Need help with Harry Potter Planning

[kaytayprincess]

First off, we aren't going until December, 2016 (10th-17th) but we are planners and like to know what we're doing. We are staying at POP Century but will take a one-day trip to Universal/IOA for the Harry Potter experience. We will have the park-to-park ticket allowing us into both worlds. Now for the questions:
1) Which park should we start in (we will get there early?) I've not been to Universal since 2001. Harry Potter World is the reason we are taking a day away from Disney but we want to experience as much of both parks as we can. Help us plan our day (especially the Harry Potter rides)
2) I loved Seven Dwarves Mine Train but that is the extent of the thrill I want. Will I be okay to ride everything but the Dueling Dragons?
3) We love Harry Potter! What are the things we MUST NOT miss on this trip? We are traveling with a range of ages and most have read the books/seen the movies.

 

[wookiebeck]

For question #2. You might be out of luck if SDMT is your max level. Yes Dueling Dragons is a 'do not attempt' for you. Flight of the Hippogriff is a junior coaster, like Barnstormer, but IMHO, more thrilling.

Forbidden Journey is pretty intense. Think Sum of all Thrills with better execution and scariness.

Escape from Gringotts is less for sure. It is smoother. The ride track looks like a coaster but has starts, stops and slowdowns. Still more thrill than SDMT.

For question #3. Don't miss Flight of the Hippogriff, Forbidden Journey, Escape from Gringotts.

But seriously, soak up the vibes by snacking on wizard treats and walking through the shops. There are shows and lesser attractions scattered throughout. Go to wand choosing ceremony. You can definitely linger and fill your time if you want to.

 

[JustCallMeMommy]

For the record, Barnstormer and Flight of the Hippogriff are the exact same ride track. They only vary in theming. I noticed another at Univeral and one at Legoland with the same track. Recognizing ride tracks is a benefit of having a child who loves to ride every ride 10 times.

Forbidden Journey and Escape from Gringotts are different than Disney rides. You could compare them to Star Tours with more interactive elements like Dinosaur, maybe? Forbidden Journey kind of swings you around, and there are lots of movie screen elements. Escape from Gringotts has a short coaster at the beginning followed by more movie screen elements. I'm sure you could find some YouTube videos to give you a better idea than my description. If you decide to skip the ride, you can still do the queue that takes you through the school.

The area as a whole is definitely a not-miss. I get teary eyed walking in every single time because it feels like I am really walking into this place that I have come to love from the books and movies. As a side note, I actually haven't ridden Dragon Challenge because my DD won't ride outside coasters (she is fine with inside coasters).

 

[kaytayprincess]

Thanks for the responses! My main problem is with drops. I love BTM, SDMT and Dinosaur! I won't even consider riding Splash Mountain (I know that's odd.) We've watched youtube POV on the rides and I think I can handle all of them but the Dragon one. I don't know if I can pass them up!

Thanks again! Any other advice you can offer we would appreciate!

 

[kaytayprincess]

Can anyone help us with which park to start the day with? What are pros/cons to starting at each park? It's been a long time since I've been to Universal!

 

[macraven]

I go with the EE park
Less crowded for potter as limited crowds

If you can't do EE, map out the rides and shows/shops for each park you have to do then hit the park that has the larger must do list

 

[wookiebeck]

Universal on-site guests will get the benefit to enter one of the parks an hour earlier than everyone else. Since you are coming in from POP, you might consider being the first in line at the 'later' park and heading right to Hogsmeade or Diagon Alley.

 

[bchbetha]

I'd start on the Universal side so you do things in "Harry Potter order". I think for a true fan, you'll appreciate traveling from London to Hogwarts.

Get there ASAP in the AM (like well before the park is scheduled to open as you need time for security and such).

 

[kaytayprincess]

Thanks! Love the advice. We will look at all our options.

 

[scottmel]

Do single rider at Forbidden Journey...close to no wait...

 

[macraven]

i know you are asking about rides but in case you want to know anything about snacks, you need to include Lards Lad pink donut.

that and all the butter beer you can drink at parry hotter's place.

 

[juliekzp]

Following along with this thread, because we've just decided to do one day at Universal for the Harry Potter stuff, only 4 weeks from now. Ack! Been to Disney loads of times, never to Universal, so I don't even know where to start.

