One day split between US and IOA?

[mspoppins14]

My boyfriend and I are going to Universal on Tuesday 02/04. We were thinking of hopping between US AND IOA including WWOHP. Any suggestions?

 

[macraven]

My boyfriend and I are going to Universal on Tuesday 02/04. We were thinking of hopping between US AND IOA including WWOHP. Any suggestions?

Be at the parks with your tickets early.
8:30 would be good.

 

[mspoppins14]

Good idea, thanks. Any suggestions on which park or rides to hit first?

 

[Cubicleprisoner]

I usually spend just one day at Universal and park hop. I arrive at Universal Studios at park opening and ride Despicable Me and Transformers first. I experience several more of the best attractions then I head over to Islands of Adventure between 1:00 and 2:00 P.M. I go to the WWOHP and afterwards do the Marvel attractions. Sometimes you will find a long line at WWOHP, but at least there is so much to look at while you are waiting.

 

[OhStuffandFluff]

If we wanted to try doing both parks as well during our trip in the first week of June, would you recommend doing HP area first or despicable me first? My kids would like to do the olivanders experience as well.

 

[Planogirl]

I would always do Olivanders first. The line gets very long plus it can be very hot in that area.

Despicable Me gets jammed too but the wait isn't as miserable.

 

[helenb]

If you can stay until park closing, WWoHP tends to clear out in the last 2 hours or so of the day. Short lines, and easy to browse in the shops.

 

[mspoppins14]

Ok good to know. I think we might head to WWOHP first and do the rides, go to the rest of IOA and US then back to WWoHP to finish the night shopping.

 

[lklasing]

I'm glad to find this thread. We are planning to go on 1-29, which is projected to have very low crowds. I'm glad as we will only be there from opening until late afternoon. Would love to hear any recommendations for a touring plan. Thanks!

 

[helenb]

I posted this 'touring plan' in another thread, where someone was asking how to do both parks in 1 day. Note that in order for this touring plan to work, you must stay onsite to get both early entry and the unlimited Universal Express benefits. If you don't stay onsite, there is no way you would be able to do anywhere near this much in a single day.

*****

Stay onsite at RPH the night before. Make sure to print out your Universal Express passes. Get up for early entry to WWoHP at IoA. Run to WWoHP, see Ollivander's Show, then go to Forbidden Journey and Dragon's Challenge. Flight of the Hippogriff if you just want to be complete (it's not that exciting a ride). Grab a butterbeer at the Hog's Head if you're so inclined. Move into Jurassic Park and do the water ride. Then go down into Superhero Island and hit Spiderman and the Hulk Coaster. Circle around into the Seuss land and go on Cat in the Hat. Circle back to Mythos for lunch. Yes, I know this seems like a lot of rides before lunch, but with Universal Express it is doable.

After lunch, head over to USO. Ride Rip Ride Rockitt, Transformers and the Mummy. Then head around to Men In Black, the Simpsons Ride and (if it interests you) Kodos & Kang. Check the daily schedule, and go to Despicable Me and Shrek 4-D, ensuring that you make a Terminator 2D/3D show.

After this, depending on how tired you are, you could try to fit in Disaster or Twister, or (my preferred choice) the Horror Makeup show. If you want to head back to IoA, the Jurassic Park 'Exhibitor's Center' is a fun place to hang out.

The key to all of this is being there for early entry and having Universal Express (useable for everything but Forbidden Journey and Ollivander's). Universal Express isn't a walk-on, but it will significantly shorten your waits. Even in the busiest summer times, we have never waited more than a few minutes for anything with Universal Express.

*****

HTH!

 

[lklasing]

Awesome recommendations, Helen! Thanks!

Question since you definitely seem to be in the know and I'm definitely not:

In looking at the touringplans site, it appears that the wait for Dispicable Me is longer on the day we are looking at (Feb. 29 or 30) than Forbidden Journey. Is that right? What is Dispicable Me, anyway? Is it that great?

I did FJ in March and loved it and am planning to take DH when we go in a couple of weeks. We are staying at WDW so won't have the express pass, but the crowds are supposed to be very low, so I'm hoping we will be able to do most everything we want.

