Half Day - Is it possible?

[EmilyGahr]

Hi! I've never been to Universal Studios or Islands of Adventure as we are "Disney people" typically. On our trip in January, we will have a half day (more like 3/4 of a day) with no plans and I'd like to go to both parks.

There are several rides we want to do, but a lot we plan on skipping.
We do not plan to spend any time in the Harry Potter area, other than to do the rides.

With the express pass and the park hopper ticket, is this possible?

 

[DisneyTexan]

I've done it several times, although not yet this year. I've never had an Express Pass. My strategy is to start at Universal Studios, and then switch parks via train to Islands of Adventure at about 2 p.m. I use the Touring Plans dot com software subscription to plan out each half of the visit.

 

[mom2rtk]

We did it once many years ago, but that was pre-Harry Potter. If you're planning on skipping HP you should be able to hit the high spots. Velocicoaster will slow you down though if that's in your plans.

 

[bchbetha]

I guess. But, truly, it's ok for "Disney people" to like Universal! We weren't made to declare allegiance to a brand. So, it looks like you have 10 days at Disney per your ticker. It seems like you could squeeze in a full day (or more ) for Universal. You could also price out a VIP tour. Buying EPs out of pocket (vs a hotel stay) is pricey and you might find the VIP option is a decent fit for your budget and time.

 

[Cuchman]

You would be selling yourselves short with just a partial day. Universal has a lot to offer.
But...that being said - if you have EPs or are traveling at a lower crowd time, you could probably "hit the highlights" so to speak. But it would certainly be rushed and not give you the full experience, imho.
But, maybe you will enjoy it enough to allot more time in the future

 

[CeCe0906]

I have a 730 PM flight on our last day and my granddaughter and I are going; mostly for the Harry Potter Stuff, as she is a big fan. She's 8 years old and not tall enough for the big coasters/and has no interest in anything really adventurous. So we will spend most of our time in Harry Potter areas and in Seuss land. She says she want to go on Grigotts and Hagrids, we will see when we get there. My big worry is that she WILL want to do it and I wont fit in the seat. I"m a little pooh sized, and right on the border where they say on their website if you will fit. We plan to be there park open to about 4:30pm. If I had planned better I would have moved our last night to a Universal hotel, and made things easier. As it is I had to pay 50$ to have someone pick up my luggage and take it to luggage storage at MCO, so I wouldn't have to come back to hotel to get bags. I had thought I could drop bags early, but they only let you do that 4 hours early. So they will pick up my bags at 7 30 am and then I have transport to Universal at 745. They do have some lockers at Universal, but they didn't fit my bags, and they would have to go through security, which would have been a pain. I did spring for a 1 day park to park with Express pass. I usually don't do things like this on airport day; hopefully it won't bite me in the butt. But whatever, I really need this vacation. Now Covid Delta needs to slow it's roll, and no hurricanes show up, and Southwest needs not to cancel..... ( unless it's my last day, and then whee! extra day of vacay, and I don't have to rush to the airport). We will be there in a couple of weeks. I think in January you will have a good time, but if you are really into riding a lot of things, you might not feel you get your money's worth. Or just have a reason to come back!

 

[Cadiewampus]

Hi! I've never been to Universal Studios or Islands of Adventure as we are "Disney people" typically. On our trip in January, we will have a half day (more like 3/4 of a day) with no plans and I'd like to go to both parks.

There are several rides we want to do, but a lot we plan on skipping.
We do not plan to spend any time in the Harry Potter area, other than to do the rides.

With the express pass and the park hopper ticket, is this possible?

Its possible to do it but my guess is even though you don't plan too, you will spend more time than you think in Harry Potter area. The theming is nothing short of fabulous

 

[bchbetha]

I have a 730 PM flight on our last day and my granddaughter and I are going; mostly for the Harry Potter Stuff, as she is a big fan. She's 8 years old and not tall enough for the big coasters/and has no interest in anything really adventurous. So we will spend most of our time in Harry Potter areas and in Seuss land. She says she want to go on Grigotts and Hagrids, we will see when we get there. My big worry is that she WILL want to do it and I wont fit in the seat. I"m a little pooh sized, and right on the border where they say on their website if you will fit. We plan to be there park open to about 4:30pm. If I had planned better I would have moved our last night to a Universal hotel, and made things easier. As it is I had to pay 50$ to have someone pick up my luggage and take it to luggage storage at MCO, so I wouldn't have to come back to hotel to get bags. I had thought I could drop bags early, but they only let you do that 4 hours early. So they will pick up my bags at 7 30 am and then I have transport to Universal at 745. They do have some lockers at Universal, but they didn't fit my bags, and they would have to go through security, which would have been a pain. I did spring for a 1 day park to park with Express pass. I usually don't do things like this on airport day; hopefully it won't bite me in the butt. But whatever, I really need this vacation. Now Covid Delta needs to slow it's roll, and no hurricanes show up, and Southwest needs not to cancel..... ( unless it's my last day, and then whee! extra day of vacay, and I don't have to rush to the airport). We will be there in a couple of weeks. I think in January you will have a good time, but if you are really into riding a lot of things, you might not feel you get your money's worth. Or just have a reason to come back!

One positive at Universal is that families can wait together in line all the way until loading and ineligible riders (height, weight, health...) can bail right at loading. So, if you’re ok being with her right before and right after the ride- she just rides solo- then it’s an option so she can do it. Each kiddo is different but mine were ok with that.

 

[CAPSLOCK]

You should be able to hit most / all of the major rides with EP in most of a day.

Unless you're a huge fan, skip Shrek & probably Minions as they are time sucks. Shrek more so. I would also skip Jimmy Fallon, Dudley flume, and Popeyes barges. The latter two because you will be absolutely soaked - if you don't mind, go for it! Jurassic Park river ride will get you somewhat wet but not soaked, plus is more of an adventure, so do try to go on that.