Can you do US in one day?

[Disneygrl71]

We are going first week of Oct! My son wants to add US to our Disney trip. Is it possible to do the park in one day? He is mainly interested in the rides and of course...Harry Potter.

 

[Jec4289]

Before or after HP Diagonal Alley opens? This should make a difference. Good luck

 

[RMulieri]

No.With the expansion opening at the studios it will be difficult.First, you are going to need a park to park ticket if you want to experience the HP stuff since there will be a section in each park( there are 2 PARKS at Universal).The Hogwarts express will connect them, but you will need the park to park ticket to ride it.
The opening of the new section will mean bgger crowds and longer waits, at least with the HP stuff.To do HP plus other rides, you will likely need 2 days.If you just want to focus on HP stuff, one day might do it, but you will still need the park to park ticket..Before the new section of HP opening, it would be difficult to do it all in one day ( highlights maybe, but not all).

 

[2girlsmom]

October is after the opening of Diagon Alley. I would say right NOW you would be able to do the highlight rides, but not everything in both parks, in one day. After Diagon Alley opens, I would not think you could even do the highlight rides in one day.

 

[Metro West]

October is after the opening of Diagon Alley. I would say right NOW you would be able to do the highlight rides, but not everything in both parks, in one day. After Diagon Alley opens, I would not think you could even do the highlight rides in one day.

Agree 1000% with everything you said.

 

[Siriusblack]

I wouldn't even want to do it now!

 

[Silock]

Depends on what you consider doing "all the rides."

Are you really going to want to do the water rides in October? Could be very chilly.

We do both parks in one day, but we also skip about 50% of the attractions, either because of water or they're directed at kids.

 

[Disneygrl71]

Depends on what you consider doing "all the rides."

Are you really going to want to do the water rides in October? Could be very chilly.

We do both parks in one day, but we also skip about 50% of the attractions, either because of water or they're directed at kids.

No, I doubt we will do the water rides

 

[lilipad64]

We're heading to Orlando in a couple of weeks. We'd like to hit IoA with our 9 yr old. Is it feasible to do this in one day? It sounds like OP wanted to do both parks? What about just one park. I understand IoA is probably better for rides overall (which is what we'd be interested in). Thanks!!

 

[Hug the Mouse]

We're heading to Orlando in a couple of weeks. We'd like to hit IoA with our 9 yr old. Is it feasible to do this in one day? It sounds like OP wanted to do both parks? What about just one park. I understand IoA is probably better for rides overall (which is what we'd be interested in). Thanks!!

Spring breaks are starting so the parks will be getting busy. I'm not so sure that Islands is better for rides IMO. Both parks offer great rides...guess it depends on what themes your child enjoys most. My guys are all about The Simpsons so US is a must. For me, MIB is can't miss.

I would always suggest at least 2 days park to park staying on site, but if time and budget are concerns, choose the park with the most desired theme. You will get a taste of things and won't be able to wait to go back again and again.

 

[johde]

We're heading to Orlando in a couple of weeks. We'd like to hit IoA with our 9 yr old. Is it feasible to do this in one day? It sounds like OP wanted to do both parks? What about just one park. I understand IoA is probably better for rides overall (which is what we'd be interested in). Thanks!!

A lot of it depends on the crowds and if you're willing to spend extra money. If the crowds are light to moderately light you shouldn't have too much trouble seeing all of major attractions in a day, if you have a gameplan. If the crowds are heavy you can purchase an express pass to bypass the lines on most of the attractions. Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey and Pteranodon Flyers being the biggest exceptions. The price of the express pass increases with the crowds.

 

[Metro West]

We're heading to Orlando in a couple of weeks. We'd like to hit IoA with our 9 yr old. Is it feasible to do this in one day? It sounds like OP wanted to do both parks? What about just one park. I understand IoA is probably better for rides overall (which is what we'd be interested in). Thanks!!

One park is certainly doable but you are going to need to plan to be there before opening and staying as long as it takes to do what you want to do. Single day admissions are not cheap so it's going to cost quite a bit just for theme park tickets and if you need to purchase EPs, that cost goes on top. Just be prepared.

 

[wiigirl]

October is after the opening of Diagon Alley. I would say right NOW you would be able to do the highlight rides, but not everything in both parks, in one day. After Diagon Alley opens, I would not think you could even do the highlight rides in one day.

 

[OnePrincessMom]

Is it possible to see the highlights of both parks if we are skipping the big thrill rides? This will be Labor Day weekend, and we only have one day.

Thanks!

 

[RAPstar]

Is it possible to see the highlights of both parks if we are skipping the big thrill rides? This will be Labor Day weekend, and we only have one day.

Thanks!

Labor day? Maybe? It will be quite busy that weekend, especially since Diagon Alley will be open then too. And people will be doing all the other rides when/if they can't get into either HP sections.

 

[OnePrincessMom]

If we buy a one day-one park ticket, can we upgrade mid-day if we decide we have done enough to want to go to the second park?

 

[Metro West]

If we buy a one day-one park ticket, can we upgrade mid-day if we decide we have done enough to want to go to the second park?

Yes...just go to Guest Services.

 

[Chrisrokc]

After the expansion is open I am not sure if this will hold true.... but my girlfriend and I did Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure in one day. We rode 85-90% of the rides and had time to sit around.

Here is how we did it...

We got there about 30 minutes after they opened
Went straight to the Harry Potter and the forbidden journey.
Picked up an express pass
Road every ride in IoA
Ate lunch and had a beer in IoA
Walked over to US (take the entrance that is closer to Rip Ride Rocket to avoid line)
Road every ride and left once the sun set


With the new expansion you will be dealing with another long ride line possibly and a heavier crowd. I think if you did it correctly you could still knock it out in one very long day.

 

[RMulieri]

After the expansion is open I am not sure if this will hold true.... but my girlfriend and I did Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure in one day. We rode 85-90% of the rides and had time to sit around.

Here is how we did it...

We got there about 30 minutes after they opened
Went straight to the Harry Potter and the forbidden journey.
Picked up an express pass
Road every ride in IoA
Ate lunch and had a beer in IoA
Walked over to US (take the entrance that is closer to Rip Ride Rocket to avoid line)
Road every ride and left once the sun set


With the new expansion you will be dealing with another long ride line possibly and a heavier crowd. I think if you did it correctly you could still knock it out in one very long day.

It might be possible if the parks stay open till 9pm.Most nights in the off season or if HHN is going on the parks can close as early as 6-7pm.Makes it harder.Also if you are interested in the shows, during the off season they often run on a shortened schedule, and often at the same time.Makes it hard to get them done.We STILL havent seen the Animal Actors or Fear Factor show and we stayed onsite for a week and had 4 park days

 

[jon18uk]

Whenever we have gone we have easily got IoA or US done in a day. Getting both parks done would be harder, but depends how slowly you want to take it and what rides you want to do. Miss out the water rides and then it is possible. Or prioritise all the Harry Potter attractions, then to Spiderman, Transformers, Men In Black, Despicable Me, Simpsons, ET, Disaster and then the coasters if you are interested (Dragons, The Mummy, Hulk, Rip, Ride, Rocket).