go back by myself sometime as I didn't get to go on half the rides I wanted (only did ET, Simpsons, Men in Black and Mummy... and got my credit on the Woody Woodpecker kiddie coaster).

I STILL haven't been on Jaws or seen the Shrek 3D movie.

[GhostHost2]

Re: A few Universal Orlando questions...

You should know that each Universal park has many more attractions than any of the non-MK parks at WDW, especially if you like E-Tickets.

[JtnOrl]

Re: A few Universal Orlando questions...

You'll need a day for each park if you don't want to rush. Especially since the Universal parks close quite early during the offseason (6 or 7.) Take your time, explore the details. You'll enjoy yourself much more. You shouldn't need more than one day each at the other parks anyway.

[kcnole]

Re: A few Universal Orlando questions...

If you get Express Pass you can see the major attractions in both parks fairly easily in one day, especially in February. That said, you'll miss many of the great details that the parks have going for them and you'll be rushing all day. Since you haven't been in a long time I'd suggest 2 days for Universal to truly explore it and see the fantastic details.

Too many people try to just rush through the main rides there to get back to Disney. Then they come back and tell everyone that Universal was no Disney because it lacked those special details that Disney does. That's simply not true, too many people just don't take the time to find those details.

[Ayeegit]

Re: A few Universal Orlando questions...

Thanks for the great input, everyone - I appreciate the info!