Is 1 day long enough at Universal?

[Leelo]

My husband and I will have 5 days in late January. We are mainly going to see the 2 Harry Potter lands and ride the Hogwarts Express but would like to experience some of the other attractions as well. Is 1 day long enough?

 

[bumbershoot]

For me? No. Not really. Bit of it's what you have, you can make it work.

Budget for annual pass upgrades just in case you fall in love and want to go back soon.

 

[schumigirl]

Yep, like bumbershoot says, you can make it work if that's what you have.

Be there early at whatever park you want to start at, look at what park has early entry and do that first, then do as much as you can......once you have covered both Potter areas which are truly spectacular see what time you have for anything else.

 

[macraven]

depends on the crowds.

quite possible to hit all the highlights in the two sections of the parks.
hit the main rides, check out the shops, and then use HE to go to the other park

the live entertainment you could catch some of it depending on their scheduling.

If you are limited to one day only, go on a weekday.
buy your park tickets in advance
be in the line for entrance very early as onsite hotel guests enter one hour prior to park opening.

the parks will already have people in them due to early entry.

You won't be able to cover everything but can plan for a return on another visit in the future.


don't know the january park hours yet but when i went this past late january early february, parks did not have extended hours.

 

[bchbetha]

I'd personally want 2 but could make do with one if there were no other choices. Sounds like you have more days to pay with

 

[Leelo]

I'd personally want 2 but could make do with one if there were no other choices. Sounds like you have more days to pay with

Yes, we have 5 days total but any remaining days not at Universal will be at Disney, which we LOVE and have annual passes to. We have been to Universal before and have seen the first HP park but it has been a long, long time. I might be willing to do 2 days, but was hoping to do 1 if it seems doable to those of you who have experienced the parks more recently.

 

[bchbetha]

Diagon Alley is amazing! I mean, Hogsmeade is neat too but a HP fan could spend many happy hours on Diagon and Knockturn Alleys.
I understand loving Disney but you already know it- why not grab a hotel for the night at Universal and enjoy 2 days there?

 

[Skippyboo]

Yes, 1 day is long enough to do both Harry Potter lands. The Hogwarts Express is different both ways. Go early, get a Express pass added to your ticket. You also need a park to park ticket so you can go from one park to the other. After doing the HP stuff, I would recommend the Mummy ride in Universal, Spider-Man and Jurassic Park in IoA. King Kong is relatively new. They were building it the last time I was there so don't know how good it is.

You will pay out the nose for one day tickets, 2 days maybe a better deal. Could you spend the 2nd day half at Universal and then go over to Disney?

 

[damo]

I would plan on sticking to the Harry Potter things and not be disappointed if you don't get on anything else. Consider that a bonus. Hours are short in January and you're probably going to want to enjoy their restaurants.

 

[macraven]

Yes, we have 5 days total but any remaining days not at Universal will be at Disney, which we LOVE and have annual passes to. We have been to Universal before and have seen the first HP park but it has been a long, long time. I might be willing to do 2 days, but was hoping to do 1 if it seems doable to those of you who have experienced the parks more recently.

Well, since you have been to potterville before, then you know what is there.
Feel like you could hit the highlights and be satisfied.

I'm not a big fan of potter but do enjoy somethings in the sections.
Every visit I do hit both potter areas.

At the studios, i do the ride, take the picture of the dragon with the fireball action, watch celestine show, get potter ice cream and head for HE.

On the other side, hit the rides, eat at the potter restaurant, and look in the store windows.

For what i cover, it does not take one day.
And what i do in the potter lands, i truly enjoy.

Hit the highlights at IOA potter and take HE to the studios potter section.
If this portion is new to you, spend more of your time there.

 

[keishashadow]

January has shorter hours to consider but if you are primarily about HP should be able to get it all done in a day if you hit rope drop. Be aware onsite guests have the FOTL for HP now & get an hour early entry in one park per day.

Might want to consider adding on a day pre or post trip onsite (for 2 days of FOTL perks). Really makes a world of difference

Last week of January is very busy with HP celebration typically the last weekend of month. If you are big fan, might want to coordinate your visit.

ProBowl crowds made everything busier this year from what I've experienced same week in the past, i expect the same in 2018 as the game is again scheduled that weekend.

 

[Ametista]

1 day isn't nearly enough, but you will have other trips. Next one might be more Universal than Disney.