Best way to do both parks one day (May-no interest in HP)

[canyoncam]

Planning my first trip to Universal next year second week of May. We have no interest in Harry Potter stuff so I know that saved a lot of time there. I've already done some research just getting overwhelmed. And I've been bit from not asking enough questions about my most recent vacation so I'm going full out on this one.

It would be a day trip from staying at WDW so not planning on any early entry or express passes. I am just looking for suggestions to maximize my time. What I would like to be able to do is ride all the other rides at least once while experiencing the best of the parks atmosphere. Without HP of course (sorry for those who love it. I just don't)

Thanks for any tips in advance.

 

[schumigirl]

Check out the park maps and see what rides you want to do and make a general plan from there. Website is www.universalorlando.com

You can find everything you need to know about the parks.

As for Potter. Even folk that don't like Potter enjoy the areas, theming is beyond anything.

 

[pcstang]

Not a fan of potter either. I did finally watch all the movies last year. Saying that, I believe you are doing yourself a disservice if you don't check out both HP sections. They are amazingly done!

 

[canyoncam]

Check out the park maps and see what rides you want to do and make a general plan from there. Website is www.universalorlando.com

You can find everything you need to know about the parks.

As for Potter. Even folk that don't like Potter enjoy the areas, theming is beyond anything.

Ok. Thanks. I've done that. I am looking for personal suggestions. To be more specific. What "works" the best.

Thanks for you input on HP. I know I can't avoid it totally but I still will not care for it. Once again sorry.

 

[schumigirl]

Ok. Thanks. I've done that. I am looking for personal suggestions. To be more specific. What "works" the best.

Thanks for you input on HP. I know I can't avoid it totally but I still will not care for it. Once again sorry.

No need to apologise, we don't all like the same things.

For example......I won't go back to Disney......bored us to tears last visit in 08.............

I'm sure you'll get some suggestions from offsite people who do the same as you.

 

[VacaPlanner2012]

Just got back yesterday, so things are still fresh in the head. I think we all could help a bit more if we knew just a little more info - size of group, likes/dislikes, ages. Based on that, we can give you an opinion on what would "work" for you and your group.

Single rider lines? Or does everyone want to experience at same time?

Just thrill rides? Or some of the great shows?

Food preferences - table service/counter service/snacks/leave to CityWalk and back in?

The single most important thing I think I learned last week, especially for a one day visit is that everything takes time, so it is precious. For example, if there is a 15 minute wait for Transformers, it will take 25-30. It's a long ride. It's a great ride, but it takes a little while. Similarly, Horror Make Up show is a blast, but in the door to leaving is almost 30 minutes.

There are a lot of ways to see these parks, so different things "work" for different people.

 

[macraven]

Pick up the park map once you enter the park to see the show times that day

Show times are set up weekly

I love the horror make up show and catch it during the day
Gets me out of the heat, a place to sit down and be entertained
The lobby is interesting

Like schumi posted, check the UO site and get an idea of rides and locations in the park so you can go directly to each ride and not have to backtrack

Use the SRL if regular lines are long

DE, Simpsons , spider man, dr doom are great for me

The street shows at the studio side I always catch
Blues brothers, mini parades, are lively

Just a few of my suggestions

I'm not the greatest parry hotter fan but I do the main rides and drink butter beer each trip in those sections

I do use the HE to get to the other park
It is cute and short entertainment

 

[canyoncam]

It will most likely be just two of us. At most four. When I am back at my desk with the planning "station" I will include more of the attractions I really want to see, but being the first time actually want to see and do it all! HP excluded though possibly a means between the two parks. And I know that is probably truly unrealistic. Which is why I am here for help.

As far as time wise for the day I plan to be there for park opening right to close. We will be taking the next day as a day off for rest so no worries of "over" doing it! I will be in WDW for eight nights so if there is a better day of the week for Universal I will plan the rest of my trip around that. Only planning 4 park days there. (And yes that is "only" I love WDW and usually do at least six park days which is why I haven't made it to Universal yet)

 

[angryduck71]

Here's a guide... In May, you should be able to do all of this.

Start at IOA:

1. Kong
2. Incredible Hulk
3. Spiderman
4. Dr. Doom Fearfall (this one a lot of people find boring, so look and decide)
*** begin water rides -- I would recommend bringing a backpack with a change of clothes -- of course that means getting lockers here and there for rides!)
5. Dudley Do-Right Ripsaw FAlls
6. Popeye & Bluto's Bile Rat
7. Jurassic Park
** change into dry clothes***
8. Cat in the Hat
LUNCH: if you want a sit-down, go to Mythos, it's awesome, but it will also take time. OR, go to Universal now -- Hogwarts Express -- if line is more than 20 minutes, will be faster to walk since you don't care about Harry Potter. Then, have lunch at the Simpsons Fast Food Blvd
9. Simpsons Ride
10. Men In Black
11. Revenge of the Mummy
12. Transformers
13. Despicable Me Minion Mayhem
14. Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit
15. Horror Makeup Show
16. E.T.

