westcoasterman Posted February 17, 2007 Share Posted February 17, 2007 I have an easy question for a lot of you but, I have never been to Islands Of Adventure and am going last week of March. Is there enough to do at Universal to spend three or four days?? I am going to Magic Kingdom with family on Sunday but, have tickets for rest of week at Universal. I honestly have no idea if there will be enough to keep 3 kids ages 12, 12 ,8, and rest of family entertained. Hope so but, open to other options. Staying with family in Orlando area. Been to Disney many times and Busch Gardens but, some how have not been to Universal since Studios opening year. Your suggestions are welcome and needed. Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cory Butcher Posted February 18, 2007 Share Posted February 18, 2007 This is personally my opinion...but no, unlike at Disney there is not enough to do there for three to four days! Maybe 2 1/2 if you do IOA and USF. However just to go to IOA you would be doing many things over and over again for the next three to four days. You are better off taking that extra money and going to a Disney park that you havent been to in a while or maybe doing a day at Busch Gardens. Of course this is all completely a matter of opinion...but, when we go down we usually spend one day at each park and hit everything with time to spare! Also, check into spending some time at Dixie Stampede while you are down there, this show isnt as good as the original in Tennesee and they actually give you silver ware to eat, but it is something not to be missed in a lifetime! Also I would check out the dinner theatre at Arabian Nights. One day you could hit what you can at Universal until 5 and then go to a dinner theatre, and then go back to USF or IOA the next day to get what you missed...this IMO is the only way you could use more than 2 days at Unversal Studios..both parks combined! If I have some other ideas I will pass them along...also remember you can create a memorable vacation by possibly hitting all that there is to do in the new City Walk additions, or one of the Fun park/go-cart places on the "Orlando Strip", right outside of Kissimee! Oh in reminder dont forget about some of the neat indian areas close to orlando, like gator land and other non traditional places like that...sometimes it is the special things that separates a vacation from the ordinary vacation! As Captain Picard states below...you would enjoy Cypress Gardens as there are some nice rides that you ride double on....DO NOT miss the ski show, it is what Cypress Gardens is known for! However the only draw back to this park is...it is mainly for those who enjoy smaller parks, and enthusiasts fond of just visiting as many parks as possible to say that they've been there. I went last year and enjoyed the place as a 17 year old, but to be completely honest, being a thrill seeker It left a little bit to be desired! I am not sure that an 18 year old will have too much fun if he is only in the thrillseeker group. Think of Cypress Gardens as a larger Lesourdsville Lake, with more rides and better landscaping and the exact same attendance figures as LL had in 1998-99. There are some nice rides there though all in all so take a chance...your 12 year olds may love it, and so will you and your wife! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Captain Picard Posted February 18, 2007 Share Posted February 18, 2007 If there is not enough for 3 days go to Cypress Gardens for a day before it's gone. It's just a small park with no waiting and double rides. You don't stop in the stations you just fly on through. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Interpreter Posted February 18, 2007 Share Posted February 18, 2007 I agree....unless the parks are very busy, I can't IMAGINE spending more than two and a half days at Universal Studios Florida. Especially not when Disney's MGM and Busch Gardens Africa (and especially Kumba) would be calling my name... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kenban Posted February 18, 2007 Share Posted February 18, 2007 Depends on how much of a hurry you are in and how many times you can do attractions. I have an annual pass to Universal and normally only spend two days. If you get to IoA when it opens you can do everything in the park once by 1PM (sometimes noon) if its slow but many of the attractions are worth doing multiple times. Because of the long preshows and attraction lengths in general Universal Studios takes a lot longer to get through but I only do most of the attractions once. I would recommend a day at Sea World and 2 or 3 days at US/IoA. IoA is an amazing park and I recommend taking your time to just look around for me three areas stand out Jurassic Park, Lost Continent, and the port of entry. There is a new $85 week ticket for Seaworld and Busch Gardens which is a good deal if you plan on visiting both. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
westcoasterman Posted February 19, 2007 Author Share Posted February 19, 2007 Thanks for the advice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PKIVortex Posted February 19, 2007 Share Posted February 19, 2007 I just came back from Orlando as some of you know. I originally was planning on spending 4 days at Universal but cut it back by one day. In 3 days I was able to do everything that I wanted to do at IOA and USF. (Trip report still coming I promise I'm a little under the weather right now, and don't feel like thinking or typing anything long right now). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RailRider Posted February 19, 2007 Share Posted February 19, 2007 There is definately plenty to do at the Universal Parks. Some tips, see the shows at the Studios, they are pretty cool, especially the monster make up show and make sure you ride The Mummy, truly a great ride and like nothing else out there. Universal has great rides and your kids will definatley enjoy them. IOA is truly amazing, just take your time in the park and take in all the scenery and atmosphere. Make sure you hit SpiderMan, Hulk, Dueling Dragons, and Jurasic Park River Adventure. Your kids will love IOA especially if they like the Marvel Characters and Jurasic Park. Also give Suess Landing a chance because adults will love that area as well. Universal Ignited is a great website for both parks and gives great details on whats going on, what to do, where to eat, and what to see. Definately a must visit site especially since you are going to the parks for an extended time. Univeral Ignited Have Fun You Will Love It Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WooferBearATL Posted February 19, 2007 Share Posted February 19, 2007 If you're able to run over to Tampa - I would agree with Interpreter - Busch Gardens Africa should not be missed. I'd rather go to Busch Gardens than any of the parks in Orlando. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tycoonrebel7188 Posted February 19, 2007 Share Posted February 19, 2007 I agree with Interprter and Woofer...BGA is not one to miss. I went during April 2006 and I dont know if it was just a short promotional thing but i got a "season pass" i'll call it for the same price as a one day ticket. With that pass I could visit BGA as many times as I wanted until the end of 2006. sadly I never got to visit again on that pass. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cory Butcher Posted February 19, 2007 Share Posted February 19, 2007 It was called a "Fun Card" Tycoon! we got one April of 06 as well and used it some during the summer and during Fall Break in October. It truly was a great promotion! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tycoonrebel7188 Posted February 19, 2007 Share Posted February 19, 2007 Thanks Cory, yea my friends and I had planned on using it during the summer and again during the fall sometime but those plans always floundered. But BGA is a great park, I didnt even get to do everyting cuz our group was so big. There were 8 of us including 1 parent at the park that day, and he sat in the beer place most of the day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Interpreter Posted February 19, 2007 Share Posted February 19, 2007 ...and I bet he had a great time! Hiccup! --The Interpreter, known for getting free beers at the Hospitality House for others....(and who doesn't drink beer, ickaorooney!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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