Can I fit both parks in one day?

[excited4dis]

Hi all, I'm new here, but have reading the boards since I booked my vacation.

I'm a single mom and taking my sons (10 and 7) to Disney, Seaworld, and Universal Studios for the first time from July 28-August 5. Needless to say, we are super excited!

I originally wasn't planning on going to Universal because of my budget, but I now can afford to squeeze it in. We are spending July 28 until August 3rd at Disney, and then August 3rd 'til the 5th at the Spring Hill Suites for Seaworld. We plan on spending the 3rd going to Seaworld and then use the second free pass on our departure day, the 5th. So that leaves all day on the 4th for Universal and IOA. The parks open up at 9am and US closes at 9pm and IOA closes at 10pm. Do you think we could squeeze a lot in with just one day? My kids do not like the crazy rides so we will be avoiding them. However, my oldest son and I are HP fans and want to spend time exploring WWOHP. I am wondering if I should buy the 2 day park to park access and take one of our days from DW to go so we get two full days of US/IOA. Any thoughts?

 

[Metro West]

You can purchase the one park ticket and if you find you need/want more time, you can upgrade before you leave the park. Two days would be best so you're not rushing around.

 

[Badge]

Well, you have a few different options here.

First, I think one day to do both parks is not enough time since you will not have the express pass. Since you are big HP fans, you will spend HOURS there exploring all the shops and rides.

So, I personally would either drop Sea World all together, or at least drop the 2nd day. Sea World does not have many rides, and the rides they do have do not sound like they are geared towards you. They have 2 roller coasters, a half rollercoaster/half log flume type ride, and a ride like Star Tours (simulator). Granted, they do have some shows, but since it sound like you do not like roller coasters, I do not know if it would be worth it. You can easily see all the shows at Sea World in one day.

Now, if you drop the 2nd day at Sea World, that will give you 2 full days at Universal. I would get there whenever you can manage and do the Studios on the first day. Then, in the evening, I would head over to IOA to see the HP area in the dark. Around 6 or 7pm, you should no longer need to wait to get into the HP area of the park. Spend the rest of the night here.

Next day I would get up really early and arrive at the park as soon as you can. Go back to HP to enjoy another Butterbeer and explore the area some more. After an hour or two here, go and explore the rest of IOA. Finally, head to the Studios in the evening to ride/see anything you missed and watch the Universal 360 nighttime show that I think will be going on during that time.

Now, if you drop Sea World totally, you will have a 3rd day (depending on what time you leave) to go and do all your favorites again!

As far as prices go, a one day two park ticket to Universal is $112 per person. However, a three day two park ticket is only $145. Its up to you if the one park at Sea World is worth the $72 per person. We went last year, and found it not to be worth it becuase of the lack of rides. You will save money by not doing Sea World (about $40 per person), so it depends on what you want to see and experince more.

 

[excited4dis]

Thank you for your replies!

I have been to SeaWorld a couple of times before and really enjoyed it. However, my kids have never been so I would like to take them. I will not be arriving there until 3pm, so I don't think we will get to see everything, that is why I want to go back and use the second free pass.

As for US/IOA, it definetly sounds like two days will be better. I'll purchase the two day park to park pass and go during one of my days at DW and then again when I am at SW. I like the idea of going to US the first day and then go to IOA at the end of the day when HP is quieter. Then I will do the opposite for the second visit.

Thanks for the advice!