New to Universal, need planning help!

[ckelly14]

Heading to Florida next week to see my parents. Just added a last minute trip to Universal for Friday Feb 13th and Saturday Feb 14th. Staying at Royal Pacific one night only (Friday).

Questions:
1. I know I can check in early and get my tickets/Express pass at the hotel, but any advantage to purchasing passes ahead of time?
2. Harry Potter is a top priority. I have heard that it will be only early admission to IOA at this time. Any suggestion on which park which day? Anyone get there early, ride Forbidden Journey then take the express to Diagon Alley as soon as it opens? Any advantage in this?

Thanks!

 

[CPanther95]

I'd definitely do IOA on Friday and the Studios on Saturday.

I haven't been since Diagon was open, but from what I've read here - it's the luck of the draw whether hitting FJ > Train > Gringott's is better than waiting to do Diagon until your Studios day (assuming IOA has Early Entry and the Studios doesn't). Sounds like it's close enough that it might be worth trying.

 

[ckelly14]

Thanks. I guess things are somewhat in flux right now. The only issue may be that I don't get the crew up early enough on Friday to check in/grab EP/walk to IOA to take advantage of early entrance.

Let's say on Friday I'm not leaving the hotel after grabbing our passes until 8:30 or 9AM. What would you recommend?

 

[HM]

Thanks. I guess things are somewhat in flux right now. The only issue may be that I don't get the crew up early enough on Friday to check in/grab EP/walk to IOA to take advantage of early entrance.

Let's say on Friday I'm not leaving the hotel after grabbing our passes until 8:30 or 9AM. What would you recommend?

I'd choose to do IOA first if you are doing Harry Potter stuff. The lines for just getting into Diagon Alley will be long in the morning, so do it later in the day.

 

[ckelly14]

Think I'll go to Hogsmeade first, take the train over later to Gingotts, with perhaps the opposite the next day. Is the train "ride" different going in each direction?

 

[macraven]

Think I'll go to Hogsmeade first, take the train over later to Gingotts, with perhaps the opposite the next day. Is the train "ride" different going in each direction?

yes, different experience on each way.
they only have the two versions on the train.
do it in each direction and you've covered it.

 

[nkereina]

You could always do Gringotts single rider in the afternoon on Friday. When the posted wait was 120 minutes, the single rider line took us about 30 minutes and that's including a good 10-15 minute mechanical delay.

No advantage to buying passes in advance, except that it may save you a few minutes if you don't think you can be there ahead of rope drop. If you had more time, you could also save a few bucks by ordering them through Undercover Tourist.