Can you do universal in a day in Sept

[gregpso]

Hi staying at Pops for 8 nights in sept 21st. (free Dining ) Would one full day be enough for Universal to ride the main attractions if we buy a fast pass? Want as many days at the world as possible but have to see Universal as well. From Australia so have to make the most.. unlikely to ever return.

 

[HeatherBelle614]

Just fyi, there's a whole Universal board, so I'm sure this thread will get moved over there.

Universal Studios has two parks - Universal and Islands of Adventure. I'm not sure if you're asking if you can do both parks in a day, or just one.

It can be possible to do one park in a day, depending on crowds. Even with the fastpass (that you mentioned purchasing), crowds may be high at Universal for the rest of the year. Harry Potter opens at IOA next month, and I'm sure a high amount of people that visit WDW will at least go over to IOA to check out HP.

From what I've been reading, you could spend a whole day in the HP area alone. (Of course, no one knows for sure since the park is not opened yet.)

We went last December with low crowds and got each park done in a day; we were resort guests, so we had front-of-the-line access included in our resort fee. We walked on to a lot of attractions and had little wait for the major attractions. I'd say you can do most of the main attractions at one park in one day, but I don't think you'd be able to do both parks in one day, especially in September when the hours are typically shorter.

 

[Planogirl]

Whatever you decide, get to the park of choice before rope drop. At the Universal parks you can literally see the people pouring in starting at around 10:30 or so.

I suggest that you head over the the Universal boards. Lots of knowledgeable people over there including some Universal team members.

 

[afwdwfan]

It really depends on if you want to do and see absolutely everything there is to do or not. Last time we went, we only had 1 day and wanted to make sure we got do do everything we wanted, so we bought the fastpasses. It worked out really well, we didn't ride every ride in both parks, but we got there when it opened did everything we wanted (a few of them twice) and left about the time it got dark.

Wheter you can hit every attraction in both parks in 1 day without driving yourself crazy... I don't know, but if you have the fastpass and get there early you can easily do most of it, and if you study the maps and know what you want to see and what you might be willing to skip (can always return if there's time) that should help you get through it.

BTW, we did that in July... I'd think Sep might be a little less crowded, but HP is def the wild card there.

 

[TXHauntedMansionFan]

We did just about every ride at Universal in two days last December (splitting up the parks by day). If you were there at park opening, I think you could definitely get the original Universal Studios park done in less than a day, just head to the Rip Ride Rocket first and then get the Simpsons ride taken care of.

The Islands of Adventure might take a little more planning or front of the line access due to Harry Potter. We still managed to get everything done at that park as well in a day.

TX

 

[rebecca06261]

Yes, you can do Universal Studios in a day in September and quite easily!

However, you won't be able to do Islands of Adventure in a day if you are planning on going there...mainly because of Potterverse You will need to schedule two whole days at the two parks to take advantage of all the parks have to offer.

 

[stnet]

We have done both parks in one day in September for the last 2 years. One thing we didn't know the first time was that even though the park opens up at 9:00 not all the rides are open yet. Most of them open up around 11:00. I remember Shrek was open, The Simpsons, and maybe Men In Black. We had the front of the line passes both years and it was so nice to have. Some rides we were only able to use them once though and then had to get in the regular line. We would hit the rides at Universal then walk over to Islands of Adventure stopping at Hard Rock for lunch on the way. Once to Islands we hit the water rides to cool off and then finished up the park. I had a 2/3 year old with me so we spent alot of time in Suessland. However with Harry Potter opening up its hard to say if you could get all of Islands done now.

 

[Pinocchio #1 Fan]

The wife and I managed to get IOA and Universal done in one day in September 2008, and still be done in time to attend TNA Impact at Universal as well. We didn't go on everything, but we got in everything we wanted to get on. Being from California, there were some things we skipped, as we had already done stuff like Shreck 4-D at the Hollywood park.

 

[KellyNY]

I doubt you will be able to do all major attraction in both parks, because you will need a break to eat, get from 1 park to another, it is quiet a walk and get from one ride to another, plus exploring Harry Potter area will take time. Remember US is about movies and packed with special effects rides including 3D movies. IA is abour roller coasters and high trill rides and Harry Potter. This season both parks will be very crowded due to Harry Potter world. Express Pass will cost about $40 a person/ a day. Consider staying on Universal property for 1 night, you willl get front of the line access for 2 days(check in day/ check out day), which eliminate need for Express Pass. Universal hotels are expencive but if you have a big party like 4, it may come out cheaper then EP for 2 days. Moreover you will have unlimited front of the line access, with EP it is only 1 time/ 1 ride per pass.

 

[Helen B]

Last time we went to Universal / IOA in September 2008, we allocated 1 day per park.

At the time I remember we got through IOA in around 3 1/2 - 4 hours, it was so quiet, and I don't think it was much longer for Universal.

However, there is now the new coaster at Universal, as well as HP at IOA, but I think you would only need to add an extra 1 1/2 hours for HP, as it really is only 1 new ride, that can take upto 1 hour, if the reports are correct.

One thing to remember is we never go along to Fear Factor, and haven't taken in Poseidon's Fury (might do that this year)

What I do use is the busy day guide produced by Veness Travel Media, it hasn't let me down yet.

 

[TLinden16]

I'm going to move this over to our universal board.

 

[PDJPrinceCharming]

The wife and I managed to get IOA and Universal done in one day in September 2008, and still be done in time to attend TNA Impact at Universal as well. We didn't go on everything, but we got in everything we wanted to get on. Being from California, there were some things we skipped, as we had already done stuff like Shreck 4-D at the Hollywood park.

