First time ?

[3smithboys]

We are going for Universal for the first time over Winter Break. I know it will be packed, and we are staying onsite. We are planning 3 days in the parks - I figured one day for each and the last to do our favorites again. Which park would be best to start with - Universal Studios or Islands of Adventure? (It will be me, my adult cousin, my mom, and twin boys - 11.... if that matters!)

 

[Minerva Mouse]

IMO start with the Universal side, I feal there is more to do there. Or now that I said that, I'm thinking maybe you should check the hours, because you'll need more time on the Universal side.

Have fun and enjoy your new adventure.

 

[3smithboys]

IMO start with the Universal side, I feal there is more to do there. Or now that I said that, I'm thinking maybe you should check the hours, because you'll need more time on the Universal side.

Have fun and enjoy your new adventure.

Thanks! I just checked and both parks are open 8-11. I was wondering if the 8am start is for people staying onsite, or would the park open at 7am for us?

 

[tstidm1]

Thanks! I just checked and both parks are open 8-11. I was wondering if the 8am start is for people staying onsite, or would the park open at 7am for us?

Universal Studios will open at 7 AM for EPA at the Winter Break timeframe. IOA will open at 8 AM unless they decide to do EPA at both parks. They usually only do that in Summertime, so I would expect USF to be the only one open at 7 AM. For Park Hopping, I would start at USF because it has Diagon Alley and flows better with books/movies. Day two I would do IOA to experience Hogsmeade and all they offer over there. Day three, I would Park hop using the Hogwarts Express and enjoy the stuff you may have missed.

 

[johde]

As close as the 2 parks are and with the Hogwarts Express going between the back to both parks, I wouldn't hesitate to park hop all 3 days. The entrances to the 2 parks are only about a 1/4 of a mile apart. So, at most a 5 minute walk.

 

[lazer]

As close as the 2 parks are and with the Hogwarts Express going between the back to both parks, I wouldn't hesitate to park hop all 3 days. The entrances to the 2 parks are only about a 1/4 of a mile apart. So, at most a 5 minute walk.

100% agree with this. When we were there with shorter park hours, we park hopped daily based on what we felt like doing and if we wanted to ride the Hogwarts train again...which was very often!

 

[3smithboys]

Thanks so much for all of the advice! I can't wait to go!!

 

[Seeker615]

I would totally park hop! I love going from park to park and the food choices are better in Citywalk too.

We usually do one park in the morning and step out at lunch time (or if it seems congested) and then grab lunch and head to the other park till closing time.

 

[Priory]

100% agree with this. When we were there with shorter park hours, we park hopped daily based on what we felt like doing and if we wanted to ride the Hogwarts train again...which was very often!

So they don't limit you to one ride per day? Thought I'd read that.

 

[3smithboys]

So they don't limit you to one ride per day? Thought I'd read that.

Oh, I wonder if that is true? I like the idea of going back and forth... but I will plan accordingly!

Thanks again to everyone for your help!

 

[johde]

There was talk of limiting Hogwarts Express to one trip per day early on but throughput on the attraction has been so good that they haven't needed to limit the number of trips.

That being said, they did limit admission to Diagon Alley early on with standby lines and return tickets. But that didn't last very long. With Christmas being the busiest time of the year, those could return again.

 

[3smithboys]

There was talk of limiting Hogwarts Express to one trip per day early on but throughput on the attraction has been so good that they haven't needed to limit the number of trips.

That being said, they did limit admission to Diagon Alley early on with standby lines and return tickets. But that didn't last very long. With Christmas being the busiest time of the year, those could return again.

That's great to know. I am planning on getting there at park opening both days. Both parks open at 8am, so I am planning on getting to US at 6:45 for the 7am opening! Not sure if IOA is offering early admission.

One other question that I was hoping to get answered.... what is the best "plan of attack" for the early entry since I will be there Christmas week? We are staying at RPH - I assume we should walk there, and then is the Harry Potter part right when we get in or more towards the back of the park? (Is there a way to enter closer to the HP area or is the main entrance the only way in?)

 

[johde]

That's great to know. I am planning on getting there at park opening both days. Both parks open at 8am, so I am planning on getting to US at 6:45 for the 7am opening! Not sure if IOA is offering early admission.

One other question that I was hoping to get answered.... what is the best "plan of attack" for the early entry since I will be there Christmas week? We are staying at RPH - I assume we should walk there, and then is the Harry Potter part right when we get in or more towards the back of the park? (Is there a way to enter closer to the HP area or is the main entrance the only way in?)

For Early Admission at Universal Studios Florida Diagon Alley and Despicable Me are the attractions open. With early admission, I'd hit Diagon Alley and Gringotts at least one of the morning during Early Admission. Despicable Me can get a long line even with Express Passes (it's usually about 1/2 the standby wait). So, you might want to try and slip through it during Early admission the second day before going to Diagon Alley (assuming IOA doesn't get Early admission).

 

[3smithboys]

For Early Admission at Universal Studios Florida Diagon Alley and Despicable Me are the attractions open. With early admission, I'd hit Diagon Alley and Gringotts at least one of the morning during Early Admission. Despicable Me can get a long line even with Express Passes (it's usually about 1/2 the standby wait). So, you might want to try and slip through it during Early admission the second day before going to Diagon Alley (assuming IOA doesn't get Early admission).

Perfect! Thanks...

 

[lazer]

Both the HP areas are in the back of the parks, and there's only one entrance to each park.

 

[johde]

Both the HP areas are in the back of the parks, and there's only one entrance to each park.

It doesn't help with HP but USF does have a small entrance at the front of the park over by Hard Rock Cafe and Blue Man Group. Park Hopping between parks can be a little bit quicker using this entrance.

 

[KorbensMomma]

Is that a regular entry gate? I never knew there was a side entrance.

 

[lazer]

Is that a regular entry gate? I never knew there was a side entrance.

it wasn't open when we were there a few weeks ago. The path was actually blocked off. Not sure what's up with it.

 

[3smithboys]

This is all very helpful.... thanks! If anyone has any other tidbits of info, that would be great!