Any info on DM would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

 

[helenb]

Sorry about the delay in response! We were away over the long weekend and I wasn't checking this site.

If you recall the old Jimmy Neutron attraction, Despicable Me has replaced that. Essentially it's a large 'theater' that runs a movie with seats that move, like a massive simulator. You can also get seats that don't move. The movie is fun, but the seats are still of the Jimmy Neutron era and somewhat jerky. Not nearly as smooth as the Simpsons. The movie itself is fun and in the theme of the Despicable Me films, so if you like that kind of humor, you should enjoy the show. Afterward there is an optional 'dance party' with the minions, where you can sometimes meet the characters. I haven't done this myself, but I've heard that if you take a banana with you, the minions will go crazy over it!

I rode this back when it was 'new', so naturally the lines were long. I'm surprised it's still that much of a draw, but I guess right now it's still one of the newest things at USO (until Diagon Alley opens).

 

[lklasing]

Sorry about the delay in response! We were away over the long weekend and I wasn't checking this site.

If you recall the old Jimmy Neutron attraction, Despicable Me has replaced that. Essentially it's a large 'theater' that runs a movie with seats that move, like a massive simulator. You can also get seats that don't move. The movie is fun, but the seats are still of the Jimmy Neutron era and somewhat jerky. Not nearly as smooth as the Simpsons. The movie itself is fun and in the theme of the Despicable Me films, so if you like that kind of humor, you should enjoy the show. Afterward there is an optional 'dance party' with the minions, where you can sometimes meet the characters. I haven't done this myself, but I've heard that if you take a banana with you, the minions will go crazy over it!

I rode this back when it was 'new', so naturally the lines were long. I'm surprised it's still that much of a draw, but I guess right now it's still one of the newest things at USO (until Diagon Alley opens).

Perfect info! Thanks!

 

[TISHLOVESDISNEY]

I posted this 'touring plan' in another thread, where someone was asking how to do both parks in 1 day. Note that in order for this touring plan to work, you must stay onsite to get both early entry and the unlimited Universal Express benefits. If you don't stay onsite, there is no way you would be able to do anywhere near this much in a single day.

*****

Stay onsite at RPH the night before. Make sure to print out your Universal Express passes. Get up for early entry to WWoHP at IoA. Run to WWoHP, see Ollivander's Show, then go to Forbidden Journey and Dragon's Challenge. Flight of the Hippogriff if you just want to be complete (it's not that exciting a ride). Grab a butterbeer at the Hog's Head if you're so inclined. Move into Jurassic Park and do the water ride. Then go down into Superhero Island and hit Spiderman and the Hulk Coaster. Circle around into the Seuss land and go on Cat in the Hat. Circle back to Mythos for lunch. Yes, I know this seems like a lot of rides before lunch, but with Universal Express it is doable.

After lunch, head over to USO. Ride Rip Ride Rockitt, Transformers and the Mummy. Then head around to Men In Black, the Simpsons Ride and (if it interests you) Kodos & Kang. Check the daily schedule, and go to Despicable Me and Shrek 4-D, ensuring that you make a Terminator 2D/3D show.

After this, depending on how tired you are, you could try to fit in Disaster or Twister, or (my preferred choice) the Horror Makeup show. If you want to head back to IoA, the Jurassic Park 'Exhibitor's Center' is a fun place to hang out.

The key to all of this is being there for early entry and having Universal Express (useable for everything but Forbidden Journey and Ollivander's). Universal Express isn't a walk-on, but it will significantly shorten your waits. Even in the busiest summer times, we have never waited more than a few minutes for anything with Universal Express.

*****

HTH!

Not to hijack, but if we purchase the add on express option to our one day hopping, do you think we could accomplish enough to feel it is worth it? I looked into staying onsite, but for 4 of us I can purchase the add-on express for less than a night's stay at the deluxe resorts. (Need a room to sleep 5 of us)
We are hoping for December 4th possibly.

Thank you!

 

[helenb]

If you purchase the Express add on, you would get to use the Express for each ride ONCE. Since you are only there for one day, and won't be doing much in the way of re-rides, then this could work.

