HP in ONE day (Park to Park) w/o EP Touring Question

[haynay]

We are doing US for one day. Have decided on Park to Park so we can see both HP and right train. I have no need/intention of doing everything in both parks. My kids want to concentrate on HP only. If we catch a rider or two on the way to or from, I'm sure it'll be fine.

I looked at EP for that day...they were nearly as much as our admission tickets! I couldn't believe it. Since we are going in early August for the lower EP it was $115 per person!!!! If I did that my one day at US would equal 4 at Disney!!!

We have a timeshare, so I'm not needing to stay in the hotels, it's not worth it since timeshare is my parents' and free.

Anyway, my question....will we be able to comfortably do all HP stuff without EP? What are your thoughts about touring through HP for one day, where would you park? Which park would go to first?

I'm a Disney pro, but US, not so much

 

[wagman67]

If your primary goal is the HP stuff, then the EPs would not help you...the three main HP rides (Forbidden Jorney, Gringotts and Hogwarts Express) do not accept EPs.

That being said, you should be able to do all things HP in a day...as long as you don't consider a day being a couple of hours (yeah, you would be surprised by what some people mean when they say 'a day').

I do want to point out that 'early August' is usually a very busy time...so be prepared for lines...which you will have with or without EPs.

Edit: Just read on other posts that HP stuff has started accepting EPs...so, some of what I wrote may be misleading...need more info.

 

[Mamabun]

We did the same thing, both parks in a day, mainly HP, in mid October on a Halloween Horrors night (which we did not attend). It was pretty busy and we did not buy Express Passes because at that time they did not work for HP rides (and I'm too thrifty). However, I'm pretty sure the HP rides did just start using EP on July 1. We choose to start at US, go straight to Diagonal Alley, ride Gringotts, and then tour the alley, buy a wand etc., then rode Hogwarts Express to IOA, did Hogsmeade stuff, ate at the Three Broomsticks, then rode Flight of the Hippogriff, Forbidden Journey and Dueling Dragons as evening approached. We did have some waits, but the longest was about 40 minutes for the Hogwarts Express mid day. Morning and evening wait times were so much better.

I felt we were easily able to do the Wizarding World well in just that day, even with the early closure of US (due to HHN). The only thing we didn't do was the return trip on the Hogwarts Express. We were also able to do a handful of other rides and a show outside HP. I believe we were there 10am-7pm.

I'm sure you will have a great time.

 

[flortlebap]

I wouldn't attempt it, personally. You could fill a whole day exploring both HP worlds and get nothing else done at all but that's if you have a leisurely pace.

But if you want to spend the $$ and don't care too much for rides other than HP, it's doable.

 

[bchbetha]

You can do it but be smart and be parking your car- with tickets in hand- an hour before the park opens. That will give you time for walking, security and ticket turnstile. You'll be behind the curve as onsite guests can beat you in by an hour.
Do make sure you log the full day as Diagon Alley in the last hour or 2 the park is open is fabulously magical and special. You'd really be shortchanging the experience if you don't do that, imo. Same with buying at least one interactive wand. It's a must!
The Camp Jurassic area is fun mid-day when lines are long.
Get the official Universal app so you can see all the show times; try and hit as many of the HP ones as you can. You don't need to arrive early; they're just street style performances not limited seating.
Eat meals early to reduce crowded waits. Plus you can have shorter ride lines while everyone else is eating.
The Orlando Informer website has good sample HP touring plans.
ETA- reread your question. Where should you park? There's just one parking lot.
I'd start with Universal and visit as Harry does by starting at Diagon Alley.
Next time sub out Disney and give Universal your full time. So much fun!

 

[Jross34]

If your primary goal is the HP stuff, then the EPs would not help you...the three main HP rides (Forbidden Jorney, Gringotts and Hogwarts Express) do not accept EPs.

That being said, you should be able to do all things HP in a day...as long as you don't consider a day being a couple of hours (yeah, you would be surprised by what some people mean when they say 'a day').

I do want to point out that 'early August' is usually a very busy time...so be prepared for lines...which you will have with or without EPs.

Edit: Just read on other posts that HP stuff has started accepting EPs...so, some of what I wrote may be misleading...need more info.

Wrong, Harry Potter does have express pass as of July 1st and it makes the regular line a lot longer.

 

[Jross34]

We are doing US for one day. Have decided on Park to Park so we can see both HP and right train. I have no need/intention of doing everything in both parks. My kids want to concentrate on HP only. If we catch a rider or two on the way to or from, I'm sure it'll be fine.

I looked at EP for that day...they were nearly as much as our admission tickets! I couldn't believe it. Since we are going in early August for the lower EP it was $115 per person!!!! If I did that my one day at US would equal 4 at Disney!!!

We have a timeshare, so I'm not needing to stay in the hotels, it's not worth it since timeshare is my parents' and free.

Anyway, my question....will we be able to comfortably do all HP stuff without EP? What are your thoughts about touring through HP for one day, where would you park? Which park would go to first?

I'm a Disney pro, but US, not so much

If you only want to do Harry Potter stuff and you're staying the whole day you should be fine. If you go right at open there is very little line and it is not crowded at all. I would suggest doing hogsmeade first in the morning since it gets so crowded and it is much smaller than diagon alley and there are 3 rides there. You can look around and do all the wand things without tons of people bothering you. I went a few days ago right at open and then came back during the afternoon and it's crazy how different the experience is. I would give around 1-1.5 hours per main ride. For rides, there is really only the 2 big rides, hogwarts express (make sure to ride it both ways), and then the 2 coasters. The dueling dragon one (forget the new name) had no wait at all when I went.

As for the other rides most didn't have a long line. I would definitely avoid the minions ride since it can easily be 100 min wait and the line barely moves since they let most express pass people in first. King Kong and the log ride is usually long waits as well.