Help with plans for 1 day Potter-fest at Universal

[AUSyTyIN]

Similar to my other thread, I'm trying to do some pre-planning on how to approach rides at Universal. The only reason we are going to Universal is for the Harry Potter aspects. There are some other rides we are interested in, but they are a "since we are here" type. We are staying at the Hard Rock, so we will have early access to IoA (sorry if I'm using the wrong acronyms lol). I WAS planning on doing Hagrid's at rope drop, but that isn't possible now. Current early access options are Flight of the Hipogriff, Forbidden Journey, Velocicoaster, or Olivanders. Of those, which do you think is worth doing first thing of early access? It'd be nice if we could knock one out then hop in line for Hagrid's. Or would it be better to use the virtual line for Hagrid's and fill in the rest of the rides around that? We will have Expresspass Unlimited, if that matters for the sake of this question.

Another question I have is about interactive wands. To me it sounds like a little gimmick that would take time away from the main attractions. It almost feels like something that would you'd do if you had nothing else to do in the park. My wife and I have no desire to do this, but I'm not sure if our 9 and 5 year old boys would enjoy it. Thoughts?

 

[Captain Morgan Sparrow]

Rope drop velocicoaster if you are at all interested.

Then i’d go wait for hagrids to open.

express pass the rest.

get your breakfast at three broomsticks or leaky cauldron at your hotel ahead of time. I’d opt for as late a time as you can get.

 

[CAPSLOCK]

You have Express Passes from Hard Rock, so don't bother with Hippogriff or FJ during early entry.

We borrowed a wand for a trip. Some of the spells are harder to activate (could have been wand or user error...). There will usually be others around also doing spells so you see the effect ahead of time. This also means you can see the effects without having a wand, although the kids may want to do the spells themselves. And then you may be waiting for both kids to do each spell. We had fun doing them as 2 adults, but it was free & we had a longer trip. Personally, I would not do it on a 1 day trip. Browsing and looking in all the windows / absorbing details is a better use of time for us - of course, that may just be us.

 

[CAPSLOCK]

Depending on the time of year, Early Entry also may be the best time to simply explore Hogsmeade with fewest crowds.

 

[PrincessWithABlaster]

If you want to do Velocicoaster, do that in early entry. Express will get you on the other rides. You didn’t say when you’re going but currently on busy days if you get to the park before 7:30 to line up and walk quickly you can get on VC as a walk on. We were off the ride by 8:05 yesterday (they currently start letting people in at 7:45) and went to Hagrids immediately to line up. We would have waited a little over an hour but it was down first thing in the morning so we waited 90 mins. The other way to do Hagrid’s is end of the night before park close. That’s the lowest time we saw listed in the app (70 mins last night and we waited 75). Beware that Hagrid’s is still going down a lot so I wouldn’t make riding at close your plan A on a one day trip.

My kids are 9-13. They started doing spells 5 years ago and still love them and want to do them. The wands themselves are gimmicky and over priced but the spells in the windows are really neat and add a lot to the atmosphere. As others said, you see them ahead of time unless you do them during early entry or after park close. For a one day trip I wouldn’t prioritize them. But since you’re doing HP as highest priority, I would see how your kids feel about the spells over other rides and then decide. You should have some time. The other thing you can do is stay in Hogsmeade after park close (you need to already be in IOA though) - the spells stay active at least half an hour longer. We really enjoy that - there are a lot fewer people around and the feel is much more magical. You may be able to do that in Diagon Alley but I don’t know for sure. We weren’t in DA at close this week - they used to start moving you out as soon as the park closed.

 

[GinnyBear's_mom]

If you truly want to make it a 'Potter-fest' as you say in the title of the thread, you should do Olivander's and explore Hogsmeade during early entry. Express pass can't be used at Olivander's and once Hogsmeade opens during regular hours it gets flooded with people making it a challenge to really experience, some of the smaller shops can get very crowded- especially Honeydukes. You can get interactive wands cheaply on ebay (just make sure they are labeled interactive and come with a map) and if your kids love HP they will most likely want to do the spells. For 1 day they can share the wands.

 

[mom2rtk]

Hagrids right before closing seems like the best way to go right now. Still took us almost an hour though.

