Only one day now. :(

[DisneyFreak06]

So my friend informed me last night that because of the exchange and the fact that she couldn't get her tickets through Air Miles, that she can't afford to come to Universal with me.

I totally understand, and this affects my decisions. I've already bought a 3 day star connect card, because I thought we were going for 2 days. I'm not giving that up completely, so I will do one day. The cost of the ticket from $150 will cost me around $200. Then the taxi and food for the day, but I don't care about the cost of food, I'm splurging and eating all the time in the Wizarding World! The day will likely cost me $500 by the end of it... eeek.

I will be going on August 26.

I love all rides and shows, but I know I'll be limited in time, especially since I want to spend as much time in Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade as possible.

At this point my plan is Minions and Transformers first.

These are my must dos: (besides EVERYTHING Harry Potter), Minions, Transformers,

My maybes: ET, Hollywood RRR, Jurassic Park, Mummy, Shrek, T2, Blues Brothers, the Hulk, The Simpsons, Men in Black, Spiderman,...

I think I want to take it all in and walk around taking pictures in a few areas, but like I said, my main thing is Harry Potter, and I can do single rider for a lot of rides too. Do I really need a plan? I think if I do extras, great, but I want all the Wizarding things most, so anything else is a bonus. I think that is what I'll tell myself. I really just want to spend all day as a muggle tourist. Buahahaha

I loved the Toon area last year, and the Beetlejuice show, but I don't think I'll enjoy that as much solo, so I doubt I'll do that.

Basically, I'm saying besides doing Minions and Transformers right away, is there anything else I need to do before heading to the WWoHP? Should I ride Gringotts and then do Hogwarts Express?

Sorry for being so confusing!

 

[damo]

Why couldn't she get her tickets from Air Miles?

 

[bumbershoot]

Why not go for both days? You're worth it.

 

[robinb]

Your friend crapped out on you less than a week before your vacation? Really? I would be pretty steamed.

I agree Molly. Go for 2 days and enjoy yourself! Where are you staying? Can you swing a last minute onsite stay so you can get front of the line?

 

[DisneyFreak06]

Why couldn't she get her tickets from Air Miles?

They wouldn't get here in time. She called to see if they would ship them to Pop Century for us, but they wouldn't.

Why not go for both days? You're worth it.

I'd love to, but that would be just a bit (well a lot) more than I should be spending! LOL I keep thinking about uber, but I'm kinda scared to use them, especially since they are not yet really supposed to be driving in Orlando. It's not something we have here. I've never done the bus thing either with the Dreams Unlimited, but I'm toying with it. I still might, especially if I end up on here much longer! Buahahaha

Your friend crapped out on you less than a week before your vacation? Really? I would be pretty steamed.

I agree Molly. Go for 2 days and enjoy yourself! Where are you staying? Can you swing a last minute onsite stay so you can get front of the line?

Well, she technically only changed our Universal plans, she's still doing Disney with free dining. I tried talking her into a night at Universal too a few months back, but couldn't. Oh well. Like I said, I may end up with 2 days. But the last time she came with me (she was having hip issues) to Universal, she did the one day at Universal Studios and then didn't come with me to Islands of Adventure, I went alone. I was back at the resort by 3 because I found Universal not as fun to walk around solo as Disney. I think this time I'll be able to last a little longer, open to close, which is the longest I'll have ever spent in the Dark Side. My sister left me a few hours at US while the others went to the outlet mall, and then I made them wait in the car for an hour when I was at IoA. I've never stayed later than 5pm. So messed up!

 

[robinb]

That still sucks that she changed her plans at the last minute. Maybe you should skip it since it doesn't sound like you have a lot of fun going alone. That $500 could be spent elsewhere or saved for your next vacation.

 

[DisneyFreak06]

That still sucks that she changed her plans at the last minute. Maybe you should skip it since it doesn't sound like you have a lot of fun going alone. That $500 could be spent elsewhere or saved for your next vacation.

I think I can spend a lot of time in the Harry Potter section, AND I paid for the star connect card. I'm getting that movie done no matter what!

 

[damo]

The tickets only take a couple of days to get to your house from AM. She didn't plan very well, did she?

