How much can I do in one day with minimal headliners?

[LibrarianBecky]

We are planning a ten day trip to Orlando at the beginning of November. We're going to be spending a day at LEGOLAND, multiple Disney days, and one or two days at Universal. It will be myself, DH, and DS, who will be 9 years old. We are not big thrill ride people....Goofy's Barnstormer is probably our 'thrill' level. I'm planning out our trip, and I'm struggling with the idea of purchasing the 2 days+1 tickets to Universal because I'm not sure we are going to enjoy many of the rides there.

Here is what we would consider doing:

IOA: Storm Force, Spider-Man, Pteranodon Flyers, Poseidon's Fury, Flight of the Hippogriff, Seuss Landing, explore Hogsmeade/Hogwarts Express

US: Minion Madness, Shrek, Transformers, Men in Black, Twirl and Hurl, Woody Woodpecker's Nuthouse Coaster, E.T., Diagon Alley/Hogwarts Express

We love Harry Potter and plan to spend some time in each of those areas, enjoying the themeing and such. I don't think we will be riding Forbidden Journey or Escape from Gringotts (DH and I are both large people, and I don't think we will be able to ride.)

So, with these things in mind, does it still make sense to go for two days? I think that it probably does because it allows us to be able to do everything at a more leisurely pace. The price different for all three of us is something like $150 total...chump change in the Disney vacation scheme of things.

If anyone has any input or advice for me, I'd love to have it.

Thank you!

 

[macraven]

since you are going for a long trip, do hit the darkside for at least two of your days there.

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

I would absolutely do two days .

There are shows at each park that you may also want to add to the itinerary. At US, we watched Animal Actors on Location, and at IOA, we took in Poseidon's Fury. There's also Fear Factor Life, Beetlejuice Graveyard Review, and a few others as well.

If you enjoy characters, there will be many of them milling around (some at scheduled intervals, some randomly) which you can meet for photos and autographs. We saw well over 30 different characters over the course of our early May trip.

You will also want to watch the Superstar Parade at least once at US.

The shops are fun to browse around in. You may even want to take in a character meal.....there is one at Cafe La Bamba in US on select dates that your 9 year old especially might like.

 

[Nohal]

You say you want to ride Hogwarts Express you will need park to park tickets for that. They check your ticket before you even get into the line. I think you will definately need 2 days. And as with Disney get there are rope drop. We were there last week and USF opened at 8:30 instead of 9. Check the Dis boards for more info when you will be there as to which parks opened 1hr early for hotel guests and what time the other park opens.

 

[HM]

Horror Makeup Show should be added to your US itinerary. It's on our must do at least once a trip. Yes, two days would be great.

 

[AtlantaDisneyDreamer]

Definitely do two days. We just got back and had two little girls with us, ages 8 and 2. We also did not do some of the big headliners, but we had a great time, nonetheless, and we did three days in the parks. I didn't think that either FJ or Gringotts was particularly scary, drop or ride-wise. They had some scary monster effects, but they are really cool rides. You should try them if you are able to fit. They are really cool- especially for Harry Potter fans.

What about Camp Jurassic? My 8 year old daughter had a blast there. It is a huge playground to climb and explore. Your son will have to be under 56" to ride Pteranodon Flyers, and only one of you will be able to ride it with him (adult must be accompanied by a child 56" and under), but it is a great ride. A favorite of our whole family. You also have the Dinosaur Discovery Museum and Jurassic Park River Ride in that area. My daughter does not like big roller coasters, but she enjoyed Jurassic Park River Ride. The other two water rides are great, too, if it is warm enough for you to ride them when you are there.