Skip Diagon Alley? Newbie help needed!!

[JVL1018]

We'll be at Universal Aug 9 and 10th. We're staying offsite Friday the 8th(but very close by), plan to check in to Royal Pacific as early as possible, so we can get into the parks at opening.
Staying for 2 nights, have 2 day park to park passes, using them Saturday and Sunday.

I am lost. I haven't been to universal in about 17 years.

I am used to Disney. I need a plan, but I can't figure out where to start.

Which park should I start in? WWOHP first thing on one day-which day? Does it matter?
Is Diagon Alley so crazy all day it's not even worth it to go? Or is it just Gringott's that's insanely crowded?
We are Harry Potter Fans, but I'm not a super fan and can be happy just seeing the original WWOHP.

It's me, my husband, 12 year old son and 14 year old daughter-all up for any ride, love thrill rides. Express pass is for everything other than the HP stuff, yes? Do I need a plan, hitting certain rides first, or it doesn't matter with the Express Pass?

Any place cool we should eat? We're eating at CityWalk Friday evening for sure. In the parks the rest of the time, I suppose.

Help, please! Thanks!

 

[Classicmonsterfan]

Hi There,

Congrats on your upcoming trip to Universal. I just came back from a visit there last week. You'll definitely find that the park has changed quite a bit since your last visit - my first trip there was 19 years ago, and my family has been going to the park since the week it opened, although we have visited a few times in recent years.

First off, the Royal Pacific is a wonderful hotel. I stayed there last week and loved it. If you have some extra time, be sure to check out the pool area! Also, except for the very early morning, use the water taxis to travel between the hotel and the parks.

Here are my recommendations based on the info you provided:

1. You should have no problem at all entering Diagon Alley at any time during the day. It may be somewhat crowded, but not overly so. The best times to visit are during the morning or evening, but you should be fine during the day too.

2. On your first day, I would start at Islands of Adventure. Unless you check-in at 5 A.M., you will not be able to line up early enough for Diagon Alley at Universal Studios. Go to the Harry Potter area in Islands of Adventure first, then make your way around that park. Remember that you can use Express Pass for almost all the rides in this park except Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey and the Hogwarts Express. For lunch, I highly recommend Confisco Grille in the front of the park. After lunch, consider taking the Hogwarts Express to the Studios and exploring that park.

3. For your second day, line up at Universal Studios by 6 A.M. You should be able to ride Gringotts by 8-8:30 A.M. if there are no major breakdowns.

4. Just to reiterate, the Express Pass is good for everything except Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey (Islands of Adventure), the Hogwarts Express and Gringotts.

5. For Citywalk, I highly recommend an Italian restaurant called Vivo Italian Kitchen. It is extremely new, and you can make reservations for this and Confisco online.

Have fun and feel free to post any more questions. Remember to relax and have fun! Except for where to start your day and what Harry Potter ride to go on first, there is little need for a plan (unless you want to see a specific show). The Express Pass eliminates the vast majority of the waits.

 

[macraven]

check out the site www.universalorlando.com to get the layout of the parks.

knowing where to go for what, will help you when you encounter crowds.


since it has been a long time since you were at there, you can read up on the rides / shows that weren't present 17 years ago on your last visit.

get an idea where the restrooms, first aide, eateries, etc are located in the parks.


hope you have a great time there!

 

[damo]

I'd check back here the week before you go to see what time people are finding they need to arrive for early admission. Things may have changed quite a bit by then. Early admission will be at 8 for Universal and at 7 for IOA.

One other ride that doesn't take express pass is Pteranodon Flyers at IOA.

 

[BeccaA]

Don't skip Diagon Alley! It's awesome! You will be able to do everything in DA if you arrive early your second day. Also, the Hogsmeade side was dead when we went at 8 am our first day of arrival. We rode Forbidden Journey twice with no wait. That would be a good plan for your first day there. You can eat at Three Broomsticks and Leaky Cauldron without reservations. Have fun!

 

[carmelhp]

I'd check back here the week before you go to see what time people are finding they need to arrive for early admission. Things may have changed quite a bit by then. Early admission will be at 8 for Universal and at 7 for IOA.

One other ride that doesn't take express pass is Pteranodon Flyers at IOA.

Here's the full list from the Universal website:

NOT AVAILABLE ON THE FOLLOWING ATTRACTIONS:


Universal Studios Florida

Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts™
Hogwarts™ Express
Kang & Kodos' Twirl 'n' Hurl



Universal's Islands of Adventure

Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey™
Hogwarts™ Express
Pteranodon Flyers®

 

[xApril]

Honestly, everyone is going to Diagon first thing every morning. This makes the wait for Gringotts the longest they'll be all day. If you go a bit later on in the day after the initial early morning crowds disperse, I have seen the line only at 120-180. If you can get there for early entry reallllly early before a huge chunk of the crowd, then it is a good idea to do...but if you aren't in that initial few groups, you're gonna be waiting a good few hours.

I've had good experience with single rider & being able to ride with my party, so that's another option for you if you guys do the ride.

 

[JVL1018]

Thanks for the advice, so much appreciated! OK, I will not skip Diagon Alley, though I really don't know that I can be up to get in line at 6am, LOL, but we'll try. Do you stand around outside until the park opens?

I had already printed out the maps, checked out the rides and make note of the ones we wanted to do. I think everything is new since our last trip. LOL

IoA first, it is!

Thanks again!!