However, you won't have early entry, and that will impact your ability to go through WWoHP relatively quickly. By the time you enter the park, the hotel guests will have been there for an hour. You can't use Universal Express on Forbidden Journey, which means that you'll have a long wait (likely an hour +) even at the beginning of the day.

ETA - If you stay at the new Cabana Bay resort, you will get early entry, but not Universal Express. That may be a compromise. Also, keep in mind that you have to spend the night *somewhere*. If you're staying onsite at Universal, then you're not spending money to stay elsewhere.

Also, I just saw that you're looking at December 4. If so, that will be after Diagon Alley has opened. That changes everything entirely. We don't know yet how it will impact 'ideal' touring plans, but it will be different. What I posted above is working with the current slate of attractions, but that will change this summer (June?) when Diagon Alley opens.

 

[Metro West]

Also, I just saw that you're looking at December 4. If so, that will be after Diagon Alley has opened. That changes everything entirely. We don't know yet how it will impact 'ideal' touring plans, but it will be different. What I posted above is working with the current slate of attractions, but that will change this summer (June?) when Diagon Alley opens.

This is the main point all visitors...new and experienced...need to remember. DA will change the crowds at the Studios and I don't feel either park will have a slow period again. Don't look at old crowd calendars because you will not be able to rely on them once Diagon Alley opens.

 

[TISHLOVESDISNEY]

If you purchase the Express add on, you would get to use the Express for each ride ONCE. Since you are only there for one day, and won't be doing much in the way of re-rides, then this could work.

However, you won't have early entry, and that will impact your ability to go through WWoHP relatively quickly. By the time you enter the park, the hotel guests will have been there for an hour. You can't use Universal Express on Forbidden Journey, which means that you'll have a long wait (likely an hour +) even at the beginning of the day.

ETA - If you stay at the new Cabana Bay resort, you will get early entry, but not Universal Express. That may be a compromise. Also, keep in mind that you have to spend the night *somewhere*. If you're staying onsite at Universal, then you're not spending money to stay elsewhere.

Also, I just saw that you're looking at December 4. If so, that will be after Diagon Alley has opened. That changes everything entirely. We don't know yet how it will impact 'ideal' touring plans, but it will be different. What I posted above is working with the current slate of attractions, but that will change this summer (June?) when Diagon Alley opens.

Thanks for the info. We already have a week thru our timeshare, Marriott Grande Vista, so we don't "need" accommodations, but I was considering it if it would help us navigate getting the extra hour.
I know the crowds will be impacted by the new HP additions. To be honest, to experience WWoHP would be great, but my kids are more focused on the other rides/coasters, so not a "must do", just a "if it works without a long wait great, if not, move on".
With the express add-on, even with the crowds being higher, it will be worth the expense for us I assume?
I was thinking we'd head directly to WWoHP, and then go from there.
There is a chance we decide to do 2 days, everything is up in the air waiting on WDW and FP+ info to change for offsiters.

Thank you so much for all the info!

 

[helenb]

If you want to see the HP parks, you will need at least 2 days once Diagon Alley opens. If you have one day, then HP is all you will see, and you'll spend a good chunk of your day in lines

As for the rest of the parks, I am *guessing* that they will be relatively similar to how they are now. When WWoHP opened, the rest of the parks actually were emptier, because everyone was crowding into WWoHP. I'm crossing my fingers that this will continue to hold true.

 

[RMulieri]

Keep in mind that if you are interested in riding the Hogwarts express at all you will need PARK TO PARK tickets.

 

[TISHLOVESDISNEY]

If you want to see the HP parks, you will need at least 2 days once Diagon Alley opens. If you have one day, then HP is all you will see, and you'll spend a good chunk of your day in lines

As for the rest of the parks, I am *guessing* that they will be relatively similar to how they are now. When WWoHP opened, the rest of the parks actually were emptier, because everyone was crowding into WWoHP. I'm crossing my fingers that this will continue to hold true.

Keep in mind that if you are interested in riding the Hogwarts express at all you will need PARK TO PARK tickets.

Thanks for all the info! Good thing I have plenty of time to work this all out! I think if we decide to do more than just one day, we'll have to consider staying onsite to get the early entry, especially if the kids decide they want to do all the HP stuff.
I'll have to watch for updates once Diagon opens.

Thanks again!