Arrival day: parks or relaxing pool time?

[bowling4dis]

We are making a first visit to Universal before we hop over to Disney (two adults, three kids 15, 12, and 9). I have one night booked at RPR for 5/22. I was planning to do one day Universal p2p tickets for Sunday the 23d, but we got an earlier flight and will land on Saturday at around 9:00 am. Now I'm wondering if we should try to do two day tickets for Sat and Sun, which would add expense but might be worth it so we aren't so rushed. On the other hand, two Universal days back-to-back before Disney could be tiring, so maybe we should make Saturday a relaxing pool day and then fit in both parks on Sun? I have three kids and our focus would be HP if that makes a difference. WWYD?

 

[martikus]

Since you will only be there such a short time I’d add a second day. RPR express pass is AMAZING. I’d go over and get a feel, do some rides and then maybe later afternoon pool/dinner.

Then next day won’t be so rushed to get to everything. Warning once you express Disney is gonna be hard

 

[dancergirlsmom]

I agree with martikus. Go for the two days. It looks like both parks are open 8 - 9 on both days. Not sure which is early entry. I would check in and head to the parks and use your express passes to knock out some of the rides. Take a break at during the heat of the day and head back for the last few hours. The Wizarding World is great at night. If the kids end up getting the interactive wands this will allow some extra time for that too. Next morning if IOA is early entry, be there an hour beforehand to head straight to Hagrids before it goes virtual. I believe Velocicoaster is opening after you are there so that won't be a crowd eater yet. Then you can always try for a virtual pass again if you enjoy Hagrids. We generally go to Universal for a couple of days before we head to Disney too. You can use the second day to go on things you enjoyed again and /or missed the first day.

 

[bowling4dis]

Y'all are awesome. Thank you! Does it matter which park we start with on Saturday? Should we start with whichever one doesn't have early entry?

 

[dancergirlsmom]

I would just choose where you think there might be more for you. I take it you are getting Park to Park? Last time we arrived in the late afternoon and just spent the evening in Studios because we wanted to enjoy the Mardi Gras booths and see the floats etc. They also had a water/fireworks show on the Studios side that we enjoyed. I think it was around 9pm that night it reminded me a bit of the "Rivers of Light/Fantasmic" with images on the water. Check the app for information if you have an interest in that. We are huge Harry Potter fans and love both of the areas but like the Studios side more. It's amazing!!!

 

[martikus]

I’d start in studios since you said Harry Potter is most important. It is AMAZING. we actually park hop a couple times a day when there. The parks are soooo close. Gringots, men in black, et, mummy are our faves in studio. My son also loves simpsons but I get queasy.

 

[mamapenguin]

Yes to 2 days. I can’t imagine being that close to the parks and not going in. We don’t land until 4:00pm on arrival day and I am determined to go in at least one of the parks and ride something. (Have APs so no added expense). I can’t imagine trying to do one day, but if it was that or nothing I’d sure figure it out. I hope you enjoy your trip

 

[bowling4dis]

Yes to 2 days. I can’t imagine being that close to the parks and not going in. We don’t land until 4:00pm on arrival day and I am determined to go in at least one of the parks and ride something. (Have APs so no added expense). I can’t imagine trying to do one day, but if it was that or nothing I’d sure figure it out. I hope you enjoy your trip

Thank you! I think we will just budget for that second day and live it up! We probably will not get back to Orlando for a long time, so it sounds like two days will be the best option! I'm so excited!

 

[jolene63]

Make sure you ride the Hogwarts Express both ways. The experience is different each way.

 

[Bethany10]

Park hopping is super easy. Between hog warts express and just walking between them- they’re literally 5 minutes apart (10 for us slow people) but they’re not like Disney where you’re dependent on a bus to move between them. Be sure to check out Spider-Man as well. It’s my son’s favorite ride.

 

[puffkin]

We have an inground pool in our backyard, so outside of a quick dip to cool off and maybe a trip or two down the slide (if the pool has one) we don't really spend much time at the pools. Especially in your scenario and kids ages, I think the 2 day ticket makes perfect sense.

 

[AJA]

We got to Universal at 4pm Sunday and still made it a park day.

My vote is 2 days.

 

[SPSRAS]

I agree with everyone 2 days. If you are worried about over-doing it I would do Diagon Alley only on the first day. It is full of fun things to experience and much of it is missed if rushing around to do rides. Eat at the Leaky Cauldron, have ice cream at Florians, and if your kids get wands do the wands (I would recommend your youngest get one and the other two can have a go when he/she is done) We did one day HP only and then the second day all the other rides. This was great but we were there last summer when there were no lines at all and I'm not sure you could do both HP areas in one day but I would also recommend that - it kept the day very magical by not leaving the HP world.