Not a HP fan

[Bethislucy]

If you aren’t a Harry Potter fan is it worth going to Univarsal? Everyone keeps telling us we need to go to universal if we love Disney so much we will like it. Lol please don’t shoot me like the young 20year olds in my life want to but I know absolutely nothing about Harry Potter. I haven’t read the books or seen the movies. So is it worth it to go if you don’t know anything about HP? If so could you please give this girl some advice on what to do, see how long to stay & where to stay. Thanks

 

[danielocha30]

Yes! it is worth it, Universal has it’s own magic.

 

[schumigirl]

Of course it`s worth it to go to Universal.

There is so much more to the parks than Potter though. Check out the website if you don't know much about it.......check out the park layouts and what rides and shows are available and what you would maybe be interested in.

Read the stickies on here........so much information for folks who haven't been before.......the hotel stickies have pictures and info on what hotels give you unlimited EP and which don't. How long you would need depends on your likes and dislikes. Some folks can do the parks in a day or so or claim even less sometimes......we still couldn't even touch the surface in that time, and we know the parks like the back of our hands.

Read some trip reports........full of pictures and info of other things as well as Potter. We like Potter but aren't the massive fans that some people are, but we love Universal and spend a lot of time there........it`s a vacation on its own.

 

[tony67]

I am not a fan of HP at all - I've seen parts of the movies, but they just dont interest me.
Still I much prefer Universal over what Disney has become in the last 10 years.
I can just show up and enjoy myself, no planning, no overpriced mediocre food that people rave about.

As for the HP areas - even though I am not a fan they are really well done and the rides are fun.
There is also a lot more to Universal than just HP.

My last trip I did 2 days at Disney and 7 at Universal.
Next year I am skipping Disney completely, although I may head over to Trader Sams for a few drinks
Universal really needs a cool Tiki bar

 

[bchbetha]

Go. Universal is far more than just HP. I think even a non-fan will be quite impressed with the HP sections though. I’m sure there are some Disney Ride/ section themes that you aren’t all that interested in (or maybe weren’t before you tried them)- same thing here. Don’t dismiss a whole park for one theme. Head to their website and the Orlando Informer one and read up on all that’s offered!
I’d stay onsite and give yourself a minimum 2 Park days (3 of you want to do Volcano Bay too). More days= more relaxes.

 

[bobbie68]

Hi I agree with PPs give Universal try. There is enough diversity that can make everyone in your party happy. I think staying on-site in one of the resorts is a nicer experience. 3 of the deluxe hotels give you unlimited express pass. Which is you have a separate line from stand-by and the wait time could be substantial. For example Transformers could have an hour wait stand-by but the EP line could be 15 minutes. It really makes touring the parks more relaxing. There are 2 other resorts right now with another opening in August. These resorts will have Early Entry like the other three but do not include Express Pass. They all provide tranThe cost is a bit different between them. You certainly could stay at one of those if you really like the theme and purchase the EP by itself. I agree go on the hotels threads check them out and trip reports are a great way.

I think the one thing you will hear consistently is that it is a more relaxing vacation because there is less planning and stress.

I agree at least 2 if not 3 days to see the park comfortably. Park to park tickets are optional if you are not planning on riding the hogwarts express.

 

[damo]

Harry Potter is just a fantasy land. If you have ever heard of dragons, magic wands and wizards and witches, you will be able to enjoy it.

 

[bumbershoot]

Universal existed before HP.

I know absolutely nothing about Harry Potter. I haven’t read the books or seen the movies.

Then how do you know you’re not a fan?

I am not a fan of HP at all - I've seen parts of the movies, but they just dont interest me.

Makes sense. Try the books. Way better. I know some super fans who won’t deign to watch the movies at all. If you can get your hands on the British audiobook version with Stephen Fry reading it, I hear it’s amazing.

 

[macraven]

I’ve never read the potter books
Tried to watch two of the potter movies on tv

It’s not my thing


But every time I’m at the darkside. I spend a lot of time in both of the potter sections

I find it delightful and entertaining

You don’t have to be a fan to have a good time in the potter sections

The ambiance is amazing
There is nothing to compare it to
So many details in shops, buildings, characters merchandise, music, etc

Food and drinks are unique and worth trying something different

Live entertainment is top notch

The designs in these areas are fabulous and unique
You feel like you are in another world when there

All the TM’s stay in character which I found very unique and entertaining
No way to get bored there

It’s a place to use your imagination and just enjoy yourself

I usually have a friend that interprets for me so I have more background info in following the potter theme

Heck, even if you have no idea of what Potter is all about, you’ll still enjoy the sections
It is unique and one of a kind section in the parks

My thoughts as a muggle....

 

[GoldmanTrust]

My daughter is a huge Potter fan and I never cared much for it.

After our first family trip a few years ago she (then 5 years of age) explained a lot of what was there for me. And then we started watching the movies together and now I kinda love the stories. Since then we have travelled quite often (to both UO and in Hollywood). When you sit on the Forbidden Journey and hear Hermoine say “Levioso” - with the music and sounds from the movies...it’s wonderful.

 

[fiasco32]

Not in my opinion. The shows are much better at WDW and there is much more variety of rides than at Universal. The food quality at WDW is also much higher, IMO. Also, character meet-and-greets are few and far between, and when you do find them, they're poorly organized and there's rarely anyone taking photos.

Aside from a few okay roller coasters and the Jimmy Fallon ride and HP (which you already ruled out) I don't find much "special" about Universal. Certainly nothing "magical" like at WDW.

