One Day, looking for suggestions

[Herding_Cats]

I know how to Disney. I do not know how to Universal. But my older kids are kind of "over" going to the disney parks and we are looking at going to ONE of the Universal parks for ONE day in the end of March (yes, I understand this is a very busy time of year.) The 3 oldest like Harry Potter. We are rope-droppers and I like to have a pretty set "plan of attack" for going into the parks.

Kids will be 16/14/9/2. All boys except for the 2yo if you think that matters. The oldest ones have not been thrill seekers in the past. They like BTMR and Space (except for how jerky it is), but showed absolutely no interest in TT or RnR. I know that the coasters at Universal tend to be bigger and faster and I honestly do not know if they will want to go on the "thrill rides."

Does one of the parks have more, slightly smaller rides? They aren't really that into "shows" so that's not necessarily something we would do other than to take a break out of the sun/rain. Please help. I don't want to pintrest-research this because i know how old/out of date/inaccurate stuff can be with all of the changes in the past 2 years.

 

[PrincessWithABlaster]

I know how to Disney. I do not know how to Universal. But my older kids are kind of "over" going to the disney parks and we are looking at going to ONE of the Universal parks for ONE day in the end of March (yes, I understand this is a very busy time of year.) The 3 oldest like Harry Potter. We are rope-droppers and I like to have a pretty set "plan of attack" for going into the parks.

Kids will be 16/14/9/2. All boys except for the 2yo if you think that matters. The oldest ones have not been thrill seekers in the past. They like BTMR and Space (except for how jerky it is), but showed absolutely no interest in TT or RnR. I know that the coasters at Universal tend to be bigger and faster and I honestly do not know if they will want to go on the "thrill rides."

Does one of the parks have more, slightly smaller rides? They aren't really that into "shows" so that's not necessarily something we would do other than to take a break out of the sun/rain. Please help. I don't want to pintrest-research this because i know how old/out of date/inaccurate stuff can be with all of the changes in the past 2 years.

At Islands of Adventure, Hagrids is only a little more ‘thrilly’ than BTMR or Space. There aren’t any inversions. I don’t know if you want spoilers but there is one element that is more intense than those rides but not that much. Forbidden Journey is probably the same intensity as the Disney rides but with screen elements. If anyone gets motion sick it’s not a good option. Spider man is a screen based ride. If the kids like those it’s a good option. Flight of the Hippogriff is a kids coaster with good theming.

On the Studios side, Gringotts fits in your list nicely (has added screen elements). Transformers is another screen ride like Spider-Man. Men in Black is like Buzz with more grown up-ish theming (MIB).

Since the kids like HP, the interactive wands are fun but pricey.

i don’t really have an answer for you since I feel like it’s pretty even between the parks. I’d look at the ride descriptions and decide which you’re more interested in.

 

[katied]

So, we just got back, and Christmas was very busy.

To ride Hagrids, you must rope drop it. Park (islands of adventure) opened for resort guests at 7, we were in line at 630, and went straight for the ride once we go through. From there, to Velicocoaster. Neither have express pass, so rope drop is only way. Hagrids lines can be as lonegas 2 hours, but this was, we got both coasters done before 8. After that, next hit Forbidden Journey another tamer ride right across from it, Then, best to finish what you want in Islands of adventure before you go to Universal… this could be Jurassic ride, Kong, Hulk, Spider-Man… there is Suessland with little kid rides, but timewise, you might be best splitting up - one hits kid rides, another does teen rides.

Your kids may not like Velicocoaster or Hulk — these are far more intense then anything at Disney. Rest should be fine at IOA. If you skip Velicocoaster, you can get all of Harry Potter done at rope drop (if you have early entry).

you can do Hogwarts express to get between parks. Even if you have express pass, it will take 30-40 min. You can walk in 10 min. But, depends if you want the experience.

Then, Universal…
Gringotts will have very long line. Mummy will be intense, and may be closed (Jan - Spet 2022). Rip ride rocket is also intense, and could be skipped,

Anyway, key to know if you have Express Pass (cuts wait times in half) and resort early entry. You could consider booking room at Royal Pacific, Hard Rock or Portofino with an Annual Pass discount just for the express pass benefits and early entry. Otherwise, key will be to pick top rides and start with Hagrids at rope drop.

 

[PrincessWithABlaster]

I forgot to add that IOA has the water rides. If your kids like water rides, that would tip the scales to IOA for me. But. They are not Disney water rides. You won’t get ‘splash’ed, you’ll get soaked! To the skin. A poncho would help you on JP River Adventure but not the others. You’d definitely want a change of clothes or do the rides strategically.

 

[katied]

For the water rides, your shoes will be soaked too… wear water shoes or else plan on wet gym shoes for days.

 

[Skywalker3]

I know how to Disney. I do not know how to Universal. But my older kids are kind of "over" going to the disney parks and we are looking at going to ONE of the Universal parks for ONE day in the end of March (yes, I understand this is a very busy time of year.) The 3 oldest like Harry Potter. We are rope-droppers and I like to have a pretty set "plan of attack" for going into the parks.

