just 1 day with 2 kids, what are MUST see attractions/rides?

[cmfitz14]

Hello! We are headed to WDW in August. We will have 1 day for Universal Studios and Island of Adventure. I know it should be done over multiple days, but 1 day is all we can budget! Our kids will be 9 and 7. I'm pretty sure there will be some rides they can't do because of height (I can't imagine anything over 54 inches).
I need to do my research on US/IoA, because I'm unsure of what rides will be a must for us? Our daughter is a huge Harry Potter fan, so all of that is a must. My husband loves the Simpsons, so I'm sure that'll be something he wants to see as well. We plan to do the 2 park tickets, and add on the express pass - but probably the one that gives you just one pass per ride, assuming we won't be doing multiple rides due to our quick visit. Does that make sense?
What do you suggest as a must? We will be staying at a WDW resort, so we will most likely be Ubering over for just 1 day. The goal would be to get there for park opening. Again, we will probably avoid any rides that require you to be 54inches or taller - I'm not even sure how many of those there are! My kids aren't big fans of shows, so I doubt we see any of those. We will focus more on rides! Can't wait to hear suggestions!

 

[schumigirl]

Check out the website.......www.universalorlando.com

It has all the rides listed with height requirements too......park layouts which will give you an idea of what`s on offer......

You can pick and choose whats important to you and your family and work with that.

Despicable Me is in the Studios and always have lines. Although with having the EP you should be ok there.......with one day the EP you`re planning to buy will work fine......I know what you meant....you don't need unlimited with one day.

Then head to Potter........it`s towards the rear of the Studios so have a look and see anything on the way you want to do......ET, MIB and Simpsons.

Potter rides now have EP so you`re good to go.......

Do you have the park to park tickets? You will need that to ride the Hogwarts Express....its a quick way to get to IOA as you can use EP on that too. Then you can choose what you want to enjoy in Hogsmeade.........Flight of the Hippogriff is a coaster for little ones, and not so little folks either.......

Again, check the website and see what`s suitable for your family........

It`ll be tight with one day, but with choosing what`s important for your famly........you`ll do fine......it`ll be a busy day but hope it`s a fun one for you.......

 

[bchbetha]

The Orlando Informer website has handy sample itineraries based on different criteria (interest, number of days...). It’s nice to get ideas from. The official website is kind of crappy so I usually go with the OI one instead.
Roll up to the parks 30-45 minutes before opening so you can get through security, CityWalk and ticketing without missing out on riding time.

 

[ML_LovesDisney]

Hello! We are headed to WDW in August. We will have 1 day for Universal Studios and Island of Adventure. I know it should be done over multiple days, but 1 day is all we can budget! Our kids will be 9 and 7. I'm pretty sure there will be some rides they can't do because of height (I can't imagine anything over 54 inches).
I need to do my research on US/IoA, because I'm unsure of what rides will be a must for us? Our daughter is a huge Harry Potter fan, so all of that is a must. My husband loves the Simpsons, so I'm sure that'll be something he wants to see as well. We plan to do the 2 park tickets, and add on the express pass - but probably the one that gives you just one pass per ride, assuming we won't be doing multiple rides due to our quick visit. Does that make sense?
What do you suggest as a must? We will be staying at a WDW resort, so we will most likely be Ubering over for just 1 day. The goal would be to get there for park opening. Again, we will probably avoid any rides that require you to be 54inches or taller - I'm not even sure how many of those there are! My kids aren't big fans of shows, so I doubt we see any of those. We will focus more on rides! Can't wait to hear suggestions!

I am by no means a Universal expert, but just went with a 12 and 9 year old. We did Harry Potter Escape from Gringotts, Hogwarts Express, HP Forbidden Journey, Flight of the Hippogriff, Minions, Skull Island: Kong, and Jimmy Fallon Race through New York. The kids loved all of those. I think you could do it in one day with Express Pass. Wandering through Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley were our favorite parts, and also eating at the Leaky Cauldron (IoA)