Universal Studios vs. Islands of Adventure

[jeffreyabr]

For our trip, we are considering saving money by only seeing one Universal Studios park. The difference is only $30, but we thought we would check on here to see if you guys had any opinions one way or the other (if one is an all day park vs the other being a tourist trap with shops and stuff).

 

[chartle]

For our trip, we are considering saving money by only seeing one Universal Studios park. The difference is only $30, but we thought we would check on here to see if you guys had any opinions one way or the other (if one is an all day park vs the other being a tourist trap with shops and stuff).

This would be best asked in the universal studio/ Islands of adventure forum

http://www.disboards.com/forumdisplay.php?s=&daysprune=&f=30

 

[Bullseye]

Yeah it will probably get moved. But if you can do a 1 day park to park pass. You really do miss out on a lot if you skip either park. If make full day of it you can do both parks. It's worth the additional $30 per ticket.

 

[Networth]

Universal is great for thrills, easily worth the $30 if you enjoy coasters. The Hulk, Dueling Dragons, Rip Ride Rocket, The Revenge of the Mummy, plus all the "high-tech" rides like spider-man, harry potter and transformers. Point being hit the other park while your their you won't regret it.

 

[aubriee]

Universal is great for thrills, easily worth the $30 if you enjoy coasters. The Hulk, Dueling Dragons, Rip Ride Rocket, The Revenge of the Mummy, plus all the "high-tech" rides like spider-man, harry potter and transformers. Point being hit the other park while your their you won't regret it.

Agree! No way would I miss either one if I was going to be over there anyway.

In fact, we always spend at least one night over there, just to get their front of the line pass. Stay just one night and you get Express Pass for both your arrival day and check out day. Well worth it for unlimited front of the line passes. We always like riding alot of the rides over and over and with the express pass you get for staying in one of their deluxe resorts you get to do that with very little to no waiting. Just hop off and right back on. The Express Pass offsite guests can purchase is just for one time on each ride, where as onsite guests can use it to get on the rides over and over as many times as they want. The only rides in either park that doesn't accept express pass are Forbidden Journey and that Pteranodon Flyers dinosaur kiddie ride.

 

[RMulieri]

I could never pick one over the other willingly..I love them both and spend lots of time in both.We spend several nights onsite to enjoy both parks leisurely

 

[BuzzBelleMom]

Will be there this weekend and we got the park-to-park tickets so that we can see WWoHP in the mornings and the and then head over to Universal if the mood strikes us and then head back for the last hour of WWoHP. We are staying onsite so that we can take full advantage of both parks.

And right now they have 3-day PtP tix for the price of three. Might want to check how much a one day would be.

 

[nerdboyrockstar]

I choose death.


Okay, no I choose booth.

 

[wiigirl]

Yeah it will probably get moved. But if you can do a 1 day park to park pass. You really do miss out on a lot if you skip either park. If make full day of it you can do both parks. It's worth the additional $30 per ticket.

 

[kohlby]

Though ideally, I'd say to do both, I understand if that's not a possibility. We had to choose at one trip and decided on IOA over US. It was due to all three of our kids loving Harry Potter. And that IOA had kept us more busy pre-kids even before the Harry Potter area was there - but we liked doing thrill rides over and over and over. The trip before the one where we picked just IOA, we did both IOA and US and they liked IOA better. However, we just returned from a trip and though they liked both, US kept us more busy this time. So, it really depends on your crew and what you're interested in doing. Both are great parks.

 

[Planogirl]

We don't care much for the bigger coasters and that's probably why we prefer the studios to IOA. However we would hate to miss the Harry Potter area, the wonderful Spiderman ride, Jurassic Park, the Dr. Seuss attractions, the good restaurants and theming...eh, I'll also recommend to try to see both.

 

[macraven]

asking which of the parks to only do is like someone asking me which of my kids do i like best.........


both parks has something to offer you in entertainment.
they each have super rides that will become your favorite.


can't say one is better than the other.


i think park to park tickets are the best way to discover the darkside.
you will find great rides and entertainment in both parks.

go to www.universalorlando.com to get more descriptions and details of what is in both parks.
you can start at one park, walk to the other and later return back to the first park.

finish the evening at city walk for late dining.


we all have our favorite rides but the entertainment is broken up to where both parks have a draw for all the guests.

i could not go to the darkside and do only one park.
i could not choose between parry hotter, seuss, dr doom over transformers, despecable me, horror make up show, mib, mummy....

it is well worth the money to do both parks.

there are some rides can empty out into a gift shop.
that is a given at any theme park.
but, it doesn't detract from the ride or atmosphere of the park.

 

[schumigirl]

Couldn`t really pick one over the other if it came down to it.........not much help I know........

Love both parks, couldn`t miss either of them

 

[Mrs bluer101]

I agree with everyone. I can't choose between them either. I'm not one for the big coasters but I love both parks. You really owe it to yourself to do both parks. Don't miss out on something good.

 

[Metro West]

I agree with everyone. I can't choose between them either. I'm not one for the big coasters but I love both parks. You really owe it to yourself to do both parks. Don't miss out on something good.

 

[jrsharp21]

We are headed down to WDW the beginning of March and we are headed to Universal for a day and we also have to make the decision of one park. It looks like IOA is going to win out because of Harry Potter.

 

[Metro West]

We are headed down to WDW the beginning of March and we are headed to Universal for a day and we also have to make the decision of one park. It looks like IOA is going to win out because of Harry Potter.

You'll have a problem next time once Diagon Alley opens at the Studios.

 

[SprExcited]

We are huge coaster fans so IOA wins out for us. Although studios had some great rides and great areas to explore also.

On our first visit we bought 2 day base tickets and did one day in each side. We are doing the same thing on this visit.

I wouldn't have wanted to visit just one side or the other, I am very happy we did both.