Itinerary Planning

[mickey765]

Potentially planning a trip end of August on top of a Disney trip. We only have a one day park to park ticket in our budget. We are big Harry Potter fans and my parents cannot handle simulators (maybe one or two if they take meds) and not into big roller coasters (maybe the HP ones, but not interested in any other ones). The goal is to spend most of the time in HP areas. Here are the goals (along with exploring HP, HP shows, and wand interactive spots) :

- Hagrid's (supposed to be a great coaster, so I'm gonna force the fam on it)
- Gringotts (again, we can experience a few coasters, especially since they're HP)
- Hippogriff
- walkthrough hogwarts, probably avoid FJ since I've heard you can get very nauseous
- Minions simulator (going to risk it on this one)
- Hogwarts express both ways

Those are the priorities, and then maybe if we get bored of HP (doubt it, but who knows), we would take a look at some roller coasters (idk maybe Mummy, hulk, VC, water rides - for my brother and I who like them) and maybe Seuss or ET.

anyways, I know that seems like a lot, but any advice fitting at least the priorities into one day?

 

[macraven]

Don’t rule out the Bourne and Horror Make Up shows

 

[CAPSLOCK]

Confused - you're not into big coasters but have Hulk & Velocicoaster on your "maybe" list? I would aim for Mummy, MiB, ET, Kong (3D but not motion sickness inducing), Jurassic Park River Adventure (typically don't get that wet, spritzed to sprayed on the top half is about it). Spiderman and/or Transformers are really fun rides, maybe for those who don't have motion sickness concerns.

You may consider those who don't have major motion sickness concerns riding Forbidden Journey while the others explore elsewhere. It is not to be missed!

 

[mickey765]

Confused - you're not into big coasters but have Hulk & Velocicoaster on your "maybe" list? I would aim for Mummy, MiB, ET, Kong (3D but not motion sickness inducing), Jurassic Park River Adventure (typically don't get that wet, spritzed to sprayed on the top half is about it). Spiderman and/or Transformers are really fun rides, maybe for those who don't have motion sickness concerns.

You may consider those who don't have major motion sickness concerns riding Forbidden Journey while the others explore elsewhere. It is not to be missed!

Sorry I meant that my parents aren't into big coasters, but my brother and I do enjoy them! (but not a must)

 

[Kit Jackson]

If anyone you are traveling with has trouble with simulators, they should skip Spiderman and Transformers. There's a screen and you're constantly bouncing around. If anyone has issues with motion sickness, they should probably skip Forbidden Journey. I always feel a little dizzy coming off that ride. If anyone skips the ride, they should still do the castle tour. You go through the line, and then when you get to the lockers, explain to someone who works there you are not interested in the ride, and they will direct you to an exit.

Are you looking for rides the entire group can do together, or which rides your parents can do while you and your brother ride coasters?

 

[schumigirl]

I would say try them for yourself. We all react differently to things.

I have motion sickness issues, can`t do Simpsons nor Transformers, but I`m fine on Spiderman and can do FJ once or twice before it makes me feel off. And I`m always ok on coasters.

Minions isn`t nearly as bad apparently since they dropped to 2D. I never had any issues with that one either, strangely, don`t like it as much since it changed from 3D, but there are stationary seats on Minions.

And would agree with mac, don`t miss Horror Make up Show if you have time....it is very good.

 

[fredandkell]

Our entire family disliked Minions—very long and slow moving queue, even with Express Pass, and kind of dumb (my kids were 10/13 first and only time they rode it, and we’re big fans of the movie).
if you can only do a one day park to park, definitely stay the night at Royal Pacific so that you get included express passes. You get up to five passes per room. They more than pay for themselves in the reduction in standing in line and it will make you able to see so much more since you only get one day.

 

[cfoxga]

The big concern will be crowd levels. If kids are back in school, then you might be ok without EPs and EE. Otherwise, your list might not be doable in a day, especially if the train wait is an hour in each direction. In any case, you would need to get to the parks before opening to maximize the rides while crowds are low. That might mean forgoing Hagrids, since the lines back up very early in the morning.

