Help with planning a trip? September?

[lenshanem]

Looking at going September 20th (Monday) or the 21st.
Our school has a week break then. Thoughts on crowds levels by that point?
Anyone with Universal experience know if a Monday or Tuesday would be better? We won't be staying onsite, but rather using our DVC so no early entry for us. This would be a quick cheap trip specifically to see HP.

Also, debating on if we should go to both parks. We go to Disney ALOT, but our girls have never been to Universal and it has been pre IOA days since my DH and I have been. They're tween age, but won't do the really super extreme roller coasters. Any thoughts? Do you need the park hopper option or would a two day ticket suffice?

Thanks!

 

[Metro West]

Looking at going September 20th (Monday) or the 21st.
Our school has a week break then. Thoughts on crowds levels by that point?
Anyone with Universal experience know if a Monday or Tuesday would be better? We won't be staying onsite, but rather using our DVC so no early entry for us. This would be a quick cheap trip specifically to see HP.

Also, debating on if we should go to both parks. We go to Disney ALOT, but our girls have never been to Universal and it has been pre IOA days since my DH and I have been. They're tween age, but won't do the really super extreme roller coasters. Any thoughts? Do you need the park hopper option or would a two day ticket suffice?

Thanks!

The crowds shouldn't be too bad during that time in September and since you'd be going during the week, the crowds will be at their lowest. You can purchase the one day-two park ticket that includes park hopping on the Universal website. If you decided to stay longer, you can upgrade the tickets at the parks. You might to play it by ear to see if you will need more time.

 

[lenshanem]

Thanks!
OUCH! Just looked at September's hours. Both parks close at 6!
Are they doable with that little time?
Think those hours will change?

 

[skifast22]

There's a reason the parks close at 6:00...they are usually empty that time of year. My past 3 trips to Disney and Universal has been in September. The universal parks have always been empty on the weekdays. I will say this year is a bit of an unknown because of the new Harry Potter land, but I suspect once school starts even that area will be manageable.

Doing both parks is manageable, especially if you skip the biggest coasters. But be warned, the beauty of Universal is the attention to detail, much like it is at Disney. Trying to complete both parks in about 9 hours, your bound to miss out on that, even during a slow time of year.

 

[Metro West]

Doing both parks is manageable, especially if you skip the biggest coasters. But be warned, the beauty of Universal is the attention to detail, much like it is at Disney. Trying to complete both parks in about 9 hours, your bound to miss out on that, even during a slow time of year.

Thanks!
OUCH! Just looked at September's hours. Both parks close at 6!
Are they doable with that little time?
Think those hours will change?

The hours can always change and I think if the HP crowds stay steady throughout August and early September, IOA's hours might change to 7pm or so...but probably not any later.

 

[lenshanem]

What about just buying a two day no park to park ticket?

It looks like Universal actually has more my girls might be interested in, I'm assuming we can easily do the park in September in one day, do you think we might actually end up with too much time left over even with it closing at 6?

As far as IOA, it looks like my girls are kinda in between ages for most stuff other than HP. Am I wrong here? Looks like either extreme coasters or kiddie Dr. Suess stuff. Thoughts? If we really took our time exploring HP and ate at 3 Broomsticks I guess we could make a day of it? Course, if we had the park to park we could skip back over to Universal.

I feel so clueless! I don't want to spend money that wasn't necessary.

Thanks so much!

 

[Metro West]

What about just buying a two day no park to park ticket?

It looks like Universal actually has more my girls might be interested in, I'm assuming we can easily do the park in September in one day, do you think we might actually end up with too much time left over even with it closing at 6?

As far as IOA, it looks like my girls are kinda in between ages for most stuff other than HP. Am I wrong here? Looks like either extreme coasters or kiddie Dr. Suess stuff. Thoughts? If we really took our time exploring HP and ate at 3 Broomsticks I guess we could make a day of it? Course, if we had the park to park we could skip back over to Universal.

I feel so clueless! I don't want to spend money that wasn't necessary.

Thanks so much!

