New to Universal

[MichelleCanada]

We have been to WDW many times but have not been to Universal since the 1990s. Our DS11 has just finished reading all of the HP series and we think this is the perfect time to go. We do not have many days in Orlando - can we do everything in two days. We are looking at getting the 2-day 2-park : park to park passes.
Any tips would be appreciated. We are also spending a few days at WDW so it’s about the best experiences at Universal not necessarily doing everything.

 

[macraven]

What dates did you book?
Are you going during the summer?

 

[Neverbeast]

Watching because Similar situation - taking two 11 year olds (plus 16yo +7yo) and we’ve never been. Planning a one day 2 park pass the Sat of Labor Day weekend

 

[MichelleCanada]

Yes - in the summer. The middle of July.

 

[StageTek]

Yes, 2 days should be enough to do everything you want to do. Especially since it's about the best experiences at Universal not necessarily doing everything.

I suggest you start at Universal Studios Park - spend some time at Diagon Alley, pick up and interactive wand at Ollivander's, don't forget to visit Knockturn Alley.

Then hop on Hogwarts Express to Hogsmead.

You can easily spend half a day in those two areas.

 

[Heckah]

The big shock for me going from WDW to Universal was just how much more manageable the parks were. I found WDW to just be completely overwhelming and just large. Both Universal parks go in a circle so it's much easier to navigate. The Harry Potter lands were both really busy compared to the rest of the parks but you can get the top parts of the list done in both parks in two days.

 

[MichelleCanada]

Thank you!! These comments are very helpful. We are excited to try something other than disney - although we have enjoyed disney.

Are there are MUST have places to eat?

Yes, 2 days should be enough to do everything you want to do. Especially since it's about the best experiences at Universal not necessarily doing everything.

I suggest you start at Universal Studios Park - spend some time at Diagon Alley, pick up and interactive wand at Ollivander's, don't forget to visit Knockturn Alley.

What does the interactive wand do? And how much are they?

 

[StageTek]

I recommend Three Broomsticks. Especially for Harry Potter fans. And the food is good.

What does the interactive wand do? And how much are they?

There are spots all over both Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade where you can cast spells. They cost about $60.

I went with a friend and her 10yo niece. We didn't see her for almost 2 hours.

 

[MichelleCanada]

I recommend Three Broomsticks. Especially for Harry Potter fans. And the food is good.


There are spots all over both Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade where you can cast spells. They cost about $60.

I went with a friend and her 10yo niece. We didn't see her for almost 2 hours.

Amazing!! I’m getting excited about this!

 

[Mom2Anna&Elsa]

Amazing!! I’m getting excited about this!

I recommend YouTube videos of All Ears Universal Orlando. Search All Ears Universal Orlando and there's an entire section of them. Molly is a huge Harry Potter fan and has a few videos of just those areas. Granted, some of it might be a 'spoiler alert' if you want to be surprised by the actual land when you go there, but you'll also get great information on the secret spells, as well as pointing out details in the HP lands from the books and movies.

Hogwarts Express has different 'shows' on the train screens depending upon which way you go (to and from UO & IoA)

 

[lockets]

If your son just finished Harry Potter and liked the series y’all will have a blast!

 

[Kit Jackson]

I think two days is doable if your focus is on doing everything Harry Potter, with anything else at Universal as just a bonus. I think 3 days is better if you want to see and do more, but if you only have two days that should be enough for a Harry Potter focused trip. Something to think about: Do you want to see the Harry Potter themed shows (there are two different shows in each park) or do you want to do non-Harry Potter themed rides/shows/attractions? With limited time, these are decisions you will need to make.

Places to Eat (in the Parks and City Walk):
Florean Forescue's Ice-Cream
Bumble-Bee Man's Taco Truck
Toothsome
Mythos

 

[disneyseniors]

As you are passing Men in Black at the Studios on the way to HP, you might want to go on MIB. It's a lot of fun and I bet the boys would love it.
We found that the HP lands were an all day experience, one each day. But we love Harry Potter and they are so immersive and well done. You will have a blast!
If the boys want to ride MIB (or any other ride) back to back, they can just get back in line a do it - not like at disney. It's a much more relaxing, fun experience at Universal, IMO.

 

[a1tinkfans]

Great info… my first visit too! Starting at Disney for a week… then universal for 3 days 2 nites. ….
Copying all these “ hints” …thx!

 

[MichelleCanada]

I don’t think that we need to do the HP shows. Especially if it means that we can spend some time around the rest of the park.

Disney has their Genie+ system - does universal have anything similar or is everything just stand in line?

 

[StageTek]

Disney has their Genie+ system - does universal have anything similar or is everything just stand in line?

