Newbie advice needed for 1-day visit

[shyjade]

DD16 and I will be visiting Universal (both parks) for 1 day November 6th. I haven't been to Universal since 1991! I know that multiple days would be best, but that's not an option this trip.

Like everyone else, our main priorities are Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade. However, we do NOT plan on riding Gringotts. In fact, the only HP ride we are interested in is Hogwarts Express and possibly FJ. We mostly want to enjoy the atmosphere, browse the shops, and get some butterbeer ice cream.

Aside from HP, DD16 is a huge minion fan so Despicable Me is a priority. Neither of us are interested in thrill rides or roller coasters, we're more into 3D movies than rides. Any "left over" time would be spent exploring the parks and maybe a ride or two like ET (something low-key). We will likely just grab a bite to eat as needed and are not planning any meals.

How would you suggest we plan our day? Where should we start? We plan to get there plenty early. The park opens at 9am to the general public.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

 

[damo]

Why wouldn't you ride Gringotts? It sounds exactly like the type of ride you like. Forbidden Journey is much more intense than Gringotts.

 

[shyjade]

Why wouldn't you ride Gringotts? It sounds exactly like the type of ride you like. Forbidden Journey is much more intense than Gringotts.

We don't want to spend 3 hours in line for a ride, especially since we won't have EE. But if the lines are manageable by then, we will absolutely ride it! I just don't want to count on it or spend the entire morning waiting in line for it.

 

[shyjade]

Just don't want to get our hopes up to ride it lol

 

[glocon]

Since most people go to DA first, maybe if you went to Hogsmeade first you could do FJ and those shops first before the crowds come in from DA. You could then take the HE over to DA when the morning crowd moves over to Hogsmeade, then do the DA stuff. It seems like the worst crowds in DA are in the morning from what is said on the DIS.

 

[johde]

By November, the summer rush should be long over. Early November should be one of the lower crowd times in the park. I know you only said you were only interest in FJ and HE but if the lines are show you may want to consider adding Flight of the Hippogriff and if you're up to it at least one side of Dragon Challenge. The line for Flight of the Hippogriff is the only place to get up close with Hagrid's hut and there is an animated Buckbeak. Dragon Challenge's outside queue has the Weezley's car and the inside queue has Triwazard's cup and Golden Egg Harry took into the bath. If the line is short enough, you could even walk through then take the "chicken exit".

You mentioned liking 3D movies, you might want to checkout Terminator 2 3D and Shrek 3D. The other "must do's" on my list would probably be Men in Black and either Terminator or Spiderman. Men in Black is like Buzz Light Year but much better done. It does involve considerable spinning though.

In the sedate rides, you mentioned E.T., Cat in the Hat at Seuss Landing in IOA is good and they recently toned down the spinning.

 

[shyjade]

Would it make sense to ride Despicable Me, take the HE to Hogsmeade, then ride HE back to Diagon Alley early afternoon?

 

[macraven]

DD16 and I will be visiting Universal (both parks) for 1 day November 6th. I haven't been to Universal since 1991! I know that multiple days would be best, but that's not an option this trip.

Like everyone else, our main priorities are Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade. However, we do NOT plan on riding Gringotts. In fact, the only HP ride we are interested in is Hogwarts Express and possibly FJ. We mostly want to enjoy the atmosphere, browse the shops, and get some butterbeer ice cream.

Aside from HP, DD16 is a huge minion fan so Despicable Me is a priority. Neither of us are interested in thrill rides or roller coasters, we're more into 3D movies than rides. Any "left over" time would be spent exploring the parks and maybe a ride or two like ET (something low-key). We will likely just grab a bite to eat as needed and are not planning any meals.

How would you suggest we plan our day? Where should we start? We plan to get there plenty early. The park opens at 9am to the general public.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

since you haven't been to the darkside in 23 years, check out the map of the parks so you know in advance which way to go to hit the rides you plan on doing.

this will save you time and you can map out in advance the way to travel thru the park.

www.universalorlando.com

you can also get a brief description of each ride on that site.