Advice needed

[Bmill]

Hi all,
My wife and I are frequent Disney goers wanting to check out Univeral for the first time. We are looking at a weekend trip at the end of July. We really want to check out everything Harry Potter and wait for a few other rides. We are not planning on using express passes. How are crowds that weekend? Could we do everything in two days or should we go three. Thanks in advance!!

 

[VacaPlanner2012]

Popular question, and it really boils down to your touring style and definition of "everything." We just finished up an 8 day vacation on Sunday (our 8th trip) and I just saw Poseidon's Fury for the first time, and didn't get a chance to see the Raptor Encounter yet. However, everything can be loosely defined as well, and many will say you only need a day in each park to see everything.

As frequent Disney goers, I assume this makes sense - many opinions on how long it takes to see everything at any of the Disney parks. I vote on 3 days, counting HP as a park in itself. If you are only hitting the highlights, then 2 days is enough.

Again, just for translation sakes - the highlights at Universal Studios would be Minions, Mummy, Transformers, Rip Ride Rockit, Simpsons, MIB, Gringott's, and maybe ET. That would be translated as saying you saw everything at Magic Kingdom if you went on Splash, BTMRR, 7 Dwarfs Mine Coaster, New Ariel Ride, Buzz, Space, and maybe Jungle Cruise/Haunted Mansion.

There is just so much going on at Universal - characters just pop up out of nowhere, the shows are great, the stores/gift shops are fun and even the more outdated rides have a nostalgic feeling to them. My wife and I are already planning our next long weekend there, fly in on a Thursday AM and fly out Sunday, just because we are 48 hours out of our vacation and want to go back for more!

 

[macraven]

3 days if you are going in July

parks are packed in July.....you'll need time to cover everything.

 

[Parker Clan]

I agree with three days, especially for your first time and you probably won't see everything.
I said this on another board but prepare to be hooked

 

[wookiebeck]

July - Summer break. Weekend - Crowded. No EP - Wait in lines. 2 or 3 days? = 3 Days.

Don't get scared, though. Uni is tons of fun. You will fill 3 days easily.