You might have time now to re-ride or shop or something.
End of night: see Universal Cinematic Spectacular (if you want -- I find it boring).

 

[canyoncam]

Here's a guide... In May, you should be able to do all of this.

Start at IOA:

1. Kong
2. Incredible Hulk
3. Spiderman
4. Dr. Doom Fearfall (this one a lot of people find boring, so look and decide)
*** begin water rides -- I would recommend bringing a backpack with a change of clothes -- of course that means getting lockers here and there for rides!)
5. Dudley Do-Right Ripsaw FAlls
6. Popeye & Bluto's Bile Rat
7. Jurassic Park
** change into dry clothes***
8. Cat in the Hat
LUNCH: if you want a sit-down, go to Mythos, it's awesome, but it will also take time. OR, go to Universal now -- Hogwarts Express -- if line is more than 20 minutes, will be faster to walk since you don't care about Harry Potter. Then, have lunch at the Simpsons Fast Food Blvd
9. Simpsons Ride
10. Men In Black
11. Revenge of the Mummy
12. Transformers
13. Despicable Me Minion Mayhem
14. Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit
15. Horror Makeup Show
16. E.T.

You might have time now to re-ride or shop or something.
End of night: see Universal Cinematic Spectacular (if you want -- I find it boring).

Awesome! Thanks angryduck. Pretty much followed my rough plans.

I did have a few other rides I plan on-Storm Force, Pteranodon Flyers, and Woodpecker coaster (we like the silly rides). Also depending on show times and where we are around those times, hoping for Poseidon (can easily be skipped) but really want to see Blues Brothers (it's a family thing)

So it looks like I am on the right track. We most likely will skip a sit down lunch as we really prefer to experience the rides this trip. Once again thanks.

 

[bumbershoot]

I dislike Transformers but I ride the ride. I haven't watched Simpsons since I went away to college but I ride the rides. etc. I don't think Mac has ever experienced the HP stories in any way, but she enjoys the HP for what it is.

Plus if you do'nt go in there you can't try frozen butterbeer and that's sad. I'll admit (and I don't normally eat things like this) that the butterbeer soft serve was *incredible*, too.

Not a fan of potter either. I did finally watch all the movies last year.

I do hope you read the books before making the decision that you don't like it. To just watch the movies is only getting a fraction of the stories. And the further into the movies you go the "wronger" they get the stories, sadly.


I mean, if there are serious ideological issues, I can understand it. My stepdad won't even THINK of the HP stories. And I won't even think of reading, or letting DS read, the "Rush Revere" books he keeps sending DS (apparently there's a talking horse in the stories? that's OK but not HP???). So I get that. But in the absence of that stuff...reading the books is really a better way to know the stories.

 

[angryduck71]

I thought I read this might have changed, but at least in the past, you had to have a child with you to ride Pteranodon Flyers. That one will be a hard one to fit in -- it gets long lines. Really not a great ride either for the wait. You can squeeze in Storm Force when in superheroes area. Woody is fun. You can probably squeeze that one in when near too. Good luck!

 

[canyoncam]

I thought I read this might have changed, but at least in the past, you had to have a child with you to ride Pteranodon Flyers. That one will be a hard one to fit in -- it gets long lines. Really not a great ride either for the wait. You can squeeze in Storm Force when in superheroes area. Woody is fun. You can probably squeeze that one in when near too. Good luck!

Good to know. I can skip Flyers in that case. In looks it did remind me of a coaster at Legoland which is why I wanted to ride it but also why I can skip it.

 

[canyoncam]

I dislike Transformers but I ride the ride. I haven't watched Simpsons since I went away to college but I ride the rides. etc. I don't think Mac has ever experienced the HP stories in any way, but she enjoys the HP for what it is.

Plus if you do'nt go in there you can't try frozen butterbeer and that's sad. I'll admit (and I don't normally eat things like this) that the butterbeer soft serve was *incredible*, too.




I do hope you read the books before making the decision that you don't like it. To just watch the movies is only getting a fraction of the stories. And the further into the movies you go the "wronger" they get the stories, sadly.


I mean, if there are serious ideological issues, I can understand it. My stepdad won't even THINK of the HP stories. And I won't even think of reading, or letting DS read, the "Rush Revere" books he keeps sending DS (apparently there's a talking horse in the stories? that's OK but not HP???). So I get that. But in the absence of that stuff...reading the books is really a better way to know the stories.

It is ideological. Some areas of WDW too that I won't go into. But I might be tempted by butter beer. Though really only if I have the time. Other things to concentrate on.

