Experts, please help with a half day plan (late start)!

[U2_rocks!]

I am squeezing in this quick visit primarily to see Diagon Alley and Gringott's and ride the train - last time I was at the parks those didn't exist yet. I am in Orlando for other reasons and may not get to the parks until 11. This is Sunday Feb 4 - Universal closes at 7 and IOA at 8, and crowd level estimations put it at a 3. It's Mardi Gras, but no concert that night - I believe the parade is scheduled for 6.45. I am staying overnight at SF and driving myself to the airport the next morning. I chose to stay onsite because after the parks close I want to hang at Pat's or Margaritaville and have some drinks, and would prefer to just be able to walk (or take the boat) back to my room. I didn't think Express was needed for my brief itinerary, so I thought I'd save money and stay at SF instead of RPR, but I can change that if really necessary.

Here's my loose plan so far:

- enter Universal and check wait times for RRR as I'm passing (maybe ride it)
- ditto for Mummy on passing (only if I get in the park earlier than planned)
- go to Diagon Alley and ride Gringott's, then look around, have lunch at LC if hungry (or at least peep inside)
- exit back into "London" and explore out there
- take train over to IOA and try to ride Hulk (and Spiderman) if time?
- come back to Hogsmeade and look around - probably won't do the Hogwarts ride again (done it enough)
- take train back to Universal by 5 to enjoy some food and music for Mardi Gras
- watch parade and then head to IOA to ride Hulk OR stay in park and wander around DA for a bit after closing

Now, here's where I need a little help. I'm not sure what the wait times will be like and if I will achieve half of what I've listed above within the time I have. Is it safe to skip Hulk earlier and ride it after Universal closes? I assume I won't be able to ride the train after park closing, so I'll have to watch the parade from near the exit and go that way. If I want to explore DA after park closing I need to watch the parade from a different location, so just trying to get an idea ahead of time. If Gringott's lines are too long earlier, perhaps I can ride it when I get back to Universal, or right before the parade (and then hurry to the parade route corner closest to DA in time for 6.45 - yes I know I won't get close to the floats).

I guess I'm looking for feedback, tips, possible flaws.

 

[wagman67]

Surprised to be the first to respond:

First...Crowd Level Calendars can be wrong, but they are based on statistics...and vary from calendar site to calendar site. Just looking at one, it shows a low crowd level for IOA, but busy for US...YMMV

I would recommend looking at the price difference between SF and RPR...if it is significantly less than buying an EP, then I would switch and take the free EP. This saves you a potential headache when you enter the parks.

If it is close, then I would stay at SF and wait and see if I needed an EP once I was in the park. If I felt I needed one, I would purchase it in the park.

To save some time looking around at wait times to make that determination, download the app and you can quickly view all wait times just before you go in...if they are longer than you are comfortable with, then go ahead and purchase an EP.

You should be able to do all you have listed, with ease.

 

[damo]

Are you solo? If so, consider the single rider lines for rides with really long lines.

Sounds like a really fun day, to me!!!!

 

[U2_rocks!]

Yes I will be solo so I can use the single rider lines if they're open. I had planned to download the app to check on wait times. Re Express - I guess I'll wait and see when I get there. I couldn't decide whether to book RPR or SF and in the end decided to save some money and hope for the best. Glad to know my itinerary is doable.