Questions for a 1 day trip..

[alayne]

We went to US/IOA in April 2011 to see HP. It was so HOT and so CROWDED!! You had to get a pass with a time to come back and they would let you in. However, it was still so CROWDED people were walking all over you and you couldn't even move plus the HEAT was unbearable. My family lasted 1 hour waiting in line at Ollivander's and then were complaining they wanted to go. The rest of the park wasn't as crowded.

My DS is now 9 and he is really getting into HP. He has been hounding us to go to HP so he can experience everything. We are going to DW in Nov/Dec. and we have a day that we could use for HP. It will be me, DH, DS9 and DD1. My DH hates roller-coasters and has volunteered to hang out with our DD while me and DS explore HP.

Right now I am able to get 1 child ticket and 1 adult ticket free with my Dad's rewards points on his VISA. I'm hoping that I can get a second adult ticket before the trip.

Question 1 - Is the Universal Express Ticket right for us? We are not an early morning family and I don't see us arriving before 11. (I'm working on it but I'm not holding my breath.)

Question 2 - Is HP still so crowded you have to get a pass with a return time?

Question 3 - Can I take a lunch into the park? We are on the Deluxe DP at Disney and we will have our camper so I don't want to spend money at US/IOA for food.

Question 4 - Can you make reservations to eat at The Three Broomstics or is it just CS and you take you chance?

Any other helpful tips? I see us arriving at the park - going straight to HP and once we have done everything HP head home unless something catches us on the way out.

Thanks so much for the tips and suggestions!!!

 

[macraven]

We went to US/IOA in April 2011 to see HP. It was so HOT and so CROWDED!! You had to get a pass with a time to come back and they would let you in. However, it was still so CROWDED people were walking all over you and you couldn't even move plus the HEAT was unbearable.

if you were there during spring break, it is very crowded..
the ticket time pass that was given out at that time was due to the fact, too many were in the parry hotter section.

the only other time i have read about the TM's giving out the return time pass has been during a high crowd day after christmas. (during that week)

don't think you will have issues of getting into the ph section on your next visit.


Question 1 - Is the Universal Express Ticket right for us? We are not an early morning family and I don't see us arriving before 11. (I'm working on it but I'm not holding my breath.)

Question 2 - Is HP still so crowded you have to get a pass with a return time?

Question 3 - Can I take a lunch into the park? We are on the Deluxe DP at Disney and we will have our camper so I don't want to spend money at US/IOA for food.

#1. the ep is not valid for forbidden journey or ollivanders.
#2. no
#3. you can bring food into the park but glass containors or wheeled chests are not allowed.

 

[MDer2FL]

I can't speak to what the crowd will be like when you go in Nov/Dec. We just returned from a week at Universal (week of the 4th) and it was pretty mobbed.

My advice is, if the reason you're going is specifically to see the Harry Potter attractions, you'll need to make an exception to "not an early morning family". Get to the park at opening. Do Olivanders first, then Forbidden Journey.

We were staying onsite so we were able to take advantage of the extra morning hour. We were in the very first group to go thru Olivanders when it opened, then waited about 20-25 minutes for FJ. Bottom line is, if you want to avoid the huge lines, you're going to have to bite the bullet and get up early!

 

[ginabina]

If you do not want to get up early then plan on Harry Potter at the very end of the day. We went 2 hours before closing during spring break 2011 and walked right in to all the attractions and stores in and around Hogwarts.

 

[Metro West]

That time of year isn't usually very busy at Universal so you shouldn't have long lines to deal with. And the weather is near perfect so this should be a terrific trip for you.

 

[alayne]

Thanks for all the great suggestions. I am going to try to get everyone up and going early so we can be sure to have plenty of time. I'm hoping that if we do get there early and let DS spend as much time as he likes at HP then on the way out we might have time for DD to do some Dr. Seuss's rides and shows. I think she would like that at 1 1/2.