No early entry, 2 parks one day September

[blakefamily]

Hello, We will be doing 1 day, park to park, no early entry as we are staying off site. We will be there the week of 9/7-14. Not planning on Express pass. Seems like should be lower crowds? Our top priority ride wise is Hagrid's and Velocicoaster. We were last at UO in 2021. What would your " plan of attack" be ? Start at USF, IOA ? Thoughts and tips are greatly appreciated

 

[georgina]

Hello, We will be doing 1 day, park to park, no early entry as we are staying off site. We will be there the week of 9/7-14. Not planning on Express pass. Seems like should be lower crowds? Our top priority ride wise is Hagrid's and Velocicoaster. We were last at UO in 2021. What would your " plan of attack" be ? Start at USF, IOA ? Thoughts and tips are greatly appreciated

Check the park hours. There is a lot there to consider.

US closes at 5 many nights for HHN, looks like it closes at 6 on 9/9 and 7 on 9/10. However, IOA closes at 7 on those nights also. Later in the week, 11th and 12th (and 9/8), IOA is open until 8 PM and US opens at 8 AM, so more park hours overall.

Since you don't have EE and the EE park is IOA, I guess I would start at US. (The line for Hagrid's is often quite long in the morning and gets somewhat lower around lunchtime. Still will be at least an hour probably.) I would tackle the US rides in the morning, catch the Hogwarts Express to IOA in the afternoon to ride Hagrid's and Velocicoaster, knowing you may have some waits. There could be a chance you can reride them later in the evening, but if you are there when US closes at 5, crowds at IOA will pick up after that!

 

[CAPSLOCK]

I agree with @georgina except I would NOT try to ride the Hogwarts Express to Islands on the afternoon on an HHN day. Unless you just fancy a 1hr+ wait to save you maybe a 20min walk.

 

[georgina]

I agree with @georgina except I would NOT try to ride the Hogwarts Express to Islands on the afternoon on an HHN day. Unless you just fancy a 1hr+ wait to save you maybe a 20min walk.

Yeah right. It depends on the time of day and posted wait times. If a general low crowd day and time not more than 20 minutes, I would do it. The effects on the way from Kings Cross (going through the wall) to Hogwarts are very cool. What can I say, I'm a Potter nerd.

 

[mamapenguin]

I am not expecting low crowds, it’s HHN time. I will be there 9/10-9/17. If you want to do Hagrids it might be difficult with no EE, closing time can have shorter waits but you also have to work around the weather. Fingers crossed that everything goes smoothly. Anytime at Universal is good.