 

[robinb]

I think I can spend a lot of time in the Harry Potter section, AND I paid for the star connect card. I'm getting that movie done no matter what!

Have fun!

 

[Lynne G]

I am going solo and several of us do, have a great time. It is so fun to do and go whenever you feel like it.

 

[DisneyFreak06]

The tickets only take a couple of days to get to your house from AM. She didn't plan very well, did she?

Are you in Canada? That would be horrible! Well, horrible if that were the case and she missed out. When she called, they told her that they "might" be in on time, but they would not guarantee it. And that was 3 weeks before the trip. Still doesn't make up for the fact that she waited another 2 weeks to tell me she didn't want to do Universal. But oh well. It will be a little alone time with my camera, and Wizarding food/drink! Maybe I'll find a nice, single wizard to hang out with for the day.

 

[gem21]

I am in Canada and we just ordered one of our Universal Tickets through AirMiles on Monday and got them Thursday... The last one I ordered on a Friday and got the Wednesday so it really doesn't take long.

 

[damo]

I am in Canada and we just ordered one of our Universal Tickets through AirMiles on Monday and got them Thursday... The last one I ordered on a Friday and got the Wednesday so it really doesn't take long.

Yup, we get them in two or three days.

 

[macraven]

They wouldn't get here in time. She called to see if they would ship them to Pop Century for us, but they wouldn't.



I'd love to, but that would be just a bit (well a lot) more than I should be spending! LOL I keep thinking about uber, but I'm kinda scared to use them, especially since they are not yet really supposed to be driving in Orlando. It's not something we have here. I've never done the bus thing either with the Dreams Unlimited, but I'm toying with it. I still might, especially if I end up on here much longer! Buahahaha



Well, she technically only changed our Universal plans, she's still doing Disney with free dining. I tried talking her into a night at Universal too a few months back, but couldn't. Oh well. Like I said, I may end up with 2 days. But the last time she came with me (she was having hip issues) to Universal, she did the one day at Universal Studios and then didn't come with me to Islands of Adventure, I went alone. I was back at the resort by 3 because I found Universal not as fun to walk around solo as Disney. I think this time I'll be able to last a little longer, open to close, which is the longest I'll have ever spent in the Dark Side. My sister left me a few hours at US while the others went to the outlet mall, and then I made them wait in the car for an hour when I was at IoA. I've never stayed later than 5pm. So messed up!

thanks for clarifying that.

i was thinking that she canceled out on the trip period...
not just a portion of the trip.


it's not a big deal to go solo.
i'm going solo in the fall for 18 days.
it seems natural to me.

 

[DisneyFreak06]

I have decided I am going on my own, for the full day of Aug 26th. By then we may need a break from each other anyways! Buahahaha I do enjoy my solo time, but I really am looking forward to just spending as much time as I want in the Harry Potter areas without worrying that someone has to come back to pick me up. I will book through the Dreams Unlimited/Mears deal I think and then if I feel the need to take a taxi back to Pop, I can. If you stay until close do you still need to call an hour before to confirm your departure time?

I am seriously thinking that on another trip, I'll spend at least one night at a Universal resort.

 

[macraven]

you'll have fun on your solo visit!
time will go by quickly.

 

[johde]

As far as touring tip. If you can get there for Rope Drop, I'd hit Minion Mayhem first thing out of the gate. The Single Rider Lines are great, but you'll want to go through the queue on Gringotts and at least the Castle Tour of Forbidden Journey. The castle tour is a self guided, walking through what some day may be the Express line. You can see most of the theming and take it at your own pace.

I'd probably start at USF do
Minion Mayhem
HRRR
Mummy
Transformers
Simpsons (not on your list)
Men in Black

Then go into Diagon Alley. First thing in the morning most of these rides will have short waits and the single rider line will be a walk on. So, you can hopefully zip through those rides quickly and hit Diagon Alley in time to see one of the early shows of Tales of Beetle the Bard or Celastina Warback. You should try to plan riding Gringotts around those shows. Gringotts standby line spikes first thing in the morning than backs off after about an hour or so.