Kids will be 16/14/9/2. All boys except for the 2yo if you think that matters. The oldest ones have not been thrill seekers in the past. They like BTMR and Space (except for how jerky it is), but showed absolutely no interest in TT or RnR. I know that the coasters at Universal tend to be bigger and faster and I honestly do not know if they will want to go on the "thrill rides."

Does one of the parks have more, slightly smaller rides? They aren't really that into "shows" so that's not necessarily something we would do other than to take a break out of the sun/rain. Please help. I don't want to pintrest-research this because i know how old/out of date/inaccurate stuff can be with all of the changes in the past 2 years.

It's so very hard to pick just 1 park if the older kids are big HP fans. I know that could mean a lot more money, but you wont' be able to do the Hogwarts express w/o it. If I had to choose just 1 park though, and they aren't into thrill coasters, I think I'd do Universal, but really would not want to limit to just 1 park, because there are so many fun things are both. One of my favorite rides there is Spiderman at IoA,. But I also love MiB at Universal. I'd choose Diagon Alley over Hogsmeade, and Gringotts is SO fabulous, but going through the queue at Forbidden Journey is awesome. The ride makes me so sick, but it's worth it. But IoA also has a lot of fun rides in Dr Seuss land. Maybe look over all the ride options in each, and go from there.
I think I'm in the minority who found Hagrids kinda intense, but nothing like Rip Ride Rockets, etc. Maybe it's comparable to Expedition Everest but a LOT faster, with several very fast launches, and 'surprise,' no inversions, but if they don't like RnRC, not sure they'll do Hagrid's, but you never know. I'd still give it a try. My son surprised us when he started loving all the crazy coasters. VC is now his favorite ride in Orlando, (replaced Manta and Mako at Seaworld, and the Disney coasters are not thrilling enough now....)

We finally just got an interactive wand this past trip, and that was a lot of fun. Can take some time though, so that can kinda be like the 'downtime' in the afternoon. We aren't into shows either, and there aren't really many attractions like that in Universal, but there are some things like the Blues Brothers, or the various HP shows, but those are easily skippable if not interested.

We are big rope droppers too, so if you're used to that at Disney, bring that same philosophy to Universal. Like be at turnstiles 45 mins ahead of scheduled opening, have a plan to head for whatever big attraction you all want, esp Hagrids or VC, but have a backup, if one of those is down. Eat at off times. we tend to eat like at 10:30/11:00 quick service, or snack, and then eat at like 1:30 or 2:00.

The water rides are So fun, but you will get soaked, not just like 'i'll wear a poncho on Splash,' but more like, Kali River rapids times 5, head to toe wet.

So many awesome threads here. We just went to Universal/IoA this past Oct/Columbus day weekend. Very busy. But we hadn't been since Thanksgiving, 2018, and LOTS of changes. The Universal threads and folks here were SOOOOO helpful. Happy planning! Hope y'all will have a blast.

 

[CAPSLOCK]

I'd nominate Studios in your case - I think Diagon Alley is the better of the two HP areas for just exploration. Gringotts and Forbidden Journey are both awesome, but you have to skip one anyways. Although Hagrids is awesome, it can be a big time commitment for a one day visit and does not outweigh the various Studios rides.

Especially if you would not want to be soaked on the water rides at IoA, Studios will offer more to do for that 1 day.

Studios gets you:
Transformers
Mummy
Gringotts
Men in Black
Simpsons
Minions
Fast & Furious
The Woody Woodpecker coaster and kids area for your 2yo
The only ride you'd skip due to intensity in Studios would be Rip Ride Rocket.

Shows:
Bourne Stuntacular
Animal show
Horror makeup show
Likely the evening water Cinematic show
Various meet and greets - at both parks

Even money aside, cramming both parks in one day on a busier day for a first trip means skipping or breezing past a lot. I think one park will give you a good taste and desire to come back & do both parks when you can devote more time.

 

[macraven]

Take advantage of the child swap set up as the 2 year old will not be able to do many of the park rides outside of the small fry sections.
Very little waiting for your group
And the others will be able to redo the rides when you swap out for the one in your group that waits with the little one

 

[jimmymc]

If you're just doing one day, one park, then Universal Studios is better. The older kids will be able to ride everything, and the only ride which might be too big for them is Rip Ride Rockit. There are also rides for the 2 year old around the park, including some of the dark rides.

The only reason I would consider Islands or making it a park to park ticket is that Islands has the two best Harry Potter rides in my opinion, Hagrid's Motorbike Adventure and Forbidden Journey. Other than those two, Diagon Alley in studios has more to do than Hogsmeade.

 

[CAPSLOCK]

Oh, you also get Jimmy Fallon in Studios, which isn't great but is suitable for a little one. So is Minions.