Please help with my touring plan!!

[ljmclin]

We will be going to IOA and Universal on Sunday 7/30 and Monday 7/31. We are staying on property at RP and we have park to park tickets. I believe IOA has early park hours for July so the plan is to get to the park by 7:15 and ride forbidden journey. Here is my question: Is it best to stay in IOA and ride the other top rides before the park opens to the general public and continue our day in IOA or should we head to the train and go to Universal after riding forbidden journey so we can be in line for Gringotts when the park opens? If I stay in IOA, I figured we would do early park admission again on the 31st and head to the train to get to Gringotts. We have never been to Universal Orlando before and only gone to Disney during low crowd times. I realize this is a busy time at Universal and I have been preparing my family of late sleepers about the early mornings we will have. I want to be sure I have things planned out the best I can. Thanks for all your help so far in planning. These boards are great!

 

[bchbetha]

With your express passes, you really don't need a plan. Go with the flow and ride what looks good!

 

[Parker Clan]

I second that.. The beauty of Universal is minimal planning involved

 

[CoachZ]

We will be going to IOA and Universal on Sunday 7/30 and Monday 7/31. We are staying on property at RP and we have park to park tickets. I believe IOA has early park hours for July so the plan is to get to the park by 7:15 and ride forbidden journey. Here is my question: Is it best to stay in IOA and ride the other top rides before the park opens to the general public and continue our day in IOA or should we head to the train and go to Universal after riding forbidden journey so we can be in line for Gringotts when the park opens? If I stay in IOA, I figured we would do early park admission again on the 31st and head to the train to get to Gringotts. We have never been to Universal Orlando before and only gone to Disney during low crowd times. I realize this is a busy time at Universal and I have been preparing my family of late sleepers about the early mornings we will have. I want to be sure I have things planned out the best I can. Thanks for all your help so far in planning. These boards are great!

The Potter rides now have express lines as of July 1. So as the others said, you may not need a plan.

 

[ljmclin]

That sounds wonderful! Even in July i don't have to get there at park opening if I have express pass? Y'all have just made my night. Thanks!!

 

[bobbie68]

Hi I agree with the PP but I would just like to add that if you do early entry it will be less crowded to walk around. It is great that the express pass is for HP rides but the areas are small and do get crowded. We enjoy going at least one day early entry less crowded. However, if you want you can go before the park closes and it is less crowded. We will be there the same time as you. We did the same time two years ago and it was great. We love Universal.

 

[bchbetha]

Pp makes a really good point. Early morning and the last 2ish hours at night are the best for simply enjoying the space in WWOHP. Great time to play with interactive wands too. I'd use the morning to explore then employ those Express Passes when crowds build.

 

[macraven]

No need to rush to HE line as the train will not leave the EE park and arrive to the other side until that park opens

 

[ljmclin]

We will definitly do early entry on Sunday. We will probably go swim midday and come back until park close. Since it's not necessary, Monday early entry may be questionable for my whole family LOL. My little one and I will probably be at the park bright and early while the others drag in later! Thanks again for all the help.