 

[mom2rtk]

If you truly want to make it a 'Potter-fest' as you say in the title of the thread, you should do Olivander's and explore Hogsmeade during early entry. Express pass can't be used at Olivander's and once Hogsmeade opens during regular hours it gets flooded with people making it a challenge to really experience, some of the smaller shops can get very crowded- especially Honeydukes. You can get interactive wands cheaply on ebay (just make sure they are labeled interactive and come with a map) and if your kids love HP they will most likely want to do the spells. For 1 day they can share the wands.

Agreed. Those streets get congested so fast and it’s much more pleasant early on. And that’s where the atmosphere is.

 

[GinnyBear's_mom]

And also to add- unless your 5 year old is very tall, he probably won't be able to ride Forbidden Journey, Hagrid's or Velocicoaster. While the queues are fun to go through, a 5 year old might not be as excited to see the theming in the line if they don't have the reward of actually going on the ride like everyone else. You can ask for the castle tour at FJ or the paddock tour at VC but there's no guarantee they have enough staff that day to give the tour.

 

[bchbetha]

I love this site for the full HP info- including one day sample itineraries https://orlandoinformer.com/universal/wizarding-world-harry-potter-insiders-guide/

Don't save any must do rides to the end of the day. Why? If it breaks down or has some problem then that's it- no chance.

Interactive wands? Heck yeah. And include the wand shopping at Ollivanders with kids your age. The wands help you explore more of the HP areas because the magic spots are spread out throughout the area. It's a good way to sightsee. The link I shared above has a lot of non wand spots that you will want to be sure and check out too. There are a lot of great Easter eggs throughout! Early entry for wands and generally just absorbing the areas is a pretty nice way to start the day, before the crowds arrive. Hogsmeade in IOA especially gets uncomfortably crowded some days.

 

[AUSyTyIN]

Thanks for all of the awesome replies! I should've mentioned from the beginning, we are going Jan 19th, a Wednesday, so the crowds should be light. The 5 year old is 41" as of a few months ago. Neither have ridden a rollercoaster before, but immediately prior to this day we are doing 3 days in DW, so I'm hoping that will warm them up to coasters. Also, I have 3 "open" days planned into the end of the trip where we could add a 2nd day at USF/IoF.

Rope drop velocicoaster if you are at all interested.

Then i’d go wait for hagrids to open.

express pass the rest.

get your breakfast at three broomsticks or leaky cauldron at your hotel ahead of time. I’d opt for as late a time as you can get.

We are interested in VC, but I'll have to see how the oldest does on coasters. Might be an adult only thing later in the evening.

You mention getting Three Broomsticks or Leaky Cauldron at the Hotel. I didn't know that was an option. How does that work? Is there a TB/LC restaurant in the hotel?

And also to add- unless your 5 year old is very tall, he probably won't be able to ride Forbidden Journey, Hagrid's or Velocicoaster. While the queues are fun to go through, a 5 year old might not be as excited to see the theming in the line if they don't have the reward of actually going on the ride like everyone else. You can ask for the castle tour at FJ or the paddock tour at VC but there's no guarantee they have enough staff that day to give the tour.

5 year old is too short for those, so I'd like to avoid doing two of those rides back to back. Being the younger of 2 sons, I know how he'll feel.

 

[Skywalker3]

We've done Universal with shorter kids, and also where 1 kid could ride a lot of stuff, and 1 could not. Definitely did a lot of splitting up to find things for the shorter one to do. Still lots of fun, but to not waste a lot of time, or have our son just standing around, we'd find other things for him to do while his sister rode the things he couldn't yet. (now he's a thrill ride seeker, once he finally got tall enough!)
Definitely look over the height requirements for everything. Express will help everyone get on/off most things, except Hagrid's and VC and Pterodon Flyers. I know you're doing a lot of HP, but Pterodon flyers might be something the younger son could do while his brother is doing other stuff?
If your younger son doesn't mind just walking the queues, he could definitely do that at FJ, but knowing he'll not get to ride it. There are waiting rooms for kid swaps, if you'll be taking turns riding. Plus there's Seussland not too far, and the shorter kid can spend time there. Not sure of the temps then , or if water elements are working, but one trip, just let the kids run around in those, get wet, etc.
Finally (after several trips) bought an interactive wand this past year, and it's SO fun. We love those types of things, like the old Agent P (please bring that back!) at Epcot, and the Pirate's adv at MK. Sometimes there can be a wait at each spot, like 2-4 folks, but maybe at that time of year, not too bad. You will have to carry the wands, put them in lockers for rides throughout the day, so keep that in mind.
Just walking around Diagon Alley/Hogsmeade is great. We love the ice cream at Florian's, the joke shop, etc. get some of those gross jellybeans and play that game. Also got a whoopie cushion from the joke shop, that is still hilarious....I really enjoy the train rides each way.
I think you have to prepay for Leaky Cauldron/Three Broomsticks breakfasts???? and I think that can be done from the hotel?? but lunch/dinner are regular QS lines.
We've been to Disney and Universal several times with shorties, and one kid not being able to ride what the older one can, so look over rides/height requirements, and have a plan to keep the younger one occupied, and it'll be fun! Hope y'all have a great trip!!

