I need some help with a one-day touring plan on April 1!

[phillymummer]

Hello DISers!

I'm back! I am in need of your expert advice for a VERY last minute spring break trip to US!!!


Here is the story: My hubby has a conference for work every year in Orlando. This year the conference falls at the same time as my spring break (I am a teacher). We just decided this morning, that we are going to drive down together and while he is at his conference, I am going to enjoy a few days by myself at the pool! On Friday April 1, he has breakfast and a closing meeting, then he is free!

The plan is to drive over to Royal pacific and check in, then get to the parks. We'll have a one-day PH pass.
So.... how bad are the crowds going to be?

Our main goal is HP- FJ, Hippogriff, and Gringotts (We will do it single-rider!). Other rides we want to do- mummy and spider man since we did not do those on our trip last November. We have NO interest in the water rides, DM, Simpsons, the Dr Seuss rides (except maybe Cat in the Hat), or HRRR.

We'll probably get there around lunchtime and plan on staying until close (10pm).

1. When/how should we do the HP areas? I'm thinking we should do them later in the evening? Like after 7pm? But which area first? And which one to do closer to closing?

2. Will the 3BS and LC be super crowded and have a long line? Should we try to make a dinner reservation somewhere? Would it be worth it to leave the park and go to city walk (then return to the parks)? I kind of want to try Cowfish, since so many people mention it!!

We are not going to the parks on Saturday bc we really need to start the drive home to NJ! Both of us need to go back to work on Monday! So... one day in the parks it is. But I'll take it!!

~PM

 

[Jonny_Duck]

Hello DISers!

I'm back! I am in need of your expert advice for a VERY last minute spring break trip to US!!!


Here is the story: My hubby has a conference for work every year in Orlando. This year the conference falls at the same time as my spring break (I am a teacher). We just decided this morning, that we are going to drive down together and while he is at his conference, I am going to enjoy a few days by myself at the pool! On Friday April 1, he has breakfast and a closing meeting, then he is free!

The plan is to drive over to Royal pacific and check in, then get to the parks. We'll have a one-day PH pass.
So.... how bad are the crowds going to be?

Our main goal is HP- FJ, Hippogriff, and Gringotts (We will do it single-rider!). Other rides we want to do- mummy and spider man since we did not do those on our trip last November. We have NO interest in the water rides, DM, Simpsons, the Dr Seuss rides (except maybe Cat in the Hat), or HRRR.

We'll probably get there around lunchtime and plan on staying until close (10pm).

1. When/how should we do the HP areas? I'm thinking we should do them later in the evening? Like after 7pm? But which area first? And which one to do closer to closing?

2. Will the 3BS and LC be super crowded and have a long line? Should we try to make a dinner reservation somewhere? Would it be worth it to leave the park and go to city walk (then return to the parks)? I kind of want to try Cowfish, since so many people mention it!!

We are not going to the parks on Saturday bc we really need to start the drive home to NJ! Both of us need to go back to work on Monday! So... one day in the parks it is. But I'll take it!!

~PM

It's my understanding that Easter week is super busy. I can't tell the future but if I had to guess it'll be fairly busy. My Nephew has Spring break that week also down here in SW FL so some local type ppl may be out as well or maybe they'll avoid because of crowds.

FJ also has a single rider line so you can take advantage of that as well. Maybe do that when you find yourself in the area and then save the que ride for late in the evening after you've done everything else. Assuming going through the castle is important to you.

With single rider and FP idt you'll have much problems getting through the limited rides you mentioned. Even if there is some waiting.

Food is subjective so can't really help you there. I don't usually plan meals like that and idt you'll have a problem eating at one of the HP places if that's what you would want. It might be busy but what theme park restaurant isn't.

 

[macraven]

I'll have to think of how to answer your question once I stop thinking of you having to do a long drive home starting Saturday....
You have a few days before he can join you Friday for the parks so I assume you want to hit the big name rides then.
Right?

 

[phillymummer]

LOL, macraven! It'll only be 15 or so hours to NJ! LOL! We'll probably drive as far as we can on Saturday, find a hotel to crash at then continue on Sunday. If you think that is bad..... we are not leaving NJ until Monday night around 8-9 pm and driving through the night!!

I won't be going to the parks without him. I'm going to spend Tues, Wed, and Thurs relaxing by the pool. I kind of want to do a solo trip too MK, but that whole one-day, tiered ticket is turning me off. Friday is our only day in the parks. Fortunately for us, we don't *need* to hit all of the rides. The biggest ones are FJ, HE, and Gringott's.

 

[johde]

This is a tough one. I'm not sure about a touring plan but some general tips. I'd do Single Rider PLUS the Castle Tour at Forbidden Journey. It is worth seeing the inside of the castle. At Gringotts, it's tougher. The queue is amazing. If the line is under 30-40 minutes I'd probably go through the regular line instead of single rider. The Hogwarts Express is different in both directions but given how long you have I'm not sure you have the time to wait for both directions. Both are fun, going from London to Hogmead is more Iconic. Unfortunately, I'd probably to Hogmead at IOA first and save Diagon Alley at USF for late in the evening.

 

[chabs]

I would definitely start with the gringotts ride. There hasn't been one time that we were there in the past 3 or 4 trips that it wasn't closed at least once. No big deal for us because we go all the time, but I don't want you to wait until late and then not be able to ride because the ride is down.

 

[macraven]

Since op said her main goal was parry hotter, and do FJ. HE, Gringotts.

And rides Mummy and Spidey

Do EE for studios and knock off Gringotts

Check out the area and take your pictures of everything in that section.

After this, you can line up around 20 minutes before IOA opens and head for the HE line from the studio side

Make FJ the first ride once there


Other option is do all you can at potter at the studios and hit the mummy ride with your express

Return to potter and take HE to the IOA side


Spider-Man can easily be done using the express line later In the day

I have not checked park hours but if both parks are opened early, look over the park layout online and see which park has more things you want to do

Start with that one