Feeling lost and confused, ha!

[mrsbmacdonald]

So my Disney plans have been done for months and, while I don't want the same step by step approach for Universal (I've heard it's not needed), I would feel much better having some sort of plan of attack.

(Details: staying onsite, 2 day park to park tickets. October 13 (Columbus Day) and 14)

So, I guess I'm wondering:
1. Would you pick one day as "Harry Potter day" and do both of these areas first? Then, if time permits, knock off a few other attractions.

2. What is the best plan of attack? Is there a good order to proceed from one world/area to another? I don't like a lot of backtracking but I don't mind starting from the back of a park (just not criss crossing all over!) We are travelling with 2 boys, 6, and 1 girl, 8, and the adults are not major thrill seekers, if that helps

3. What other great tips do you have? Most of us are either first-timers or "haven't been there in nearly 20 years" people.

Thanks for reading- I so appreciate your advice.

 

[damo]

You will have an easy time. Since you are staying onsite, you can do early entry and get Gringotts knocked off your list since it doesn't have express. If you don't want to bother getting up early, do it around dinner time. You could hit IOA at opening and get Forbidden Journey done there and then mosey on over to Universal and use your express pass on everything (except Gringotts of course).

The things that get the longest lines right now seem to be Gringotts and Despicable Me.

 

[dsdeleon]

I know the feeling of wanting to plan everything because you are so used to it! Hahaha, OK so I have been a lot with kids that age and will give you a TP since you insist.

Day 1 - get there at a leisurely pace (I have done the 6 am check in for early entry on Day 1 and it's not worth it)

Minions (Despicable Me)
Transformers
Simpsons Area and ride
MIB
Diagon Alley
Ollivanders - get the interactive wands
Hang out in DA, cast spells
Lunch at Leaky Caludron
HE to Hogsmeade
Hang out in Hogsmeade, cast spells
Flight of the Hippogriff
FJ if line < 40 min (might have to child swap 6 yos but thats OK you watch HP movies)
If no FJ, Jurrasic Park - Peteradon FLyers and Water Ride
Spider Man
Dinner, hotel

Day 2
Early Entry
Gringotts
Whatever you liked from the day before + Woodywoodpecker zone, Shrek, E.T, the animal show (maybes) and at some point ride the HE back to DA for the other way (definitley)

Have fun!!! It's so different and so much better in so many ways!

 

[johde]

2. What is the best plan of attack? Is there a good order to proceed from one world/area to another? I don't like a lot of backtracking but I don't mind starting from the back of a park (just not criss crossing all over!) We are travelling with 2 boys, 6, and 1 girl, 8, and the adults are not major thrill seekers, if that helps

At Universal Studios Florida, I wouldn't worry too much about criss crossing all over the place. The parks setup similar to the core of DHS where everything is pretty close to everything with a couple of exception. At DHS I wouldn't want to try and go from ToT to Lights Motors Action quickly but most everything else is pretty close. There's nothing that far apart at USF.

Islands of Adventure is setup more like World Showcase (and the distance around the lagoons are very similar). I'll admit I usually ended up making nearly 2 complete trips around the lagoon. But, I like thrill rides in small doses and I like getting wet but not staying way. So, on the first trip around I may hit one side of Dragon Challenge and the water rides before heading out where I can change into dry clothes for the second loop.

 

[mrsbmacdonald]

Thank you Thank you Thank you

I have been mentally preparing myself for, and even looking forward to, not planning too much for the Universal portion of our trip. But in the end, the thought of everyone staring at the map when we got inside the gates and spending forever debating where to go was making my eye twitch

I'm still looking forward to a less structured couple of days but having a semi-plan will help me relax. (even if we don't end up using it- knowing I have it is enough for me, ha!)