 

[mickey765]

Thanks for the help guys! Sorry, I should've been more clear - coasters/simulators aren't a huge priority, unless it's HP (or minions lol). The other rides I listed for just "maybes" if we have time or interest, but we don't mind if we skip them. We will probably go on a Monday, the last or second last week of August. I made a rough plan, let me know what you think: (no EE, no EP - supposedly 9am open)

- RD Hagrids, off by roughly 10am
- FJ (probably just walkthrough, but will ride if we feel like it)
- hippogriff if low wait
- train to diagon alley around 11am
- ride gringotts (I have been checking wait times & the wait is usually low around now)
- explore diagon alley, shows, wand stuff, lunch
- mid afternoon head back to hogsmeade (if train wait is long, walk over, take the train later)
- explore hogsmeade
- evening: ride hippogriff if missed & maybe explore seuss area a bit, head back to USF, ride minions, maybe explore diagon alley at night
- if missed king's cross train, take back last thing to IOA

this is predicting their is no EE at IOA on our day

 

[mickey765]

anyone know if universal does the same thing as WDW that if you're in the line before the official park close, you can still ride? like maybe I could hop on VC or hulk as the last thing of the night idk

 

[CAPSLOCK]

Yes, if you're in line before park close, you ride.

Plan to be at the gates 1hr before opening. That should give you Hagrids with no appreciable wait (note the queue is a long walk regardless, albeit interesting). If you're towards the front of that line and on/off Hagrids quickly, you'll be able to explore Hogsmeade with minimal crowds - plus short line for Hippogriff & FJ.

 

[keishashadow]

my parents cannot handle simulators (maybe one or two if they take meds) and not into big roller coasters (maybe the HP ones, but not interested in any other ones).

Let your parents make the decision as to what they want to ride/join you.

Nothing could ruin a day quicker than getting unnecessarily ill...particularly if they suffer from any of those numerous medical conditions prominently posted on many of the attractions

 

[mickey765]

Let your parents make the decision as to what they want to ride/join you.

Nothing could ruin a day quicker than getting unnecessarily ill...particularly if they suffer from any of those numerous medical conditions prominently posted on many of the attractions

Thank you, good advice!
Also, does anyone know how intense Hagrids is? (I'm avoiding watching videos bc I don't want to spoil) the most my dad could manage was BTMRR at disney so I don't want to overdo it first thing into the trip - if he decides not to, would the queue be worth walking through or would it be better for him to just hang out in hogsmeade?

Sorry for all the questions! I appreciate any help

 

[CAPSLOCK]

It is fast and does hit turns at high speed. Fast acceleration. It is a smooth ride though.

FWIW, if I was sure I wasn't going to ride, I would rather explore Hogsmeade (or Jurassic Park area!) rather than walk the very long queue. It's cool, but not enough to justify walking it for no real reason. And JP is really neat. Or in the other direction the Seuss trolley or Cat in the Hat, might be a good alternative while waiting.

 

[TwoMisfits]

Thank you, good advice!
Also, does anyone know how intense Hagrids is? (I'm avoiding watching videos bc I don't want to spoil) the most my dad could manage was BTMRR at disney so I don't want to overdo it first thing into the trip - if he decides not to, would the queue be worth walking through or would it be better for him to just hang out in hogsmeade?

Sorry for all the questions! I appreciate any help

BTMRR is like the kiddie roller coaster and Hagrid's is like a real one...they are not in the same league...

You're more talking Hulk/Rockin Rollercoaster/Test Track accelerations and insanity...it will be too much for your dad...

Having ridden it both ways, it is a touch less intense in the sidecar vs riding the motorbike (gripping the outside bars just makes you feel more acceleration vs being able to huddle tight in the car)...but that won't help enough to make it like BTMRR...

