2 Day ticket strategy- which park as nonhopper?

[mousefan73]

Some Parkt ticket strategy and HP questions.
1. So I feel the upcharge for 2 park option is simply crazy.. as most do it to ride the train. My DD is a HP fan, but 15 and values money too, she was shocked how much that train ride really is. We want to do 2 days and now I am thinking we do one day 2 park pass and one day one park pass. This gives us the option to focus on the 2 day park pass day only on HP stuff. Second day we could do the rest of one park and maybe re-visit part of HP.

2. If you had to choose one park ( keeping in mind which HP side is better) which would you choose for the one park day? Could be we also decide to only get 2 day single park- skip the train, then that question is irrelevant.

The two day pass for us is only for the HP train, not that we have a need to park hop. WWYD?

3. One other thing, we will most likely have an unlimited FP things.. so techncally if we are only HP and ride focused ( dont care about Universal characters, or shows) would one day be enough with a 2 park pass? If so, then we would use that money ( 2 day ticket) for the Boo Bash over at WDW..
Trying to maximize our dollars and time here.

4. With the PH, which park is better line wise to rop drop/ early entery at for HP? We are staying at Portofino if that plays a role?

 

[AuroraluvsPhillip]

You definitely don't need to take the Hogwarts Express, it takes about the same time to walk from park to park as it does to take the train during busier times. It is convenient, because the HP areas are way in the back of each park, so there's more walking involved, whereas the train drops you right off in the Wizarding World.

Universal Studios Wizarding World (Diagon Alley) has one ride, Gringott's, as opposed to Islands of Adventure, which has 3 HP themed rides, Forbidden Journey, Hippogriff and Hagrid's motorbike. Hagrid's is the only ride that your express pass won't work on, but there is now a new virtual system for riding it. Earlier is definitely better though, as weather will shut it down. It's a fantastic ride!

Universal Studios has Diagon Alley, Knockturn Alley, lots of shops to check out, The Leaky Cauldron QS restaurant, either the Hopping Pot or the Fountain of Faire Fortune to grab drinks, Florean Fortescue's ice cream shop, two short stage shows (Beetle the Bard & Celestina Warbuck) and more places to do spells with your interactive wands than Hogsmeade in Islands of Adventure.

Islands of Adventure has Hogsmeade, the 3 rides I mentioned, fewer shops and spell areas, Honeydukes candy store, The 3 Broomsticks QS restaurant with the Hogshead bar adjacent for drink purchases, 2 stage shows (Frog Choir and Triwizard Rally), and at night, the Castle Light show.

Ollivander's Wand shop is located in both parks, the one in Diagon Alley is a little larger. You do not have to purchase wands there. Wands are sold from carts in both areas of the Wizarding World and also the Universal Orlando stores at the entrance of both parks and at City Walk. The Ollivander's wand show is just like the scene where Harry gets his wand in the 1st book/movie, except a random guest is chosen from each group. After the show you are able to go into the actual store and browse/purchase wands, but again, you can do that elsewhere.

Hope this helps with your decision.

 

[Pooh's World]

Some Parkt ticket strategy and HP questions.
1. So I feel the upcharge for 2 park option is simply crazy.. as most do it to ride the train. My DD is a HP fan, but 15 and values money too, she was shocked how much that train ride really is. We want to do 2 days and now I am thinking we do one day 2 park pass and one day one park pass. This gives us the option to focus on the 2 day park pass day only on HP stuff. Second day we could do the rest of one park and maybe re-visit part of HP.

2. If you had to choose one park ( keeping in mind which HP side is better) which would you choose for the one park day? Could be we also decide to only get 2 day single park- skip the train, then that question is irrelevant.

The two day pass for us is only for the HP train, not that we have a need to park hop. WWYD?

3. One other thing, we will most likely have an unlimited FP things.. so techncally if we are only HP and ride focused ( dont care about Universal characters, or shows) would one day be enough with a 2 park pass? If so, then we would use that money ( 2 day ticket) for the Boo Bash over at WDW..
Trying to maximize our dollars and time here.

4. With the PH, which park is better line wise to rop drop/ early entery at for HP? We are staying at Portofino if that plays a role?

If you get the Annual Pass which is only a few bucks more you automatically get Park hopper and discounts on hotel and restaurants and stores.