Perfect! Finally someone who already did exactly what I want to do so I have to ask if this is doable. I am going on September 14 & only have that day to accomplish all of this.

I want to visit WWOHP(FJ, Hippogriff & DC), Hulk, Spiderman(& Cat in the Hat if time), Simpsons, Mummy, MiB, Disaster, Rip Ride & Rockit(& Shrek 4D if time) & still be able to go to Impact that night afterwards. I can wait until after TNA to eat at HRC at City Walk then head back to my resort. I can skip Shrek & Cat in the Hat if needed but I wanted to be able to hit the major stuff I haven't done since the last time I went to UO was when Terminator opened.

I was just wondering how this is doable, the best possible way to do this & tips on how to accomplish this feat as I have only one day, I want to utilize single rider lines as much as possible & am park hopping as well.

All the help you guys can give me would definitely be appreciated! TIA!

 

[Madamx]

Keep in mind not all attractions accept Express Pass. Here's a list of the ones that do (I have not included IOA in this list)

PARTICIPATING ATTRACTIONS:

Universal Studios Florida
Universal Horror Make-Up Show
TERMINATOR 2®: 3-D
Animal Actors on LocationSM
A Day In The Park with Barney™
Woody Woodpecker’s Nuthouse Coaster®
E.T. Adventure®
MEN IN BLACK ™ Alien Attack™
Beetlejuice’s Graveyard Revue™
JAWS®
TWISTER…Ride It Out®
Revenge of the MummySM
Jimmy Neutron’s Nicktoon Blast™
Shrek 4-D™
Factor Live
Disaster!SM A Major Motion Picture Ride...Starring YOU
The Simpsons Ride™

As you can see, Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit is not on this list and as far as IOA goes, I've heard that the new Harry Potter attraction also will not be accepting them.

 

[Metro West]

The only attractions that do not accept Express are:

Hollywood Rip, Ride, Rockit at the Studios and the Pteranodon Flyers at IOA.

Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey is not accepting Express and probably won't for a long time.

 

[PrincessOp]

Hi, all - I just wanted to share what a Universal hotel reservationist told me about 10 minutes ago (when I was booking a night at Portofino Bay - June 20 -- Wooooot! ) She said that Dragon Challenge and Flight of the Hippogriff have Express pass in place and functioning - so expect it to be so by grand opening (June 18). Forbidden Journey does not - BUT - starting June 18, IOA will be opening an hour early every morning to resort guests to make up for no Express line on FJ. Just fyi.

 

[Planogirl]

Hi, all - I just wanted to share what a Universal hotel reservationist told me about 10 minutes ago (when I was booking a night at Portofino Bay - June 20 -- Wooooot! ) She said that Dragon Challenge and Flight of the Hippogriff have Express pass in place and functioning - so expect it to be so by grand opening (June 18). Forbidden Journey does not - BUT - starting June 18, IOA will be opening an hour early every morning to resort guests to make up for no Express line on FJ. Just fyi.

So those of us who can't afford onsite this year get to stand behind everyone who can? Hmmmm...

 

[PrincessOp]

Oh, I'm sorry, Planogirl, I didn't mean it to sound that way! *hugs* I can tell you, as a Florida resident (I go to Universal and Disney at least 20 times a year), I don't think you're going to have too much trouble in September. First of all, NE schools are back in session and Florida schools will have been for quite some time. I can tell you, once school starts, the locals don't go out to the parks as much. Also, Summer is like our Winter - meaning that we limit our time outdoors to some extent. The heat and sun are just too brutal -- and September is very much still summer here. Now, having said that, here are my tips for you (you may have heard this before - pardon if you have!) -- Evenings are your friend - look for wait times to go waaaaaaay down after 6 pm (little kids get tired and leave the park, taking their parents with them -- people break for dinner) -- you say the park closes at 6? Well guess what, if you jump in line for FJ at 5:58, you're gettin' on that ride - I don't care if the line is two hours long - you just need to get in there before park-close. Also, if you can go on a Sunday late-afternoon/evening I think you will be very pleasantly surprised by the type of crowd levels you're going to see.

For example, I'm gonna be at IOA on June 20/21 with my family, and I fully expect to get to see all WWOHP has to offer. Mad, you say? Well, I have a plan. I will report back on how well it went! lol

The important things to remember are - evenings and Sundays are your friends - and don't sweat anything too too much. Whatever you do or don't get to do, you're still gonna have an awesome time. Enjoy your trip!!!

 

[PDJPrinceCharming]

What are the Single Rider attractions & where are those lines located compared to the regular queue?

 

[Metro West]

What are the Single Rider attractions & where are those lines located compared to the regular queue?

Let's see how many I can remember....

IOA: Hulk, Spiderman, Dr. Doom, Ripaw Falls, Jurassic Park River Adventure, Forbidden Journey.

Studios: Revenge of the Mummy, MIB, Rockit.

I think that's all of the single rider attractions. Note...not all single lines are open all the time. The standby wait usually has to be 60 minutes or greater for the single lines to open.

The single rider lines are located right beside the regular lines so they are easy to see.

 

[xApril]

Let's see how many I can remember....

IOA: Hulk, Spiderman, Dr. Doom, Ripaw Falls, Jurassic Park River Adventure, Forbidden Journey.

Studios: Revenge of the Mummy, MIB, Rockit.

I think that's all of the single rider attractions. Note...not all single lines are open all the time. The standby wait usually has to be 60 minutes or greater for the single lines to open.

The single rider lines are located right beside the regular lines so they are easy to see.

Jurassic Park has a single rider line? Are you sure?

The single rider line opening seems to fluctuate a lot. I see the lines short and they also have single rider open. I see them longer and they're closed. I guess it really just depends.