New to Universal Studios, please help!

[Mlgurney]

So we are going to Disney for 8 nights and would like to go to Universal Studios Orlando for a day. I didn't realize that they have two different parks. I was really looking forward to the Minions and the Harry Potter items. My question is this: If we only go to Universal Studios Orlando, will they have anything Harry Potter or any Harry Potter items to buy (maybe chocolate frogs or any little things)? Or do we have to go to both parks? My kids love the minions, but I love the Harry Potter stuff! Thanks for your help! We are also planning on staying at Disney Movies and are planning on buying the tickets along with transportation for around $150 each ticket. Is this the easiest way to go?

 

[Jaime4004]

So we are going to Disney for 8 nights and would like to go to Universal Studios Orlando for a day. I didn't realize that they have two different parks. I was really looking forward to the Minions and the Harry Potter items. My question is this: If we only go to Universal Studios Orlando, will they have anything Harry Potter or any Harry Potter items to buy (maybe chocolate frogs or any little things)? Or do we have to go to both parks? My kids love the minions, but I love the Harry Potter stuff! Thanks for your help! We are also planning on staying at Disney Movies and are planning on buying the tickets along with transportation for around $150 each ticket. Is this the easiest way to go?

Can't answer most of your questions except to say that you can buy 1 day park to park tickets and get to experience both. That's what we did last trip, it's a lot of fun. You can walk from one park to the other.

 

[tweak89]

So we are going to Disney for 8 nights and would like to go to Universal Studios Orlando for a day. I didn't realize that they have two different parks. I was really looking forward to the Minions and the Harry Potter items. My question is this: If we only go to Universal Studios Orlando, will they have anything Harry Potter or any Harry Potter items to buy (maybe chocolate frogs or any little things)? Or do we have to go to both parks? My kids love the minions, but I love the Harry Potter stuff! Thanks for your help! We are also planning on staying at Disney Movies and are planning on buying the tickets along with transportation for around $150 each ticket. Is this the easiest way to go?

You didn't say when you are going and that would really dictate what you need to do. If you go before the new Diagon Alley expansion opens in Studios, you would be best off going to Islands of Adventure if Potter stuff is more important.

Otherwise, if you want to do both (Minions/Potter) or if you go after the expansion opens, you would really need a park to park ticket to fully enjoy the Potter areas (as they will be connected by the Hogwarts Express, which requires a park to park ticket to ride).

Also, without the Express Pass (an add on to the standard tickets or included with a resort stay), you will have a tough time enjoying both parks in one day (especially if you go during peak times).

 

[RMulieri]

You didn't say when you are going and that would really dictate what you need to do. If you go before the new Diagon Alley expansion opens in Studios, you would be best off going to Islands of Adventure if Potter stuff is more important.

Otherwise, if you want to do both (Minions/Potter) or if you go after the expansion opens, you would really need a park to park ticket to fully enjoy the Potter areas (as they will be connected by the Hogwarts Express, which requires a park to park ticket to ride).

Also, without the Express Pass (an add on to the standard tickets or included with a resort stay), you will have a tough time enjoying both parks in one day (especially if you go during peak times).

agree with this..If you are going BEFORE this summer, your options are the Islands of Adventure for HArry Potter or Studios for minions.You can get a 1 day park to park ticket to see both ( the parks are literally next to each other).Keep in mind that you will not experience all the parks have to offer in one day.It would be like trying to cram Magic Kingdom and DHS into one day.If you are going this summer or after, the Harry Potter expansion opens at the Studios.It will REQUIRE a park to park ticket to ride the Hogwarts express( which will run between Hogsmeade at Islands of Adventure and the new Diagon Alley at the Studios).It will also make the parks PACKED and very hard for you to experience even the highlights in one day.

 

[BrinkofSunshine]

Yes, you can buy Harry Potter merch on the studios side, at the Universal Studios Store right next to Despicable Me. It's not as complete as in the Wizarding World at IOA but they'll have a lot of stuff.

 

[CarlaLovesDisney]

If you are a big Harry Potter fan, IOA is totally worth it.

 

[glocon]

The WWoHP is like being in the books/movies. It would be a shame to miss if you love all things Potter and you are so close! Universal did a phenomenal job with Hogsmeade. So worth going to.

 

[Metro West]

The WWoHP is like being in the books/movies. It would be a shame to miss if you love all things Potter and you are so close! Universal did a phenomenal job with Hogsmeade. So worth going to.

 

[islandtimect]

You can buy the Univ tickets with transportation from your Disney resort included. I recommend the 2 day tix to cover what everyone wants to see because a 1 day park to park is expensive and wont give enuf time to see it all. The transportation cost is not much more than the park price so is a good value.

 

[Dvc808]

Does anyone know the price of transportation from disney resort and 2day tix are? Curious as I am going in January of next year.

 

[glocon]

We always drive ourselves, so I don't know the answer. But I have seen people be directed to look at the transportation sticky at top of page. Hope this helps.