HP freaks question! In which park should we start?

[jandkmom]

Both of my kids are huge HP fans and my 8 yo just finished the whole series. So we are headed to Universal for one day on 1/28 (his bday) with park-to-park tickets. Where should we start? We did Hogsmeade a few years ago but Diagon Alley didn't exist yet. We hope to get to the park ASAP in the morning but don't have early admission (staying at Disney). Suggestions and any advice much appreciated. Thanks!

 

[2Gma]

I'd say start with Diagon Alley since it will be new to you (the level of detail is amazing!) After you finish exploring the entire area hopping on Hogwarts Express will be easy (since its right next to it) to go see Hogsmeade again. Our stated opening for US was 9 am but they started letting us though gates at 8:35am.

 

[illinidp]

Agreed, it's better to take the train from DA to Hogsmeade the first time.

 

[bumbershoot]

The train is different each way, so go back to where you started at some point.

 

[Musicman20]

I would start in HM. Personally we didn't get into DA the first day we went as they were closing that area for Halloween Horror Nights. We therefore started on the H Express at DA as that wasn't part of the closure, took it to HM, explored that area and rode the rides, then when we came back another day, we went around IOA, then to HM again (and rode FJ again) to make sure we had been round it all, then took the H Express to DA and rode the ride and spent time there.

We went back during Halloween Horror Nights at Universal and rode Gringotts again (virtually no queue) and spent time in DA again.

Both areas can, IMO, take at least half a day just for those parts of the park! Purely because they are so immersive. I would want to ride both of the main rides at least twice.

 

[jandkmom]

I'd say start with Diagon Alley since it will be new to you (the level of detail is amazing!) After you finish exploring the entire area hopping on Hogwarts Express will be easy (since its right next to it) to go see Hogsmeade again. Our stated opening for US was 9 am but they started letting us though gates at 8:35am.

Thanks, everyone! So we could potentially get into US earlier than 9am, even if we aren't staying on site? That would be great if we can drag ourselves out of bed and to a taxi on the early side!

 

[nkereina]

Real HP freaks like to start in Diagon Alley and then take HE over to Hogsmeade, like Harry did. Following his path, so to speak. And since you've yet to do DA, I would start there!

 

[2Gma]

Thanks, everyone! So we could potentially get into US earlier than 9am, even if we aren't staying on site? That would be great if we can drag ourselves out of bed and to a taxi on the early side!

Yes, like at Disney the stated opening may be 9am but they actually open sooner than that (i.e. rope drop). We did NOT stay onsite at Universal and assumed they might open earlier like Disney so we arrived at 8:15 to pay for parking, park and then walk to the parks. From parking ramp it is roughly 15 minute walk through ramp/security to front gate. From my experience US fully opened at 8:35 (stated opening 9am) while IOA didn't let us past the ropes until 8:50 (stated opening 9am). I believe IOA opens later for offsite guests (not until closer to stated opening) because there is Early Entry at that park for onsite guests.

 

[Cuchman]

I read that lots of serious fans like to start with DH to follow the path of the story. I AM a big fan, but I disagree with this suggestion. On our September trip, we started at HM (early entry) and took the Express to DA in the afternoon.
I was so much more wowed by DH that I was really glad that we had started with HM. Don't get me wrong here, I LOVED both. But the color, vibrancy, and detail of DH was better for me after we had already explored and enjoyed HM.

Honestly, I think you can't go wrong either way. It's all so freaking good, we went back to both for days.