Help! Can this be done in 1 day?

[4luv2cdisney]

I'm sorry! I'm sure you get these questions every day! I've read through some stuff, but need to decide today how many days (if any) we will be spending at Universal/IoA.

My girls will be 15 and 11 at trip time. They do not typically ride rollercoasters. We have been to Disney a lot and they will not ride Tower of Terror, Rockin Rollercoaster, and we had to bribe them onto Everest. They prefer shows, "scenic" rides, etc. That being said, they want to see the Harry Potter area at IoA and have agreed to to at least try some things and are possibly interested in:

FJ
Spiderman
MIB
ET
Shrek
Transformers

If the weather is nice, we may get them on the water rides.

This can easily be done in 1 day, right?!!?

Is there anything I'm missing that might be a good addition to this list?

Are any of these really terrifying (for those who aren't into thrill rides)? We actually went before (maybe 8 years ago) and the kids rode Spiderman and then didn't want to ride any of the other rides - too scared!! We then spent most of the day in the Suess area and I really don't remember much else about it. They are willing to try again, since they are older.

We are planning on doing our usual Disney stuff and staying on Disney property, so we really only have time for 1 day. They better love this place because it will be over $500 for us to visit for just 1 day! EEK!

 

[Metro West]

When are you visiting? A lot will depend on the crowds.

 

[4luv2cdisney]

We are traveling Thanksgiving week. It looks like we will have either the day before or the day after Thanksgiving open for our Universal/IoA day.

 

[hermionesnape]

We are traveling Thanksgiving week. It looks like we will have either the day before or the day after Thanksgiving open for our Universal/IoA day.

If those are the two days to choose from I would got on Wednesday not Friday.

But if at all possible I would go on actual Turkey day. Sounds like you will be in town anyway and to fit two parks in one day the lines will be much quicker. My family went two years ago thanksgiving week and reports that the crowds were quite heavy expect on Thanksgiving Day. They said it was about half the amount of people and lines were much smaller.

 

[Akwafunk]

Should be doable - I always stay on site so do express lines, which makes one way more efficient.

I'd add Despicable Me and The Simpsons to your list.

I'll also say, that trying to hit two parks in one day will turn it into a bit of a route march. But Disney Lovers seem to always want to do this. Why not give yourselves a chance to actually enjoy the place?

 

[4luv2cdisney]

If those are the two days to choose from I would got on Wednesday not Friday.

But if at all possible I would go on actual Turkey day. Sounds like you will be in town anyway and to fit two parks in one day the lines will be much quicker. My family went two years ago thanksgiving week and reports that the crowds were quite heavy expect on Thanksgiving Day. They said it was about half the amount of people and lines were much smaller.

Really?! That would be perfect!

We just assumed we were better off staying out of any park on Thanksgiving day. We've only gone into the parks on Thanksgiving Day once. We went to HS, but we had a private ride from Disney right up to an entrance and were given a few any ride / anytime fastpasses, so that was not a typical experience.

 

[Bean786]

It can be done. Might need to buy express passes though.

Are you staying on site?

You need to get there before it opens to enjoy HP land.

 

[4luv2cdisney]

It can be done. Might need to buy express passes though.

Are you staying on site?

You need to get there before it opens to enjoy HP land.

I am not willing to spend more (for express passes) than it is already costing. We are staying on Disney property and Disney is our main priority. Every trip we try and throw in something "extra". A beach day, Sea World, Universal, water park... Just something we don't usually do every trip.

I assumed the wait to ride FJ would be long, but if it is really likely that we will be unable to ride 6 - 8 rides in a full day, then I think we will save the $500 and skip it! I guess HP has really changed things. The last time we visited, we were done and gone before dinner time.

If anyone else has any input on visiting the parks on Thanksgiving day, I would appreciate it. If that is our best chance at lower crowds, we will try that. In which case, I'd love a recommendation on where to eat Thanksgiving dinner. I remember not enjoying the counter service much last trip, but eating at a "pub" type place that was a little pricier and had decent food....

Thanks

 

[Akwafunk]

according to another planning site that keeps a very detailed crowd calendar, Wednesday and Thursday of T'Giving week are Moderate on crowds, and the Friday is Busy.

here is that same site's wait times for Moderate days

FJ - 45
Now. if you get there at rope drop and haul for that end of the park, you will probably get through in, 20 minutes, perhaps. less if you're willing to go single rider.
SPidey - 45


despicable me - 45
MIB - 30
shrek - 25
Simpsons - 35

Those might give you some ideas on times. And add in the walking around between, etc.