The lineal order you should go on the thing is really Universal (London, Diagon Alley) then Kings Cross train then Hogwarts.

I would spend all of the first day at Universal.
Then on the 2nd day park hop and use train first thing in the morning from Universal and spend most of the day at Islands before taking the train back to Universal at some point as it's a little different comng back from Hogwats to London.

Or get the AP and have park hoppper both days

 

[bchbetha]

I know it seems like it is "just for the train" but it isn't! The parks are *right there*- you see one from the other easily. It's pretty much just 1 big park broken into 2 smaller parks to make that extra cash. I know you don't want to hear it but- especially for a Harry Potter fan- park to park is a must.
I am confused reading your questions. Are you thinking that you can buy 2 1-day tickets and use them on the same day but for different parks? It doesn't work that way and, I would think, that would cost more anyway than just park to parks.

Before Hagrid's, the Universal side was an easy vote for me for HP if just doing 1 park. Now? There's no way I could choose.

 

[mousefan73]

Thanks! Can you guys confirm trying to do it all in one day even with Express Pass is not really possible? We are going Aug 26-28

 

[bchbetha]

No. Not for a HP fan who will want to explore HP stuff and ride more than just HP stuff.

 

[fivikse]

I have read people say they feel like they can do it in one day - my family cannot. Even though we don’t do hoppers at WDW, we do park to park at universal. For the train but also for the convenience of wandering back and forth.

 

[Pooh's World]

Thanks! Can you guys confirm trying to do it all in one day even with Express Pass is not really possible? We are going Aug 26-28

It really depends if you have to absorb every knook and cranny of Diagon alley and Hogsmeads.

Like if you go to the sorting hat to get a wand and then have the electronic wand to cast all the spells in front of different buildings. Also the theming in the queue is half the enjoyment so if you use Express Pass at Gringotts or Hogwarts then you miss the whole bank and different parts of the castle. So then it's like why are you even there if you are going to express pass past all of that.

 

[mousefan73]

I know it seems like it is "just for the train" but it isn't! The parks are *right there*- you see one from the other easily. It's pretty much just 1 big park broken into 2 smaller parks to make that extra cash. I know you don't want to hear it but- especially for a Harry Potter fan- park to park is a must.
I am confused reading your questions. Are you thinking that you can buy 2 1-day tickets and use them on the same day but for different parks? It doesn't work that way and, I would think, that would cost more anyway than just park to parks.

Before Hagrid's, the Universal side was an easy vote for me for HP if just doing 1 park. Now? There's no way I could choose.

No I was thinking of doing one day with park hopper and the next day only getting a one park day and for that second day I would need to decide which park is the better one

 

[CAPSLOCK]

Tickets work the same as Disney - either you have park hoppers (park-to-park), or you don't. You don't have to use the park-to-park every day if course. But the upgrade is the whole length of your ticket.

Unless you want to literally buy a 1 day park-to-park ticket and a separate 1 day single park ticket, which would be more expensive than the 2 day park-to-park ticket.

You will already have the Express Passes from Portofino. You have them check-in and check-out day, so it will be easy enough to do the 2nd day at Universal. Or a 2nd half day.

 

[cfoxga]

Looking at the Universal site for ticket prices on 8/27:

1-day 1-park: $181
1-day park-to-park: $126
2-day park-to-park: $247
Seasonal AP: $350

Agree with others that 1 day park-to-park and one day no par-to-park looks to be more expensive (181+126=$307). So you'd be better off buying a 2-day ticket

Definitely consider at least one Seasonal AP to get the APH discount. You can save 40% off the standard rate, which will save around $200 for that night (https://res.windsurfercrs.com/ibe/default.aspx?hgID=641&langID=1&checkin=8/26/2021&nights=2&rooms=1&adults=2&children=2&promo=aph&iata=&group=&hotels=&ada=0&currid=1&vouchercode=&attendeeCode=). So you'd actually save $100 by getting an AP for a single night stay.

The other thing to keep in mind is that you can always pay the difference to upgrade to APs after you visit the parks, if you fall in love with UO and can make a second trip within a year. We did that on our first trip and loved not having to buy tickets for a second trip. But it helps that we are able to drive to Orlando...