I need help with Harry Potter decision

[ducky_love]

Do you really tip the valet (in this situation)? I normally would parking at a restaurant, etc... But at Universal?? It's $35! I just figured the tip would be factored in. Hmmm....so what, 2-5 dollars? Sorry, I probably sound like I just fell off the turnip truck.

Haha - I know I do. I don't think they run their own valet. They outsource to the same kind of company that runs valet for restaurants and hotels. I could be totally wrong.. but still it just seems traditional to tip. They would refuse it if it were factored in? I normally do 2+ each way.

 

[hammie59]

I thought the same thing. After having been there, I would take a small child to Universal any time. We ended up loving ALL of Universal quite a bit!

Seems it would be more fun to have father/daughter day there, rather than sitting around the hotel.

Maybe you could add a day for them onto your WDW tickets so they could DO something rather than just hang out?

They will be fine. We have 7 day parkhopper and will have the option of going to a park if they want, but will also be happy hanging by the pool too. Like I said earlier, taking dd on this IOA trip isn't in the plans for a reason.

 

[Orsino]

If your husband isn't going to IOA, maybe he can drop you off and then pick you up in the evening. I don't know if US/IOA has a drop-off spot where you don't have to pay parking, but I would hope that they do. You could save money and get closer to the entrance. I guess you'd have to get a car seat for your daughter which might up the cost of the rental, so that might be a wash.

Could anyone with more knowledge than me let us know if drop-off at IOA is feasible?

 

[ducky_love]

Yep - you sure can drop off. And it is just as close as valet! Great idea!

 

[smiller]

Yep - you sure can drop off. And it is just as close as valet! Great idea!

Where is the drop-off?

I'm going in August and hoping to trick my DBIL into dropping the three of us off early in the morning for our first day at WWoHP!

 

[inky dinky doo]

Preferred parking isn't always closer. It just puts you on level three so you don't have to use escalators or elevators. For close parking, I'd do valet parking. You can buy the one day/one park and upgrade to the 2nd park if you see you have more time. Or you can buy the 1 day/2 park and downgrade to the one park if you don't get to the second park.

Really?????? Wow!

 

[ducky_love]

Where is the drop-off?

I'm going in August and hoping to trick my DBIL into dropping the three of us off early in the morning for our first day at WWoHP!

I never use it - I know it is on the signs? I believe valet is to the left and drop off is to the right. I'll have to pay attention to the signs next time we're there!

 

[Metro West]

Where is the drop-off?

The drop off area is near the taxi/bus area...just follow the signs. You'll see it.

 

[ocean134]

Ok, here's the situation:

I want to take my son (8) to Harry Potter when we go to Disney in May. (We're already booked and staying on Disney property). We have 2 open days, so plan is I would take ds one day to IOA while dh stays at hotel with dd (3). I've read a few threads on wait times, crowds, etc and am still on the fence on if it's worth it for one day. Not sure if we're renting a car yet, so that's another factor.

The hours for IOA when we would go will be 9am-7pm. Ticket prices (if I order in advance) are: 1 day/1park- adult $82 child $74. 1day/2 parks ad $112, ch $104.

From what I read, I would need to get there at rope drop. My dilemma on going is due to what I've read of ridiculously long lines everywhere in the park, especially HP. So what do you think? Worth the stress and price for a kid who LOVES all things Harry Potter? 1 park or 2? Pay extra for the "fast pass" thing? (don't know the real name). Also, say I bought 2 day tickets instead, could I use one first day, and my husband use it the second day?

I know a lot about WDW, but I'm pretty much clueless when it comes to Universal. All tips and advise appreciated.

I just recently went through all this. We were in Orlando in January and had very very light crowds at Universal and IOD/WWHP.

If you don't want to rent a car, the cab ride will run you around $30 each direction to/from Universal.

The wait times for rides was in general about 15/30 minutes. We were at WWHP on a very rainy day and literally walked directly into everything, even Ollivanders and HP Forbidden Journey ride. We rode it twice back to back.

I would recommend 2 days - one park per day. You want to give yourself time to see the things you wanted to see. If you have a busier park day, the lines can be longer.

