IOA Question

My family and I heading to Orlando next week for a well deserved vaca. I am looking forward to IOA more than anything else. The last time we went to Orlando IOA was just starting to be built. I have a question and know I can find the answer here!

I am thinking about hauling along my 35MM to IOA with all my lenses, and need to know if there is some place for me to store the camera bag while riding? Do they have some place on the platforms? I know at MGM, Universal and Disney carrying the camera bag on the rides wasn't an issue. My b/f thinks I would be better off just stocking up on throw away cameras that tuck away in my fanny pack nicely. You can't top 35mm pics or even digital compared to those throw aways!

Any advise would be greatly appreciated!

Jo
2000 Raptor Crew
2002 Raptor Crew
2003 Raptor Crew
Lifetime Raptor flights: 847 :)

Jo, as far as Hulk and the Dragons are concerned, they have free (yes, I did say *free*) lockers for your use. I think there's an hour time-limit on them, after that they'll charge you for 'em. All the other rides you can either take your stuff with ya, or leave it on the platform (Flying Unicorn for example)....have fun, it's a great park! :)

And find the singles lines. They make the day so much better( I got to ride Spider-Man 4 times:)).And definately , do not miss the dragons in the front seat.

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Fire is better!

good point, tpdom....:)

Single-riders lines are *usually* available for Hulk, Spidey, Dr Doom, and MiB...you may want your FIRST rides with your b/f, but once you get to re-rides, it makes the waits MUCH shorter!

The only *tricky* one to get into is Dr. Doom's SR line...go through the Arcade, up the stairs in the back, and to the right...you'll see the single-rider line merge with the Universal Express line, but they do a great job of keeping those moving...:)

P.S. Fire IS clearly better...;)

The free lockers are way cool. I'll be there Friday and Saturday and I absolutely can't wait.

If you decide that Universal is the single greatest place in Orlando and you intend to go back, look into staying on-property. I can't say enough about how cool Universal Express is, and being able to cut even in the off-season.

Just a few days to go! :)

I was extremely impressed with IOA when I went. No rides were closed without a breakdown (except for the "ghost" ride in Suess Landing) but, I would also denfitely stay on-site. Very nice hotels, great service, and the best thing: Universal Express Plus Plus (Well, that's what I call it) You don't have to pay for it, you don't have to get one of those ticket thingys, and it's fast, and you don't feel like you're cheating others because they can get the tickets for free also.

P.S. Both dragons are equal to me. Ride Hulk in front. Enjoy your trip.

Saturday is the cat in the hat preview & breakfast

Have fun

Kevin

hopefully you are staying on property, because as jeff said, the universal express is the best. also, i work there, so it would be nice to see a fellow coasterbuzzer, as well as people keeping the hotel busy, which ensures a paycheck!

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Jeff said:
The free lockers are way cool. I'll be there Friday and Saturday and I absolutely can't wait.

If you decide that Universal is the single greatest place in Orlando and you intend to go back, look into staying on-property. I can't say enough about how cool Universal Express is, and being able to cut even in the off-season.

Just a few days to go!

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Thanks for all the advise guys, I knew I could get the answer I needed here!!! :)

As far as hotel this trip, it's called the "Grandma Express" since my Grandma lives 20 minutes away from Orlando ;) I already warned her she probably won't be seeing a whole lot of us! :)

I too can not wait Jeff! Especially considering how crappy this freaking Ohio weather has been lately. Blech! :(
Maybe we'll see ya there if we re-do our plans. Have fun, I know we are going to!!! :)

Jo
2000 Raptor Crew
2002 Raptor Crew
2003 Raptor Crew
Lifetime Raptor flights: 847 :)

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rollergator said:
Jo, as far as Hulk and the Dragons are concerned, they have free (yes, I did say *free*) lockers for your use. I think there's an hour time-limit on them, after that they'll charge you for 'em. All the other rides you can either take your stuff with ya, or leave it on the platform (Flying Unicorn for example)....have fun, it's a great park!

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The time-limit on the lockers varies according to the lines in the park. If the lines for DD or Hulk are longer than an hour, the lockers are free for a longer period. You should never have to pay to use a locker while you are waiting to ride a coaster at IOA. If the time isn't long enough, let guest services know.

Turbo, I was there with my brother during Halloween Horror Nights (coming from NYC) and would have been happy to have said hello if I knew. I stayed at the Royal Pacific and intend to stay there again with my girlfriend when we next go. :) I'll be sure to post something and say hello if you're still there.

In response to your question about the camera, I found something that worked fairly well this summer. I brought my good, manual 35mm camera with me, and put it and some other belongings in one of the all day, one price lockers that are located to your left as you enter the park. I rode rides for a while, and then in the afternoon when the lighting was good I took about two hours and just walked around the park snapping pictures and enjoying the scenery. This provided a great break from the thrill rides and really let me appreciate the ingenuity of the park. If you do this, be sure to take some pictures from the walkways that are behind the Popeye ship next to the lagoon. You get some great views of Hulk and the other islands from there. Enjoy your trip! *** Edited 11/18/2003 5:40:29 PM UTC by Mustang***

While we are on the subjuct of IOA Questions, I have 1 or 2. I'm going for the first time in January. I'm styaing on proporty so I get the express thing. How do you think lines will be? And ride closures. And shows at both parks. Will anything be different in the off-season? I'm hoping not. Anyone have any idea?

Lines will be either long or short. Some rides may be closed. Magic 8 ball says "call ahead and use common sense."

I just came back from there this weekend. Park was empty and I suggest purchase the $15 Express Plus Pass and if you have the Park Hopper and plan on going over to Universal Studios also, then it is only $20 for the two parks. The longest we waited on Sunday, Nov 16 was 10 minutes. With the Express Plus, the only line that swiped out card was Dragons. Everything was pretty easy to get on. Spiderman was 15 min wait at the busiest time. You should be fine, but I suggest going to the park earlier in the week, further away from Thanksgiving. Crowds will get to be more intense as next week progresses.

Have fun!

Kevin