Harry Potter attractions in 1 day

[kgould01]

Is it possible to ride all the Harry Potter rides in both parks in one day if you get a 1 day park hopper ticket (and ride Hogwarts Express between the parks) and stay on property so you can get in early and have the basic express pass with your tickets? This includes the new roller coaster. Is it possible to add in a few non-Harry Potter rides as well?

 

[22Tink]

Is it possible to ride all the Harry Potter rides in both parks in one day if you get a 1 day park hopper ticket (and ride Hogwarts Express between the parks) and stay on property so you can get in early and have the basic express pass with your tickets? This includes the new roller coaster. Is it possible to add in a few non-Harry Potter rides as well?

We went in 2015 and had no problems riding all the HP rides in both parks as well as a bunch of other rides even with no express pass or early entry. I’m hoping to accomplish the same when we’re there in 2 weeks. Of course now there’s Hagrid’s ride and it seems to be a little hit and miss so I’m hoping to be lucky and get to ride it! We have the express pass this time so that should hopefully save time on the other rides and allow us more time for standing in line for Hagrid, since we can’t use the express pass on that one yet.

 

[MyHappyPlace17]

Staying onsite, taking advantage of early entry and utilizing Express Pass (either purchasing or included for no extra charge at the original 3 resorts) you can definitely do everything Harry Potter and much, much more. The last time we went we only had one day and we did everything Harry Potter at both parks, Hulk, Spiderman, Kong, Jurassic Park, Transformers, Men in Black, ET, Simpsons and Mummy and ate lunch at Three Broomsticks. You won't have time for every attraction at both parks obviously but you can do a lot. I think the only sticking point will be the new Hagrid's coaster since there's no Express Pass yet and the lines are going to be quite long for some time yet.

 

[Disxuni]

A lot of people are reporting that if they use their time to wait first thing in the morning (before and during the EE period) to wait for Hagrid's to open that they get off the ride around 9:30 if all goes well. While you're waiting just as long (perhaps longer in some cases) you're at least guaranteed a ride since you'll be one of the first herds of people, but I heard people do try to get ahead and run, but I wouldn't worry too much about it.

That being said, if you, however, prefer to utilize the unlimited EP that's included with select hotels and EE, you can definitely be able to cover Harry Potter easily and like @MyHappyPlace17 said so much more. I did it all the time without EP and EE when I had AP.

 

[mickeyluv'r]

Yes, with the possible exception of the new Hagrid's ride if it is stormy all day or encounters some other issue that day.

I agree with others, you'll likely be able to do MUCH more than just HP.

It does depend a little how long you spend looking at every little detail. There are many details to see, but like museums, some people linger and some don't.

It also depends how much time you devote to getting/using a wand, and/or watching others use their wands. If at first you don't get picked at one of the Olivander's, you can try again at the other one. Or you can just buy a wand without seeing the show at all, but it is fun. If you are just going to US one time, maybe not worthwhile to get a wand. I haven't priced recently, but they used to run $50-ish. If you get one, it is good forever. If it stops working, they will replace. Fun, but pricey unless you plan to use it many times.

Bonus: just like WDW, If at the end of the day you decide you haven't had enough, Universal will let you upgrade your ticket to a 2 day or even an AP.

 

[RamblingMad]

Is it possible to ride all the Harry Potter rides in both parks in one day if you get a 1 day park hopper ticket (and ride Hogwarts Express between the parks) and stay on property so you can get in early and have the basic express pass with your tickets? This includes the new roller coaster. Is it possible to add in a few non-Harry Potter rides as well?

Every ride except for Hagrid’s. The line is a 180 minute wait. I skipped it.

I rode Gringott’s yesterday via single rider twice in a half hour around 9ish. Forbidden Journey was almost a walk on around 10ish.

 

[skylock]

Is it possible to ride all the Harry Potter rides in both parks in one day if you get a 1 day park hopper ticket (and ride Hogwarts Express between the parks) and stay on property so you can get in early and have the basic express pass with your tickets? This includes the new roller coaster. Is it possible to add in a few non-Harry Potter rides as well?

If you stay in a hotel that gives express pass, it will be the unlimited express pass variety.

If you have the unlimited express pass, you should be able to do all of HP areas and still do a lot of other park stuff.

The only unknown is how long you will have to wait for the new ride.

 

[PantherPete]

Is it possible to ride all the Harry Potter rides in both parks in one day if you get a 1 day park hopper ticket (and ride Hogwarts Express between the parks) and stay on property so you can get in early and have the basic express pass with your tickets? This includes the new roller coaster. Is it possible to add in a few non-Harry Potter rides as well?

There's only 5 rides including the train. And you'll have EP. So truthfully, you should have more than enough time to ride all 5 and still have plenty of time left over to do other things or ride the HP rides multiple times.

 

[PrincessWithABlaster]

Another thing to be aware of is that there are shows in the HP areas that are worth seeing also. If your family is really into HP, you may want to spend time watching those instead of other things in the park. Just an option.

 

[tnd]

We were able to do everything in one day in February (though the new ride was not open), including lunch at Three Broomsticks and buying wands and watching the show. We did have the express pass from our hotel and it really helped. We also hit a few non HP rides in Seussland for our 4 year old.