Gatorland and Harry Potter Universal

[ktnryansmom]

Hi!
We are fitting both into our WDW vacation next month. Should I devote a full day to both?

Could I fit both into 1 day?

Any tips are appreciated!

 

[KingofSwing3000]

Gatorland takes about 4hrs to see.

Islands of Adventure (where Harry Potter is located) takes about 4-5hrs to see just about everything once during slower times; a "full" day during busier times. We just got back from IOA and literally did every attraction at least twice in about 4hrs; HP rides were about 15min waits.

The secret to HP, though, during busy times is to visit it during the last half of the day. Wait times drop by about 1/2 on average especially during the last 2-3hrs of Park hours. And it only takes an average of about 2 hours to see everything in that area.

Don't attempt both parks in one day.

 

[ktnryansmom]

so you don't think we could do gatorland in the morning and HP late afternoon & evening of the same day?

 

[KingofSwing3000]

I wouldn't advise it. I guess it's possible to do if you were to rush -- it's a 30 minute drive to Universal from Gatorland and another 30 at least until you are in line for your first ride -- and get to HP for at least the last 3hrs of the Park and only have the intention of seeing HP. But HP is only one (small) section of Islands of Adventure. It would only be because you have zero interest in riding/seeing Hulk, Dr.Doom, Spider Man, Jurassic Park, Cat in the Car, Poseidon, etc.

 

[got2sammies]

I agree.. You wont be able to do both in one day...Gatorland is about 1/2 day 4-5 hours..I dont think they are open past 5/6 pm anyway... However I must say we went for the first time last summer and I enjoyed it. Very laid back not to busy and not real expensive. If you have little ones and depending on the weather, they do have a little splash park they can cool off, so bring bathing suits/towls... You can also buy hot dogs and Feed the gators! BEWARE of the ugly white birds though! Those suckers will BITE YOUR fingers getting to the hot dog! Oh and eat before you go or after you leave.. One snack area (If I remember correctly) to get drinks or nachos but no real food....

 

[formill]

We had "real" food at Gatorland......nothing fancy but a full menu of the usual- burgers/fries/chicken fingers etc. It was pretty reasonably priced and not bad at all. We really like Gatorland and I would hate to feel rushed there. The train ride is pretty simple and not very long but we had the best conductor- he sang and made jokes- best train ride ever. We had some that ziplined at Gatorland so we ended up spending most of the day there. We have not been to IOA in a few years but even then it was a full day for us without Harry Potter. For one thing I need to get my money's worth out of these places so I want to see and enjoy it all.