Yes, it's called Express Pass. There are two kinds - Express at $80 and Unlimited at $110

 

[Mom2Anna&Elsa]

I don’t think that we need to do the HP shows. Especially if it means that we can spend some time around the rest of the park.

Disney has their Genie+ system - does universal have anything similar or is everything just stand in line?

Universal has express pass & express pass unlimited. These are additional options on top of the price of tickets, and no where near the $15/day for Genie plus or $10 plus per ride for lightning lane.

You can check their website to see what the price is on the day you are going. Express pass (starts at $80 per person per park per day) allows you to bypass the lines for rides for one time per ride. Express pass unlimited (starts at $110 per person per park per day) allows you to bypass lines for rides as many times as you want (want to ride Spiderman 12 times in a row with Express pass unlimited? Have at it).
*Please note: Neither Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure nor Velocicoaster allow any version of express pass. They only have standard lines for everyone. People staying at Universal resorts get in an hour early and both of those are currently open for early entry for days IoA is open early for resort guests.

Express pass is also booked per day. If you reserve Tuesday and pay for Express Pass Unlimited for that day, you can't decide to switch up your park days and go on Wednesday instead and get Unlimited Express pass on Wednesday. You paid for Tuesday, you only get Tuesday. It's non-transferrable.

The 'cheaper way' to get express pass is that the 3 Premier resorts for Universal include Express Pass Unlimited for everyone in the room for both check-in day and check-out day. The room key serves as the express pass. So, if you have a family of 3 or 4, it's usually cheaper to just book a room at Hard Rock or Portofino Bay or Royal Pacific, and your room comes with express pass unlimited for everyone in your party for both check-in and check-out day. Some people do throw-away rooms (where they don't actually stay there), just for that reason.

Also, express pass lines are not as short as lightning lane lines. If a wait time for a standard attraction is 100 minutes at Universal Studios, the express pass line might be 30 minutes. It could also be 15 minutes. It's just shorter than the regular lines typically. If a ride is a walk-on for everyone, express pass does not give you any advantage.

 

[MichelleCanada]

Universal has express pass & express pass unlimited. These are additional options on top of the price of tickets, and no where near the $15/day for Genie plus or $10 plus per ride for lightning lane.

You can check their website to see what the price is on the day you are going. Express pass (starts at $80 per person per park per day) allows you to bypass the lines for rides for one time per ride. Express pass unlimited (starts at $110 per person per park per day) allows you to bypass lines for rides as many times as you want (want to ride Spiderman 12 times in a row with Express pass unlimited? Have at it).
*Please note: Neither Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure nor Velocicoaster allow any version of express pass. They only have standard lines for everyone. People staying at Universal resorts get in an hour early and both of those are currently open for early entry for days IoA is open early for resort guests.

Express pass is also booked per day. If you reserve Tuesday and pay for Express Pass Unlimited for that day, you can't decide to switch up your park days and go on Wednesday instead and get Unlimited Express pass on Wednesday. You paid for Tuesday, you only get Tuesday. It's non-transferrable.

The 'cheaper way' to get express pass is that the 3 Premier resorts for Universal include Express Pass Unlimited for everyone in the room for both check-in day and check-out day. The room key serves as the express pass. So, if you have a family of 3 or 4, it's usually cheaper to just book a room at Hard Rock or Portofino Bay or Royal Pacific, and your room comes with express pass unlimited for everyone in your party for both check-in and check-out day. Some people do throw-away rooms (where they don't actually stay there), just for that reason.

Also, express pass lines are not as short as lightning lane lines. If a wait time for a standard attraction is 100 minutes at Universal Studios, the express pass line might be 30 minutes. It could also be 15 minutes. It's just shorter than the regular lines typically. If a ride is a walk-on for everyone, express pass does not give you any advantage.

Yikes!!! That sounds so expensive!! We are staying at a hotel closer to Disney because we are doing a few days there as well. So we will also be paying for parking!

 

[Mom2Anna&Elsa]

Yikes!!! That sounds so expensive!! We are staying at a hotel closer to Disney because we are doing a few days there as well. So we will also be paying for parking!

I certainly wouldn't call the express pass options at Universal as 'similar' to Disney's Genie plus. They seem geared as a perk for guests at premier resorts, or financially feasible for a solo traveler going during off-season.

The starting prices are just that-- starting prices. Busier times, like holidays and summers, are more expensive than those posted prices, it's all based on the date and how busy they will be. And they can and do sell out, sometimes before the actual park day (because you can purchase online ahead of time).

 

[lockets]

The key is to get a deluxe room (they are typically priced similar to moderate Disney rooms - nowhere near what Disney charges) and the pass is included for free.