 

[AUSyTyIN]

You mentioned putting wands in lockers. I am going to bring a messenger bag to carry water, ponchos, snacks, etc. I was told by friends who have gone to DW and US in the past that this was the way to do it, since you could either put it at your feet or the ride would have cubbies for you to use. I'd like to avoid using lockers if at all possible.

 

[Skywalker3]

You mentioned putting wands in lockers. I am going to bring a messenger bag to carry water, ponchos, snacks, etc. I was told by friends who have gone to DW and US in the past that this was the way to do it, since you could either put it at your feet or the ride would have cubbies for you to use. I'd like to avoid using lockers if at all possible.

I carry a full sized backpack when we go, full of water bottles, ponchos, snacks, and many assorted other items. I was able to put the wand in that sometimes. We also had 2 refillable mugs when we were there in Oct. However, you cannot bring this type of large bag on many rides, like Forbidden journey. I used the lockers for my backpack at Gringotts, FJ, Men in Black, and Hagrid's. (and Mummy, but that's closed for now.) Cannot have ANY bags/loose items, on Rip Ride Rocket, Hulk, or VC (the VC lockers are inside the queue tho, so wasy to use.) I think at Pterodon flyers I left the bag at the load/unloading area, but not sure now......it's been a couple years. If you'll be using child swap, or just not riding though, that person can hold all the bags. I do that at Hulk since I don't ride it, but I was also holding everyone phones....so didn't leave the area. THere are several threads that discuss using cross body bags or fanny packs too, but those were too small for what I needed, and also several threads here on locker use, may want to read over just to get familiar. I didn't mind using the lockers most of the time, but did have to pack a little lighter/make sure my backpack could squish down to fit in the smaller/free ones.

 

[GinnyBear's_mom]

You mentioned putting wands in lockers. I am going to bring a messenger bag to carry water, ponchos, snacks, etc. I was told by friends who have gone to DW and US in the past that this was the way to do it, since you could either put it at your feet or the ride would have cubbies for you to use. I'd like to avoid using lockers if at all possible.

Unless you have an adult who isn't riding FJ or VC you will need an attraction specific locker as you can't keep anything at your feet or in a 'cubby' at those rides. The free lockers located at the rides are very small, maybe something like 12x5, not like the ones at the park entrances in WDW. You can pay for larger lockers at each of those attraction.

 

[bchbetha]

You mentioned putting wands in lockers. I am going to bring a messenger bag to carry water, ponchos, snacks, etc. I was told by friends who have gone to DW and US in the past that this was the way to do it, since you could either put it at your feet or the ride would have cubbies for you to use. I'd like to avoid using lockers if at all possible.

Consider bringing a lot less. You won’t be able to bring that on a lot of rides. Rent a locker at the front of the park for all of your “just in case stuff” and travel through the parks with the bare minimum and a smaller bag.

 

[AUSyTyIN]

On FJ, VC, Hagrid's, etc we will be doing a child swap.


Sorry, it's a sling bag, not messenger. It's small, like this one:

 

[GinnyBear's_mom]

Sorry, it's a sling bag, not messenger. It's small:, like this one:

Still can't put that at your feet or be carried on many rides, you are going to need the attraction lockers. Make sure when it is fully packed with all of your stuff it can be smushed into a height of 4-5 inches for those lockers.

 

[AUSyTyIN]

It'd probably fit in a 12x5

 

[wdwrule]

It'd probably fit in a 12x5

Hubby uses something very similar to what you posted and it fits in all of the regular free lockers easily.