Marathon Weekend 2019

[Keels]

You probably don't want to hear this, but if your party has huge Potter fans, then they may want/need/require/plead for the interactive wands that allow you to cast spells at different locations in both areas. The good news is that you can buy one wand and then everybody takes a turn, but at least be aware. And if it's not too crowded, you should be able to adequately experience Wizarding World. I spent a day at USO in April 2017 and enjoyed it. I didn't come close to seeing everything, but I also chose to focus over half of my day on Wizarding World shows, attractions, food, etc.

In my opinion, the value of a day at Universal especially with the park hopper tickets depends entirely on how much you either love the franchises represented there or outstanding themed entertainment. Many of their attractions are very well done, on par with what you find in Disney and arguably better in the case of Wizarding World.

If you love Harry Potter, it is spectacularly well done. IMO, Wizarding World also offers substantially more to do than Pandora. If you don't love Potter, but appreciate a very well done thematic experience, then Wizarding World fits the bill as well.

And if anyone loves dinosaurs/Jurassic Park, that area in Islands of Adventure is quite fun and you may even be able to meet a velociraptor. And yes, they act very much like they do in the two new movies. The raptor will try to scare someone in your group.

If you're ambivalent about all the franchises/IP in Universal, then it may not be the best value for you. In short, do your research and decide what makes the most sense for your group. And be aware that depending on the level of fandom your group has for Potter, that could get very expensive in food and merchandise on top of the park admission.

Now, a caution. I would not visit Universal the day before, the day of, or the day after any race. I feel this way entirely because you want to give your full attention to Universal on that day and one day before the race means you either must leave Universal early or you will get to bed late. Day after is tricky because you may want that day to rest and relax if at all possible. I went 2 days after 2017 Dark Side and it worked fine although I was still tired from the races, I was also able to fully enjoy Universal at whatever pace I felt like after the races.

If they like Harry Potter, you HAVE to have park-to-park tickets otherwise it’s not worth it.

I have a wand I can loan out, but I’ll need to use it myself on a Friday of Marathon Weekend.

 

[jennamfeo]

If they like Harry Potter, you HAVE to have park-to-park tickets otherwise it’s not worth it.

I have a wand I can loan out, but I’ll need to use it myself on a Friday of Marathon Weekend.

I had to google that because we are finally going to Universal Hollywood in August, but that isn't a thing in Cali, thankfully.

 

[Sleepless Knight]

If they like Harry Potter, you HAVE to have park-to-park tickets otherwise it’s not worth it.

I have a wand I can loan out, but I’ll need to use it myself on a Friday of Marathon Weekend.

That's a great point. Even if you've done Potter in Hollywood, the Hogwarts Express alone justifies the park hopper.

I had to google that because we are finally going to Universal Hollywood in August, but that isn't a thing in Cali, thankfully.

If one is a Potter fan and is deciding between Universal Hollywood and Universal Orlando, there really is no debate. Hence why I spent the extra $200+ for a one day hopper ticket at Universal Orlando last year instead of the substantially cheaper one day tickets at Universal Hollywood.

My little sister and I were actually discussing heading to Universal for a day as part of marathon weekend, but I don't think we're going to do it because the timing doesn't really work for us.

 

[SarahDisney]

I'm doing Universal/Potter stuff either monday/Tuesday or tuesday/Wednesday after the marathon.

 

[jennamfeo]

If one is a Potter fan and is deciding between Universal Hollywood and Universal Orlando, there really is no debate. Hence why I spent the extra $200+ for a one day hopper ticket at Universal Orlando last year instead of the substantially cheaper one day tickets at Universal Hollywood.

The main reason for going to Universal Hollywood is because they are changing the Jurassic Park ride to Jurassic World and I want my kid to ride the original ride before they change it. The bonus is that we can go to Harry Potter. We will eventually do UO, but no rush really.

 

[LSUlakes]

I'm doing Universal/Potter stuff either monday/Tuesday or tuesday/Wednesday after the marathon.

Monday is DATW at EPCOT! You will have to see Potter on Tuesday.

 

[SarahDisney]

Monday is DATW at EPCOT! You will have to see Potter on Tuesday.