 

[Robo56]

Juliekzp you did not say whether you were staying onsite or not. If you are you will have access to unlimited express pass and early entry as a onsite guest at the deluxe resorts. This will make your one day visit easier. If not you will definitely want to be there at rope drop when the park opens to get as much out of your day as you can.

Go to Universal Orlandos web site and go to bottom of the page and pull up park maps. This will give you the lay of the land so you are familiar with the parks

To get the most Of your Potter experience here's a list that might help

1. Shop your one day tickets for the best price AAA, Universal, Undercover tourist

2.You need a park to park ticket to ride the Hogwarts Express between the two Potter parks. The experience is different both ways.

3. Get a interactive wand to do spells in Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley. There is a map for spell sites in the wand box.
there are also medal medallions on the ground in front of the spell sites.

4. Have lunch or dinner at Broomsticks or Leaky Cauldren.

5. Have a butterbeer.

6. Get some Bertie Botts every flavor jelly beans and a chocolate frog with a hologram wizard.

7. Take time to check out all the stores in Diagon Alley (Knockturn Alley) and Hogsmeade.

8. Do single rider line if line is long on Gringotts.

9. Go back to Diagon Alley in the evening it's pretty cool.

There is a sticky with hidden things to look for at the Potter Parks. Have a look at that. Then have a good time. If you have any other questions come on back someone will answer them for you.

You will find that Universal is a lot more layed back then Disney.


Have a great time

 

[Disxuni]

If drops is all that you're worried about you should be able to handle everything besides The Dragon Challenge. As someone who's been on the Mine Train finally and recently, I would say you should be able to handle Flight of the Hippogriff, but I suggest if you're on the IoA side to do that first, as there is no single rider line and honestly, the wait can get pretty long probably due to the fact that it's a kid friendly coaster. Of course the other rides can get a long wait too, but honestly, I would rather wait a long time for all the other Potter rides, but not so much Fight of the Hippogriff, as I do not find it all that amazing and it's an extremely (barely a minute long literally) short ride.

If you want a Harry Potter experience, as everyone calls it apparently, meaning you go through the emotions of Harry would, such as going to Diagon Alley enjoying the shops, and then going on the train to Hogwarts, and then enjoy Hogsmeade and go to Hogwarts (FJ), then that is probably how you want to go. Diagon Alley is breath taking. However, if that is not necessarily important of you needing to experience everything just like Harry, what I recommend usually to people is going to Hogsmeade first, mainly due to the fact that that area seems a little more narrower as it isn't as immersive as Diagon Alley, because later in the day it can feel quite crowded and claustrophobic.

 

[snoopboop]

If drops is all that you're worried about you should be able to handle everything besides The Dragon Challenge.

To be fair, Dragon Challenge doesn't even really have a drop to speak of! It's got lots of twists and turns, but no big drops at all, really....

 

[Disxuni]

True. More like a dive to the right, or left, haha! But the OP already singled out The Dragon Challenge anyway.

 

[kaytayprincess]

Great advice everyone! Please keep it coming as you think of more planning ideas.

 

[Kati Reimer]

Personally, I start in Hogsmeade in IOA. I know it's sort of "backwards" but there is so much more to see and eat in Diagon's Alley that I save it for later morning into the afternoon so I can take my time. I highly recommend you go into the castle first thing, and then hit the Hippogriffs ride. Then I would stop by Ollivanders to get a wand, especially if you want to perform magic spells! Grab a butterbeer, and have people in your party mix it up so you can try the different variations. It's so sickly sweet I usually share with someone else just to try some. At that point, I would jump on the train and head to Diagon Alley. There is an unbelievable amount of detail and amazingness, it could easily take up the rest of your day. Plus snacks! Leave the alley for a bit to wander around the London section - see Kreacher in the window of Grimmauld Place and the Knight Bus.

If you do it this way, take the train back to IOA so you can go through platform 9 3/4!

 

[slbgnb]

Would it work to start in one of the parks....do the HP area....then ride the HE over to the other park.....& then do the HP area there? Or would that get you the 2nd park too late and the HP area would then be too crowded? This will be 1st week of September. Thanks!