Half-ish Day Plan for HP obsessed 1st timers

[jwolfpack]

My 9 near old just finished reading all the HP books (she's obsessed! so am I!), so we decided to add a half day at Universal to our upcoming Disney trip. We will drive in on Sat 2/25 and stay 1 night at Cabana Bay to take advantage of EE. I am planning to buy 1 day park-to-park tickets to use on Sun 2/26 for my daughter and myself only. My husband and 2 younger boys will head on over to Disney while my daughter and I spend the morning doing all things HP. My goal is for her and I to make it to Disney (via Uber) in time for the 3PM Festival of Fantasy Parade in MK. She's too short to ride Dueling Dragons and we can take or leave the Flight of the Hippogriff.

Touring Plans shows crowd level 3 for 2/26, however Orlando Informer says "busy". I'm not sure which to trust. I'm thinking the Mardi Gras evening events may be influencing? EE is at IOA that day.

Tentative plan...
7:30 - arrive at gates
8:00 - Forbidden Journey, in line for Hogwart's Express
9:00 - Escape from Gringotts, Ollivander's (she wants to try the wand ceremony) to get Interactive wand
10:00 - Explore shops / use interactive wand in Diagon Alley / London themed area
11:00 - Hogwarts Express back to Hogsmeade, lunch at Three Broomsticks
12:00 - Explore shops / use interactive wand in Hogsmeade, Hogwart's Castle touring line
1:30 - Leave park to catch Uber for Disney

Questions...
1. Does this seem reasonable? Any suggestions for changes?

2. Is there more we could reasonably expect to accomplish in the 8:00 EE hour and still catch the first HE to US? Would we have time to get wand at Ollivander's in Hogsmeade after FJ before lining up for HE?

3. Does leaving Universal by 1:30 seem too early, too late, or just right for getting INSIDE MK gates by 3?

 

[gotomu212]

Some of these times seem a little tight (an hour to get through Gringotts and Ollivanders in the morning hasn't been my experienc but it's hard to say it will or won't be moving along).

The Hogwarts castle line is basically the same line you go through for FJ so you don't really need to repeat it. We just walk a little slowly or stop and let others go around us if FJ line is moving too quickly.

Just my personal opinion but if I paid for park to park and it was my first visit to Universal I'd go ahead and enjoy some additional time at the park. There are some fantastic areas and rides and you could make it a special mom/daughter day and she can ride some of the more "grown up rides" that younger brothers can't.

 

[Seeker615]

Yes I am with the poster above! Universal is such an amazing place. There are some great attraction in both parks. It seems a shame to miss all that there is to offer. Plus with 2 sections of Harry Potter things to see and do you might want to really take your time and enjoy them rather then rush through it all.

 

[schumigirl]

Oh my that is a tight time frame!

You can easily spend a few hours wandering around Diagonal Alley alone.........isn't there any way you could extend and at least make it a whole day?

Seems such a shame to rush through it all so quickly.

 

[chabs]

My 9 near old just finished reading all the HP books (she's obsessed! so am I!), so we decided to add a half day at Universal to our upcoming Disney trip. We will drive in on Sat 3/25 and stay 1 night at Cabana Bay to take advantage of EE. I am planning to buy 1 day park-to-park tickets to use on Sun 3/26 for my daughter and myself only. My husband and 2 younger boys will head on over to Disney while my daughter and I spend the morning doing all things HP. My goal is for her and I to make it to Disney (via Uber) in time for the 3PM Festival of Fantasy Parade in MK. She's too short to ride Dueling Dragons and we can take or leave the Flight of the Hippogriff.

Touring Plans shows crowd level 3 for 3/26, however Orlando Informer says "busy". I'm not sure which to trust. I'm thinking the Mardi Gras evening events may be influencing? EE is at IOA that day.

Tentative plan...
7:30 - arrive at gates
8:00 - Forbidden Journey, in line for Hogwart's Express
9:00 - Escape from Gringotts, Ollivander's (she wants to try the wand ceremony) to get Interactive wand
10:00 - Explore shops / use interactive wand in Diagon Alley / London themed area
11:00 - Hogwarts Express back to Hogsmeade, lunch at Three Broomsticks
12:00 - Explore shops / use interactive wand in Hogsmeade, Hogwart's Castle touring line
1:30 - Leave park to catch Uber for Disney

Questions...
1. Does this seem reasonable? Any suggestions for changes?

2. Is there more we could reasonably expect to accomplish in the 8:00 EE hour and still catch the first HE to US? Would we have time to get wand at Ollivander's in Hogsmeade after FJ before lining up for HE?

