Grinchmas and Harry Potter is it worth it?

[goofymom/pop]

Hi ...my hubby, son and I are traveling to Orlando and are trying to decide if the $450 plus price tag for a one day two park pass is worth it. Hubs wants to see Wizarding World, well so do I . Do please share you reasons to love it? Hate it? Or touring strategies....please!

 

[bankr63]

If you are first timers, spring for the two day, two park. The Universal parks are every bit as big the Disney parks, and there is a lot to see in one day. You may sell yourself short trying to see both in a single day.

Depends on how old DS is. My kids started transitioning to Universal from Disney at about 12yo. Once they had mastered the tame rides at Disney, they were ready to move up to the big rides at Uni. Now that they are late teen/young adults it's Uni first, maybe Disney. If you are a coaster junkie and enjoy getting wet, then Universal is the park for you. Also, their simulators (especially Gringotts and FJ) put anything Disney has to shame.

Best tip: Unofficial Guide to Universal Florida. They will give you the lay of the land and enough information so you can handle the park like a pro your first time out.

So, Love it:
- more thrill rides
- better theming (HP worlds esp).
- faster touring (smaller crowds)
- better CS food
-better park hopping (you can walk, or take the Hogwart's express between the two parks)

Leave it:
- Not as magical as Disney
- For most of the TM's, it's a job, not a lifestyle (they are still nice, but real people, when they smile you know they mean it).
- not as good for small children (Suess is good)
- for some reason about 50% of the rides will get you wet (not recommended for a cool cloudy March day)
- no FP+; you can get FOTL for extra $$

It's a wash:
- Parking $$ hurts at both

I'm sure I'll think of many more reasons once I hit post.

 

[akaler2010]

I loved Universal at the holidays. I loved the Grinchmas show, and of course, Harry Potter. If you are married to an HP fan, just seeing one side of the magic will be very disappointing. You'll want to do both. I agree with bankr, it's worth doing 2 days.

 

[DOOM1001]

Definitely worth it but you need at least 2 days minimum.

 

[Judyat]

How about just doing a one day park to park if you want to just do Harry Potter in both parks. Is that easily doable? We are looking at the second week in December.

 

[DOOM1001]

How about just doing a one day park to park if you want to just do Harry Potter in both parks. Is that easily doable? We are looking at the second week in December.

If you just want to see the Potter areas then I guess its possibly doable,but given that you're there in Christmas you probably will want to see the Christmas events,Macy's Holiday parade,Grinchmas,and maybe a Mannheim Steamroller concert if they're there that day,doing all these will lessen the amount of time for the Potter attractions.

 

[Upatnoon]

How about just doing a one day park to park if you want to just do Harry Potter in both parks. Is that easily doable? We are looking at the second week in December.

You can do the Potter areas in one day if you stay on task and ignore all the other great things these parks offer.

One side will likely have early entry for Universal hotel guests, so I would pick the side that doesn't and start there.

This is sort of like asking, "we want to do Fantasyland and ignore everything else at Magic Kingdom."

I think the Universal Parks and resorts are amazing and deserve a trip of their own.

 

[nacho113]

Both Harry Potter areas are great and a must do (again and again) for any HP fan.
The HP areas only makeup about 15% of the attractions in each of the Universal parks.
While these areas are great and a must see, if this is all you are going to see, then a 1 day P to P will allow you to do this even with the heavy crowds near Christmas.
You will however be spending the money on the tickets and ignoring 85% of the attractions in the rest of the park.
The 2 day P to P would be a much better value and you will be able to enjoy the rest of the Parks (the 3 day pass is an even better value)
We usually spend 3 days and have taken to buying an annual Powerpass so we can visit whenever we are in Florida.
Adult tickets: 1 day P to P is $147, 2 day P to P is only $195 and 3 day is $205

 

[bankr63]

You don't say how old DS is, and if he also wants to do HP. If he is old enough to enjoy the bigger rides (say 10-12+) there is no way that he'll let you off that easy. If he's younger, you might get more value by waiting until he IS old enough to enjoy Uni with you and doing it right on a future trip. If this is a once in a lifetime trip, and you and DH are both big HP fans, then go for it now. Just plan for one VERY long day, because you will want to sample more than just HP, and you can't avoid seeing this - HP is strategically placed more-or-less at the back of both parks.

 

[goofymom/pop]

Hello...thank you for the wonderful information. DS is 21, so we are three adults. We have been to US and IOA a few times previously. Our goals would be the Macy's parade and HP Wizarding World (both sides). Walk through Whoville...I worry because the parks are only open until 7 most days. Oh well off to do a little more research.

 

[schumigirl]

Definitely think it`s worth it.

Although if you could swing two days it would be better. Are you getting Park to Park tickets, as you`ll need to have that to ride the Hogwarts Express, which for a Potter fan is a must do. Even a non Potter fan would be impressed with it.

We find Universal to have it`s own magic.......we don`t go to Disney and spend all our time at Universal and surrounding areas.......never get bored and there really is a lot to do in both parks for all ages.

The fact you are 3 adults makes what you plan certainly doable.......but a bit more time would certainly enhance your visit......Potter is spectacular and well worth the extra time, our son is 21 now and he loves the parks too, including Potter areas.......good luck with whatever you choose....hope you have a wonderful trip

 

[bankr63]

Well see now, I jumped to a bunch of conclusions originally. Had pictured your son as younger and you as newbies to Uni.

Sure, if you have been there before you can do it in a day, assuming you know what you want to do. If it has been a while, be aware that there have been quite a few changes over the past years. I find that Uni evolves and adapts much quicker than Disney. They aren't afraid to pull a less popular attraction and replace it with something new and exciting to keep the gate up. if you know what your favorite attractions and must-do's are, then you are half-way to a plan. I would start on the NON-early entry side and move across to the other side via Hogwarts Express mid-day. You might still want to start in HP and then move around the 1st park before crossing over.

We were surprised at the speed that the Gringott's line moved when we were there in March, much better than FJ moved in its opening year. Even this year, we spent more time in queue for FJ than we did for Gringott's.

I still wouldn't discount going for multiple days however. DW and I went twice on our March trip, and DS went one additional time while the old-timers took a day off (we had 3rd day free tickets).

 

[goofymom/pop]

Thanks everyone for the great info. We are going on what seems to be the least crowded Christmas week...is that possible? Lol. The price just gives me the chills..... But I cannot wait to get there...

 

[missbrooke06]

On Saturday, we did both Harry Potter areas, Jurassic Park, and Shrek 4D. We also walked through The Simpsons area. It took us from 10-3 and then we went back to Disney. We spent most of our time in WWoHP, which was great but most of the rest of the park didn't catch my interest (and I do like thrill rides).

I actually think that it's because Universal updates so often. There's no nostalgia factor and some of the stuff seems dated... like Shrek, Transformers. We were curious why T2 is there 20 years later but the classic Jaws got dozed.

If you're a Potter fan, it's worth it but I didn't even need a full day there.