Please Review My 2-Day Park-to-Park Preliminary Touring Plan

[Indecisive]

Hi all! My family and I will spend two days at Universal/IOA in the first week of May. We will have a room at HRH, so will have Early Entry and Universal Express Pass. My group is me, DH, DS7, DS10, and my mother (grandma). This is our first visit to Universal/IOA. We are Harry Potter fans (but not fanatics).

I have read that Universal/IOA does not require the kind of crazy touring plans that Disney does; however, I want to make sure I at least get the basics right in order to take advantage of the attractions that are open during EE, the rides that don't accept Express Pass, etc. I also think it is awkward that, if I understand correctly, it is likely that IOA will be the EE park on both of our days (wouldn't it be nice if Universal was kind enough to alternate?). I understand that we really must travel the Hogwarts Express in both directions.

So, without further ado, here is my rough sketch of what seem to be the important aspects to understand ahead of time. Please let me know if you have any suggestions! Thank you so much!

Day One:
7am, check into Hard Rock Orlando
8am, Early Entry to IOA
Harry Potter & Forbidden Journey (open EE; no Express Pass)
Ollivanders (open EE) - get interactive wands
Dragon Challenge
Flight of the Hippogriff
8:40-ish?, Hogwarts Express to Universal
Escape from Gringotts (no Express Pass)
Explore Diagon Alley (including using interactive wands)
Ride various rides (using EE) and watch various shows at leisure within Universal
Lunch at Leaky Cauldron
Ride various rides (using EE) and watch various shows at leisure within Universal
Leave park
swim at Hard Rock Hotel
Dinner at Margaritaville

Day Two:
8am,Early Entry to IOA
Harry Potter & Forbidden Journey (open EE; no Express Pass)
Explore Hogsmeade (including using interactive wands)
8:40-ish?, Hogwarts Express to Universal (no Express Pass)
Escape from Gringotts (no Express Pass)
Hogwarts Express back to IOA (no Express Pass)
Pteranodon Flyers (NOT open EE; no Express Pass)
Ride various rides (using EE) and watch various shows at leisure within IOA
Lunch at Three Broomsticks
Ride various rides (using EE) and watch various shows at leisure within IOA
Dinner at Mythos

 

[gotomu212]

My only suggestions is that I don't think you can do Forbidden Journey, Ollivanders, Dragon Challenge, and Hippogriff by 8:40. I usually come back and hit Dragon Challenge and Hippogriff in the afternoon/early evening since both take EP. I'd also suggest that Ollivanders in Diagonal Alley usually has smaller lines and moves faster (I've hit Hogsmeade with long crowds on occasion but this one seems to back up pretty quickly). I'd also plan to go back later to Hogsmeade for interactive wand time if you find it too crowded when you're there.

Also don't feel shy about bouncing back and forth between the parks more if you find the crowds a little much or just want to ride something again. A lot of us jump back and forth multiple times throughout the day since it typically takes 10 minutes or so depending on where you are in the Park.

Have a great time! It's crazy going from the uber touring plans of Disney to the calmer waters of Universal with an EP!

 

[Indecisive]

My only suggestions is that I don't think you can do Forbidden Journey, Ollivanders, Dragon Challenge, and Hippogriff by 8:40. I usually come back and hit Dragon Challenge and Hippogriff in the afternoon/early evening since both take EP. I'd also suggest that Ollivanders in Diagonal Alley usually has smaller lines and moves faster (I've hit Hogsmeade with long crowds on occasion but this one seems to back up pretty quickly). I'd also plan to go back later to Hogsmeade for interactive wand time if you find it too crowded when you're there.

Awesome! This is all exactly the type of advice I was looking for. After all the crazy uber Disney touring plans (which I actually enjoy doing), it is hard to know just how relaxed I can or should be about Universal. I don't want to be *so* relaxed that we miss out. It does seem like there are at least a few things it makes sense to sketch out a head of time. Thank you so much!

 

[wagman67]

I would plan to check in earlier, if possible. I have never had to wait checking in at 6am, but 7am with early admission at 8am is a different story.

 

[Indecisive]

I would plan to check in earlier, if possible. I have never had to wait checking in at 6am, but 7am with early admission at 8am is a different story.

Wow, that is good to know. I would have thought that was plenty of time! I wondered if I was being TOO conservative. Thx for the tip!

 

[macraven]

also, don't wait until 7:50 to get in the line for EE.
go as soon as you check in and make your Ep photo card.

all the hotels onsite and those offsite with a UO package, are eligible to have EE.


suggest you be at the front of the park 20 minutes before opening time.
you'll be more up to the front of the entrance

there were a few times when i went that the hotel guests did get thru the ticket gate but had to wait inside at the front of the park.
peeps were released at the time the park opened for EE then.


hotel guests all have to show their room key.
even if you have a 4 yo, show the hotel key card

i have seen many peeps have to return to their hotel to get it as they thought only one in the group needed the room key to enter for EE

 

[macraven]

i just reread the schedule and saw something.

check the website for the hours of Mythos.
you listed dinner there on your second day.
when someone posts dinner, i assume 6 or later.

Mythos usually is not open during the dinner hour
Sometimes they close at 5:00 depending on the season


Find out the hours of Mythos for the date you have in mind.

Maybe if they only are doing a lunch hour day, you could switch the 3 Broomsticks to dinner and do Mythos at noontime.


If you can, make a reservation to lock it in.

i usually do not make reservations for mythos but do a walk up and put my name on a list
they will give me a return time then.
but i am a solo diner and you have a family.
you would want a set time

or you can do what i have done when planning on Mythos on a weekend.
make a same day reservation at gs in city walk for the place.

 

[Indecisive]

Macraven, thank you so much for all the great info. It never would have crossed my mind that Mythos may not be open for dinner. Great idea to switch with Three Broomsticks. I will check it out and see about a reservation. This is the kind of thing I don't know because I haven't been planning in 10 minute intervals like on the Disney portion our trip!

 

[cschaaf]

<snip>
hotel guests all have to show their room key.
even if you have a 4 yo, show the hotel key card

i have seen many peeps have to return to their hotel to get it as they thought only one in the group needed the room key to enter for EE

Agreed. I blame Universal for that one. We've been there days when one of us held up the room key and they waived all 5 us us through, and other days where they want to see them all.

There have been days where the TMs were yelling, "One room key per family, please!"

Your advice is still solid, though - make sure everyone has their key, you never know which type of day it will be.

Speaking of room key, you can also use your room key to get priority seating as some restaurants. We've only ever tried it at Mythos. The wait went from about 10 minutes to probably 30 seconds. To the point where we were embarrassed to walk past the waiting crowd - that feeling passed pretty quickly, though.