how to do Hogwarts Express as part of a multi-day visit?

[dmaxdmax]

I plan to spend 2-3 days at Universal and am unsure of how to fit HE into the plan. Do you start with Escape from Gringotts, take the train to the other park and tour it on day one? Then flip it the next day? Are the lines nasty? I'd hate to spend a ton of time in each direction but I understand it's more than simple transportation.

This will be Christmas week so crowds will be rough.

 

[Trixie Belden]

I would definitely do early entry if you're staying onsite. If they have both parks scheduled for early entry, hit Diagon Alley one morning and take HE to IoA and finish the day in that park. Reverse it the next day. The ride is only about 7 minutes long between parks.

 

[Bluer101]

I would say take HE from DA when its your first time. It's a better overall experience if you are a HP fan.

That said we ride it multiple time when wait is low. It's easier than walking park to park.

 

[dmaxdmax]

We're staying at the royal Pacific so early entry and express passes won't be a problem. I'm really looking forward to it but am not sure if I'll have the courage to try Dragon Challenge. Have never done anything more intense than Disney's Everest.

 

[Disney Khi]

We're staying at the royal Pacific so early entry and express passes won't be a problem. I'm really looking forward to it but am not sure if I'll have the courage to try Dragon Challenge. Have never done anything more intense than Disney's Everest.

I don't do big coasters either, and I wanted to let you know that if you want to go through the line and see all the cool Triwizard theming, you can do that and then not ride. I did that with DD5 last month, and it was great. The TM in the queue even gave us tips for things to look at. We did the same thing with Flight of the Hippogriff.

 

[disney_me]

We bought a 3 day pass not park hoppers. Is it really worth upgrading to park hoppers for HE? Do I need the park hopper passes to ride HE?

 

[damo]

We bought a 3 day pass not park hoppers. Is it really worth upgrading to park hoppers for HE? Do I need the park hopper passes to ride HE?

Yes, you need parkhoppers to ride the HE.

We always took the HE when going from park to park. I swear that the kids just think it is all just one big park because we never left one to walk to the other.

 

[rastuso]

The wait to ride from IOA to US never seemed long. Although you always have the ridiculously long walk to go down all the ramps to the bottom floor, just to then walk up stairs to essentially get 10 feet away from the entrance to the queue, even when there isn't a wait.

Going the other way, on a HHN day, can have a VERY long wait, like 60 minutes.

Definitely the ride TO Hogwarts is more exciting, as it should be.

-J

 

[johde]

We bought a 3 day pass not park hoppers. Is it really worth upgrading to park hoppers for HE? Do I need the park hopper passes to ride HE?

The parks are so close together that I've always that park hoppers were worth it even before HE. Only on my very first trip did I not have PH when I have COMP tickets from a timeshare tour.

 

[ruthies12]

Are you able to take a stroller on HE? Do you have to fold it up or can you roll it on with the kid still in it?

 

[damo]

Are you able to take a stroller on HE? Do you have to fold it up or can you roll it on with the kid still in it?

Stroller doesn't need to be folded up but the kid needs to be out of it. Strollers are not allowed inside your compartment. The TMs will store them for you. Same goes for wheelchairs.

 

[ruthies12]

Good to know, thanks!!