3. Does leaving Universal by 1:30 seem too early, too late, or just right for getting INSIDE MK gates by 3?

I'll be the first to say NO WAY are you going to get through all that with the crowds in March. Expect the line to be an hour long by the time you get to Gringotts at 9, if not longer. Then probably another 1/2 hour or more at Ollivanders. One thing you might not expect is that you are going to run into lines of people when you go to use the wands and it is very time consuming. It took us 3 hours to do the wands at both parks at night one a day when it wasn't even crowded and we didn't even get to finish (I say at night because the crowds are much less in the HP areas after about 6). Once it hits 10AM, HP areas will be mobbed. By 11 the Hogwarts express line will probably be about 45 minutes, then wait until you see the lines at the 3 Broomsticks (prob another 30-45 minutes). I would seriously consider staying for the day, or if you have to go to a parade, come back and do the wands at night.

 

[bchbetha]

Just plan to spend the whole day there. You really won't regret it! It is better than a parade at MK.
We probably spent 45 minutes in Ollivanders- show twice (hoping to get picked) plus wand shopping. Then there was spell practicing. Every other store was at least at 20 minute browse. There is just so, so much to see and do and you'll feel crazy rushed if you shove it into a few hours.

 

[jwolfpack]

Some of these times seem a little tight (an hour to get through Gringotts and Ollivanders in the morning hasn't been my experienc but it's hard to say it will or won't be moving along).

The Hogwarts castle line is basically the same line you go through for FJ so you don't really need to repeat it. We just walk a little slowly or stop and let others go around us if FJ line is moving too quickly.

Just my personal opinion but if I paid for park to park and it was my first visit to Universal I'd go ahead and enjoy some additional time at the park. There are some fantastic areas and rides and you could make it a special mom/daughter day and she can ride some of the more "grown up rides" that younger brothers can't.

Thanks for input! I had assumed we'd be rushed through FJ line if we go there first, but you're totally right, we could just let people pass. I'm a photo junkie too though, so wanting pics was another factor in considering a second trip through Hogwarts.

Good point on taking advantage of full mother / daughter day and giving other areas of Universal a chance. We love Disney SO MUCH (it's hard to imagone loving Universal as much), and I'm torn between wanting special time with my daughter and not wanting to miss my 3 year old's first reaction to his hero of all heros, Mickey.

 

[jwolfpack]

I'll be the first to say NO WAY are you going to get through all that with the crowds in March. Expect the line to be an hour long by the time you get to Gringotts at 9, if not longer. Then probably another 1/2 hour or more at Ollivanders. One thing you might not expect is that you are going to run into lines of people when you go to use the wands and it is very time consuming. It took us 3 hours to do the wands at both parks at night one a day when it wasn't even crowded and we didn't even get to finish (I say at night because the crowds are much less in the HP areas after about 6). Once it hits 10AM, HP areas will be mobbed. By 11 the Hogwarts express line will probably be about 45 minutes, then wait until you see the lines at the 3 Broomsticks (prob another 30-45 minutes). I would seriously consider staying for the day, or if you have to go to a parade, come back and do the wands at night.

Thanks for input! Our dates are actually in Feb, not March - my mistake in the original post. Not sure if that makes a difference.

We definitely don't have to make the parade...it was just a first pass goal because it's my 3 year old's most favorite thing ever and I didn't want to miss his reaction to seeing it. Not going to rush over there at the expense of not fully experiencing HP though.

Thanks for inputs on times, I didn't factor in HE and 3 Broomsticks taking so long....

 

[jwolfpack]

Can anyone comment on whether we have a chance of doing the wand show at Ollivander's in Hogsmeade after FJ and before catching the first ride on the Hogwart's Express?

 

[johde]

Can anyone comment on whether we have a chance of doing the wand show at Ollivander's in Hogsmeade after FJ and before catching the first ride on the Hogwart's Express?

The biggest thing is there is only 1 room in Hogsmeade vs. multiple rooms in Diagon Alley. So, most likely, you're wait will be shorter for Olliander's at Diagon Alley.

 

[freewill]

Echoing the above, I strongly recommend giving it more time. It truly is an experience for a HP fan to savor. Rushing through it may be more frustrating than fun for your daughter. At least that would have been the case for our first UO visit last year!

 

[sunsetbeachgal]

Echoing the above, I strongly recommend giving it more time. It truly is an experience for a HP fan to savor. Rushing through it may be more frustrating than fun for your daughter. At least that would have been the case for our first UO visit last year!

Agree 100%!! We went with two granddaughters in November (ages 8 and 11), and couldn't believe how much time the girls wanted to spend in Diagon Alley. They loved wandering around, there is entertainment off and on and they loved the interactive wand stations. It is not a good plan to try to rush around with your little HP fan, let her enjoy it at her own pace without pressure to get back to WDW.

 

[glocon]

The HP areas at UO are so incredibly themed, you will be in awe!!! And Knockturn Alley- wow!
And watch for Kreacher in the window at Number 12 Grimmauld Place. So much to see and do- a HP fans dream come true!!!

 

[macraven]

If you do the wand show before the park officially opens, it won't be as crowded

could be tight to do your schedule above but give it your best shot to cover as much as possible



have a fantastic day at the darkside!