One Day Trip Advice

[wholesomejoe]

So, someone gifted me a one day comp pass for Universal Park to Park.

I've been three times, so I know my way around but my lady has not. We're still in the middle of a pandemic, but we're going Nov. 17th. which is a Tuesday.

My question is: 1. How will the crowds be compared to a non pandemic day? 2. Can we do most of the stuff in one day at BOTH parks? There will be stuff she won't want to do, and that's fine because I've done it all.
She has thyroid issues, so she gets tired quicker than most her age. I know she will want to spend the majority of the time at Harry Potter stuff.

I was going to pay to add another day, but it's nearly 400.00 for both of us, just for another day.. and in these trying times, I can't really swing that right now as much as I want to. If I am able to swing a 2nd day, we will try to do that, but wanted to see how enjoyable one day would be, and maybe we still stay 2-3 days in Orlando, but do something else that isn't as expensive the other day.

We are pet sitters, and we have a lot of furbabies at home, so we can't leave them that long anyway, so more than 1-2 nights away is not gonna be doable anyway. I just want to make the 6 hour drive worth it.

Any suggestions on how to plan or other things we can do that wouldn't break the bank on the other day?

 

[TommyJK]

Since you got the tickets gifted, why not then splurge on some Express Passes for the day? Even if you only get the regular express passes (which gives you express once for each ride as opposed to unlimited which is more expensice) it would be about $70/person

 

[macraven]

I went to look at some sites for crowd level and nov 17 Tuesday looks good for low crowds.

Be at the park early prior to it’s opening will help

if the Potter sections are what your lady is most interested in visiting, plan on that first thing in there morning.
For a first time visit for her, she could enjoy those sections for hours
There are rides and shows
Since you have park to park passes, take that Hogwarts train from one park to the other

Early entry park will have many hotel guests doing that park first.
Quite a few will move over to the other potter section park at the opening time for it

one park will have the early entry park each day

There is a lot to see and do in each park if you are a potter fan
Wait until an hour before park closing if you decide to buy a park ticket for the next day

Tuesday generally are not packed days in the parks

I was at UO in October and found Tuesday and Wednesday had lighter crowds than of the week

I take meds for my thyroid condition.
Since your trip will be in decent weather and not a hot day., she should be fine with the temps in mid November

I have gone to UO in all months and November temps won’t bother her due to her hashimoto

you will have a great park day!

wear a mask and a shield also if you want
Won’t know how many will be in the park

I have been going to UO from the year they opened

Covid has made the parks add preventions to keep guest safe

you will be fine and I’m sure your day will be great

UO has rest sections to where you can sit and read and remove your mask and face shields

pull up the UO website and makes a plan for the park
Look at the sections and walkway to them

read up on instructions about the rides and shows
Decide how much times you want to stay in the potter areas

wishing you an awesome visit

any questions? Just ask

 

[nkereina]

I wouldn't say you could do *most* stuff at both parks in one day. Not with the limited hours and not without express passes. I definitely think express passes would be worthwhile because it will keep waits short for you and will help you to avoid virtual queues (except Hagrids) which can sometimes add challenges on the fly. I would suggest starting with the Potter areas in both parks to ensure you get them both done. As two adults, we tend to spend more time at Universal and find there is more for us to do there. We generally just walk through the Seuss area at IOA and will save the water rides at IOA for last since you do get drenched.

 

[RamblingMad]

Two to three days is what I need to experience Universal. One day is going to be tough.

 

[Disneyfan754321]

Since you got the tickets gifted, why not then splurge on some Express Passes for the day? Even if you only get the regular express passes (which gives you express once for each ride as opposed to unlimited which is more expensice) it would be about $70/person

I was going to say the same..
We did one day park to park with a plan.
Map out your day and where to start.. if you add express passes you will fit more in.