Need a Harry Potter Touring Plan

[lovindisney]

We are going to Universal in a little over a week. We haven't been in many, many years and I feel totally unprepared! My sons and my Mom want to see and do everything Harry Potter. We have 1 day, 2 park passes. We will get there as early as we are allowed (we are not staying onsite). Harry Potter is our priority. What do we do first? I would love help with a one day touring plan!

 

[ammag]

I am going for one day, actually leaving around 4 (unfortunately, as I hear it's extra special at night) we are also off site (pop century) that morning. The early hours are at US so we are going right to IA and doing olivanders, gringotts, shopping/looking around, lunch at leaky cauldron then train to US and doing forbidden journey, more shops and wand playing, etc. Depending on how long the lines are and what we end up doing exactly we might do more or ride something a second time but since we have to leave that might be it. Not going to do the coasters.

Touring plans has a universal planning edition, it's mostly helpful.

 

[johde]

While not Harry Potter, if Despicable Me is on the list of rides you want to hit, you'll want to hit it first. My normal morning plan is:

Despicable Me
Hollywood Rip Ride Rocket
Transformers
Revenge of the Mummy
Men in Black
Diagon Alley and Gringotts
Hogwarts Express to IOA
Dragon Challenge
Forbidden Journey
Loop around IOA (Towards Jurassic Park) hitting what I want
Hogwarts Express back to USF (You can rehit Forbidden Journey or other side of Dragon Challenge before going to to USF if there is time)
E.T. and other rides you missed first time through

 

[Robo56]

For those staying off site be there at rope drop. Those who are staying onsite have the advantage of getting into the park that opens early one hour before other guests. Also with HHN going on a lot if not all rooms onsite are taken.

There are two Harry Potter parks. One at Islands of Adventure and one at Universal Studios.

Diagon Alley is the newest at Universal Studios. I would hit Diagon Alley first. Take a look at the map on Universals site. Ride Escape from Gringotts then get the show at Ollivanders wand shop. They pick someone out of the audience for the show at Ollivanders. If your son is a big Potter fan get him a interactive wand. The map is sold with the wand showing sites in both Potter Parks were he can do magic tricks. Check out the shops, Knockturn Alley and walk through the Leaky Cauldron.

Then get on the Hogwarts Express and head to Hogsmeade in IOA. Do forbidden Journey, Flight of Hippogriff, Dueling Dragons and your done with the rides in Hogsmeade. Lunch at Three Broomsticks check out shops, get a sweet from Honeydukes. Take Hogwarts Express back to Diagon Alley then venture out to other rides in Universal.

Take Diagon Alley in again in the evening it's even more fun. Watch the Gringotts fire breathing Dragon at dark.

Some suggestions for the Potter fans as keep sakes. I made small photo albums with pics from both Potter parks. I bought the Hogwarts Express tickets from the shop at Diagon Alley and put it in the front of the album.

We always get the chocolate frogs and other goodies. Have fun with your planning hope this helps. Welcome back to Universal. It's our favorite destination in Orlando

 

[Robo56]

Hogwarts Express ticket

 

[schumigirl]

The fact you have park to park passes is ideal..........have a look at the park map before you go at www.universalorlando.com This will give you an idea of where everything is if you haven't already.

Really there's not much planning needed if you're basically concentrating on Potter.......although Johde's advice about Despicable Me is excellent if you wish to ride this one........it gets busy!!

Both Potter areas are spectacular.......take your time and hope you all have a wonderful trip........

 

[lovindisney]

For those staying off site be there at rope drop. Those who are staying onsite have the advantage of getting into the park that opens early one hour before other guests. Also with HHN going on a lot if not all rooms onsite are taken.

There are two Harry Potter parks. One at Islands of Adventure and one at Universal Studios.

Diagon Alley is the newest at Universal Studios. I would hit Diagon Alley first. Take a look at the map on Universals site. Ride Escape from Gringotts then get the show at Ollivanders wand shop. They pick someone out of the audience for the show at Ollivanders. If your son is a big Potter fan get him a interactive wand. The map is sold with the wand showing sites in both Potter Parks were he can do magic tricks. Check out the shops, Knockturn Alley and walk through the Leaky Cauldron.

Then get on the Hogwarts Express and head to Hogsmeade in IOA. Do forbidden Journey, Flight of Hippogriff, Dueling Dragons and your done with the rides in Hogsmeade. Lunch at Three Broomsticks check out shops, get a sweet from Honeydukes. Take Hogwarts Express back to Diagon Alley then venture out to other rides in Universal.

Take Diagon Alley in again in the evening it's even more fun. Watch the Gringotts fire breathing Dragon at dark.

Some suggestions for the Potter fans as keep sakes. I made small photo albums with picks from both Potter parks. I bought the Hogwarts Express tickets from the shop at Diagon Alley and put it in the front of the album.

We always get the chocolate frogs and other goodies. Have fun with your planning hope this helps. Welcome back to Universal. It's our favorite destination in Orlando

Helps a lot! I'm a scrapbooker so I love that idea. I appreciate everyones help!

 

[lovindisney]

Another question......I looked at the park hours on both the Universal site as well as Undercover tourist. There is no mention that I can find of "early admission park." Does that mean that the 8:00 park (US) is the one that is early admission for people staying on property? Am I understanding it correctly that we won't be able to enter until 9:00?

 

[Robo56]

That is correct early admission to onsite guests. I usually just check with my onsite hotel the day I check in and find out which one is opening early to onsite guests. During the time in May when we were there it was Islands of Adventure that opened early.

 

[mistanotguilty]

Wait...so IoA lists a 9 am opening time.

Universal lists 8 am opening

Is 8am for early entry? It doesn't say anything about early entry on the hours calendar...

 

[pcstang]

Early entry was at US last week. It varies so find out at the hotel. If it's at US, and they list 8 am as gates open, then 7 am will be early entry

 

[mistanotguilty]

Early entry was at US last week. It varies so find out at the hotel. If it's at US, and they list 8 am as gates open, then 7 am will be early entry

Ah that makes sense, thanks.