1st Timer - ....do it in a day?

[Hatbox]

I'm planning our next WDW trip and have committed to FINALLY doing Universal for the first time. Unfortunately, I'll only have one day (maybe two? not likely). I'm having fun diving into all the Universal planning resources but, having never been, it's hard to put it all in context and judge for myself. Would love some input here:

(Keep in mind that we're going the first week in March 2018.)

1. Can I do it in one day IF all I need to keep everyone happy is everything Harry Potter and also Kong? We're not water park people.

2. If that's doable and I get Express Pass, is it unthinkable that we could also squeeze in our second tier priorities: Spider-Man, Mummy, Simpsons? (And should those even BE my second tier? We're not big fans of the most the characters and franchises that appear in USF so, unless an attraction there is truly unmissable, I'm fine sacrificing it all.)

3. I'd really like to stay on Disney property and just rent a car for the day to drive to Universal. I'm open to spending a night at Universal if (a) EPA will make all the difference and/or (b) my plan's just way too ambitious for one day. Will EPA make or break this?

 

[Nobody352]

Spiderman and the mummy are the best rides in each respective park.
If you have Express you can do TONS of the attractions.
I would definitely bump spiderman and mummy up on your list though.

Transformers and spiderman are very similar rides.

Here are my must do's IMO.
both harry potter rides are #1
hulk
ripe ride rocket
Mummy
MIB
dispicable me ( line must be under 70 minutes)
spiderman
e.t.
cat in the hat... its usually under a 10 minute wait.
transformers
jurassic park
BOTH water rides at islands ( if you want to do water rides)
dragon challenge.
kong.. barely.. if its over a 60 minute wait it get bumped down to the... meh.. if you have time to do it list.

Everything else at the park i feel will just be icing on the cake... make sure you definitely do the ones i listed.. again.. just MY opinion

 

[bchbetha]

It's so nice to stay over at Universal. You really should consider it. When the parks close, CityWalk is right there. It just couldn't be easier. 1 night at one of their fancy hotels gets you all Express Passes from check in to check out day. Almost always works out cheaper than buying the Passes for groups more than 2.
If you really want to go with your 1 day off site plan, it'll be tight. In early March, the parks might close early (or be affected by Mardi Gras concerts). No need to rent a car. It's really easy to do ride sharing like Uber or Lyft and it's cheap. You'll save $$ over rental + parking costs.
Definitely good to try and lop off some time for Universal. Especially for HP fans!

 

[imprint]

I've never been in March, but I think you could do it. One option:
1. Start in US and go straight to Diagon Alley. Thoroughly tour DA and ride Gringott's
2. Exit DA and cross the bridge to Springfield and ride The Simpsons
3. Cross back over to The Mummy (I suggest riding The Mummy 5 times in a row )
4. Go to Kings Crossing and ride the Hogwarts Express to IoA
5. Thoroughly tour Hogsmead and Hogwarts and ride Forbidden Journey, Dragon Challenge, and Flight of the Hippogriff
6. Exit across the bridge, through Jurassic Park, and ride King Kong
7. Keep heading down to Super Hero Island to ride Spider-Man (I suggest riding 3 times in a row )
8. Exit IoA and return to your car

Note that you will need park-to-park tickets of course. If you do get express passes, you can work in more rides. Since it sounds like you have big Potter fans, try to eat a meal in either/both 3 Broomsticks or Leaky Cauldron. Try some Butterbeer. For a table service meal (that is about the same cost as counter service), Mythos is a great option.

I personally prefer to spend 3-5 days at USO, so this plan would be too rushed and limited for me. However, I do think it would achieve your goals. Have fun!

 

[National_Parks_Guy]

As I see it, doing everything in one day at BOTH parks, you will need to have an Express pass. Now, base on your tiers and my personal knowledge of the park, this is what I suggest you do:

1. Start your day at IoA, and take a left, starting at Super Hero Island.
Suggested Attractions: Hulk and Spider-man.
2. Once you are done at Superhero, continue to Toon Lagoon. Since you have no interested in water parks, you can walk right through this area if you want, since it is full of wet attractions.
Suggested Attractions: Popeye's Barge (Note: you will get soaking wet!) and Ripsaw Falls.
3. Congratulations! You have made it to Skull Island, enjoy the ride!
4. Go to Jurassic park! Even though this is a wet ride, I have to suggest it. It is a classic experience, and a hallmark of Universal, in my opinion.
Suggested Attractions: JP River Adventure, Raptor Encounter.
5. Congrats! You made it to Harry Potter! Enjoy the entire area! Note: Lines are long and it is very crowded.
6. Take the Hogwarts express to Studios. Dr.Seuss is only good for little kids and the Lost Continent is kinda a pointless area to me. You can come back to these if you have time.
7. Congratulations! You are in Diagon Alley! Enjoy everything!
8. After Harry Potter, go to the World Expo!
Suggested Attractions: Men In Black (A classic ride and a personal favorite!)
9. Go to the Simpsons
Suggested Attractions: Simpsons Ride (The ride is a meh for me, but the overall area is fun to walk through)
10. Kidzone? (I suggest skipping this, unless you have little kids with you.)
11. Go to Hollywood!
Suggested Attractions: Horror Make-up show, Terminator (Both some of the best shows in the park in my opinion.)
12. Go to Production Central! (Note: I do not like the minions ride, but if you want to do it, it is a good ride.)
Suggested Attractions: Transformers, Rip-it rocket.
13. Go to New York!
Suggested Attractions: The Mummy, Blues Brothers Show
14. Walk right through San Fransisco cause there is nothing to do there, and see if you want go back to IoA or redo rides at Studios.

