Bad crowds for us in July but steering clear of harry potter?

[dizzydrop]

We are going to US and IoA just for 1 day at the beginning of July but we've never been before and all this talk about Diagon Alley is getting me nervous it might be a bad time to go. We plan to avoid all the Harry Potter areas because we've never seen the movies so not fans ( I know I know...sad). Anyways, are we just wasting our time going or should we be ok if we avoid the new area? We are buying express passes for the day if that will help anything.

 

[damo]

I don't think you're wasting your time at all. Even if you don't know anything about Harry Potter, it is still worth it to see some of it. It really is just a fantasy type land.

 

[mjohnson96]

We are going to US and IoA just for 1 day at the beginning of July but we've never been before and all this talk about Diagon Alley is getting me nervous it might be a bad time to go. We plan to avoid all the Harry Potter areas because we've never seen the movies so not fans ( I know I know...sad). Anyways, are we just wasting our time going or should we be ok if we avoid the new area? We are buying express passes for the day if that will help anything.

Might be a better option to stay one night at the hotel (or at least book and not stay). From your sig you seem to have 2 A and 3C and the cost of one night would look to be less than 5 express passes....plus you get unlimited express and early entry

The express made a huge difference when we went during the WWOHP grand opening, made seeing all the other parts of the park doable and the early entry gave us a chance to see the new park before the crowds.

Even if you are not a Harry Potter fan the theme of the area is amazing and I can't wait for the new area to open up this summer

 

[DOOM1001]

I'm not a real fan of HP but still love the Potter area in Islands of Adventure and plan to be there as soon as the Universal side opens up.July is peak summer time and I can't imagine the lines to be short even in the other areas of the park.Since you are buying the express passes you should be OK and get to see a good amount of things at USF,but as others have said I think it's wacky nu nu to go and not see the new area,I mean the new area will basically consist of one ride,shops and restaurants.There is a second ride,the Hogwarts express that you won't be able to ride unless you have two park tickets as that ride is a transport between the IOA Potter area and the USF Potter area.If you're only going for one day and only to the Universal side and plan to have express passes I would try to see everything including the Diagon Alley area.

 

[RMulieri]

Even if you have Never SEEN or read a HP book, you would enjoy it.I have several family members that had no idea who HP was and LOVED the HP section of IOA...That said, JULY , especially around the 4th, is packed and very crowded every year.remember the express is good for rides and shows, but it doesnt help you trying to navigate throngs of people in the intense heat/humidity,doesnt help you with restrooms or counterservice eateries..It is going to be rough trying to cram 2 parks into one day the beginning of July .

 

[schumigirl]

Trying to do both parks in one day especially in any peak time is never the best idea.

Even avoiding Potter, which as others have said even if you're not a fan, it's worth seeing......it's so well done. We're not the biggest Potter fans but it is amazing.......the castle is spectacular.

You should get things done with EP, but it will be incredibly busy. Can you do a one night stay as PP has suggested and do 2 parks days.....one in each park?

That way you will get to enjoy what both parks have to offer and not be just rushing around trying to squeeze everything in one day.