 

[macraven]

I dislike Transformers but I ride the ride. I haven't watched Simpsons since I went away to college but I ride the rides. etc. I don't think Mac has ever experienced the HP stories in any way, but she enjoys the HP for what it is.

not really but i did try.
i tried quite a few times to watch the movies and after an hour, stopped.
just wasn't my type of entertainment.
read thru the first book kind of and that was it.

but, just because i am not a pothead fan, doesn't mean i avoid the potter sections in the parks.
i'm right behind everyone else in the lines for the rides there!
nice to hit the shops, well, for me it's the eateries, ice cream and candy shops in potterville too.

you do not have to read the books or watch the movies to understand what is in the 2 potter sections in the parks.
observe the settings, listen to others talk in line about this place, etc and you will catch on quickly

for someone that has zero knowledge of the story line, you will be amazed on how creative the potter areas are!
beautiful, awesome, inviting....

very easy to spend hours in the sections and enjoy the atmosphere.
you'll catch on to the theme and set up that is inside potter areas.

you don't have to be an expert or knowledgable about parry hotter to appreciate and enjoy those sections in the parks!


even though i am not a member of the club for parry hotter, i always go to the potter sections in my visits.
it's a fun atmosphere and beautiful breathe taking buildings all around.
extremely entertaining for the entire family.


the live entertainment of celestine is worth stopping to watch.

so i might not be one of the die hard fans, but doing potter is something i would recommend everyone to visit.
it is an unique experience and something you will be able to do over and over and not tire of it.

 

[bchbetha]

It will cost you 10 minutes to just walk through Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade. They're right there. I'd at least go to see what the fuss is about. .

 

[rosieposy]

Forbidden Journey and Escape From Gringotts are two of the best rides in the parks. Even if you're not a Harry Potter fan, I would still ride those because they're just completely amazing.

 

[pcstang]

not really but i did try.
i tried quite a few times to watch the movies and after an hour, stopped.
just wasn't my type of entertainment.
read thru the first book kind of and that was it.

but, just because i am not a pothead fan, doesn't mean i avoid the potter sections in the parks.
i'm right behind everyone else in the lines for the rides there!
nice to hit the shops, well, for me it's the eateries, ice cream and candy shops in potterville too.

you do not have to read the books or watch the movies to understand what is in the 2 potter sections in the parks.
observe the settings, listen to others talk in line about this place, etc and you will catch on quickly

for someone that has zero knowledge of the story line, you will be amazed on how creative the potter areas are!
beautiful, awesome, inviting....

very easy to spend hours in the sections and enjoy the atmosphere.
you'll catch on to the theme and set up that is inside potter areas.

you don't have to be an expert or knowledgable about parry hotter to appreciate and enjoy those sections in the parks!


even though i am not a member of the club for parry hotter, i always go to the potter sections in my visits.
it's a fun atmosphere and beautiful breathe taking buildings all around.
extremely entertaining for the entire family.


the live entertainment of celestine is worth stopping to watch.

so i might not be one of the die hard fans, but doing potter is something i would recommend everyone to visit.
it is an unique experience and something you will be able to do over and over and not tire of it.

Absolutely! That was my point. The two areas are incredible. My oldest and wife are reading the books again. I have no interest in reading books. I have several thousand pictures of the transformation from jaws to diagon alley. Incredible job USO did on the two lands. Now to check out Kong...

 

[DisBuckMan]

Forbidden Journey and Escape From Gringotts are two of the best rides in the parks. Even if you're not a Harry Potter fan, I would still ride those because they're just completely amazing.

I'm not a HP fan at all, but I thought Forbidden Journey is the best ride in all of Orlando, not just US/IOA. It's fantastic. Better than anything at Disney or US, IMO. Gringott's is very good as well. Both are an absolute must do multiple times on every trip for us, now.

 

[hdnwaters]

My adult daughter and I were there back in September. Neither of us had seen the Harry Potter movies nor read the books. Our first ride was Forbidden Journey and we were blown away! We started at IOA and did FJ, Hippogriff, Jurassic Park, Dudley Falls, Bilge Rats (not that much fun and you get soaked) Spiderman (chilly when you are wet!). We sat in the sun and watched the super heroes. Long lunch at Margaretville. Went back to IOA did Dr. Suess, rode the Hogwart's Express (waited in line way to long) Headed to Escape from Gringott's, Loved it! Next the Mummy! We took our time cause we went a second day. We did ride both Harry Potter rides again the second day. So for a one day trip, my must dos would be: Gringotts, Transformers, The Mummy, Spiderman, Forbidden Journey, Kong (can't wait!) If time permits, Jurassic Park, Minions, and Shrek. Maybe Ripsaw falls (you get wet, lots of fun) and Men In Black. These rides are far superior to Disney so don't skip the Harry Potter Rides. We didn't spend much time in the HP areas and you can also move through pretty quickly using the single rider lines. Since our trip we have actually watched the first 5 HP movies!