Caught Between Diagon Alley and a Hard Place

[Big Willie]

Decided this year to do Busch Gardens Tampa, Legoland and Universal Studios instead of Disney. School ended Thursday and we head to Florida June 26.

Original Plan - Busch Garden June 27 - July 1 and Universal Studios July 1 - July 4. Now I see the whole Harry Potter Diagon Alley opening is about to EXPLODE! Personally I would prefer to avoid all the Diagon Alley Madness. My vacation is a time to decompress not a time to stress. We do not do "rope drops" or "express passes." Reasonable lines do not bother us. For us its a leisurely stroll through the park where we pick and choose certain rides and shows. The only thing that does bother me is "out of control behavior" or being around others having meltdowns."

Should we hit Universal Studios the beginning of the trip (June 27- June 30) and hope Diagon opens late? Or hit Universal as originally planned (July 1 - July 4) and deal with the proposed opening? If I hadn't already purchased tickets I would just do avoid Universal altogether.

I'm trying to pick my poison. Do I deal with the opening days madness or deal with the crowd who rushes to Universal a day or two after the opening?

 

[SharonLowe]

Decided this year to do Busch Gardens Tampa, Legoland and Universal Studios instead of Disney. School ended Thursday and we head to Florida June 26.

Original Plan - Busch Garden June 27 - July 1 and Universal Studios July 1 - July 4. Now I see the whole Harry Potter Diagon Alley opening is about to EXPLODE! Personally I would prefer to avoid all the Diagon Alley Madness. My vacation is a time to decompress not a time to stress. We do not do "rope drops" or "express passes." Reasonable lines do not bother us. For us its a leisurely stroll through the park where we pick and choose certain rides and shows. The only thing that does bother me is "out of control behavior" or being around others having meltdowns."

Should we hit Universal Studios the beginning of the trip (June 27- June 30) and hope Diagon opens late? Or hit Universal as originally planned (July 1 - July 4) and deal with the proposed opening? If I hadn't already purchased tickets I would just do avoid Universal altogether.

I'm trying to pick my poison. Do I deal with the opening days madness or deal with the crowd who rushes to Universal a day or two after the opening?

Since most people will be focused on Diagon Alley, I think either way you will be okay. While they are waiting in those lines, you can probably do the other rides with fewer lines. Just a guess on my part but either time you go, it is likely to be crowded Diagon Alley or not. Your original plan is over a holiday period and your other plan is closer to the opening, which I think would be the craziest time.

 

[hermionesnape]

Decided this year to do Busch Gardens Tampa, Legoland and Universal Studios instead of Disney. School ended Thursday and we head to Florida June 26. Original Plan - Busch Garden June 27 - July 1 and Universal Studios July 1 - July 4. Now I see the whole Harry Potter Diagon Alley opening is about to EXPLODE! Personally I would prefer to avoid all the Diagon Alley Madness. My vacation is a time to decompress not a time to stress. We do not do "rope drops" or "express passes." Reasonable lines do not bother us. For us its a leisurely stroll through the park where we pick and choose certain rides and shows. The only thing that does bother me is "out of control behavior" or being around others having meltdowns." Should we hit Universal Studios the beginning of the trip (June 27- June 30) and hope Diagon opens late? Or hit Universal as originally planned (July 1 - July 4) and deal with the proposed opening? If I hadn't already purchased tickets I would just do avoid Universal altogether. I'm trying to pick my poison. Do I deal with the opening days madness or deal with the crowd who rushes to Universal a day or two after the opening?

I would stick with your original plan and go the 1st to the 4th. Weekdays tend to be less crowded.

 

[Metro West]

I would stick with your original plan and go the 1st to the 4th. Weekdays tend to be less crowded.

Yeah...July 4th weekend will be worse than a madhouse.

 

[hermionesnape]

Yeah...July 4th weekend will be worse than a madhouse.

And for some reason I didn't think about that when I book my vacation package arriving on Sunday the 6th of July. *headdesk*

 

[schumigirl]

Yeah...July 4th weekend will be worse than a madhouse.

Yep.......I told my nephew and and his girlfriend to book their beach hotel over that time and not even to think about the parks then..............they'll be glad they did

 

[nighttowll]

If it as crazy as the reports from the HP section that opened last time, it won't matter if you go opening day, week, or month. The crowds stayed insane for forever last time. A few days won't make much of a difference. I'd keep my original plan, and hope that the allure of Diagon Ally pulls everyone out of the rest of the park and into the HP sections. Then just try to avoid those sections, and you might survive.

 

[CourtNut]

I'm right there with you. We inadvertently planned our days at Universal for July 4th/5th to avoid the crowds at Disney. We had no idea Diagon alley would be opening so close to our vacation (poor research/not thinking on our part).

We've already decided we're going to take advantage of early morning park hours, and if the crowds are too crazy, we'll go back to the resort and enjoy time at the pool.

 

[jpeppers]

From the pictures I saw of the opening of the original Harry Potter, I would avoid the whole summer. The lines that year for the other rides might not have been that bad but the lines to get into IOA were unreal. I have never seen anything like it. I think it is going to be insane!