 

[fredandkell]

Not to beat a dead horse, but I would still strongly encourage you to check out a hotel room at Royal Pacific. I looked at Monday, August 9. For four people, the cost of a room is $499. For comparison sake, the cost of express pass that day is $220/pp. so even if you have zero intentions of staying at the hotel and just use it as a throwaway stay only for the express passes (which people do all the time) it is still an incredible deal. I don’t think you can assume that a Monday in August will not be crowded and there are tons and tons of school districts that don’t go back until Labor Day. If you only have one day to do both parks, the express pass is the only way to go. Otherwise you will literally spent half your day waiting in lines.

also your earlier question about Hagrid’s… Yes, it is definitely worth walking thru the queue even if you don’t ride.

 

[cfoxga]

Thanks for the help guys! Sorry, I should've been more clear - coasters/simulators aren't a huge priority, unless it's HP (or minions lol). The other rides I listed for just "maybes" if we have time or interest, but we don't mind if we skip them. We will probably go on a Monday, the last or second last week of August. I made a rough plan, let me know what you think: (no EE, no EP - supposedly 9am open)

- RD Hagrids, off by roughly 10am
- FJ (probably just walkthrough, but will ride if we feel like it)
- hippogriff if low wait
- train to diagon alley around 11am
- ride gringotts (I have been checking wait times & the wait is usually low around now)
- explore diagon alley, shows, wand stuff, lunch
- mid afternoon head back to hogsmeade (if train wait is long, walk over, take the train later)
- explore hogsmeade
- evening: ride hippogriff if missed & maybe explore seuss area a bit, head back to USF, ride minions, maybe explore diagon alley at night
- if missed king's cross train, take back last thing to IOA

this is predicting their is no EE at IOA on our day

Our kids start back to school August 9, so going on a Monday after that probably means smallish crowds (UT says 4 or 5 for those two days). So going without EP should be doable.

A couple things could throw your schedule off. If IOA gets EE, then most people staying onsite will be in the Hagrids queue, which could back it up quite a bit before you even get into the park. If there is no EE at IOA, then you'll still want to be in line early to get in. They usually open the gates 15 minutes early, and most people head straight for Hagrids.

The other one is switching parks. I would try to cut down on the back-and-forth between the parks, as each one will likely cost 20+ minutes. Obviously, you'll want to ride HE both ways, but I would try to limit it to the 2 trips.

One thing I didn't see on your list is the Ollivander's Wand show. It really is well done. They have one in Hogsmeade and in Diagon Alley, so you can check the lines to see if you can squeeze them in.

If you get a chance to eat at Three Broomsticks or Leaky Cauldron, it is worth considering.

I love Diagon Alley at night. We're usually at UO during crowded holidays, and it is almost empty as you get close to closing. Certainly a great way to end the day.

 

[mickey765]

Not to beat a dead horse, but I would still strongly encourage you to check out a hotel room at Royal Pacific. I looked at Monday, August 9. For four people, the cost of a room is $499. For comparison sake, the cost of express pass that day is $220/pp. so even if you have zero intentions of staying at the hotel and just use it as a throwaway stay only for the express passes (which people do all the time) it is still an incredible deal. I don’t think you can assume that a Monday in August will not be crowded and there are tons and tons of school districts that don’t go back until Labor Day. If you only have one day to do both parks, the express pass is the only way to go. Otherwise you will literally spent half your day waiting in lines.

also your earlier question about Hagrid’s… Yes, it is definitely worth walking thru the queue even if you don’t ride.

Thank you for the suggestion. It's just that we don't have to many priorities when it comes to rides (we're fine if we miss stuff, we just care about HP and maybe the minions ride), so I don't feel like EP is worth it.

 

[mickey765]

Also, are single rider lines generally fairly short? If my bro and I happen to want to ride other coasters, that would probably be the way to go.

 

[CAPSLOCK]

Hulk is a short single rider line. RRR is not that short.