Hogwarts Express - Worth the Park to Park Price?

[CodeGoddess]

We are doing two days at Universal. We had planned on doing one day at each park (single park tickets) but people keep telling me I will be sorry if I miss the Hogwarts express. Is the train ride really that amazing?

 

[katybugsmom]

I think it is! It's very realistic and the ride is different each way! Totally worth the extra money if you are a HP fan!

 

[Dee2013]

For Harry Potter fans, I think it is a not to be missed feature(I love HP!)
But I like it for another reason- it's a cool and relaxing way to get to the other park rather than go all the way to the front and out, go over to the other park front to go in.

I have an annual pass so I don't know the price difference, but the convenience is definitely worth it for me to cross over the back half of both parks!

 

[CodeGoddess]

It's a $40 difference which is what made me question it.

 

[JustCallMeMommy]

I buy the park hoppers because it fits in with the way I tour Universal. The parks are right next to each other and hopping is easy, unlike Disney. I want 2 mornings/evenings in BOTH areas of Harry Potter, and then I fill in the rest of the day with the rest of the parks. Since I like touring this way, the park hoppers are necessary for me.

If you are anti-hopping and wouldn't hop other than to ride the train, I don't know that I would buy the hoppers. I probably wouldn't pay a $40 premium for any single ride in the park. When it comes down to it, the train is a way to get from one park to another with a fun video window and some interaction outside your cabin. It isn't the latest and greatest ride in the park.

 

[sharona]

For Harry Potter fans, I think it is a not to be missed feature(I love HP!)
But I like it for another reason- it's a cool and relaxing way to get to the other park rather than go all the way to the front and out, go over to the other park front to go in.

I have an annual pass so I don't know the price difference, but the convenience is definitely worth it for me to cross over the back half of both parks!

I agree with this 100%. For HP fans it's a must, especially the train from Kings Cross to Hogsmeade for the walk through the wall queue. If you're not a HP fan it's just ok but.... if you're going to be there during the hot months, it is a great way to get from the far end of one park to the far end of the other - for us that's at least 30 minute walk in the heat. Of course if you don't have hoppers, you won't be going from one park to the next so...

 

[BonnieA]

Would they be able to accommodate an ECV on the train?

 

[disneyseniors]

I think it depends on how much money you want to shell out for a train ride. I know, I know it is fantastic, but it's an individual problem. We have been to IOA for the first HP park and we loved it. We didn't care much for the other parts of the park though. Now fast forward to this year, and we are staying at WDW, but going to Universal for one day only. Why? We have been and done everything at the first HP park. We don't feel that we want to pay the extra for a train ride. I would like to see it, but it's just too expensive FOR US. We will spend all our time at the new HP attraction in Universal studios and have a blast. That park is just right for us; we love the minions, MIB , the Mummy, to name a few of their awesome attractions. So, for us, we won't be spending the money for the train ride this trip. Have a blast either way!

 

[Bluer101]

Would they be able to accommodate an ECV on the train?

Yes

 

[Bluer101]

We enjoy going into DA and enjoying everything there. Then it's a great feeling to live the books and movie to go through kings cross. After passing through 9 3/4 seeing HE either there or just pulling in is fantastic. You just can't get more involved in your favorite movies. Then arriving in hogsmead.

When walking out, seeing hogsmead up all the shops with hogwarts in the background is just breathtaking.

 

[Robo56]

Worth every penny. Loved the Hogwarts Express.

 

[CTDisneyfan816]

I go 2-3 days each trip and get the 2 park pass. Very much worth it

 

[cschaaf]

I'm not an HP fan so it didn't really mean anything to me and I wasn't all that impressed. It also made me feel claustrophobic - I'm not exactly sure why - maybe because there wasn't much to keep my interest, so I had time to think about it more than on something like Transformers. Not so bad that I wouldn't use it as transportation to park hop if the line was short enough.

We always get Park Hoppers at both Disney and Universal. I agree with everything JustCallMeMommy said. We love having the option of switching parks, and it's very easy at Universal.

If we weren't park hoppers by nature, I would have bought them once to ride the Hogwarts Express once (I'd hate the thought of going and missing out on something), but wouldn't buy them again.

 

[schumigirl]

Not the biggest Potter fan here but the train is a must do.

We rode both ways as its different both ways.......both are good. We did use it as a means to park hop if we were in either Potter area and wanted to get to other park. We never had long queues anytime we were there for it.

I think it would be worth $40 to do it.

 

[larissawbb]

I agree. Worth every penny.

 

[PantherPete]

It is really cute - especially when you walk through the wall. But unless you are a big Harry Potter fan, I can't see it being worth the park hopper unless you really want to visit both parks in the same day.

 

[RMulieri]

I always get hoppers and use them .I am glad we did the Hogwarts express, but it isn't something I would wait for .I find it a great transportation between the parks, but only if there is no wait