Is 1 day worth it? Help please!

[KB'sMom]

Just told the kids about our trip to Disney. The first thing DD asked was if we were going to Harry Potter World. It wasn't in the original plans, but we do have a couple of non-park days planned. I am just trying to figure out how much it will cost and whether it will be worth the expense.

We are a family of 4 - the kids are 5 and 9. DS is 42", DD is 48". We are staying on-site at Disney - how much will transportation cost from Disney to Universal? How much are the tickets that let us in both parks? Will the kids be able to ride most of the rides in WWoHP? What else will they be able to ride/enjoy? Will we have time for much other than WWoHP?

eta: How long is the drive from Disney to Universal?
eta: 2 questions about the Mears Shuttle - what type of vehicle is it? A bus or a car/van? Just trying to figure out if the kids are going to need booster seats or not. Also, the price of $20 is that each way or round trip?

Thanks!

 

[DisneyTravelers2008]

a one day Universal ticket that allows you to go to both parks to see both sections of HP World is $532 for 2 adults and 2 kids under age 9. If you only see one HP Park it is only $372

They have a special right now that if you buy 2 days worth of tix, you get the 3rd day free....

I hear cab fare is about $40 to $50 each way according to two Google searches. But, I also read that several companies offer transportation as part of their ticket package.

I think all the height requirement can be found on the Universal website. I foudn this on Google:

DRAGON CHALLENGE...54"
GRINGOTTS...42"
FLIGHT OF HIPPOGRYPH...42"
FORBIDDEN JOURNEY ...48"

All of the reviews I have read and research I have done says it s beyond AWESOME! I am planning a trip for Feb 2015 and cant wait!!!


This site has some great info...www. wizardingworldharrypotter . com


Good luck!

 

[DisneyTravelers2008]

Another post just stated you can use Mears Transportation for $20 per person roundtrip...

"407-423-5566. you can either schedule your return from universal to your resort in advance or call them 2 hours prior to when you want to leave, they pick up 15 after each hour starting at 3:15pm to around 2:15am.

They will give you a voucher when they drop you off for your return. The cost is $20 per person, round trip."

 

[RMulieri]

AS pp mentioned, it is NOT going to be cheap. Much like Disney, the more you stay , the cheaper it becomes. You will need the Park to Park tickets to be able to ride the Hogwarts express between the parks .There are 2 HP areas, one in each park.AT Islands of Adventure, you have Hogsmeade and in the Studios you have Diagon Alley . You can get a taste of both parks in one day, you will not got both parks done entirely. If Harry Potter is your focus, that is doable, but keep in mind, even in the slowest times, those are the 2 busiest areas in the parks. Guests of onsite resorts and partner hotel pkgs get early entry to Diagon alley in the studios, which means by the time day guests get into the park, there is already waits.At busier times of year ( spring break, summer, Thanksgiving and Christmas week) you will need to seriously plan on very large crowds and long waits.

That said, it is worth it.
We are leaving in less than 3 weeks for our 3rd Universal-Only onsite trip and are super super excited

 

[taximom00]

Another post just stated you can use Mears Transportation for $20 per person roundtrip...

"407-423-5566. you can either schedule your return from universal to your resort in advance or call them 2 hours prior to when you want to leave, they pick up 15 after each hour starting at 3:15pm to around 2:15am.

They will give you a voucher when they drop you off for your return. The cost is $20 per person, round trip."

I just checked Mears and it was $47 each way. This was car service. Is there something different? It was the only option it gave me?

 

[jimandami]

I just checked Mears and it was $47 each way. This was car service. Is there something different? It was the only option it gave me?

Yes, there is something different. A shared shuttle ride is $20 pp round trip. I think you have to call to book this or you can do it at your Disney hotel..just ask the concierge. We usually book through Dreams Unlimited and buy their park to park package with Mears transfers included. We have been allowed early entry to the park twice with this option, although some have stated they have been denied early entry. I have taken my DS10 over to Universal for a day twice now and as the others stated, it isn't cheap. I also have a 5 year-old DD who I just feel wouldn't get that much out of Universal (she is a bit of a ride wimp so YMMV) so we usually split up to save money. DS and I take the Mears shuttle over to Universal and DD and DH have some daddy-daughter time at WDW. Would that be something you might consider?

 

[coastgirl]

I also have a 5 year-old DD who I just feel wouldn't get that much out of Universal (she is a bit of a ride wimp so YMMV) so we usually split up to save money. DS and I take the Mears shuttle over to Universal and DD and DH have some daddy-daughter time at WDW. Would that be something you might consider?

I was thinking the same thing--split up maybe? Is there something special the 5 yo would want to do with the other parent, rather than an "I don't get to go"? You will also move faster without the littler one, and he's going to miss FJ. If the 5 yo is also a fan, though, the castle tour is a really good sub.

If you are going for a fan, I think both parks would be pretty much required. Haven't seen DA yet, but can't imagine missing Hogsmeade.

Did I miss what time of year you are going? Obviously, crowd levels will affect your experience as well.