Only Have one day...?

[mickeynut674]

Hi I am trying to plan a one day trip to mainly visit Harry Potter World. Can it be done in one day?
Do you recommend the express pass? We are most likely going either July 3 or 4th, so I know it's going to be packed. Should we just try for one park...which one?? We are visiting family so one day is all we've got and I don't want to disappoint my 11 Harry Fan!! We frequent the area so we'll be back but I want to get some if not all of Harry world in...

Thanks

 

[nkereina]

To visit all of the Harry Potter attractions, you will need park to park tickets. Diagon Alley is in Universal, Hogsmeade is in IOA. With only one day, I would definitely recommend express pass to maximize your time. Especially since you're going over a holiday. It will be a very expensive day... I usually would recommend waiting until a return trip when you can stay longer and enjoy it more with fewer crowds. The three deluxe hotels at Universal offer free unlimited express pass to all guests, so it behooves you to stay on site. Some people also book a "throwaway room" just for the EPs, because its cheaper to book the hotel than to pay for EPs for their whole family. You may want to price that out too.

If you're willing to brave the crowds and spend the money, I do think you can do both areas with one day. I don't believe the new Hagrid ride will have express pass when you go, so that should be a priority to do at opening. But the rest of the rides can be done with EPs with a relatively minimal wait. The rest of the day can be spent browsing the areas, stores, Ollivander's, etc. I would try to eat at one of the Potter restaurants too.

 

[Disxuni]

You should be able to cover everything HP related, especially if you get an EP, which I recommend staying at a resort that offers unlimited EP. Typically unlimited EP if you purchase separately for both parks is $99 and the price can be higher during peak seasons, which due to you going during a holiday, it definitely will be even more money.

Also, you'll need to make sure to either hit Hagrid's coaster during EE (which I'd recommend be waiting early in line to get into EE), or wait until it's very late at the day and hop onto it at the last minute when most people have turned in for the evening, or on the other side at Universal and watching their evening show.