3 day Sept itinerary

[dr&momto2boys]

Please help us make the most of our 3 days at US/IOA. We're not newbies at all, but a lot has changed in the few years since our last trip. We're staying 4 nights at Cabana Bay and have 3 day park to park tickets. (We're coming over from WDW and returning to WDW FYI.)

Day 1: Check in late afternoon and eat dinner at resort or Citywalk. Suggestions? We always seem to do Bubba Gumps so not there. We've done Margaritaville but would definitely consider that again.

Day 2: Early Entry. Hogsmeade then ride to other park and do Diagon Alley, then ride back and do rest of IOA?

I need a refresher here...
Is EE only at IOA is it also US now with new HP area? Are other rides open besides HP? Our old strategy was Hogsmeade quick then Spiderman before official open and Hulk followed by other stuff. We've always stayed on property and had Express, but is there no Express with Cabana Bay?

What should our strategy be this time?

We like one sit down meal per day either as an afternoon break or dinner. Parks close at 6 (US) and 7 (IOA) this day so probably dinner. Suggestions? Does Mythos have a late reservation or should we plan to spend the last hour(s) doing more HP stuff?

Day 3: Early Entry with same HP strategy? Then stay in US this day. Minions right at opening? Please advise! Midday sit down lunch and pool break. Back to HP in evening.

Day 4: Early entry. Same strategy? Hit the big coasters again at IOA and any areas we haven't thoroughly explored. Dinner at Lombards with dessert buffet and reserved seating for Cinematic Spectacular.

The kids do like the Pteronodon Flyers. When do we work that in? Any other tips? I feel lost!

 

[Robo56]

First of all take a deep breath and relax. Enjoying Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure is so much easier then the hyper severe planning that is involved with Disney. There is no express pass with Cabana Bay resort. That is only offered with Royal Pacific, Hard Rock and Portofino Bay. Costing out the advantage of staying at those three resorts with the advantage of the express pass included is usually more cost effective and time saver. Also the bus takes you over to the parks from Cabana Bay.

With the other three you can take the boat or walk. You can check the calendar on Universal site for Early entry Park designation. Also you can call Cabana Bay directly and they will let you know which Parks opens early on the days you are there.

Being there at rope drop will help with getting your ride time in. Most popular rides in IOA Spider-Man, Hulk, Forbidden Journey in Hogsmeade. How about lunch at the Three Broomsticks in Hogsmeade. They have a family feast there that is awesome and affordable. Universal Studios Minion ride is very popular as well as Escape from Gringotts in Diagon Alley. You need to make sure you ride the Hogarts Express to Diagon Alley and Back to Hogsmeade during your stay as the experience is different. You have to have Park to Park tickets to ride it and you have it so enjoy. How about lunch at the Leaky Cauldron. You can make ressies at Mytho's for lunch (this is easily done on Universal's site).
I have never been disappointed at Mytho's.

The nice part of Universal is the Parks are easily managed. No stress. As a onsite guest you have advantage of early entry. City walk restraurant menus and prices are listed on Universal's site. Have fun and explore. Have a great trip.

 

[dr&momto2boys]

Lol! Thanks for the info and recommendations!
As a mother of five kids, I never relax, I'm always planning. But I do know September is a low crowds time and once we have the morning rush to the popular rides, we can do the rest of the park in less than a day at our leisure even without Express pass.

Does anyone know if we can upgrade the "3 park unlimited ticket" to an AP (Power Pass)? We have another 12 day WDW trip planned in February where we'll be staying onsite the whole time, but if we decide while we're at USO in September that we really want to go back in February, it would be nice to have that option.
I think we're going to get ^ that pass because it's only $198 per adult $188 per kid which is only $3 more than the discounted 3 day park to park tickets I found. Then we can do HP and Minions the night we get there and the morning we leave too.

Edited: Actually we decided we're fine with not going in February. Too much hassle offsite with 7 of us and car seats and all. So we did get the 14 day tix for ($3 x 6tix) $18 extra and changed our schedule around to include 2 hours at US on arrival night and early entry for one last hoorah on departure/return to WDW day.

 

[dr&momto2boys]

Looks like early entry is only at IOA while I'm there. Is it sometimes at US?

We called to make dinner reservations at Lombard's for the deal that includes dinner and reserved seating with dessert buffet for the Cinematic Spactacular. They made our reservation for 6:30 saying the show will probably be at 7:30 that night since the park closes at 8:30. Touring Plans says it's at 7. Can't find a schedule on their website. Any insight into what's usual?

 

[damo]

Red Oven Pizza and Cowfish have been getting rave reviews lately.