 

[phamton]

I never use it - I know it is on the signs? I believe valet is to the left and drop off is to the right. I'll have to pay attention to the signs next time we're there!

"Drop off" is across the street from valet. Left and right are subjective, depending on which way you come into the park.

 

[ducky_love]

And this is why I should never give directions!! You mean everyone isn't coming from my house?

 

[phamton]

And this is why I should never give directions!! You mean everyone isn't coming from my house?

If you go there for my house then valet is on the right and guest drop off is on the left. But just don't ask me about north,south, east, and west as I am directionally challenged.

 

[smiller]

I never use it - I know it is on the signs? I believe valet is to the left and drop off is to the right. I'll have to pay attention to the signs next time we're there!

The drop off area is near the taxi/bus area...just follow the signs. You'll see it.

"Drop off" is across the street from valet. Left and right are subjective, depending on which way you come into the park.

Thanks for the replies! I'm glad to know they have good signs. I know my way around WDW very well, but Universal makes me a little nervous.

Once you're dropped off, what is it like? Do you walk to the park entrance, or do you go through that parking garage area? I've only been to CityWalk before.

 

[fairyprincess88]

Once you're dropped off, you go up the escalator and it takes you to the bag check area that is right before the moving sidewalks that lead into City Walk. In order to get to either park you must go through City Walk. For IOA, once you get through bag check, you basically just walk straight and you'll hit the entrance to IOA. You can't miss it.

 

[Metro West]

Once you're dropped off, you go up the escalator and it takes you to the bag check area that is right before the moving sidewalks that lead into City Walk. In order to get to either park you must go through City Walk. For IOA, once you get through bag check, you basically just walk straight and you'll hit the entrance to IOA. You can't miss it.

 

[smiller]

Once you're dropped off, you go up the escalator and it takes you to the bag check area that is right before the moving sidewalks that lead into City Walk. In order to get to either park you must go through City Walk. For IOA, once you get through bag check, you basically just walk straight and you'll hit the entrance to IOA. You can't miss it.

Thanks!

I'm looking at Google maps satellite right now - I think I'm understanding!

 

[ocean134]

Thanks!

I'm looking at Google maps satellite right now - I think I'm understanding!

Don't worry, you will see how it all works. City Walk is the hub. IOA is forward/left. Universal is toward the right. Very simple!

 

[suetoo]

Everyone's replies have helped me finally decide to go. So THANKS! Not telling ds until the trip, which will be a fun little surprise. Anyhow, my latest dilemma is deciding to do both parks in one day or not. I don't want to be all commando, yet I plan on staying there the entire day, so I'd hate to miss the other side if it's doable....

Also considering paying the extra $5 for preferred parking since we're probably renting a car now. Can't seem to find a map that actually shows any type of parking layout. I don't mind paying extra if it's actually close.

We actually are going on March 7, also form Disney.. I hired a car from ***********...google it. It is $40 and you can request a pick up time. I picked 8 am. We will cab it back to Disney as the car service wants a definite time for return trip. It also saves us parking and that hassle.. Hope it helps!

 

[sunny_stace]

I'm so happy to have read everyone's responses! My DBFF and I are heading to WDW at the end of September and were considering spending a day at Universal so we can see WWOHP! We're both kinda on the fence about it. I know Disney crowds are pretty light at that time but with WWOHP I don't know how crowds will be at Universal...We're both huge Harry Potter fans but were just at US and IOA a couple of years ago and don't feel an urgent need to go back yet. Plus, she's not much for thrill rides so I have to go on everything alone, and she sits and waits for me alone...not the best time for anyone! But reading about the new attractions and stuff on the Universal website just wasn't doing enough to get me excited enough to go. Coming here and hearing everyone's first-hand reactions and stories makes a huge difference! I'm gonna share what I've read here and see what happens! Thanks!

 

[Metro West]

Thanks for the replies! I'm glad to know they have good signs. I know my way around WDW very well, but Universal makes me a little nervous.

Once you're dropped off, what is it like? Do you walk to the park entrance, or do you go through that parking garage area? I've only been to CityWalk before.

This is what the guest drop off area looks like. I took this from the top of the escalator at the main hub.