First Time at Universal in a Loooooooooooong time. Please help!!

[mickey0624]

So we go to WDW every year in August. Spend a week at the Poly, know every nook and cranny of WDW back and front. Parks, Dining, Resorts, we're experts. But this year, we finally decided to take the plunge and start our vacation with two days at Universal. My daughter is a huge Harry Potter fan, so we figured now was the time to do it.

We haven't been to Universal since 2001, and I know A LOT has changed. Back then there was only one park. King Kong, Jaws and Earthquake were the big rides. So as we start planning for this trip, I need some advice from the experts out there.

We basically have two full days. How do we make the most out of these days? We plan on staying on site, but is one hotel more advantageous than others? My dad is disabled. Do they offer a disability pass? Is it the same method as Disney? Which park should we start in? How do we get the most out of exploring the Harry Potter sections of both parks? I know there are a lot of questions there, but any advice / tips you can offer will be so appreciated.

 

[macraven]

If you plan to book two nights at UO hotels this August , book soon

Different rates based on when in August you are going

What dates will the UO stay be

Since your stay will be shirt staying at one if the three deluxe hotels would be a good thing

 

[mickey0624]

If you plan to book two nights at UO hotels this August , book soon

Different rates based on when in August you are going

What dates will the UO stay be

Since your stay will be shirt staying at one if the three deluxe hotels would be a good thing

We will be there August 11 and 12

 

[Kivara]

The closest hotels to the parks are Hard Rock and Royal Pacific. Both offer Express Pass built in with staying there. Royal Pacific is usually cheaper than HR and Portifino. All 3 of those hotels have walkways, boats that are handicap accessible, and Express Pass.
There is an available disability pass, but I have never gotten one, so hopefully someone that has can answer that for you!

Most of the Potter rides do not have Express Pass lines at this time. If you stay onsite, take advantage of the Early Entry. Earlier in the day and at the end of the day are usually the shortest lines for those. Hippogriff (kiddie coaster) and Dueling Dragons (intense inverted coaster) do have Express lines.

If you want to ride the Hogwarts Express (handicap accessible), you will need park-to-park passes, as it is like a train/shuttle back and forth between the parks (both ways are different and awesome!)

The best things, IMO, for a Potter fan are the non-ride elements (don't get me wrong, I LOVE all the rides) But the immersion into the movies/books is amazing. It's like stepping out of a theme park and into the movies. The shows are fun (2 in each park), the ice cream is great, the restaurants, drinking Butterbeer, and my kids' favorite...doing the spells with an interactive wand.

We have happily spent an entire day, wandering around, looking at every corner, and doing spells!

 

[AJ1983]

So we go to WDW every year in August. Spend a week at the Poly, know every nook and cranny of WDW back and front. Parks, Dining, Resorts, we're experts. But this year, we finally decided to take the plunge and start our vacation with two days at Universal. My daughter is a huge Harry Potter fan, so we figured now was the time to do it.

We haven't been to Universal since 2001, and I know A LOT has changed. Back then there was only one park. King Kong, Jaws and Earthquake were the big rides. So as we start planning for this trip, I need some advice from the experts out there.

We basically have two full days. How do we make the most out of these days? We plan on staying on site, but is one hotel more advantageous than others? My dad is disabled. Do they offer a disability pass? Is it the same method as Disney? Which park should we start in? How do we get the most out of exploring the Harry Potter sections of both parks? I know there are a lot of questions there, but any advice / tips you can offer will be so appreciated.

If you are only doing two days at the parks you only need one night at the hotel because you get express pass for both days at the parks. My personal preference is Royal Pacific Resort.

 

[mickey0624]

The closest hotels to the parks are Hard Rock and Royal Pacific. Both offer Express Pass built in with staying there. Royal Pacific is usually cheaper than HR and Portifino. All 3 of those hotels have walkways, boats that are handicap accessible, and Express Pass.
There is an available disability pass, but I have never gotten one, so hopefully someone that has can answer that for you!

Most of the Potter rides do not have Express Pass lines at this time. If you stay onsite, take advantage of the Early Entry. Earlier in the day and at the end of the day are usually the shortest lines for those. Hippogriff (kiddie coaster) and Dueling Dragons (intense inverted coaster) do have Express lines.

If you want to ride the Hogwarts Express (handicap accessible), you will need park-to-park passes, as it is like a train/shuttle back and forth between the parks (both ways are different and awesome!)

The best things, IMO, for a Potter fan are the non-ride elements (don't get me wrong, I LOVE all the rides) But the immersion into the movies/books is amazing. It's like stepping out of a theme park and into the movies. The shows are fun (2 in each park), the ice cream is great, the restaurants, drinking Butterbeer, and my kids' favorite...doing the spells with an interactive wand.

We have happily spent an entire day, wandering around, looking at every corner, and doing spells!

Is it worth getting the park-to-park pass just to ride the hogwarts express? How much extra does it cost?

How much earlier can you get in the park if you stay onsite?

 

[Robo56]

If you are staying onsite you get in one hour earlier then the those who are not. This is a valuable time saver if the parks are going to be busy. If you choose to ride the boats over to the park from HRH, RPR or PBH the boats start running early to accommadate the onsite guests.

Check the calendar on the Universal website for the park that's opening early (you can confirm that with you hotel).
For example if it says park is opening for onsite guests at 8:00 am be there at 7:45. They will let you in a little early usually. You will be able to head straight to the Potter Park and enjoy your rides.

I think the park to park ticket is a great option especially if you are going to be there only two days. This will allow you to enjoy the ride on the Hogwarts Express both directions (which is different). This will also allow you to revisit either park multiple times if there is something you want to repeat.

The visit to Diagon Alley later in the evening is pretty worth it.

I would cost out the best price for your tickets from AAA, Undercover Tourist, and Universal to see were you can get the best price for your park to park tickets.

You are going to love your time at Universal. If you have anymore questions ask away someone will jump in and point you in the right direction.

Have a great trip