If I can't get Wednesday off work, then I have to skip datw. I'm sure you guys can survive without me.
But yeah, the ideal plan is tuesday/Wednesday for universal.

 

[rteetz]

I’m not going to universal and I’ve never been...

 

[CDKG]

I considered a day or two at Universal after marathon weekend. But, I don't really care for most of their IPs or attractions. I just love HHN!!! (Which obviously is not happening in January, LOL!) So I will just visit Universal in October and stick to WDW in January. One thing I love about WDW is how there is always something to keep you busy!

 

[lhermiston]

Thanks for the feedback. We’re doing UO the Tuesday after the marathon, so I’m hopefully semi recovered from running (DATW is another story).

HP will be the focus of the UO day and we’ll do as much as possible, though my wife or I might break off at some point with the 4 y/o for Suess or other stuff. I’d like to see the Jurassic Park stuff (even though the new movie is garbage).

As it relates to HP merch, my two oldest are not too demanding, so I’m not very concerned about wands and other stuff.

Thanks for the advice!

 

[Keels]

How many people are interested in UO/IOA during Marathon Weekend? If we get a hand-raise of over 20, I can probably get a convention rate on tickets.

 

[FFigawi]

I’m not going to universal and I’ve never been...

You should go. They do face painting over there too.

 

[rteetz]

You should go. They do face painting over there too.

Definitely don't want to go there!

 

[camaker]

Definitely don't want to go there!

Your face is going to be painted wherever you are. Don't let that limit your scope of activities.

 

[Dis5150]

We are going to Universal Orlando for our family vacation in November. 3 adult daughters, possibly one adult son and DH and I and none of us have ever been. One of my DD's and my DS are military so we get discounted 4 day hoppers. Everyone is very excited about it except DH and I who aren't HP fans, haven't read the books or seen the movies, lol. I am sure we are in the minority. But we will enjoy the themed aspect of it anyway.

 

[Barca33Runner]

I haven't been to UO since the late 90's. I'm pretty sure every single ride that was there at the time is gone now. I know I'd enjoy it (being a theme park addict and all), but I've kind of been waiting for my nieces and nephews to be old enough to go on all of the attractions. The two oldest went this spring and had a blast, so I'm sure I'll be there in the next couple years.

Also, as a person with a dog named McFly, the absence of the Back To The Future ride is a big negative.

 

[ohdanalee]

We are going to Universal Orlando for our family vacation in November. 3 adult daughters, possibly one adult son and DH and I and none of us have ever been. One of my DD's and my DS are military so we get discounted 4 day hoppers. Everyone is very excited about it except DH and I who aren't HP fans, haven't read the books or seen the movies, lol. I am sure we are in the minority. But we will enjoy the themed aspect of it anyway.

Harry Potter is VERY well done so you will enjoy it even if you haven't read the books or movies. It's better than Pandora IMO, which I enjoy very much but I don't give a hoot about Avatar.

 

[ohdanalee]

I haven't been to UO since the late 90's. I'm pretty sure every single ride that was there at the time is gone now. I know I'd enjoy it (being a theme park addict and all), but I've kind of been waiting for my nieces and nephews to be old enough to go on all of the attractions. The two oldest went this spring and had a blast, so I'm sure I'll be there in the next couple years.

Also, as a person with a dog named McFly, the absence of the Back To The Future ride is a big negative.

E.T. is still there, at least. Almost everything else has been rethemed. Including my favorite ride ever Twister which was replaced with some Jimmy Fallon thing I refuse to ride on principal.

 

[SheHulk]

E.T. is still there, at least. Almost everything else has been rethemed. Including my favorite ride ever Twister which was replaced with some Jimmy Fallon thing I refuse to ride on principal.

I’ve never been to UO and have been lurking around this thread but I had to jump in to say I can’t think of a more boring theme park ride than one based on a late night talk show.

 

[rteetz]

I’ve never been to UO and have been lurking around this thread but I had to jump in to say I can’t think of a more boring theme park ride than one based on a late night talk show.

Well I haven’t been on it but it’s not exactly the most well received attraction. It’s a race through New York. Think sort of like Soarin but in the setting of a theater and that entire theater moves as one. The new fast and furious ride hasn’t been well received either.