Can we do it all in one day?

[Iforgetmypassword]

(see my update on post #25 for an update.)

"We" being a 17-year old and me, an active 50-year old.

We both love Harry Potter, and are pretty good at commando touring. The 2 of us toured Disney World a few years ago, and we were up and at rope drop each day. We tour very efficiently.

This past summer, we visited Busch Gardens in Williamsburg, and again, didn't waste time. I can keep up with her very well, in fact, I'm usually the one coaxing her out the door to be at rope drop-I'm a morning person. We rode everything we wanted to, lots of times.

We will be in Orlando for a week in early Feb., arriving on Feb. 2. I don't plan on us going to any parks that day, and we'll leave on Feb. 9th. I have 8 days left on a Disney, non-expiring ticket. She will be getting a 5-day ticket, no extras like the non-expiring option. We'll use her 5-day, and 5 days worth of my 8-day ticket at Disney World.

Five days at Disney World, leaves us with one day for Universal. If we are there at opening, and really only want to see Harry Potter stuff, and anything else is just icing on the cake, will we be satisfied?

Also, which day, Feb. 3-8th, should be our Universal day?

Thanks for any help.

 

[Disney Commando]

I can't say how it will go at Universal (haven't been there in years), but I can say since you toured BG Williamsburg, you got some of the best park training you can get, with some of those hills you really get a good Commando work out, If you did fine there you should be golden, I love touring BG just for training for WDW

 

[DOOM1001]

Are you only doing Islands of Adventure or both IOA and Universal?I always say a minimum of two days to do both parks,if you only want to do Potter and other things at IOA then one day is fine.If you're doing both parks I doubt you'll get it all in in one day without buying the express pass but there's the possibility you could hit a lot or most of the major rides especially by using the singles lines.If you buy the express pass it is possible you'll get most of the attractions in.

 

[macraven]

i agree with Doom.
2 days will allow you to enjoy both parks and make a fun trip.

don't just rush for the highlights, enjoy everything in the parks.
there are more than just rides to entertain you.

i know everyone loves ioa and the draw for parry hotter is still tremendous.
once you do the few rides there and browse thru the shops, you'll have time to see the rest of the park.

little things such as the 'talking fountain' at ioa, is something that can take 30 minutes to enjoy. people watch, listen to the fountain, watch the reactions of those around you.


your dates are feb 3-8
suggest you do ioa on the 5th/tuesday or 6th/wednesday.

i think the presidents day is the monday that follows your trip.
don't know if crowds will happen due to that but some schools are out and families could make it a 3 day weekend for the parks.

weekends always brings in more peeps.
if the weather is great, more locals come out.

not sure when mardi gras will begin, check the calendar for that but if you skip the weekend, that is not going to be an issue for crowds then.

hope you have lots of fun at the darkside.
50 is only a number, not an age that prevents you from exploring a park and having a good time.

 

[DOOM1001]

Mardi Gras begins Feb.9th so they will just miss it.

 

[macraven]

thanks Doom.
i was just too lazy to look that info up tonight.......

knowing the special events helps when giving info out to newbies.

 

[macraven]

OP, Mystic Fountain is the name of the 'talking fountain' that i mentioned above.

you won't find talking fountain in the park map guides but will see the mystic fountain.

 

[Iforgetmypassword]

Thanks, everyone.

We could, I suppose, buy 2-day tickets to Universal, but I'm very reluctant to do that. My husband will be coming too, he also has the same ticket to Disney I do. He's not a big Harry Potter or thrill ride fan, and he is just fine spending one day hanging around the pool, or whatever.

So, 5 days at Disney World, and one day at Universal. Now I have to learn how to get the most out of the Universal day!!

 

[Iforgetmypassword]

Forgot to mention: since we'll only be there one day, I'll probably buy the express option for both of us. Small price to pay, to be able to squeeze it all in.

 

[Mic2129]

I was at universal last jan and was able to do both parks in one day. Lines weren't long for the rides when I was there. You should be able to enjoy both parks in one day. Be there at robe drop and head straight for Harry potter.

 

[Mic2129]

For best day of the week... That really doesn't matter. It's all random. Biggest things are time of the year and time of day.