Now I am going to tell you straight up, I do not suggest doing this. Especially if you have young kids going. If anything, this is should be only the REALLY dedicated and Universal Veterans. What I suggest is, taking thngs at a slow pace, and getting things you want done, done. Be flexibility in your planning and have a good time!

Best of Luck!

 

[Parker Clan]

I agree... People don't know how amazing it is until they actually stay on site! It's a very nice experience
But what works for some doesn't work for others.
I agree with the PP's on rides... The express pass will be needed to accomplish everything you want

 

[Hatbox]

I've never been in March, but I think you could do it. One option:
1. Start in US and go straight to Diagon Alley. Thoroughly tour DA and ride Gringott's
2. Exit DA and cross the bridge to Springfield and ride The Simpsons
3. Cross back over to The Mummy (I suggest riding The Mummy 5 times in a row )
4. Go to Kings Crossing and ride the Hogwarts Express to IoA
5. Thoroughly tour Hogsmead and Hogwarts and ride Forbidden Journey, Dragon Challenge, and Flight of the Hippogriff
6. Exit across the bridge, through Jurassic Park, and ride King Kong
7. Keep heading down to Super Hero Island to ride Spider-Man (I suggest riding 3 times in a row )
8. Exit IoA and return to your car

This sounds exactly perfect for my needs. And you think it's relatively safe to bet I can do this without EPA? If we're in line before the park's public opening?

 

[Hatbox]

1. Start your day at IoA, and take a left, starting at Super Hero Island.
Suggested Attractions: Hulk and Spider-man.
2. Once you are done at Superhero, continue to Toon Lagoon. Since you have no interested in water parks, you can walk right through this area if you want, since it is full of wet attractions.
Suggested Attractions: Popeye's Barge (Note: you will get soaking wet!) and Ripsaw Falls.
3. Congratulations! You have made it to Skull Island, enjoy the ride!
4. Go to Jurassic park! Even though this is a wet ride, I have to suggest it. It is a classic experience, and a hallmark of Universal, in my opinion.
Suggested Attractions: JP River Adventure, Raptor Encounter.
5. Congrats! You made it to Harry Potter! Enjoy the entire area! Note: Lines are long and it is very crowded.
6. Take the Hogwarts express to Studios. Dr.Seuss is only good for little kids and the Lost Continent is kinda a pointless area to me. You can come back to these if you have time.
7. Congratulations! You are in Diagon Alley! Enjoy everything!
8. After Harry Potter, go to the World Expo!
Suggested Attractions: Men In Black (A classic ride and a personal favorite!)
9. Go to the Simpsons
Suggested Attractions: Simpsons Ride (The ride is a meh for me, but the overall area is fun to walk through)
10. Kidzone? (I suggest skipping this, unless you have little kids with you.)
11. Go to Hollywood!
Suggested Attractions: Horror Make-up show, Terminator (Both some of the best shows in the park in my opinion.)
12. Go to Production Central! (Note: I do not like the minions ride, but if you want to do it, it is a good ride.)
Suggested Attractions: Transformers, Rip-it rocket.
13. Go to New York!
Suggested Attractions: The Mummy, Blues Brothers Show
14. Walk right through San Fransisco cause there is nothing to do there, and see if you want go back to IoA or redo rides at Studios.

Now I am going to tell you straight up, I do not suggest doing this. Especially if you have young kids going. If anything, this is should be only the REALLY dedicated and Universal Veterans. What I suggest is, taking thngs at a slow pace, and getting things you want done, done. Be flexibility in your planning and have a good time!

Best of Luck!

Wow - thanks for this (and the word of caution!).

I'm really drawn to starting at IOA simply because the only "must" for me in USF (aside from WWHP) is Mummy - the rest is a bonus. So it makes sense to me to start in IOA to squeeze in Spider-Man, Hulk, and Kong up front. But everything I've read tells me I need to book it straight to Diagon Alley (or at least Hogsmeade).

(We're huge Jurassic Park fans, but HATE getting wet. So we'll likely stick to a walk around the JP area.)

We despise Transformers - is the ride worth it anyway?

 

[National_Parks_Guy]

Wow - thanks for this (and the word of caution!).

I'm really drawn to starting at IOA simply because the only "must" for me in USF (aside from WWHP) is Mummy - the rest is a bonus. So it makes sense to me to start in IOA to squeeze in Spider-Man, Hulk, and Kong up front. But everything I've read tells me I need to book it straight to Diagon Alley (or at least Hogsmeade).

(We're huge Jurassic Park fans, but HATE getting wet. So we'll likely stick to a walk around the JP area.)

We despise Transformers - is the ride worth it anyway?

Well, it has the same mechanics as the Spider-man ride. Even though I hate the movies, I like the ride, despite the fact it very similar to Spiderman. I don't a classic ride, so if your group really hates transformer, you could skip it.