Help 2 day offsite trip Thanksgiving week for newbies

[scrapbooksellman]

My husband, adult friend and our 2 teens are going to Universal Nov. 20-21. We are staying at disney so they will be driving over. No early entrance or express pass. one park per day tickets

I need help making them a plan. I used a website that does plans (not sure I am allowed to mention other sites). The plan suggest small wait time.I feel like this is wrong for the time of year.


Thrill rides, Potter all must dos


Any suggestions on how to tour?

 

[bchbetha]

No chance at all that they could book a room for the 20th? Express Passes for the whole crew from check in to check out day- that’d cover the 20-21st. They can show up bright and early on the 20th to enjoy early entry and Express Passes. It’s pretty great and a nice way to do the parks.
Otherwise, I’d tell them they have to be arriving at the garage or drop off point if doing something like Uber an hour before opening.
I’d start with Diagon Alley.
They should plan to make a list of 3-5 must dos and tackle them before crowds really build. End the day with Harry Potter stuff bc those areas are fabulous at night.
But do consider that mini- holiday of stayinga night onsite. It really is worth it.

 

[Claire82013]

If you are not using express, definitely try to do Potter stuff first. It shouldn't start building a crazy line until later on in the day. So for Universal, go straight to Diagon Alley and ride Gringotts first thing. You will not be able to ride the hogwarts express with one park per day tickets. After Gringotts, I would suggest doing the wand show in Diagon Alley since lines move faster here compared to IoA. I would then save all the HP shopping for later in the day and try to get a Jimmy Fallon ride return ticket, then hit Transformers, RipRideRockit, and the Mummy next. Simpsons and Men in Black can also develop quite the line as well. Wait to do Despicable Me or Shrek towards the end of the day since people go in the park and straight to this.

For IoA, do the same thing, but hit forbidden journey first (go through Suess Landing), then I would suggest riding Kong, Hulk, Spiderman, the water rides in Toon Lagoon, Jurassic Park River Adventure, and close with anything in Suess Landing. You can hit the harry potter shops in Hogsmeade any time of day.

Also be mindful that Leaky Cauldron and Three Broomsticks can get crowded. But honestly, since you'll be there before Thanksgiving break proper, I would think lines would be quite low. Even in late June, I never saw anything go above 60 minutes, even Kong.

 

[scrapbooksellman]

Thanks that is very helpful!

If you are not using express, definitely try to do Potter stuff first. It shouldn't start building a crazy line until later on in the day. So for Universal, go straight to Diagon Alley and ride Gringotts first thing. You will not be able to ride the hogwarts express with one park per day tickets. After Gringotts, I would suggest doing the wand show in Diagon Alley since lines move faster here compared to IoA. I would then save all the HP shopping for later in the day and try to get a Jimmy Fallon ride return ticket, then hit Transformers, RipRideRockit, and the Mummy next. Simpsons and Men in Black can also develop quite the line as well. Wait to do Despicable Me or Shrek towards the end of the day since people go in the park and straight to this.

For IoA, do the same thing, but hit forbidden journey first (go through Suess Landing), then I would suggest riding Kong, Hulk, Spiderman, the water rides in Toon Lagoon, Jurassic Park River Adventure, and close with anything in Suess Landing. You can hit the harry potter shops in Hogsmeade any time of day.

Also be mindful that Leaky Cauldron and Three Broomsticks can get crowded. But honestly, since you'll be there before Thanksgiving break proper, I would think lines would be quite low. Even in late June, I never saw anything go above 60 minutes, even Kong.

 

[scrapbooksellman]

We are booked at Disney so can't stay onsite at Universal. We are driving so will be there before opening.

Thanks for the ideas.

No chance at all that they could book a room for the 20th? Express Passes for the whole crew from check in to check out day- that’d cover the 20-21st. They can show up bright and early on the 20th to enjoy early entry and Express Passes. It’s pretty great and a nice way to do the parks.
Otherwise, I’d tell them they have to be arriving at the garage or drop off point if doing something like Uber an hour before opening.
I’d start with Diagon Alley.
They should plan to make a list of 3-5 must dos and tackle them before crowds really build. End the day with Harry Potter stuff bc those areas are fabulous at night.
But do consider that mini- holiday of stayinga night onsite. It really is worth it.

 

[bchbetha]

It is worth considering despite having other accommodations. If Express Passes are of interest at all, it really is worth it. You can stay at Disney- that room wouldn’t be wasted.

 

[xuxa777]

I agree express passes worth with even the cost of an unused room, it will be cheaper. My recommendation is ONE person buy a seasonal pass, and you can get the Royal Pacific or Portofino for $209 with annual pass discount. That will give all four express passes. If you bought the express passes without room you are looking at (135*4)x2 days = $1080.00 for everyone. So for less than the price of one express pass for two days everyone gets an express pass. Pretty much a no-brainer.

Plus you would get a room to chill out in or stay at if you didn't want to drive back to Disney and swimming pool access. With an express pass, you would have to enjoy some pool time.

Also, if you get a preferred annual pass instead of seasonal for the one person, you will get free parking and discounts on food and merch in the park and city walk. Parking alone will be 35 for two days and you will easily save more than the rest of the cost ($65) in discounts on food and merch over two days.