1 Day - 2 Park Pass Planning Help

[berlykim22]

In 3 weeks we are heading to Florida and will be doing US and IOA for one day b4 our Disney trip.
My youngest boy is a Big Harry Potter Fan, so this is main reason for visiting Universal Parks.

We are heading in on afternoon flight and staying at Loews Royal Pacific Resort so we get Express Passes -
will head to Parks next day,
US has a 7 am EE (2 hours before Park Opening - which I am excited about) -
So my plan is to get to US at 7am and head straight to Diagon Alley and do Ollivanders and then Gringott's Express
I know Minions Mayham is open too, but feel like we can use the EP for that later.

After Gringott's take Hogwarts express to Hogsmead do everything here take Hogwarts express back to Diagon Alley, do all Universal Studios rides we have on our list, want to get back to US since it closer early (5pm) because of Halloween Night. After done with US walk to IOA and do rides there.

I am looking for suggestions for Lunch, think Harry Potter theme place for dinner or lunch for sure.

Any tips or suggestions for ONE day in both parks, and any Harry Potter tips.

My son will definitely being were is Robe and props, we will be buying wands and rest of family hoping to get us some Harry Potter Themed Tees.

My kids have never been here before, ages 8 and 11 (8 year old is big Harry Potter fan, but also a bit scared of sons rides, so keeping my fingers crossed)

IOA closes at 8pm, we will have our luggage stored at hotel and then will uber it over to Disney hotel after our theme park day,

Thanks in advance,
Kim

 

[mjhtvchick]

Looks like you have a pretty good plan - I would only add that if you want to get the "full" experience, make sure to buy an interactive wand for your son. It includes a map of both Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade identifying about 15 or so locations where he can cast spells to make something special happen. Its a lot of fun!
You also have to definitely go down Knockturn Alley - it is very dark and can be a little creepy but it is so cool...Borgin and Burke's is down there and has lots of neat stuff and effects from the movies.
For food suggestions, we actually haven't eaten in either The Leaky Cauldron or Three Broomsticks, but always make a point of getting a Butterbeer and ice cream from Florean Fortescue's at some point in the day.
Enjoy!! It is my 11-year old daughter's favorite place in the whole world!!

 

[damo]

I'm pretty sure that US opening at 7 for EE is only an hour early than park opening. I would expect the regular crowds to come bustling in around 7:45. Regular opening at US is 8am for the whole month of October. Early admission is 7am for the whole month of October. Regular opening at IOA is 9am.

Early admission: https://www.universalorlando.com/Resort-Information/Early-Park-Admission.aspx

Regular hours: https://www.universalorlando.com/Resort-Information/Theme-Park-Hours.aspx

 

[macraven]

If you will be in the UO parks Friday September 30, should have ok crowds
I was looking for adr cancellation thread for wdw and noticed you mentioned dates
Assuming you will be at UO for the day prior

The ep from the hotel will keep you from long waits

The EE will help you do the potter rides

The potter restaurants do not take reservations (3B's and Leaky Cauldron)

Do lunch at off times from when most will be doing ride time

Check out the UO park layout so you have an idea where rides/ shows you want to do are located

Also pick up park guide maps when you enter the park for a visual of locations of rides, show times for potter entertainment, rest rooms, first aide, eateries, etc

The studios will have increased crowds by 4:00
At that time be in the other park

You can use HE to reach the other potter park or you can walk to ioa within 5 minutes
Parks are side by side


Know you will have a fun time at the darkside!

 

[berlykim22]

I'm pretty sure that US opening at 7 for EE is only an hour early than park opening. I would expect the regular crowds to come bustling in around 7:45. Regular opening at US is 8am for the whole month of October. Early admission is 7am for the whole month of October. Regular opening at IOA is 9am.

Early admission: https://www.universalorlando.com/Resort-Information/Early-Park-Admission.aspx

Regular hours: https://www.universalorlando.com/Resort-Information/Theme-Park-Hours.aspx

Thanks - just thought both parks opened at 9am - so thought wow 2 extra hours how lucky are well, oh well!

If you will be in the UO parks Friday September 30, should have ok crowds
I was looking for adr cancellation thread for wdw and noticed you mentioned dates
Assuming you will be at UO for the day prior

The ep from the hotel will keep you from long waits

The EE will help you do the potter rides

The potter restaurants do not take reservations (3B's and Leaky Cauldron)

Do lunch at off times from when most will be doing ride time

Check out the UO park layout so you have an idea where rides/ shows you want to do are located

Also pick up park guide maps when you enter the park for a visual of locations of rides, show times for potter entertainment, rest rooms, first aide, eateries, etc

The studios will have increased crowds by 4:00
At that time be in the other park

You can use HE to reach the other potter park or you can walk to ioa within 5 minutes
Parks are side by side


Know you will have a fun time at the darkside!

Thanks so much - so helpful!

Yes we will be there on Sept 30th - figure US will get busy later in day because of Halloween party so make sure we get rides done there first and early and out!!!
Definitely going to look at parks map and layout, I have been there before twice and last trip only needed one day, but there was no Diagon Alley then and kids were not with, lol

Which Potter Restaurant does anyone recommend or is it just preference on food?

Any other do not mis rides or attractions?

What about character photo ops and do they do anything similar to Photo pass for a Day?

Thanks again -

 

[damo]

The two restaurants have different menus, so it is a food preference thing.

There is a photo op in the Gringotts queue where they take your photo. Photo pass isn't really worth it. Just take your own photos.

 

[macraven]

I prefer the 3 B's

Their breakfast menu ends at 11:00 daily
But their lunch menu begins at 10:30 daily

I skip breakfast and do this place at 10.30 for the lunch menu

Not crowded at this time period

Nice thing about it if someone in your group does not want the potter breakfast choice, they can go with the potter lunch menu

 

[TommyJK]

If you do want to do "Photo Pass" for the day, here is more information on it:

http://blog.universalorlando.com/vi...ource=A000077868.000001590&IndivKey=110152512

 

[bchbetha]

We liked the set up better at The Leaky Cauldron. They seated us and brought out food to us. At the Three Broomsticks, I think they might have seated us but we had to collect our food. It just was an annoying set up. If do an early lunch at LC and then just grab some butterbeer from the Hogshead Inn. It's attached to the 3Bs so you can peak in (or, if the line is short, get a butterbeer pudding dessert- yum!). The patio at the Hogshead is a great spot to regroup and briefly rest.