Help With One Day Itinerary - Both Parks and Expresspass

[Melissy9]

Hello all,

I am hoping you could help me out with my one day at U/S and IOA with my husband, daughter 11 and son 7. We are heading there on Sunday March 11th we have both park tickets and fastpasses. I know it is not enough time to do it all, but we will skip the major thrill rides/coasters (except HP ones). We are Harry Potter fans (but only I am a huge thrill seeker). With that said here is what we are thinking...

Arrive at U/S by 8:15:

Head to Diagon Alley at opening, do Gringotts and Olivanders/get wands then take the Hogwarts Express to IOA. (Honeydukes now or later???)

Do the Forbidden Journey, Flight of the Hippogriff, Pteranodon Flyers and 3 Broomsticks for lunch. Perhaps stop for a Butterbeer along the way...

Hopefully catch some HP shows?? Frog Choir and ?
While on IOA do Spiderman, Jurassic Park and maybe check out Seuss landing (maybe?)

Then take the Hogwarts Express back to U/S to do Men in Black, Simpsons, ET, Spongebob store, Woodywoodpecker, then head over to Minions, Shrek, Transformers and Jimmy Fallon.

Possibly head back to Diagon to play with the wands, write a letter at owl post, eat supper at the Leaky Cauldron, maybe some ice cream at Florean Fortescues.

Is this too ambitious???

 

[macraven]

If you are driving to uo that day, leave early as using the parking garage can eat up a lot of time

Security before entering city walk is well operated and will not take a lot of time

If you are using Uber or taxi to the parks, leave early enough so you can be at the park at 8:00

Universalorlando.com
Check out the park map so you know in advance locations of Potter and other park rides

Also, park hours and entertainment times will be listed

 

[bobbie68]

Hello all,

I am hoping you could help me out with my one day at U/S and IOA with my husband, daughter 11 and son 7. We are heading there on Sunday March 11th we have both park tickets and fastpasses. I know it is not enough time to do it all, but we will skip the major thrill rides/coasters (except HP ones). We are Harry Potter fans (but only I am a huge thrill seeker). With that said here is what we are thinking...

Arrive at U/S by 8:15:

Head to Diagon Alley at opening, do Gringotts and Olivanders/get wands then take the Hogwarts Express to IOA. (Honeydukes now or later???)

Do the Forbidden Journey, Flight of the Hippogriff, Pteranodon Flyers and 3 Broomsticks for lunch. Perhaps stop for a Butterbeer along the way...

Hopefully catch some HP shows?? Frog Choir and ?
While on IOA do Spiderman, Jurassic Park and maybe check out Seuss landing (maybe?)

Then take the Hogwarts Express back to U/S to do Men in Black, Simpsons, ET, Spongebob store, Woodywoodpecker, then head over to Minions, Shrek, Transformers and Jimmy Fallon.

Possibly head back to Diagon to play with the wands, write a letter at owl post, eat supper at the Leaky Cauldron, maybe some ice cream at Florean Fortescues.

Is this too ambitious???

Hi since you will have the express pass should help you get done what you want for rides. I don't think it is too ambitious and you have a plan in place. However, things happen and you may find yourself running out of time. I would prioritize your list, this way if you find yourself running out of time you still did your most important things.

We usually start in Diagon Alley also and do the same things as you are suggesting to do.
When you get over to IOA from the studios in the morning from the Hogwarts Express I would do all the HP stuff first.

I know when I start looking in shops I find the time gets away from me.

I love the HP restaurants but just make sure you keep track of time. Three Broomsticks can get very crowded for lunch times. We eat there every visit and try to be in line by 11:30-11:45. If you don't want to wait then I would think about 1:30 for it to be dying down.

I would fit in butter beer stops and Florean's for ice cream. It is a must do for us every visit. We really like the Leaky Cauldron also. Once again your busy times start about 5:00 till about 6:30 just something to think about. Tip if you want butter beer in Hogsmeade go into the Hogs Head Pub it is much quicker then the carts outside.

I like the Hogwarts Express both ways since it is a different experience. Seuss Landing area is really cool to see.

I think you have a great variety of rides to do in your plan. We don't do Shrek anymore or Simpsons but the rest we do and enjoy.

We hate carrying small things all day. We do carry a small back pack in and fit what we can. As far as Honeydukes and other shopping we wait till the end of the day. However, we do stop in Honeydukes while we are in Hogsmeade if we are going to eat the stuff now.

Enjoy your day!

 

[macraven]

Peeps that do day trips can still shop during the day and have their purchases sent to the front store to be held for them

This way you don’t have to carry them with you all day in the parks

All stores allow this perk

This service stops an hour or more prior to park closing

 

[bobbie68]

Peeps that do day trips can still shop during the day and have their purchases sent to the front store to be held for them

This way you don’t have to carry them with you all day in the parks

All stores allow this perk

This service stops an hour or more prior to park closing

Thanks! that's good to know. I have always stayed on-site and have things sent to my room the day before I check out.