Can it be done!?

[GWS]

We are going to WDW next week and have allotted one day for US/IOA, I purchased the one day two park option plus the Unlimited Express Pass for me and my family. We are hopping that we will be able to see and do everything that we want to in one day in both the parks.

My wife and son do not like the bigger scarier rollercoasters so those will be out, also most shows will probably be missed. We are going to make sure we are there from rope drop and stay till close or till we are tired.

Can this be done or are we just crazy?

 

[HM]

I think so, if you are skipping some things.
Do you have a list of what you want to accomplish?

 

[GWS]

I think so, if you are skipping some things.
Do you have a list of what you want to accomplish?

Not really, we have never been there before. All I can say is the bigger roller coasters and any shows that involve animals/singing or dancing will be skipped for sure, possible others.

We have been to US in California, so we would skip most of the clone attractions except for Jurassic Park and The Mummy, the rest will be missed. We have never seen the Harry Potter stuff so that is a must do on our list.

I hope this helps.

 

[HM]

This would be how I'd do it. Get there well before opening, and start at US (unless it's EE day there). Despicable Me first then move to Diagon Alley, and do Gringotts, Ollivanders, get Butterbeer and take on train to Hogsmeade and do Forbidden Journey, Hippogriff (small fast coaster...?), Jurassic Park ride and Raptor Encounter, Spiderman, Cat in the Hat, and anything else in Suessland, then get Hogwarts Express back to Univeral and do MIB, Simpsons, ET, Horror Make-up Show, Transformers, Mummy, Shrek, and back to Diagon Alley to look around more if time permits. Somewhere in there you are going to need to do meals. I'd suggest eating when you are in Hogsmeade/Three Broomsticks before the train and Beverly Hills Boulengerie in Univeral maybe after riding Mummy.

There may be stuff you want to do that I missed, in that case, just adjust to your needs. Definitely get a good look at the park maps before you go and try to 'memorize' where things you plan to go are in the parks. Look at menus to see if the places I suggest work for you or adjust.

 

[GWS]

Thanks for the information HM!

 

[damo]

You can definitely get a lot done in one day. Just as a bit of info...it took our kids 7 hours to do EVERY attraction in Universal Studios using Express and single rider lines. That didn't include anything at IOA. I would make sure you know what things you really want to accomplish before going in.

 

[Jon84]

Don't forget your Express Pass cannot be used on the Potter stuff.

 

[wookiebeck]

You can definitely get a lot done in one day. Just as a bit of info...it took our kids 7 hours to do EVERY attraction in Universal Studios using Express and single rider lines. That didn't include anything at IOA. I would make sure you know what things you really want to accomplish before going in.

Agree with damo. If you can do some research here, try to make a list of things you want to see. One day is not enough to 'do everything'. For instance, while I love Terminator 3-D, it tales an hour+ to get through it. That is precious time for a one-day pass.

HM made a good list of the headliners for you (I'd remove Horror Make-Up Show for your tour). And as HM said, line up for the gate that is not early entry to all the onsite guests.

Have fun!

 

[HM]

Agree with damo. If you can do some research here, try to make a list of things you want to see. One day is not enough to 'do everything'. For instance, while I love Terminator 3-D, it tales an hour+ to get through it. That is precious time for a one-day pass.

HM made a good list of the headliners for you (I'd remove Horror Make-Up Show for your tour). And as HM said, line up for the gate that is not early entry to all the onsite guests.

Have fun!

I left off Terminator off my list because of the length of time (same with Sinbad). I also left off adding any shows with animals or singing, as well as any of the rollercoasters since the OP said they didn't want them. I absolutely love Horror Makeup show and it's a must do every trip for me. If the OP can hit it at the right time, they should do it.

 

[hdnwaters]

You should be fine with the Express Pass. We did not have an EP and we casually did all of IOA (no big coasters, shows or kiddy rides) and 2 rides at US....in like 6 hours. (1 hour was spent at Margaritaville!) I would head to Forbidden Journey....then ride the train to Gringotts. (or visa versa) Then start using your EPs! Ride everything then go back and visit Harry Potter shops.

Must Dos: IOA: Forbidden Journey, JP River Adventure, Raptor Encounter, DD Falls, Bilge Rats (only if you want to get really wet) Spiderman

US: Gringotts, MIB, Mummy, Transformers, Minions, Shrek

We also did shows, ET, Cat In the Hat, the Hippogriff, not a fan of the Simpsons.....

 

[GWS]

I agree with you about the Simpsons, we miss the old Back to the Future ride when it was at US in Hollywood. So it sounds like if the crowds are not to bad and with the Express pass we should be able to hit most if not all the attractions that fit in our likings.

 

[disneydennis]

One other thing.. would be what day you go.. With Halloween Horror nights in full effect park closing hours will be reduced for Studios.
And people like to do the Stay and Scream, so they spend the day at the studios and get early admission to the evening events.

Just something to consider, next week, Thursday, Fri, Sat, Sun, will be closing at 5 I believe for the studios.. IOA may be later since they don't have Halloween Horror nights!

 

[GWS]

One other thing.. would be what day you go.. With Halloween Horror nights in full effect park closing hours will be reduced for Studios.
And people like to do the Stay and Scream, so they spend the day at the studios and get early admission to the evening events.

Just something to consider, next week, Thursday, Fri, Sat, Sun, will be closing at 5 I believe for the studios.. IOA may be later since they don't have Halloween Horror nights!

Good point! I guess we will just have to do the best we can do that day (Oct 1st).