5/27 One Day Universal --- Plan?

[WanderLuster]

Super spur of the moment trip. My cousin was planning on driving from Miami to Charlotte by herself. I offered to fly down and drive up with her. Her dad was very happy and suggested we stop for a day in Orlando and offered to pay for a hotel room at Universal! Normally, I would spend weeks planning, but this is so last minute that I am at a loss.

We will be staying over at the Loews Hotel on Thursday night and have all day Friday in the park. (We will spend Friday night in an offsite hotel as well - not trying to drive after such a long day.)

I have been to IOA once to visit HP World a few months ago, but I didn't do any of the planning. We spent 3 hours at the park and only did HP World --- didn't see anything else. Other than that I am clueless about where to begin.

Questions:

1) What are the normal highlights? Our MUST do is HP World - everything else is negotiable. We both like roller coasters. Indifferent to water rides.

2) Is it possible to do both parks in one day? Or should we concentrate on IOA? I understand with staying on site we get Express Pass, but I know that doesn't work on HPFJ and some other major attractions.

3) When we went last time, we went in the afternoon and HP World was at capacity. We were supposed to get some sort of timed entry pass to get back in later -- is that common? How does that work?

4) What do I need to know?

DIS Board always has the best advice! I'm reading through the forum now, but would appreciate any advice you have specifically!

THANKS!

 

[Karpkg]

I'll throw in my 2 cents; we'll be down there next week.

I'd buy the base ticket first and see what you can do. If you're done with IOA, then consider upgrading to park to park and head over to US.

Take advantage of the early entry to HP since you're onsite guests. No brainer. Show up at least half an hour before early entry; people will be lining up from onsite and offsite HP vacation package guests.

If you haven't experienced Ollivanders wand show, do it first and get it out of the way.

If you're not carrying any purses and such, avoid the line going to the lockers and head left into the ride. Ask the CM just inside the entrance if unsure.

Butterbeer- get it inside Hogshead tavern; the outside cart is highly visible and therefore generate long lines. Frozen seems to be the consensus for better taste.

Use the public bathroom and listen to Moaning Myrtle.

Look into the store windows and see the animated objects.

Walk the queue lines of Dragon Challenge and FoH even if not riding the rides to see more scenes from HP movies. You can always back out of the rides.

I read that you can buy wands front of IOA if the stores get claustrophobic.

If done in the morning before the public arrives; most are pretty happy touring HP for the first time in 2-3 hrs.

 

[ducky_love]

Since you're staying on property your key card will get you front of the line access to nearly all the rides. The parks are open until 8pm and 9pm - I think you will be fine to see just about everything. You may have to skip a couple of the shows.