If you're thinking the Studios may be more to your liking, you could probably do that park in a single day in September. You wouldn't need to park hop unless you really wanted to see WWoHP too. Again...you can always upgrade at the parks when you arrive so I wouldn't spend too much time worrying about it right now. Just know that's an option for you.

I think what you need to do is decide which park will be better for your family and then go from there. Make sense?

 

[ahill004]

lenshanem - I can help you with what I suggest. I also have two little (6 and 4). We have been to both parks many times (and Disney every year). One of my girls is very tall and one very short. Both are adventure seekers. If you can tell me a little bit about your girls and what they like, their size, etc... I can help you with what I think is your best bang for your buck. Feel free to im me if you don't want to post that info on the board!

 

[CharlieGrl]

Went last year, 3rd week of September. Longest wait was 20 minutes or so. We went on a Monday and that's the only day I have been there so I can't tell you if Tuesday is better or not.

Personally I think it's really hard to do both parks in one day. I was able to get in most all of Universal Studios and only 1/3 of the UOA. But my son was only 3 years old at the time so there was a lot of stopping and whatnot.

 

[lenshanem]

Thanks ahill004!

My girls are tween age and will ride EE at AK. One of them refuses to ride Rock N Roller, though. So, I'd say our family will ride about everything, except any super extreme coasters.

I'm now thinking Universal Studios on Monday, IOA on Tuesday and then leaving early that day to do MNSSHP that evening back at WDW. Don't know if this will work? The parks close at 6 regardless, but I'm guessing traffic will be a nightmare at that time? What do you think we'd be looking at?

If I'm looking at the rides correctly, it would seem my family would have more to do at Universal Studios and less to do at IOA. We really want to do HP, but after that is looks like mostly coasters or kiddie stuff in Dr. Seuss. Am I correct, or no?

So the park to park access can be added on after the fact?

Thanks everyone!

 

[ahill004]

lenshanem -

Ok, keeping in mind my girls will ride ANYTHING they are tall enough for - including the Dr. Seuss stuff at IOA, I would say check out both parks - one per day. You could definitley do IOA on tues, with MNSHHP in the evening. We did that one year as well. However, that was before HP and we also didn't take advantage of the the 4:00 entry into MK before the party started bc we stayed at IOA until 5:30 or so.
I personally think the Dr. Seuss area of IOA is amazingly detailed. If there is any chance your kids would ride the Dr. Seuss rides I would take them through that area. The Cat in the Hat is actually really fun - much better than a lot of the slower kids rides at WDW.
Also, if your kids are tall enough to do the water rides and they are ok with getting wet there are 3 of them in IOA that DD6 loves! (She is totally fearless). The Jurassic Park water ride is fun - if they will ride Dinosaur at AK they will like JP! There is a large dino at the end! And the Spiderman ride at the park is really cool. That is a definitely don't miss!
I don't know how you feel about 3-D stuff but we took our little ones to Terminator (which is a great 3-D show - but much more intense than we thought going in with the kids at their young ages).
I like Universal too but we actually like IOA a bit more. I think stuff is much tamer at Universal and my kids like the thrills!
Oh! And if they like characters there are plenty of them at both parks. Spiderman is a great character to meet since he talks to you and spends a good deal of time with the kids! Even my girls love him!
I think you will be pleasantly surprised by IOA with kids that are willing to ride some of the more thrilling rides. (Of course DH likes the Hulk and Dueling Dragons but my girls are too short and I am not about to try either of them)!
I will warn you though - it will be a long day if you try and do IOA and the MNSHHP in the same day. We've done it. It was exhausting but doable.

Oh - and eat lunch at Mythos in IOA! It is fantastic!
If I can answer anything else let me know! We will be there the week before you guys!

 

[lenshanem]

Thanks sooo much ahill004. That was extremely helpful!

 

[pilesoflaundry]

We didn't go to UO in Sept last year but the exact same week you are talking last year we were in Disney and Seaworld and it was really quiet. I was worried about seaworld closing early but it didn't matter.

It's the first month of school for many districts and it's hurricane season so it's pretty calm down there. UO may be more crowded than the rest of Orlando because of HP but I still think you will be fine.