Half a day if we only do HP?

[ammag]

Trying to see if I can squeeze universal in, because my daughter is now HP obsessed and I am thrilled
We intended to go on our next trip which might be in 2018. She is eight now...

It would be just she and I, and we would get there before rope drop and only want to do the HP sections of both parks, saving the rest for some future time when my son is older and my husband can join us,

The problem is the only time I can see making this work in our schedule and our ADRs is a Wednesday on our "break" day but we would have to be back at pop around 3pm to change because we plan to go to trader SAMs, then the kids are going to babysitting at the poly and we go to Cali grill for our 10th anniversary.

My other option, and this one worries me because of crowds, is a Saturday. We would be back to magic kingdom for dinner at CRT at 6, my husband and son can swim and go to MK earlier to meet us.
We leave Sunday on the DME at 3pm and can go to MK that morning.


Would this shorter day in universal be a waste of $300 in tickets? Or could we experience the HP sections (not the coaster) and have enough shopping, food, and entertainment/world immersion?

 

[hpfan100]

Some of this depends on the time of year and park hours. If you go at a time that the park opens at 10 then trying to be back at pop by 3 is not going to work. I would say to really see all the potter areas including shows, shops, train, gringotts, castle, butter beer, wands, money exchange, owl post and such you would need a day. If you just want a taste of the magic then a half day might work out for you.

 

[Darcy03231]

We found that it took us half a day just to do the HP section of IOA (and that was with less than 30 minute waits). I don't see how you'd manage to see/do everything in both sections in half a day.

 

[wookiebeck]

I like the OP's idea here. Seeing WWoHP for the first time is as epic as the first time you see Cinderella's Castle. Rope drop until 2pm will give plenty of time for 'immersion'. And the headliner rides.
The catch is that your half day might be the best time you have on your trip. You might feel that as your are forced to leave, you find yourself saying, but we didn't get to see...

Go for it if you can afford that treat for the two of you.

 

[bumbershoot]

Can she ride everything she wants to ride? Or will that be a potential frustration as well

 

[HM]

Honestly, I'd wait until 2018. It looks like you're going during one of Universal's busy times (late October) and I just hate for her visit to be rushed.

Or go back to Orlando, maybe sooner?

You could plan a long weekend trip to just US/IOA, stay onsite and really get to know the parks and your resort and not feel like you're having to squeeze it in where it can fit.

 

[damo]

If you are going first week of November, it might be possible. Get there as early as possible so that you are there at park opening. Start at Diagon Alley and end at Hosgmeade. Could be a magical day if you just concentrate on the Harry Potter stuff.

 

[larissawbb]

We went last year in mid-November and arrived at rope drop. It took us until closing just to see the Harry Potter sections. We did eat lunch at Mythos. The wait times for most attractions were under 20 minutes also.

 

[ammag]

Thanks all. We would get there at least 30 min before rope drop, and it think go on a Saturday, I think we need that rest day on wed and don't want to be too tired for my anniversary dinner. My husband is giving up seeing HP himself, so I don't want to ruin his dinner too

Saturday we would miss out on the famiyl magic tour. We would go universal until 2 pm, then either to resort for an hour to rest or straight to Mk for our CRT reservation. I'd then make sure we go to MK on our half day Sunday before airport, try for BOG that morning. Still not 100% decided though. I had all my disney pkans totally set!

We won't be again until at least 2018 unless we have a major improvement in our finances.

No I have to learn more about the parks, we would not do a sit down meal just snacks or CS. I'd have a good touring plan and do what we can do? We won't do the dragon coaster, but doing olivanders is a must.

 

[2girlsmom]

I strongly recommend doing Ollivanders on the Diagon Alley side, they are much larger there with multiple rooms, so you won't have the extensive waits in line. Gringott's is the ride on that side, and there is 1 counter service restaurant in both Hogsmeade (3 Broomsticks) and Diagon Alley (Leaky Cauldron), both serve similiar food items, so you might hit one for breakfast and one for lunch, for example, if you like. I highly recommend getting an ice cream from Fortescue's, they are wonderful (Diagon side). Also, highly recommend taking Hogwart's Express both directions, as it is different story each way. Forbidden Journey is the main ride (castle) at Hogwart's, but the Hippogriff coaster (kid's coaster though adults can ride) is peppy and fun too.

 

[ammag]

Thanks for the great advice! I think we might do it. It's just a whole new thing I have no experience in, after I've planned everything perfectly for 4 months maybe longer.

So I am a but unsure.....but I don't want to miss this window where my daughter will be so full of wonder and joy

 

[hydrotony]

Remember you can always go back after your Trader Sam's or CRT dinner if the park is still open. The ticket is good all day as is the parking fee. Even 2 hours is a great night cap and they don't kick you out immediately. And walking out through City Walk will really be an eyeful with all the lights and music.

 

[damo]

Remember you can always go back after your Trader Sam's or CRT dinner if the park is still open. The ticket is good all day as is the parking fee. Even 2 hours is a great night cap and they don't kick you out immediately. And walking out through City Walk will really be an eyeful with all the lights and music.

Hogsmeade after dusk is really magical.

 

[ammag]

I bet it is! We will do two days on our next trip, including the evening. Bt this time since we are dividing up, we want to spend the evening with my husband and son