How many days do you need for US/IOA? About This Page:

[Suzie-Q]

Hi all,
I'm just looking into booking our first ever stay at Universal. We are liking the stay and cruise option but have no idea if we should stay 3 days and cruise 4 or vice-versa?
Is there enough to do at the park to make it exciting for 4 days, or would we be bored on the 4th day? We have 2 boys who will be 10 and 16 at the time, if that factors into it. We are looking for a change from WDW and also very excited about the new Harry Potter attraction.
Thanks for any thoughts you share!

[Shell_of_the_South]

When people ask me this, I always say you need at least 2 full days to experience everything both parks have to offer. A 3rd day will allow you to re-visit your favorites.

Do your boys enjoy thrill rides? If so I doubt they would get bored. We've stayed a week at a time at Universal and not been bored. You can also factor in a pool day - if you stay at one of their onsite resorts you can pool hop to the other 2 resort pools as well.

You could also consider a day at Sea World or Wet & Wild.

[DopeyGirl]

We were there in late June and were able to get through each park, seeing everything and riding everything we wanted to, doing one day per park.

We did Universal Studios the first day and IOA the second . . . both days we got to the park about 10am and left around 6pm. We got the Express Pass at IOA and did not need to use it AT ALL. :

IMO, if you did 3 days, like Shell said, it would be one day per park and the 3rd day to revisit things you'd like to do again . . . or in a busier holiday time, to hit anything you missed.

[Tonichelle]

we did one day and were satisfied... went back to Disney with no regrets (other than how we got there and back)

[DVCBird941]

DW and I went last year and did one day at each park. We got there at park opening and stayed till close, which was early due to the season. We rode everything we wanted multiple times and still had time to just wonder around and see the sites. I agree with the one day/park and a 3rd to revisit favs.

[Colexis Mom]

We've done a park each day. That was good enough for us!

[janicelovesmickey]

for us its a 2 day park, we have AP'S so we park hop.
but depending on the time of year 2 is plenty. we have done US/IOA then headed back to disney for EMH

[chezp]

We've done a day at each park too.

[HiddenMickey]

I liked having three day (my only other trip was five days...a bit too much, but still fun!). One to do each park and then a day to redo favorites or any shows that we weren't able to hit because of timing. We usually don't stay until close either....giving us time to swim back at our resort and have a nice dinner out.

[jimmymac]

Originally Posted by HiddenMickey

I liked having three day (my only other trip was five days...a bit too much, but still fun!). One to do each park and then a day to redo favorites or any shows that we weren't able to hit because of timing.

[Sue M.]

I like having 3 or 4 days, as I don't like staying from opening to closing. 1 day per park, and a 3rd to go back to revisit favs, and things you didn't get to. There are also some shows, and I just enjoy wandering around. We went 4 days last time at a leisurely pace. We also had SeaWorld tickets.

[Tigger71]

In 2005 we did both parks in one day - open til closing. Exhausting but worth it - my older kids were too short for alot of the IOA thrill rides and I was pregnant so missed them too but we did wait around/shop/take photos whilst DH enjoyed himself! The only thing I really wanted to experience was Duelling Dragons? but I wouldn't go again just for that. We were satisfied with park hopping on just one day then back to our happy place.

[ShellingConnie]

In July 2008, the kids and I went for 3 days.
We did everything we wanted to at the parks but wish we had one more day so we could've relaxed a bit more at the resort, wander a bit at City Walk and ride the Simpsons a few more times. LOL

[Clare loves Stitch]

I think you could spend a day in each park an evening in city walk and a day in seaworld if you have 4 days

[ddavis]

Originally Posted by Tonichelle

we did one day and were satisfied... went back to Disney with no regrets (other than how we got there and back)

And how did you get there and back? That is my next big thing on my list to plan.

Dorothy