 

[rcraw45425]

Arriving on July 6 now, departing on july 9. Had planned for a latter part of the week arrival but hubbys job would not cooperate. Booked HRH even though we had the $114 per night Cabana Bay rate. Factoring in unlimited Express the price went right on up there to where the deluxe properties were. Just looked at ticket prices to purchase online. It appears that there is only a $40 difference total to purchase three day park to park as opposed to four day. Thinking I may go ahead and do that and use for arrival day, which will be early afternoon. IOA posts a 10PM closing and if nothing else we will have more dining options by having the parks at our disposal too. We have enough visits under our belt that this is mainly a getaway trip and to see what ever we can of Diagon Alley. Teens are 17& 19 so we have to work around college and football season again so if we don't go now it'll be Christmas or next year for spring break. Any news on if USO will have any early morning entry? Hoping that there will be an announcement soon!

 

[hermionesnape]

Arriving on July 6 now, departing on july 9. Had planned for a latter part of the week arrival but hubbys job would not cooperate. Booked HRH even though we had the $114 per night Cabana Bay rate. Factoring in unlimited Express the price went right on up there to where the deluxe properties were. Just looked at ticket prices to purchase online. It appears that there is only a $40 difference total to purchase three day park to park as opposed to four day. Thinking I may go ahead and do that and use for arrival day, which will be early afternoon. IOA posts a 10PM closing and if nothing else we will have more dining options by having the parks at our disposal too. We have enough visits under our belt that this is mainly a getaway trip and to see what ever we can of Diagon Alley. Teens are 17& 19 so we have to work around college and football season again so if we don't go now it'll be Christmas or next year for spring break. Any news on if USO will have any early morning entry? Hoping that there will be an announcement soon!

I am arriving on July 6th too! I bought the HP package. I WILL have early entry to Diagon Alley at least one day since the breakfast reservations for The Leaky Cauldron start before the park officially opens. Might just be for package guest or open to all onsite guest. All I know is that some people will be allowed in early.

 

[pixeegrl]

Arriving on July 6 now, departing on july 9. Had planned for a latter part of the week arrival but hubbys job would not cooperate. Booked HRH even though we had the $114 per night Cabana Bay rate. Factoring in unlimited Express the price went right on up there to where the deluxe properties were. Just looked at ticket prices to purchase online. It appears that there is only a $40 difference total to purchase three day park to park as opposed to four day. Thinking I may go ahead and do that and use for arrival day, which will be early afternoon. IOA posts a 10PM closing and if nothing else we will have more dining options by having the parks at our disposal too. We have enough visits under our belt that this is mainly a getaway trip and to see what ever we can of Diagon Alley. Teens are 17& 19 so we have to work around college and football season again so if we don't go now it'll be Christmas or next year for spring break. Any news on if USO will have any early morning entry? Hoping that there will be an announcement soon!

Are you purchasing your tickets from the Universal Site (tax and shipping not included in quote there) or Undercover Tourist? They are cheaper on UT and in fact you can get the 3 park(includes Wet and Wild) 14 day tickets for $1 cheaper than the 4 day park to park tickets on there go figure If you find yourself so inclined

 

[rcraw45425]

Are you purchasing your tickets from the Universal Site (tax and shipping not included in quote there) or Undercover Tourist? They are cheaper on UT and in fact you can get the 3 park(includes Wet and Wild) 14 day tickets for $1 cheaper than the 4 day park to park tickets on there go figure If you find yourself so inclined

thanks but I'll buy from UO, I don't need Wet & Wild and only really need two days, the three day was just a little extra if the cost is decent. $176 for the two day park to park. Total of $704 or the three day is $744 for four adults $792 with tax


ETA AAA has the 3 day park to park tickets for $758.24 with tax. I think I'll go that way.

 

[Big Willie]

Opening July 8th. Whew, we will miss the madness by four days. I can relax and enjoy Universal.

 

[Bluer101]

Opening July 8th. Whew, we will miss the madness by four days. I can relax and enjoy Universal.

We will be there, yikes!

I hope they have EE for onsite before grand.

 

[rcraw45425]

that's our last day there, I'm with you Bluer101, Wondering if I should rethink this...... I was counting on it opening this weekend so that a little of the insanity would have died down by the 6th (our check in day)

 

[atricks]

Opening July 8th. Whew, we will miss the madness by four days. I can relax and enjoy Universal.

You'll probably luck out and get early entry/exclusive access to Diagon as a hotel perk during soft openings. So you'll be able to see the new area in relatively uncrowded before it gets really insane.

 

[Bluer101]

You'll probably luck out and get early entry/exclusive access to Diagon as a hotel perk during soft openings. So you'll be able to see the new area in relatively uncrowded before it gets really insane.

I hope for the same thing. We are there Sun the 6th through Wed the 9th.

 

[rcraw45425]

I hope for the same thing. We are there Sun the 6th through Wed the 9th.

let's all cross fingers, Bluer101

 

[staley98]

Me too! We'll be at RPH 7/4-7/8 and then switch to Cabana Bay for two nights. When I planned this trip, they said it would be opening mid June, so I figured much of the madness would die down by then. Praying we'll get to experience a soft opening as a resort guest, especially since I'm traveling with three younger kids. I asked my TA to check on that for me today.
Fingers crossed!