Friday vs. Saturday?

[blemon]

We are arriving on a Thursday, May 3.

We are going to do either Magic Kingdom or Universal (2-park pass just for the Harry Potter stuff)
Friday or Saturday.

What do you suggest?

Friday - MK and Saturday - Universal

or

Friday - Universal and Saturday - MK.

The rest of our trip is: Sunday MK, Monday EPCOT, and Tuesday half day Animal Kingdom before leaving.

Definitely want to keep Monday for Epcot because I don't want to do weekends during Flower and Garden.
Sundays seem good for MK.

I've looked at some crowd calendars and they aren't matching AT ALL in their predictions so I'm at a loss.

I posted this in the other forum but I think this is a better place.
thanks!

 

[katie111]

I would do Friday at Universal & Saturday at MK. Universal gets a lot more locals so weekends there tend to be busier. At Disney, Saturday is the biggest arrival day for guests so MK is usually not as busy on Sat, especially earlier in the day. It is usually very busy on Sunday's though as typically people arrive on Sat and that is the first park they want to visit. This info is just based on my numerous trips and info I've gathered on these boards over the years. However, I would keep checking the crowd calendars as you get closer because things like operating hours, parades, fireworks, and early entry can really affect the crowds at MK.

 

[Cali2nooga]

Noob here, so take this info with a grain of salt. lol One thing to consider is that there is a Gradventure event on Friday, May 4th at Universal. The description says it's from 7pm - 12am and is a 2 park middle school graduation event. I think this means they will close the parks early for this event? (Can anyone confirm?) It also says they can enter the park as early as 4pm, so lots of middle schoolers that afternoon.

Link here -- https://www.universalorlandoyouth.com/Grad-Events/Events/Default.html

For this reason, I would do MK on Friday and Universal on Saturday.

 

[macraven]

Parks close early for grad bash
I need to check the site for grad adventures if the park closes early for that

Thought it did in the past.....??

 

[blemon]

Oh my gosh. Thank you so much for this info!

I have been checking crowd calendars and they are so conflicted! Now I see why. Some are including this event at US and some are not.
I think I will avoid US on Friday because of this. While we may be done by 4, I don't want to rush it.

If anyone has anymore information, please let me know!

I was thinking Friday would be better because we'll have 2 days at MK and that will mean we can deal with Saturday crowds (plus the level is a 6 so not really that bad -- we are used to an 8).

This is really really helpful information.

Millions of thanks!!!!!

While we may be done with the parks by 4, I would not want to feel rushed. Plus for the cost of the park hopper for US, holy heck I want to be able to stay as long as possible! We are only going for Harry Potter. My kid is obsessed (and I kinda am too).

 

[macraven]

If Potter (at both parks ) is all you will do, you’re good today see it all

Grad bash/adventure is held at the studios
Ioa would have regular hours

 

[blemon]

macraven - I saw that the US parks all close early that day. Do they change hours at the last minute like disney?

And you know, I'm not sure I want to be there with a bunch of middle school kids. I don't know. Thinking Saturday is going to be fine. We have some local friends who might join us so this is probably for the best.

 

[macraven]

I have not checked the site yet but will later
When I use my iPhone I’m unable to search as I can on my iMac but will do so later

The grad bash is high school kids and their event starts later in the day to midnight
The grad adventure is grade school
And they were there earlier in the
past years

Some Fridays usually have the studios close at 5
local schools do field trips in May on Friday

If weather is nice for the weekend then many locals come to the parks

I would not rule out Friday just yet until you can find out more info

If you do Saturday, go early so you will get more done

I’m thinking that the school group events, the kids would be wanting to do more rides than to spend their entire time at Potter