One day - two parks

[Nohal]

We will be going to Disney in September and haven't been to Universal in about 20 years so basically it will all be new as most of the rides have changed. We want to know if we can see both parks in one day? We don't do roller coaster rides and plan on getting there when the parks first open. Is there any day that is less crowded? We thought we would go on a Tuesday. Also, do the parks open early like they do at Disney and where can I find that info? We will be taking a cab, what time do you think we should leave Disney?

 

[RMulieri]

It MAY BE possible to see some highlghts of both, but not the majority of both especially with the Harry Potter Expansion opening at this studios this summer.Once the expansion does, it will be very hard to do both parks in one day.Traditionally Sept has been low crowds, but I would count on larger crowds this year, especially considering the expansion will be opening a month or 2 before..Which day of the week is best may change once the expansion opens. Another thing to keep in mind...Sept hours are generally shorter, so you will be trying to do more with less hours.Shows often run on shorter schedules and often at the same time in off season, making it a challenge to see them all.Onsite resort guests get early entry at IOA for Harry Potter and likely at the studios when the expansion opens.Dayguests are generally let in about 15 mins prior to park official opening.

 

[atricks]

It's barely possible to do both parks in one day and only miss a few things right now, after the potter expansion, it's going to mean sacrificing some of the bigger things as well.

Even skipping the larger coasters (Rockit, Hulk, & Dragons), it's going be impossible to do everything in one day once the new potter area opens up. You can go, but likely you'll have to pick and choose what to do, and miss quite a bit. Even commando style super scheduling won't help that much.

Best advice, get there 30 minutes before opening, and start on the studios side and move around, possibly take Hogwarts express to the other park, and do what you can. You will run out of time either way, so don't rush, especially since you haven't been in 20 years (it's VASTLY different from back then).

In short, I think the only thing that hasn't changed since you were there is ET (Although that did get an upgrade for the 25th anniversary) and the Lucy Tribute. People who try to do two in one day typically have been more recently.

 

[damo]

Ya, make sure you know in advance what you want to ride because you're not going to get it all done.

 

[Hug the Mouse]

Can you see both parks in one day? Yes. Can you experience both parks in one day? Not a chance.

 

[RMulieri]

Forgot to add to my post..You plan on skipping the coasters.The coasters are : Rip Ride Rocket, Hulk, Dragon Challenge ( these are the big ones) .There is also Mummy and Flight of the Hippogrif.Mummy is not all that bad and Hippogrif is essentially a kiddie coaster..That doesnt eliminate all that many rides .My last trip we skipped the first 3 and still couldnt experience both parks in one day.Trying to cram both into one day means skipping ALOT and not really getting to experience alot .

 

[PixelJD]

Well, I have done US/IOA multiple times before {Especially a couple years back when they had the 7 days hopper for $99} so this may come across biased, but I do find it possible to go to both parks in 1 day, although you want be able to soak in the experience that well.

A really good time saver is the "Single Rider" option. I know Spider-Man had it aswell as Harry Potter's forbidden journey which cut the wait time down to around 15-20 minutes instead of the average hour to two. You won't be able to all fit in the ride cart with this option, but you will most likely be paired up with atleast 1 of your family members. A little planning could really go a long way. The last time we went to a Universal park was in June of 2012 which was Islands Of Adventure, we fully experienced the entire park from opening to around 4. If we were to add a park hopper and spend 4-9 in Universal Studios we probably could have went on everything in Universal.

That being said, like all the other members mentioned above, the Harry Potter expansion in US is obviously going to blow up the park so that will most likely make it nearly impossible to experience everything.

 

[johde]

For me, the closest Disney equivalent would be trying to do DHS and AK in one day. But DHS/AK have more shows and US/IOA lean more rides. Back 6 or 7 years ago when crowds weren't as big and before HP, Transformers, HRRR, at the like, doing most things in 1 day could be done fairly easily. Just like when AK and DHS first opened they were considered half day parks by many. As DHS added Sunset Blvd with ToT, RnR, and Fantasmic, and added TSMM. And AK has added Asia with KRR, EE, and Avatarland coming up. Trying to see all of boths parks in 1 day is becoming Impossible.

The same thing is happening at Universal. During slow season, 1 day is going to limit you to "highlights" only. Just like at Disney you could probably do KS, EE, Dinosaur, and 1 show at AK before heading over to DHS for ToT, RnR, Muppets, Star Tours etc. You're catching the highlight but you're still missing a lot. Same thing at Universal/IOA.

2 Days Park to Park would allow you to experience most things and a few of the favorites twice. For my next trip I'm looking 3 or 4 days so I can relax and don't need to rush around.

Having Express Passes will help. you do more is the lines are long as will the single rider lines mentioned above.

 

[SashaFarce]

We always do both parks in one day. There are certain things we skip, and we always get the express pass. It's doable unless you like to browse and experience every single thing.

 

[PulsarIII]

Before The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade opened in IOA, one day for both parks was doable in September. Not a do-it-all visit but all of the must dos and still time to check out some other fun things along the way. Now that Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Diagon Alley will open in IOA this summer, September will be busier than normal in both parks. Also if you plan on riding Hogwarts Express a 1 (or more) Day – 2 Park Ticket will be required. If you only have 1 day at US Orlando IOA will most likely be the busier park, but a complete new adventure and UF most likely will be less busy, but the park you have previously visited. Hope you can come up with a second day and not have the tuff task of picking one. Have Fun!

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