 

[macraven]

Yes
WdW/ the motherland has magic

But

UO/ the darkside has Mummy Dust

 

[bchbetha]

Not in my opinion. The shows are much better at WDW and there is much more variety of rides than at Universal. The food quality at WDW is also much higher, IMO. Also, character meet-and-greets are few and far between, and when you do find them, they're poorly organized and there's rarely anyone taking photos.

Aside from a few okay roller coasters and the Jimmy Fallon ride and HP (which you already ruled out) I don't find much "special" about Universal. Certainly nothing "magical" like at WDW.

Hmmm... I see you’re not a Universal fan. it’s a shame you had a disappointing experience. Most of us had a great time and encourage others to give it a try.

The meet and greets are really fun and the lines move well plus they take good pics. The Transformers provide super interactions.

 

[fiasco32]

Hmmm... I see you’re not a Universal fan. it’s a shame you had a disappointing experience. Most of us had a great time and encourage others to give it a try.

The meet and greets are really fun and the lines move well plus they take good pics. The Transformers provide super interactions.

My experience at Universal hasn't been "disappointing." In fact, we just went for the second year in a row. My point is that, for us, it's just not the same as WDW (outside of HP), which was the point of the OP. It's not as magical. Feels like most other theme parks you can go to outside of the Harry Potter lands, which are VERY well done (although lacking in rides).

You can absolutely have a good, even a great time at Universal. It's just not somewhere we want to spend days upon days, as opposed to WDW.

Not to mention the fact that Universal is literally right next to the freeway, whereas WDW has built a massive complex where you can feel completely encompassed during your whole stay.

Also, I beg to differ on the photo opportunities. I looked and looked and looked and looked for photographers around Universal like they are all around WDW. I didn't see them. You can find them at some of the character meet-and-greets (but not all) but that's about it. They're all over at WDW. I would have loved a professional shot of us in Diagon Alley, but had to settle for a worker using my iPhone. Just not the same.

Bottom line, Universal is a 1-day park for us, and a short day at that, even for both parks. We spend six times that amount of time at WDW.

 

[GoldmanTrust]

My experience at Universal hasn't been "disappointing." In fact, we just went for the second year in a row. My point is that, for us, it's just not the same as WDW (outside of HP), which was the point of the OP. It's not as magical. Feels like most other theme parks you can go to outside of the Harry Potter lands, which are VERY well done (although lacking in rides).

You can absolutely have a good, even a great time at Universal. It's just not somewhere we want to spend days upon days, as opposed to WDW.

Not to mention the fact that Universal is literally right next to the freeway, whereas WDW has built a massive complex where you can feel completely encompassed during your whole stay.

Also, I beg to differ on the photo opportunities. I looked and looked and looked and looked for photographers around Universal like they are all around WDW. I didn't see them. You can find them at some of the character meet-and-greets (but not all) but that's about it. They're all over at WDW. I would have loved a professional shot of us in Diagon Alley, but had to settle for a worker using my iPhone. Just not the same.

Bottom line, Universal is a 1-day park for us, and a short day at that, even for both parks. We spend six times that amount of time at WDW.

I see where you are coming from. I understand the way you approach the situation, what you value in theme parks.

It is the complete opposite for me and my family. We stay for long periods on Universal land. Last year we did one day at Magic Kingdom (Mickeys not so scary). Showed up at 4 and stayed till closing. We got almost all the rides done and I would say that one day was perfect for us (shorter queues because of all the stuff happening in the park.

My daughter loves drops and Harry Potter, so Universal is perfect for us.

There is no one correct answer in this debate.

 

[11290]

I'm going to agree with some about the shops in HP Land being small in addition to the que in the Castle. My wife has to be in a wheelchair now while in theme parks due to some leg nerve issues right now. Que in the Castle particularly is very dark, narrow and somewhat "windie", not at all conducive to pushing a wheelchair thru. Shops in HP, just forget the chair. If she wants to go in she just had to suck-it-up and walk in.

Having said all that, it was our first time at US. Did Sat thru Monday after Thanksgiving. Got annual passes so will be going back a few times in March, June, July and in the Fall of this year. While we generally liked the parks (HP was awesome) we were a bit put off by the fact that so many of the rides were motion simulator rides (wife and several others in our family of 5 adults / 2 kids couldn't ride about 2/3's of them) and seemed to cater to the 10 to 25 crowd. Was really surprised that HP rides were so intense. Since HP does cater to a younger crowd, you would have thought they would have geared the rides to a wider age range.

Generally speaking, the food was good and there were a lot of choices for the "selective" eater. The big donut was great. With the exception of HP, I somewhat enjoyed the more openness of US streets, however you have to understand, it is supposed to resemble a movie set after all. Overall, while I'm not a huge coaster fan (and I do ride them), if I wanted to ride awesome coasters, I would just go to Holiday World (have season passes there too), only about 40 miles east of where I live. Lot of things I liked at US and some things I did not, but that's why there is US and WDW, different strokes for different folks.

Just my $.02

 

[pattyw]

We're not big HP fans. Haven't seen most of the movies. But we do love the HP areas and rides! We don't understand a lot of the back story on the rides but we are still in awe of the rides and all of the detail in the HP areas of the parks. As PP's have said, there's a lot more to UO than just HP. Universal is a truly relaxing vacation- especially if you stay at an onsite deluxe resort that provides unlimited express pass.

 

[TommyJK]

My first visit to Universal I was not into HP at all (had seen maybe one or two of the movies). But it was so awesome that after that first visit though, it got me and my son really excited about all of it and we've since read all of the books together, seen all of the movies etc.

And now it's made return visits so much more memorable.

 

[klacey1]

My mom is not at all a Harry Potter fan, and the Universal resort is her favorite place is in the world. She even enjoys the HP rides even without liking the source material.

 

[macraven]

The rides and everything in those sections are so entertaining you don’t have to know the background to have fun there