I bet this has never been said here before....One day only (LOL)

dobtia

DIS Veteran

Joined

Dec 31, 2006

• Apr 19, 2015

• #1

I know this never comes up on this thread....but we are going to Universal for one day this trip. You know stretching out our Disney wings. We are going to be at Universal on June 8th.

To be fair our main goal is Harry Potter for about 3 of 4 in our party. I signed up for Touring Plans but can't seem to make it factor in both parks on one day.

My question to the greatness that is the DISboard....or more accurately a double check of my idea.

I am thinking knock out both Disney sections first including the train. It looks like Universal has more of what we want to do. (we are not big on the crazy extreme coasters) IofA has an early hour so my thought was to start at Harry Potter in Universal then head over to IofA. We would then hit one or two things and then double back to Universal.

We can be there most of the day as the park closes at 9.

 

LuvGoofy6

Mouseketeer

Joined

Jun 2, 2012

• Apr 19, 2015

• #2

dobtia said:

I am thinking knock out both Disney sections first including the train. It looks like Universal has more of what we want to do. (we are not big on the crazy extreme coasters) IofA has an early hour so my thought was to start at Harry Potter in Universal then head over to IofA. We would then hit one or two things and then double back to Universal.

We can be there most of the day as the park closes at 9.

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I'm confused when you say "knock out both Disney sections first including the train." Universal isn't affiliated with Disney at all. There are two parks at Universal. Universal Studios has the Wizarding World of Harry Potter-Diagon Alley and the other is Universal's Islands of Adventure with The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. You mention the early hour, does that mean they open earlier than the other park? Usually they allow an hour early park admission for people staying at one of Universals On-site hotels. There are currently 4 resorts with another to open the summer of 2016.

 

dobtia

DIS Veteran

Joined

Dec 31, 2006

• Apr 19, 2015

• #3

I am sorry about that....I did mean both Harry Potter sections....see how bad I have it.....can't let go of the Disney...LOL.

 

damo

Proud Redhead

Joined

Jan 1, 2001

• Apr 19, 2015

• #4

Not an unusual question at all. There are many people who come over from WDW for a day just to do the Harry Potter areas. June 8th shouldn't be too busy.

 

LuvGoofy6

Mouseketeer

Joined

Jun 2, 2012

• Apr 19, 2015

• #5

We have done one day in the past and felt really rushed and that was before the Harry Potter theme parks were added. However when we stayed on-site and got front of the line access we could easily get through the parks in a day. If you know what you want to ride and have somewhat of a plan I think you would be fine. Not riding some of the roller coasters (Like the Hulk) will help make getting through both parks easier.

 

bumbershoot

DIS Veteran

Joined

Mar 5, 2007

• Apr 20, 2015

• #6

Lots of people do this. Or think they'll do this. Then they get there and want more. So...budget for an upgrade to the ticket, just in case you love it and want another day (or an AP).

 

dobtia

DIS Veteran

Joined

Dec 31, 2006

• Apr 20, 2015

• #7

bumbershoot said:

Lots of people do this. Or think they'll do this. Then they get there and want more. So...budget for an upgrade to the ticket, just in case you love it and want another day (or an AP).

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My brother and his family did this at Thanksgiving. They did one day and paid extra before they left and went for a second day.

I have started playing around with Touring Plans and I think I have the basics of a plan forming. We might miss some stuff this year. We are thinking that we will be back again next year. If we like Universal this go round we will book a day or two at resort there and add a second day.

 

hydrotony

DIS Veteran

Joined

Dec 2, 2009

• Apr 20, 2015

• #8

Somewhere in these Universal threads is a one day plan made up about a month ago. It was pretty good. It used Touring Plans I think.

Here is a link to that thread.

http://www.disboards.com/threads/universal-solo-speed-trip-anyone-wanna-join.3392074/#post-53359251

 

Last edited: Apr 20, 2015

Elevationist

Princess No-Pants

Joined

Oct 17, 2004

• Apr 20, 2015

• #9

I did a one-day Harry Potter visit on my September solo trip. It worked out more than fine. By mid-afternoon, I had done a complete and satisfying tour of both Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade. I started to venture out and explore more in IOA, but then the rain moved in and didn't let up for over an hour, and by that point I was just over it, so I called it a day. Cut out and headed back to Pop Century to rest and freshen up before my dinner ADR at Ohana later that night. Aside from the rain, it was a perfect day for me.

