Going 10/20 but don't want to do HHN

[Claudia1]

We have small kids and want to tag a 2-day visit to Universal 10/20 & 21 but don't want to do HHN. What time will it start? When do they close the park for regular guests? We will be staying on property.

 

[Lynne G]

The Studios will close at 5pm promptly. Islands will stay open later, like until 7 or 8 pm. People start pouring into the Studios later in the afternoon, as they can stay in the park, in holding areas, after the park closes. Also, Islands does get a bit busier after the Studios close. It is a great time to visit, even if not going to HHN. The mini golf and dinner in CityWalk, or a movie in the AMC in CityWalk is fun for little ones. Plus, a swim in the hotel pool before bed time is always fun too. If you are at the Royal Pacific, the Bula Bar has good food you can eat at the pool. Maybe enjoy an evening that way.

 

[macraven]

Since you are staying in site, do the EE and spend the day at the studios first

Move over to ioa late afternoon until closing time

You will get a lot done and the express lines will be a great way to avoid long line waits

 

[tinydancer09]

Make sure you hit the Hogwarts express before 4PM unlike me last year if you're wanting to take it to IOA. Probably before 3 to be safe. We had a nice 45 estimated wait that was more like an hour. Dummy me didn't use her brain. If you near this time I would recommend just walking...
"45" minute wait to IOA and 5 to USF. sheesh.

 

[sandam1]

I don't know if this is still the case, but when I went two years ago, you could stay in Diagon Alley past 5 p.m. (the Studios official closing time). If you had a park to park pass, you got a wrist band allowing you to stay until (I think) 6 p.m. But to leave you HAD TO take the Hogwarts Express, which did have a pretty substantial wait. We were only staying for one day so we were happy to have the extra time.

 

[macraven]

Yes they did this last year on a Wednesday I was there
Potter closed at 6 and those peeps were escorted out at that time
Then park opened at 6:30 to the public

I stayed in the potter holding section at 5 ish waiting out to when Hhn would start up that night
Did spend a bit of time at potter until they closed up
And then did Hhn houses

 

[georgina]

Good to know. We are going in Sept and not doing HHN (I am SO not into being scared!) I had to change our original plans so we could get at least one later night at US to see the dragon fire in the dark (or semi-dark at least!)

 

[tinydancer09]

Good to know. We are going in Sept and not doing HHN (I am SO not into being scared!) I had to change our original plans so we could get at least one later night at US to see the dragon fire in the dark (or semi-dark at least!)

We're going to be following each other. I'll be there in September too! I also do not enjoy being scared. I'd be perfectly happy being the scareactor though.
I went opening weekend last September and got nearly everything at IOA done with express pass between 5 and closing. I actually purposefully skipped marvel and toon to leave something to do. After our hour long wait at hogwarts express we ate at three broomsticks. Then did all the potter, went to Seuss, went back to potter did everything again, shopped, then took the long way out. It wasn't quite closing yet when we made our way out. Could have done more if I would have used our time more wisely at express and just walked to IOA. Oh wells.... Take advantage of the lower crowds at city walk while HHN is going on. Around dark it seemed to get a little quieter Saturday night. Maybe I was just lucky. That was the perfect vacation! Everything went my way