Huge Harry Potter fans with only 1 day to visit, which park?

[smilesx4]

Hello!
We are celebrating my youngest son's 21st Birthday at Disney and we have one day free for Universal. I have not been there since the very first Harry Potter ride opened and I see now it is in 2 parks? If that is true, and we only have one day to visit which would be best for a family of 7 grown adults?

I appreciate your help!

 

[StarGirl11]

If he’s a big HP nerd your going to have to pony up for the park hopper. You can’t get the full experience with one park and doing one is shorting yourself. There’s even a ride specifically to go between the parks that’s HP themed that you need the park hopper for. (Hogwarts express).

You can do both areas in my experience on a one day ticket. But you will be selling yourself short to only do one park.

 

[smilesx4]

If he’s a big HP nerd your going to have to pony up for the park hopper. You can’t get the full experience with one park and doing one is shorting yourself. There’s even a ride specifically to go between the parks that’s HP themed that you need the park hopper for. (Hogwarts express).

You can do both areas in my experience on a one day ticket. But you will be selling yourself short to only do one park.

Thank you for being so honest about this. Pony up I shall.....after I sell something!!
Seriously, if you think we can do it in one day then I think this is probably the way to go. Thanks!

 

[StarGirl11]

Thank you for being so honest about this. Pony up I shall.....after I sell something!!
Seriously, if you think we can do it in one day then I think this is probably the way to go. Thanks!

I mean if you just focus on the HP stuff then that’s pretty easy to just do in one day usually. I’m not sure how Hagrids changes the complexion so I maybe wrong. That’s what I’m doing in December and I’m doing a one day park hopper. Focusing on the HP stuff and maybe going out occasionally for the other rides. But my goal is the HP stuff which can be covered in a single day for me at least.

 

[smilesx4]

I mean if you just focus on the HP stuff then that’s pretty easy to just do in one day usually. I’m not sure how Hagrids changes the complexion so I maybe wrong. That’s what I’m doing in December and I’m doing a one day park hopper. Focusing on the HP stuff and maybe going out occasionally for the other rides. But my goal is the HP stuff which can be covered in a single day for me at least.

Are you getting the fast pass upgrade? Or whatever it's called, I tend to "Disney" everything

 

[macraven]

We call it express pass

you can call it anything, we know what you mean

 

[bchbetha]

Echoing everyone else- you need park to park tickets. Express passes for 7 will be $$ so if your sole goal is riding the Harry Potter rides and sightseeing in HP areas, I’d probably skip them unless you’re going over a big holiday. But, you need to leave Disney and invest a full open to close day. Try and pick one with longer hours. The parks close pretty early most days and some days they close really early. Be pulling into the garage (or arriving in a ride share) an hour before opening with tickets in hand and have a plan. You can but Express Passes in the Park day of if you decide you want/ need them.

 

[Alynw]

I pretty much agree with everyone on getting the park to park tickets, especially if ur only going for 1 day. As far as Express pass, your not going to be able to use it for the new hagrid ride and since ur only doing HP, there no need to spend that kind of money when ur basically only waiting on 2 main rides, u will still have plenty of time. There is another less expensive option u can consider as well and that's getting the "after 4pm" express pass. These are half the cost of the normal express pass and there good to ride every ride Once, starting at 4pm til closing, except for hagrid's of course. So you could get 1 day park to park and then get there early, buy the after 4pm express passes rite away, cause they do sell out, then spend all morning and afternoon exploring all the HP attractions and then at 4pm u could use the after 4 express passes to hit all the other attractions and u should be able to see everything in both parks by closing with no problems.

 

[sharona]

Check resort room prices at Royal Pacific, Hard Rock and Portofini. Getting a room for one night = “free” full day express pass for 5 people (on both check in and check out day). That may be cheaper than buying 5 one day/after 4 express passes. You’d only need 2 - if everyone was planning to ride all attractions? Plus you’d have the room if you need it.

Just be aware, express pass is in addition to park tix. Also when is your trip? Express may not even be needed...

 

[Wild4Walt]

We've been in both May and September and Express Pass was not needed. We did have Park to Park tickets, which are pricey, but we felt it was worth it to see both areas. If you do get the Park to Park tickets, the Hogwarts Express is a must for all HP fans. ( It's just downright neat! ). Before getting the Express Pass though, check to see which rides are currently offered on it, as not all rides are. ( BTW, it's AMAZING! )

It's important to note, we visited before Hagrids was opened.

 

[CAPSLOCK]

As adults, you can also use single rider lines in lieu of Express. Though especially for Gringotts it is relevant to go through the actual queue once.

 

[disneyseniors]

If you have been to the first HP park once, as you stated, then I would just go to the studios side. This area is absolutely awesome! The HP ride is fantastic, and IMO, I think it is superior to the other. The whole HP area is right on, and it is fun to "find" Knocturn Alley and wander those dark passages. Lots of fun. I loved the other side, but this studios area is our favorite, as adults too
If you really want to ride Hagrids ride in IOA, then that changes things. I don't know if the line for it is really long still or not?
Either one will be great.

 

[sharona]

One last piece of advice - if you’re taking Hogwarts Express for the first time, go from Diagon Alley (Studios park) to Hogwarts (Islands) so you get to see everyone walk through the brick wall.

 

[Alicefan]

I'm in total agreement with everyone here. You really can't choose one park over another when you're dealing with a true Harry Potter fan. Trust me, Universal really knew what they were doing when they planned these areas. It was genius actually, and whoever said, "Let's put the rest of it over at the Studios" undoubtedly got a huge Christmas bonus and probably an enrollment in the Jelly of the Month Club to boot! I also agree that the train ride from Diagon Alley is the best way to do it because of the wall, and because you want to arrive at Hogsmeade from Diagon just like you would if you were heading off to school. Also, bring lots of cash because a big fan can go completely nuts in those stores, and there's plenty of them! I HIGHLY recommend the house sweatshirts with the name on the front and the crest on the sleeve. They are around $60 but they are the most comfortable sweatshirt ever, and they are made really well and last and last! My best friend and I wear ours everywhere. I bought a second one just in case something ever happens to the first! We both literally wear them almost every day to lounge around in. That's one purchase you won't have buyers remorse over. I hate when you get a sweatshirt that looks cool and then you get it home and realize that it's stiff and has ZERO give to it when you go to put it over your head...(I'm looking at you Dr. Seuss IOA sweatshirt in my closet!) or it's too thick and bulky. The house sweatshirt is just right. You're welcome!