 

Parker Clan

Is it December yet?!

Joined

May 25, 2014

• Apr 20, 2015

• #10

We've been four years in a row (August) and we go mainly for the HP rides.. Well best laid plans.. The HP rides seem to always be malfunctioning when we go! It's happened at least once, usually more than once on every trip. So just keep in mind when planning! Last year we did 2 days there - good thing we waited the 2 hrs 45 min for Gringotts the first day because it was closed that evening and the line the next day was ridiculous.. Like 4 or 5 hours long

 

dobtia

DIS Veteran

Joined

Dec 31, 2006

• Apr 21, 2015

• #11

Elevationist said:

I did a one-day Harry Potter visit on my September solo trip. It worked out more than fine. By mid-afternoon, I had done a complete and satisfying tour of both Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade. I started to venture out and explore more in IOA, but then the rain moved in and didn't let up for over an hour, and by that point I was just over it, so I called it a day. Cut out and headed back to Pop Century to rest and freshen up before my dinner ADR at Ohana later that night. Aside from the rain, it was a perfect day for me.

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Just had to comment on this.....last year was our first time on-site at Disney and myself and son picked Pop Century and loved it. We are going to back this year.

As I look I think we are going to attack Harry Potter in Universal first then train over to Harry Potter in Isle of Adventure (we might flip that). We are going to tour as much as possible there. We are not extreme coaster guys so I think Universal has more options for us to fill out the day.

 

Elevationist

Princess No-Pants

Joined

Oct 17, 2004

• Apr 22, 2015

• #12

dobtia said:

As I look I think we are going to attack Harry Potter in Universal first then train over to Harry Potter in Isle of Adventure (we might flip that). We are going to tour as much as possible there. We are not extreme coaster guys so I think Universal has more options for us to fill out the day.

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Then my advice is to do Diagon Alley first, then train over to Hogsmeade, then train back to Diagon Alley to finish out your day at Universal. Reason being is that you should ride the Hogwarts Express both ways, as it's a different experience each way.

 

Seeker615

Harry Potter Fanatic!

Joined

Jan 6, 2009

• Apr 22, 2015

• #13

I really think you need a couple of days to really enjoy Universal. Especially if you have never been there before. The theming in both parks are amazing and there is really a lot to do. i have been there for 4 nights and 5 nights and I really would have loved more time. In addition to both parks there is a really nice City Walk area to explore as well.

 

sky13

DIS Veteran

Joined

Sep 17, 2012

• Apr 23, 2015

• #14

I was there for one day on April 11 (as a solo) with the unlimited Express pass - was there from opening at 8am to closing at 10pm.
Started at Universal Diagon Alley with Gringott's, then Hogwarts Express to Hogsmeade, Forbidden Journey, Flight of the Hippogriff, Dragon Challenge Red and Blue, Hogwarts Express back to Diagon Alley. Then went off and did some of the other rides (RRR, Mummy), had lunch, did more rides (Hulk, Spiderman), saw the parade, and headed back to Diagon Alley to browse the shops and did Gringott's again as a single rider. Did more rides elsewhere, grabbed dinner, saw the Mardi Gras parade. It started raining so people started heading out of the parks... I stayed and did more rides, and at 9.30pm headed back to King's Cross to take the Hogwarts Express (almost completely empty). Walked onto Forbidden Journey, asked to re-ride (as no one in queue) and got to do so.

I felt that one full day was perfect for me - I got to do almost everything I wanted to do at Universal/IOA, although was helped a lot by having the unlimited Express pass for the non-Harry Potter stuff...

 

schumigirl

It's a bit of a roodie doodie word for lady parts

Joined

May 15, 2007

• Apr 23, 2015

• #15

Seeker615 said:

I really think you need a couple of days to really enjoy Universal. Especially if you have never been there before. The theming in both parks are amazing and there is really a lot to do. i have been there for 4 nights and 5 nights and I really would have loved more time. In addition to both parks there is a really nice City Walk area to explore as well.

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Totally agree.

One day will never do both parks justice. The amount of detail in both parks is is wonderful, and yes there is loads to do