Please help me to make plans for 2 day trip

[Alice777]

As previously mentioned in other threads, we will be at Universal on Tuesday (4/12/16) and Wednesday (4/13/16).

IOA hours are 9 am to 7 pm on Tuesday and Wednesday
Universal hours are 9 am to 6 pm on Tuesday and 9 am to 8:30 pm on Wednesday.

We are staying at Pop Century in WDW and plan to take uber to get to Universal and hopefully at RD.
We have park to park tickets for both days.

Places we want to eat are: 3 Broomsticks, Leaky Cauldron, and Mythos (will make reservation to make sure, just not sure which day). Still thinking about if we should eat at Finnegan's.

We are interested in spending more time at HP land than other rides. We are from CA so if we miss Minions or other rides that we have in Universal Hollywood, it's no big deal since we can go in CA. We could have gone to Universal in CA for HP but didn't want to spoil it before going to Orlando Universal.

Could you experts plan schedule for us? Like which park first, what to ride first, should we park hop immediately for other HP land, which day should we eat 3 Broomsticks, Leaky Cauldron, and Mythos?

I don't know what to do especially since Universal Studios is closing at 6 pm on Tuesday

What would be the best plan?

Oh, forgot to mention, 2 of us will be celebrating our birthdays so when/where would be the best time to get birthday buttons? Don't want to waste time picking up birthday buttons if it's going to cut into us getting to HP rides.

You all have been so helpful so thank you in advance for all your help again.

 

[Kivara]

I'm not a planner on vacations, so I can't help you there. We just do what we want, when we want. When we are hungry, we grab a bite at whatever sounds good.
If you are all about planning, I would say find out which of the parks has EE (Early Entry) for hotel guests, and do the other park first. Since you won't have EE, it might be slightly less crowded.
As for the birthday buttons, I believe you can get them at Guest Services, there is a counter outside the parks, if yo want to go early and get them. I would say show up at least 30 mins before parks open, as those lines get long. Also, "opening time" for the gates can fluctuate a bit...we have gone when they just opened and other times, they started letting people in about 20 mins early.

 

[damo]

Since you are HP fans, why don't you follow Harry's route?

After you have your fill of HP, then you can wander around to the other rides that spark your interest. Make sure you have checked out each ride on the www.universalorlando.com website to make sure you don't miss anything!

 

[MilitaryMouse]

Definitely do the park that DOESN'T have the extra hour, spend it in the HP section and take the train over to the other HP section! The Hogwarts Express is an awesome experience.

If it gets too crowded, definitely check back a couple hours before park closing. The HP areas were A LOT less crowded during those times for our last trip.

 

[Alice777]

Sorry...kind of confused here. Doesn't both parks have early entry for hotel guests every day? Do they also have "extra hour" for certain days for hotel guests? I checked Universal website but didn't see anywhere about "extra hour"?
Thank you

 

[Kivara]

No extra hour that I'm aware of.

As for the early entry, it is usually for one park only. I have heard that if it might be a very crowded day, they have occasionally opened both parks an hour early. I've only ever seen it at one park at a time however.
We've always stayed on site, so we just ask at the hotel which park has it...but I'm sure there are other ways to find out. Hopefully someone more knowledgeable will chime in!

 

[damo]

On April 12 and April 13, early admission is at the Studios only. There are no other extra hours.

https://www.universalorlando.com/Resort-Information/Theme-Park-Hours-Early.aspx

 

[macraven]

the early entry is for onsite hotel guests and off site packages that were bought through the universal site.

the harry potter sections will be open and at the studio, usually DE also will be open early.

 

[TommyJK]

As noted in your other thread, what are your must-do attractions? Make a list and I'll whip up a quick/rough touring plan for you. We just did 2 days park to park not long ago. I love putting together touring plans