I need some planning help for spring break

[punkin]

I will have no express passes and will be staying off site so no early entry either. We will be doing both parks for one day. My group likes roller coasters, but does not LOVE them, so we are more than willing to skip things like the Hulk and rip rocket. Harry Potter is the main draw for my crew (3 girls - teens and early 20s). We are planning to go April 7th, which is a very high crowd day (9 I think). 4 of us have leftover days on a ticket and the 5th will need a one day, two park ticket $$$.

I tried planning on touringplans.com, but I am having trouble incorporating both parks in a personalized plan. I really need some help.

 

[HM]

Here is what I would do:
Arrive before opening time as you can often get in a bit before 9am. It takes a while to park in the deck and then walk to the parks, so plan on being there plenty yearly. Then I'd go to IOA and straight to Hogsmeade. Get in line for FJ. When you are done with that, take some time to look around and ride Dragon's Challenge if they want to do coasters. There is rarely a line for this, and the queue passes Hagrid's house and the Weasley's car. Get a butterbeer and then wait in line for Hogwart's Express and make your way over to Diagon Alley. In Diagon Alley, get in line for Gringotts. When you are done with that, get some lunch. Take time to do Ollivanders, look around the shops and try to catch one or more of the shows on the stage. Get some ice cream at the parlor. Go back outside and look at the Knight Bus and look for Kreacher in the window Grimwold Place.

Now you are done with the Harry Potter stuff and it's time to decide what else the group wants. MiB is very close so you could do that, make your way to the Simpsons, and then go to Transformers, Mummy, and then Despicable Me. I'd also choose to do the Horror Makeup show (one of my favorites).

If you still have time, I'd go back over to IOA and wander around and catch a couple rides there before having a late dinner either in the park (the one by Jurassic Park ride is good) or at Citiwalk.

I hope that helps.

 

[soniam]

Did you try starting with these plans for 2 parks in one day without EE, and then add/delete what you want/don't want? The plans look like they hit the major highlights and actually include a lot of rides.

http://touringplans.com/plans/954686
http://touringplans.com/plans/954698

 

[johde]

Here is what I would do:
Arrive before opening time as you can often get in a bit before 9am. It takes a while to park in the deck and then walk to the parks, so plan on being there plenty yearly. Then I'd go to IOA and straight to Hogsmeade. Get in line for FJ. When you are done with that, take some time to look around and ride Dragon's Challenge if they want to do coasters. There is rarely a line for this, and the queue passes Hagrid's house and the Weasley's car. Get a butterbeer and then wait in line for Hogwart's Express and make your way over to Diagon Alley. In Diagon Alley, get in line for Gringotts. When you are done with that, get some lunch. Take time to do Ollivanders, look around the shops and try to catch one or more of the shows on the stage. Get some ice cream at the parlor. Go back outside and look at the Knight Bus and look for Kreacher in the window Grimwold Place.

Now you are done with the Harry Potter stuff and it's time to decide what else the group wants. MiB is very close so you could do that, make your way to the Simpsons, and then go to Transformers, Mummy, and then Despicable Me. I'd also choose to do the Horror Makeup show (one of my favorites).

If you still have time, I'd go back over to IOA and wander around and catch a couple rides there before having a late dinner either in the park (the one by Jurassic Park ride is good) or at Citiwalk.

I hope that helps.

With Early Park Admission currently only at IOA I don't think I'd do IOA first. Like Soniam, I like Touring Plans 1 day/2 park plan with the one difference being I'd check the times at Gringotts before hopping over to IOA, and, I'd check the Check the time of Forbidden Journey while your in Hogsmead the first time.

 

[macraven]

since you will be doing the parks during a high attendance day, go to www.universalorlando.com and check out the layout of the parks.
see where the rides are located and the different pathways to reach those rides.

know where the eateries and restrooms are located so you will know where you options are located.

if you know your way around the parks, you can easily handle it even with the crowds.

 

[punkin]

Yes. I tried those touring plans, but when I tried to personalize and optimize them for April 7th (yes, I know, really not a good crowd day), the first thing they have me do is a 300 minute rest (which is usually to hop over to the other park). I'm just confused. I was thinking of hitting Gringotts first thing and then taking the train to Hogsmead to hit FJ and then explore Hogsmead before hopping back to explore Diagon Alley. It just seems like a lot of park hopping. I spoke to the girls and they don't care so much about the roller coasters. The only must do rides across both parks (outside of harry potter) are MIB, Mummy, and Jurasic Park. We don't mind going early and staying late.