2 parks in 1 day touring plan - would you change anything?

[FiveofusNL]

Hi everyone. Looking to the DIS Community for feedback on our US/IOA two parks in one day touring plan. We will be visiting US/IOA on Monday, July 2nd. We will be staying offsite but plan on being there at RD (9:00). Apparently both parks have EA so I know we will already be an hour behind a lot of the crowd. It is worth mentioning that EP for 5 of us on that date is not in the budget, nor is getting a throw-away room. We have done the two parks in one day before years ago, but there is a lot of newer stuff and we are skipping some of our previous must-dos (Minions, Shrek, parade). I have purchased the touring plans subscription to help create a touring plan, but I'm still having a little trouble and find the DISers always have invaluable suggestions which help me. I plan on downloading the Universal App on my phone to help judge wait times while we are there (though such technology is not always my friend). Finally, the ones in red are things we really don't want to miss if we can help it. Yep, I think that's everything I can think of that may be helpful to know, so here goes…

Start at Universal Studios:
· Race through New York (DD really wants to do this)
· Transformers
· Men in Black
· Diagon Alley
· Escape from Gringotts (for 3 of group – myself and DS are too chicken of the coaster part, so if there is a single rider line the other 3 can use that)
· Fast & Furious (It is worth mentioning this is not a must-do for us if the longs are too long. Touringplans has a wait time of 0 listed for this! I know that’s incorrect so I just don’t know how long I should budget for it or if I should just give it a pass)
· Hogwarts Express over to IOA

IOA:
· Hogsmeade
· Forbidden Journey (only 3 of group want to ride and are willing to use single rider line if it exists)
· Thunder Falls Terrace for lunch (This is one of few indoor spots everyone agrees on)
· Skull Island (not a must do-if the lines will be too long and TP saying about 75 mins wait!)
· Bilge Rate Barges (it’s a favorite, so like to do twice if lines are ok)
· Spiderman

· Hulk (only 2 riders using single rider line if wait is too long to do together)
· Cat in the Hat
· One fish, two fish
· Trolley Train Ride

At this point, we would drag ourselves out of the park, but if energy and crowds allows maybe try to eat at Toothsome. So, what do you think? Is this doable? Would you change anything? I know things may change depending on how busy it is and how the day plays out (i.e. torrential rain like the last time we visited, an impromptu snack break, or deciding to add a ride such as ET). I appreciate any and all advice. Thank you!

 

[bchbetha]

I don't like Touring Plans itineraries for Universal. I don't really get the algorithms they use. I would absolutely do the Harry Potter areas first because between 1104 they will be uncomfortably crowded. You'll be dealing with lines all day so there's not much getting around those but some rides are less popular and their lines will be shorter mid-day. I would personally do the HP stuff in US, Hogwarts Express over to IOA and do lunch if it's lunchtime then hit the HP stuff in IOA and all of your IOA must-dos then back to US for your US rides. Back to IOA if you have time and end the night on Diagon Alley. Walk or take the train based on lines. If you walk past Transformers or Race Through NY on your way to Diagon Alley and the lines are short, sure, jump in line. That's just how I'd do it.

You should be pulling up to the garage or getting out of your taxi, Uber or Lyft about an hour before you intend to be in the park to allow time for walking, security and ticketing. Plan to eat by 11;30 for lunch so you can avoid the crowds. You don't have much time and a ton to do so maximize time like that.

 

[FiveofusNL]

Thanks for all of the tips bchbetha. I am glad to hear that I am not the only one a little confused by the Touring Plans itinerary for Universal.

 

[sconnell]

Yikes. That's going to be tight. I agree with bchbtha, but I wouldn't stop for any short lines. Head straight to Gringotts or Forbidden Journey. Hogsmeade crowds are the pits, so maybe head straight there. WWoHP lines will continue to get longer throughout the day, but decrease in the evening after dinner.
Since you have a TouringPlans Subscription, their app is really good on the wait times and will even tell you that the lines are expected to increase or decrease. So try downloading it.
Jimmy Fallon has a Virtual Wait that you can use the Universal App to check in. I think F&F has this also, but haven't been yet since it's opening.
The touring plans on Orlando Informer are pretty good too, for some perspective.

 

[FiveofusNL]

Since you have a TouringPlans Subscription, their app is really good on the wait times and will even tell you that the lines are expected to increase or decrease.

Awesome. I will! Thanks for mentioning it. I know it is very unlikely we will get to everything. I guess it's more of a wish list so I have something in mind before hitting the parks. I think we will end up just bypassing Kong and F&F since they are new rides, I am thinking the waits will be way to long for us. It sounds like the virtual line is similar to the Disney fast pass system. If so, I am thinking the F&F passes will all be grabbed before we even enter the park. I will try to get them as soon as we enter the park though. If we don't, its a good reason to come back another time.

 

[sconnell]

Awesome. I will! Thanks for mentioning it. I know it is very unlikely we will get to everything. I guess it's more of a wish list so I have something in mind before hitting the parks. I think we will end up just bypassing Kong and F&F since they are new rides, I am thinking the waits will be way to long for us. It sounds like the virtual line is similar to the Disney fast pass system. If so, I am thinking the F&F passes will all be grabbed before we even enter the park. I will try to get them as soon as we enter the park though. If we don't, its a good reason to come back another time.

I understand the wish list! And it hasn't been our experience that the Fallon wait times were gone quickly. Fingers crossed for you! Either way, it will be fun!