Color me confused (or to Harry Potter or not, that is the question?)

[plannermom]

We will be taking our first Disney Cruise departing 10/25 this year.

We are arriving into Orlando on 10/23 (Thursday) at 1 p.m. and I wanted to take DS13 and DS11 to see Diagon Alley. But...I know the crowds will still be high. Reserved a room at Portofino, but the rock bottom cheapest was 250. Three park to park tickets for two days is almost 450. Plus I will need a car which with parking will come to another 150ish?

Must admit that the DVC rates on AKL w/a night at MNSSHP was looking a little better

Then I also saw that Horror nights are at the same time so we will get kicked out of IOA at 5 p.m. Since we will have park to park, we can just go over to UO, right? But they still close at 7? Do the hard ticket events impact UO/IoA the same way they impact MK? As in, are the parks recommended on these days since people won't want to pay, knowing they will have to leave early?

We really want to see Diagon Alley, but how much time will we realistically get in the parks? Thanks much!

 

[visi]

To be honest, you'll be getting basically a day. Assuming things go to plan and you arrive at one, once you check in and get settled my guess is it'll be closer to 3. It'd be a big rush. Of course, you'll get the entirity of the next day (until 5, at least). It does sound like a lot of money to be rushed, but then again, it doesnt take the same amount of time to explore and traverse Universal?IOA as it does DW.

Personally, it would be a little steep for me. I'd see if I could add a few days after or before the cruise. If not, I'd personally hold off on it.

But you should do what you think is best for your family.

Either way, enjoy your cruise and vacation!

 

[RMulieri]

Halloween Horror nights are usually at the Studios , NOT Ioa( with the Diagon alley opening that could change I suppose).At the studios you will be kicked out at 5pm, and yes you can use a park to park ticket to go to the other park.. IOA is open to 7pm.Universal parks close earlier than Disney.That time of year, 7-8pm is about the latest the parks are open .
When there is a hard ticket event scheduled, the parks arent any less crowded really..The universal parks( like I mentioned) are simply not open that late anyway, HP/Diagon Alley stuff will be a HUGE draw to people, even in October. .If the harry potter stuff is your main focus, you will see it with the time you have allotted.