One day one park no express pass

[capegirl]

Staying at Disney, and we only have one day at US; Monday, July 18. We plan on arriving for RD prior to 8am, but we will not have an express pass, nor a park to park pass. That said, I'm looking for input to create some sort of plan. We have a 9 year old HP Gringotts/Despicable Me fan along who will definitely be purchasing an interactive wand, so I'm trying to figure out where we should head to at RD. I know that the park opens to onsite guests at 7am, and I've heard that wait times can get really long for DM, so I'm thinking about heading to this attraction first, and then to DA for Gringotts, and then buy the wand. Not sure if this makes any sense so any advice would be appreciated. I know that we'll need to leave DA so we can enjoy the other attractions, but we plan on returning to explore the shops, etc. later in the day.

 

[macraven]

yes, park hours are 8 am to 10 pm
both parks open early at 7 am for onsite hotel guests

looking at the ep site for costs for the 18th is $129.99 plus tax per person.

makes me know the park will be packed and the ep would be worth it's weight in gold.

probably decide which of the rides you listed above is the priority and plan to go there first and wait out the line.
if gringotts is a priority, the end of the evening does have periods where the line waits are cut in half if not even less than that.

you mention DM so that is a good starting place as many that are coming it head to potters first.

once you have done gringotts and de, head to the other sections and use the single rider lines where available for rides.

you can decide to buy the wand after you do the rides so you don't have to deal with a locker in doing gringotts.
no problem taking the wand on the de ride.

some rides (MIB, Mummy, RRR, ) in the studios reaquires lockers to be used and everything would need to be stored.

 

[capegirl]

yes, park hours are 8 am to 10 pm
both parks open early at 7 am for onsite hotel guests

looking at the ep site for costs for the 18th is $129.99 plus tax per person.

makes me know the park will be packed and the ep would be worth it's weight in gold.

probably decide which of the rides you listed above is the priority and plan to go there first and wait out the line.
if gringotts is a priority, the end of the evening does have periods where the line waits are cut in half if not even less than that.

you mention DM so that is a good starting place as many that are coming it head to potters first.

once you have done gringotts and de, head to the other sections and use the single rider lines where available for rides.

you can decide to buy the wand after you do the rides so you don't have to deal with a locker in doing gringotts.
no problem taking the wand on the de ride.

some rides (MIB, Mummy, RRR, ) in the studios reaquires lockers to be used and everything would need to be stored.

Thanks! I agree that the ep would be valuable but my gosh I'm choking on the price ...so darn expensive on top of the one day tickets. I know the crowds will be really bad, so we'll have just have to make the best of it, and try the single rider line. Good tip about the wand, and the lockers, we'll buy it afterwards. I'm just a Disney 'fish out of water' so I appreciate your input.
We're all very excited about our Universal day trip!

 

[macraven]

//when the ep cost is that high, some peeps book a throw away room at the deluxe Hotels

They figure the cost for x number of peeps the ep would cost compared to a one night booking

Those at the deluxe get free unlimited usage of all express lines for the day they check into the hotel and the day they check out of the hotel

Hotel ID photo ep cards expire at 11:59 pm of check out day

You would be looking at over $400 for one ride only ep compared to a one night booking
Which has the ep for repeat rides all you want for two days

 

[capegirl]

//when the ep cost is that high, some peeps book a throw away room at the deluxe Hotels

They figure the cost for x number of peeps the ep would cost compared to a one night booking

Those at the deluxe get free unlimited usage of all express lines for the day they check into the hotel and the day they check out of the hotel

Hotel ID photo ep cards expire at 11:59 pm of check out day

You would be looking at over $400 for one ride only ep compared to a one night booking
Which has the ep for repeat rides all you want for two days

Good point. I did not even think about getting a 'throw away ' room at Universal. Well worth it just for the perks. Definitely something to consider!

 

[macraven]

It is common knowledge about the throw away rooms

Did not know if you were aware of this practice

Some posters don't like it but I don't have any issues with it.

If a family of 5 did a throw away room, it would be cheaper for them than buying one park ep's

You need to do the math for the deluxe hotels to see how it matches up