 

[afnaechiquita]

My aunt (also 50 at the time) and I went to IOA the day after our half marathon (so walking at a slower pace than usual!), and we not only had ample time to explore WWoHP (and ride everything, but also the other themed areas in IOA. I think the week you're picking should be a fairly slow one, so you can certainly get it all in one day.

 

[RMulieri]

Forgot to mention: since we'll only be there one day, I'll probably buy the express option for both of us. Small price to pay, to be able to squeeze it all in.

Most of us here will tell you to NOT buy the pass unless you need it.They are DATE specific, PARK specific and non-refundable.If you buy now and your plans were to change you will eat the cost of the express pass

 

[Iforgetmypassword]

Aah. I did not know that about the express option!! I priced it for the 2 of us, for both parks, it's the same price any day of that week: a total of ~$70. So, I may think a little more about this. We will probably decide to tour commando, express option or not!

The parks will be open 9-7 that week, will that matter?

We're fine missing shows, and rides geared towards kids, we like the thrillers!

 

[RMulieri]

Aah. I did not know that about the express option!! I priced it for the 2 of us, for both parks, it's the same price any day of that week: a total of ~$70. So, I may think a little more about this. We will probably decide to tour commando, express option or not!

The parks will be open 9-7 that week, will that matter?

We're fine missing shows, and rides geared towards kids, we like the thrillers!

Express pass is priced depending on the projected crowds.The higher the projected crowds, the higher the price.Example:IOA on December 26th is charging $109 for express pass.That is not including park admission.

 

[Iforgetmypassword]

Express pass is priced depending on the projected crowds.The higher the projected crowds, the higher the price.Example:IOA on December 26th is charging $109 for express pass.That is not including park admission.

Yes, on the universal ticket store web site, it shows one adult express ticket, for both parks, for the week of Feb. 2-Feb. 8, for $35.99 each ticket, at the same price every day. That's when we'll be there, one of those days. Probably Feb. 4th, 6th or 7th-not the 5th, because that's our anniversary, and I will probably want to spend that day with my husband, not my daughter.

I realize it's in addition to park admission. So, if I get 2 tickets for both parks, one day, and get the express for both parks for that one day, it's over $300!! If I'm spending that much for one day, I want to get the most out of it.

 

[CTDisneyfan816]

It all depends on how much in each park you like. I skip Toon Lagoon and Dr. Seuss in IOA altogether and don't hit every ride/attraction in US so I'm able to get in everything I like to do in one day.

 

[RMulieri]

Yes, on the universal ticket store web site, it shows one adult express ticket, for both parks, for the week of Feb. 2-Feb. 8, for $35.99 each ticket, at the same price every day. That's when we'll be there, one of those days. Probably Feb. 4th, 6th or 7th-not the 5th, because that's our anniversary, and I will probably want to spend that day with my husband, not my daughter.

I realize it's in addition to park admission. So, if I get 2 tickets for both parks, one day, and get the express for both parks for that one day, it's over $300!! If I'm spending that much for one day, I want to get the most out of it.

I would wait till you get to the park and see if its needed.Early Feb isn't that busy and if you plan on skipping stuff it may not be neccessary...THAT said, you will not see everything in both parks, but will be able to hit the hilights.Don't discount some of the shows , some of them are alot of fun.

 

[tchrchgo]

Yes, on the universal ticket store web site, it shows one adult express ticket, for both parks, for the week of Feb. 2-Feb. 8, for $35.99 each ticket, at the same price every day. That's when we'll be there, one of those days. Probably Feb. 4th, 6th or 7th-not the 5th, because that's our anniversary, and I will probably want to spend that day with my husband, not my daughter.

I realize it's in addition to park admission. So, if I get 2 tickets for both parks, one day, and get the express for both parks for that one day, it's over $300!! If I'm spending that much for one day, I want to get the most out of it.

Here's what I've learned in my time trolling these boards: the cost of the express pass usually indicates the crowd levels. $35.99 would indicate a light crowd day. Usually $59.99 and $69.99 rates would be high crowds.

 

[Metro West]

Here's what I've learned in my time trolling these boards: the cost of the express pass usually indicates the crowd levels. $35.99 would indicate a light crowd day. Usually $59.99 and $69.99 rates would be high crowds.