Newbie.. 1 day/2park.. A couple questions

[Julie521]

My husband and I are visiting Disney in September and doing one day in Universal. We will be going Wednesday (the 5th) and have a few questions. We are going to get there at open, do both parks with a quick lunch somewhere, then after park closing go to Margaritaville for dinner, mini-golf, and hit City Walk until we decide to head back to our resort. I've been to US once, and husband has never been. One thing he really wants to see if Harry Potter, and I just really want to do Despicable Me since it wasn't there on my last visit. Here are my questions:

1A. What park order would you do? US or IOA First? I Checked park hours, and they are 9-7 for IoA and 9-6 for US.

1B. For whenever we do Harry Potter, any particular order to tour the world?

2. What are some good suggestions for a counter service lunch in the park that ins't just a burger or chicken fingers?

3. What places have a happy hour, and what time do they typically happen?

4. Do you think an express pass is ever needed in September? I know this is typically a slower time for Disney, but how about US? Last time I went was March, and we did purchase the express pass. I don't plan on purchasing until we get to the park if needed.

Thanks so much! Any other advice for a young couple celebrating their honeymoon would be helpful!!

 

[Metro West]

My husband and I are visiting Disney in September and doing one day in Universal. We will be going Wednesday (the 5th) and have a few questions. We are going to get there at open, do both parks with a quick lunch somewhere, then after park closing go to Margaritaville for dinner, mini-golf, and hit City Walk until we decide to head back to our resort. I've been to US once, and husband has never been. One thing he really wants to see if Harry Potter, and I just really want to do Despicable Me since it wasn't there on my last visit. Here are my questions:

1A. What park order would you do? US or IOA First? I Checked park hours, and they are 9-7 for IoA and 9-6 for US. I don't think it will really matter. HP will be busy from opening due to early opening for hotel guests so you might want to head to the Studios first. Despicable Me has been having long waits (70-90 minutes on average) lately so it's important to do it as early as possible. Plus you'll have the extra hour at IOA to finish up.

1B. For whenever we do Harry Potter, any particular order to tour the world? If you are into the wands, you'll want to do Ollivanders first since the line can get very long very quickly. You can use the single rider line for Forbidden Journey. Everything else you can play by ear.

2. What are some good suggestions for lunch in the park that ins't just a burger or chicken fingers? At IOA, I would suggest Thunder Falls Terrace for counter service and Mythos for table service. At the Studios, I'd go with Louie's for counter service and Finnegan's for table service. You can check the food sticky for menus and prices.

3. What places have a happy hour, and what time do they typically happen? I can't help you with happy hours since I don't drink but most restaurants in CityWalk have some sort of happy hour...you'll have to check to see what's going on when you're there.

4. Do you think an express pass is ever needed in September? I know this is typically a slower time for Disney, but how about US? Last time I went was March, and we did purchase the express pass. I don't plan on purchasing until we get to the park if needed. It's doubtful you'd need Express in September but you can wait until you arrive to decide. If you want to purchase the EP, you may do so throughout both parks.

Thanks so much! Any other advice for a young couple celebrating their honeymoon would be helpful!!

My answers are above and I'm sure you'll have a blast!

 

[Julie521]

My answers are above and I'm sure you'll have a blast!

Thank you for the advice! We know we just want to do a counter service for lunch, and dinner we are doing Margaritaville. I will check out the sticky to see about those counter services. Do you think Despicable will still have that long of lines in September? That will probably be one of the first things we do then/ My husband isn't the biggest coaster fan, so I may be doing some solo single rider lines depending on lines and times.

 

[Maytrix]

1A. What park order would you do? US or IOA First? I Checked park hours, and they are 9-7 for IoA and 9-6 for US.

1B. For whenever we do Harry Potter, any particular order to tour the world?

2. What are some good suggestions for lunch in the park that ins't just a burger or chicken fingers?

3. What places have a happy hour, and what time do they typically happen?

4. Do you think an express pass is ever needed in September? I know this is typically a slower time for Disney, but how about US? Last time I went was March, and we did purchase the express pass. I don't plan on purchasing until we get to the park if needed.

1. Before I saw your comment about your husband not being a coaster fan, I'd suggest Dragon Challenge first. In my opinion, front row is the only way to go and you really need to get there first to do that without waiting. I do it 6 times alternating and in the front row each time - almost every time we go. I stop once I have to wait more than a car or two at most.

1B. Doesn't really matter - I'd personally do single rider line - you can't really talk, or hold hands on the ride, so sitting next to each other really shouldn't matter and single rider will save you time.

2. Mythos at IOA or Finnegans at USF. Comic strip cafe is counter service, but a but more selections than most - its in IOA.

3. I think Finnegan's might

4. I'd say no, although we always stay onsite so having it does make a difference, but isn't something I'd consider a requirement. If you use the single rider lines, you'll do fine.

 

[Julie521]

1. Before I saw your comment about your husband not being a coaster fan, I'd suggest Dragon Challenge first. In my opinion, front row is the only way to go and you really need to get there first to do that without waiting. I do it 6 times alternating and in the front row each time - almost every time we go. I stop once I have to wait more than a car or two at most.

1B. Doesn't really matter - I'd personally do single rider line - you can't really talk, or hold hands on the ride, so sitting next to each other really shouldn't matter and single rider will save you time.

2. Mythos at IOA or Finnegans at USF. Comic strip cafe is counter service, but a but more selections than most - its in IOA.

3. I think Finnegan's might

4. I'd say no, although we always stay onsite so having it does make a difference, but isn't something I'd consider a requirement. If you use the single rider lines, you'll do fine.

Thank you for the comments!!! I think he will do Dragon only because of harry potter, but I might be riding like, Hulk, solo! I will check out Comic Strips, we will most likely do a counter service lunch I think then a big dinner.

 

[Metro West]

Thank you for the advice! We know we just want to do a counter service for lunch, and dinner we are doing Margaritaville. I will check out the sticky to see about those counter services. Do you think Despicable will still have that long of lines in September? That will probably be one of the first things we do then/ My husband isn't the biggest coaster fan, so I may be doing some solo single rider lines depending on lines and times.

I don't think the line will be quite as long for Despicable Me in September but 60 minutes during a slow time isn't unheard of.

 

[Seeker615]

We went to Universal late August and early September last year. Traveling between the two parks is a breeze and if you already have your tickets you will have no problem switching between parks.

We ate lunch at Mythos in IOA and the food was delicious. If you pick an off time for lunch you should have no problem getting in and out.

For Harry Potter - My daughter and I could not wait to ride the main ride in the castle so we did the single rider line first and then later went and did the castle tour. And toward the end of the day we went through the line and rode again. (We were at Universal for three day and must have rode that about 12 times over the three days. It's that good!) The wand show is cute but very short. If you don't have a lot of time I would skip it. Make sure you get a butterbeer in the Hogs Head pub! Also check out Moaning Myrtle in the Bathroom and if time allows The Three Broomsticks is really cool.

Over at Universal don't miss the Horror Make Up Show. It was one of my favorite shows. We went back and saw it again.

We did not need Express Passes over the three days we were there.

Also for the evening stop over at the Hard Rock Cafe' for a drink and sit outside. Our last evening we sat out in the comfy chairs with a glass of wine and some appetizers and enjoyed the night. It's so pretty to see the light of City Walk and IOA in the evening.

Have a wonderful trip! (Now I want to go back!)