Favorite Attractions at Universal? Best Plan for one day in summer?

[imjen]

We are driving up to USH for a one day visit while we are staying in Anaheim. We will be there the third week of June. We will have a 5 year old and three teens. None of them have been to Universal and I haven't been for over 20 years. They love Harry Potter and are very excited to see that area. I know we want to do the Studio Tour and see one or two shows. How much time do you think we need to do the Harry Potter rides and walk around that area, what other rides are your favorites, what shows are the best and what order would you do it all in?

Also, how early should we leave on a friday to avoid the worst of rush hour traffic? Park opens at 9 but i think we get at 8 with the early hour online tickets. Thanks for any tips!

 

[StageTek]

If you get there at 8 for the early entry a couple of hours in Wizarding World should do it.

Waterworld is still the best show. The Special Effects show is well worth seeing. My favorite ride is Jurassic Park.

 

[cruisehopeful]

I agree with StageTek. Waterworld is the best show. Jurassic Park is my favorite ride. You can get wet on both of those and if it is a very hot day, you probably will want to get wet. Most of the other rides are motion simulators and I don't like those types of rides.

I'd head straight for Harry Potter and see everything there. You can go back at the end of the day to revisit anything and grab another butter beer.

 

[sharona]

I read recently that Waterworld is closed for refurbishment. There was no end date given and speculation was that it would re-open as something else.

 

[NYCANC]

I read recently that Waterworld is closed for refurbishment. There was no end date given and speculation was that it would re-open as something else.

I came across this earlier-
http://insideuniversal.net/2016/12/...go-refurbishment-from-early-january-to-april/

Also this-
http://insideuniversal.net/2017/02/...e-of-surrounding-parcels-near-universal-city/

Diagon Alley?

 

[sharona]

I came across this earlier-
http://insideuniversal.net/2016/12/...go-refurbishment-from-early-january-to-april/

Also this-
http://insideuniversal.net/2017/02/...e-of-surrounding-parcels-near-universal-city/

Diagon Alley?

I hope that early April estimate is good! We'll be there 4/23 and would love to see this show. We missed it on our one previous visit to USH.

 

[Steven G]

I do like the Harry Potter ride, and waterworld is the best show by far.

 

[Spyral]

*sigh* was hoping to catch Waterworld on our next trip in a week. We missed it last time due to time constraints.

I think Jurassic Park is my favorite ride as well. Most of the other rides being simulator rides, I think they are just ok.

We also really enjoyed the Studio Tour. We did sit in the first tram, which is good and bad. Good because your sitting up there with the tour guide and they can still chat if filming is going on and they can't talk over the PA. Plus it easy to ask questions. Bad because you are up front and kinda miss some of the special effects which seemed to be happening more behind us.