Just doing Harry Potter--a few questions.

[Uncleromulus]

Friend of ours from GB coming with us on our next trip to WDW-ALL she (and we) want to do at Universal is Harry Potter.

So--what ticket (or tickets) do I need???

And should I buy them ahead of time (say thru AAA?)

And timing wise--any "best" time or best day to go??

 

[steviethegreat]

If you want to do Harry Potter, you're going to need a park-to-park ticket, otherwise you cannot ride the Hogwarts Express. You won't need express pass because the Harry Potter rides don't participate in it. I bought mine on Undercovertourist.

As for time of day, I'm not sure. Have a great time, though!

 

[Uncleromulus]

Thanks!
So I need tickets to both parks--or is that what a Park-to Park ticket is???

 

[steviethegreat]

So I need tickets to both parks--or is that what a Park-to Park ticket is???

Yes. A park-to-park ticket means you can go to both Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios Florida on the same day. The Hogwarts Express carries you from one park to the other, which is why, if you have a one-park-only ticket, you cannot ride it.

So get the park-to-park ticket and then enjoy Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade! They're both AMAZING.

 

[Mommy2PrincessAbby]

Friend of ours from GB coming with us on our next trip to WDW-ALL she (and we) want to do at Universal is Harry Potter.

So--what ticket (or tickets) do I need???

And should I buy them ahead of time (say thru AAA?)

And timing wise--any "best" time or best day to go??

You don't say when she is coming? That would help determine best day... in general the first couple hours the park is open and the last couple hours it is open is the most recommended time. My suggestion (I am not a universal expert, but in general all theme parks work similarly), is to look and see which park has early entry on the day you want to go (this info is released about a month in advance), go to the park that does NOT have early entry, since you won't have access and there will already be a ton of people in there by the time you can get in. Get there at least 30 minutes before they open (if schools are out, or it's a weekend, 45 minutes early would be good.) Go directly to the Harry Potter section for that park and ride and shop and do that park for the first 2-3 hours. Take the train to the other park, to experience the train in that direction. Then the other park will likely be quite busy. Take a break, go have lunch, go see a movie, whatever so you can rest and not be hating the crowds. Return to the park you barely saw (the one you rode the train to and had early entry that day) for the last 2-3 hours the park is opened. If you want to ride the train the other way, you can either do it round trip, or time it as your last thing.

 

[nkereina]

We always buy our tickets from Undercover Tourist as well, but AAA does have slightly discounted tickets too. I haven't bought them from AAA in a few years, but you used to be able to leave the AAA office with the actual tickets in hand. Undercover Tourist mails them to you and I think their shipping time may be slightly longer than normal from what I recall, so just make sure you have time to have them shipped before you go. You can also opt to pick them up there, I believe.

 

[Uncleromulus]

You don't say when she is coming? That would help determine best day... in general the first couple hours the park is open and the last couple hours it is open is the most recommended time. My suggestion (I am not a universal expert, but in general all theme parks work similarly), is to look and see which park has early entry on the day you want to go (this info is released about a month in advance), go to the park that does NOT have early entry, since you won't have access and there will already be a ton of people in there by the time you can get in. Get there at least 30 minutes before they open (if schools are out, or it's a weekend, 45 minutes early would be good.) Go directly to the Harry Potter section for that park and ride and shop and do that park for the first 2-3 hours. Take the train to the other park, to experience the train in that direction. Then the other park will likely be quite busy. Take a break, go have lunch, go see a movie, whatever so you can rest and not be hating the crowds. Return to the park you barely saw (the one you rode the train to and had early entry that day) for the last 2-3 hours the park is opened. If you want to ride the train the other way, you can either do it round trip, or time it as your last thing.

Thanks! Wasn't aware Universal had early entry.

She is coming April 29 to May 7 .

 

[steviethegreat]

That SHOULD be a fairly good time to be there, since it's post-easter and the majority of schools are back in session. I know some colleges let out earlier, I graduated in late April of 2014. But it's showing a 3 out of ten on a crowd calendar. So I imagine it'll be lighter than other times. I went in September, with park-to-park passes and we walked on Forbidden Journey. The queue for Gringott's was about 30 minutes, but just getting through the whole thing is interesting. I waited the LONGEST for Hogwarts Express. She should be fine.

 

[chik1987]

We always buy our tickets from Undercover Tourist as well, but AAA does have slightly discounted tickets too. I haven't bought them from AAA in a few years, but you used to be able to leave the AAA office with the actual tickets in hand. Undercover Tourist mails them to you and I think their shipping time may be slightly longer than normal from what I recall, so just make sure you have time to have them shipped before you go. You can also opt to pick them up there, I believe.

It does look like they have e-ticket capability now that you can print off and bring in with undercovertourist. If that helps anyone with their decision on where to purchase tickets.

 

[nkereina]

It does look like they have e-ticket capability now that you can print off and bring in with undercovertourist. If that helps anyone with their decision on where to purchase tickets.

Good to know... must be new? Last time we bought tickets from them was September 2015 and it wasn't an option at the time.

 

[chik1987]

Good to know... must be new? Last time we bought tickets from them was September 2015 and it wasn't an option at the time.

I have no idea I just happened to look the other day and noticed it. Really great for those of us wanting to wait until the last minute to purchase tickets

 

[susieh]

In the UK we can buy a 2 park US/IOA ticket for £227 and it allows entry to both parks (and Universal Bay when it opens) for 14 days. It seems really good value compared to US prices.

 

[sunsetbeachgal]

Make sure you ride the Hogwarts Express in both directions, it is different and the train stations are different too. If she is a HP lover she will love the train!

 

[schumigirl]

In the UK we can buy a 2 park US/IOA ticket for £227 and it allows entry to both parks (and Universal Bay when it opens) for 14 days. It seems really good value compared to US prices.

Yep, the tickets you can buy in the U.K. are a brilliant deal........worth every penny........