Sorry I tried but I need your help.

[lilbuddy88]

We haven't been to UNIVERSAL since before any part of Harry Potter opened. Please help me plan our trip. I tried to search for answered but with all the abbreviations I'm just confused.

1st our park days are Sunday-Tuesday first weekend in April. We assume it will be crowded as these are blackout dates for Florida residents. It will be 3 adults, 1 teenager, 2 elementary age kids and a 2 year old that may be 36 inches he was 35 on our November Disney trip.

So questions
3 day one park only ticket is preferred but can either park be done in one day? If so which one. My kids like to go all day (my 2 year old naps in the stroller while nana happily takes a break and sends the rest of us on).

Baby swap? How is this done?

Where do we start?

What's not to miss?

Are there any parades?

What's new? As I've said IOA was 1/2-3/4 day park last time we were there.

Any tips you can offer I really appreciate

 

[wookiebeck]

1st our park days are Sunday-Tuesday first weekend in April. We assume it will be crowded as these are blackout dates for Florida residents. It will be 3 adults, 1 teenager, 2 elementary age kids and a 2 year old that may be 36 inches he was 35 on our November Disney trip.

Easter weekend that's why.

3 day one park only ticket is preferred but can either park be done in one day? If so which one. My kids like to go all day (my 2 year old naps in the stroller while nana happily takes a break and sends the rest of us on).

If concerned how days will be filled, park-to-park ticket is really convenient. Also, this is the only way to ride the Hogwarts Train.

Are there any parades?

No. But, there is a finale show in the Studios around the lake.

What's new? As I've said IOA was 1/2-3/4 day park last time we were there.

The Harry Potter section in IOA made it a full day park. The Studios also has more going on with new Transformers as well as new Harry Potter area. If you had to force us to split a 3-day ticket (no hopping), two days at the Studios would would be good for all in your party.

 

[macraven]

www.universalorlando.com
you can get the layout of the parks, eateries, restroom locations, descriptions of the rides and restrictions, baby swap set up on the above website.

you can plan out which rides and who wants to try them in advance.
your group can split up in one section for certain rides or all go in the same line and use the baby swap system.
entire family stays together this way.
once the first set it done, the ones that waited with the little take their turn.

hope this helps you.

 

[lilbuddy88]

So from what I gathered IOA REALLY ONLY ADDED TWO ADDITIONAL rides since I've been there (dragon challenge is just dueling dragon rethemed right). Is the hog warts train that big of a deal that we will feel we missed something if we don't do it? Money is an issue for one of our party members so saving her $80 by not getting the park transfer tickets could be helpful.

Which rides get the longest lines? Meaning which rides should we head for first at park opening? Give me the top two in IOA and top 4 in universal.

 

[macraven]

since the DA is the newest addition, the studios crowds up faster due to that area.

lines usually end up with TF and DE being longer that most want to wait.

dueling dragon is the same ride except the red and blue don't "duel" anymore.
HE is a favorite with potter fans.

if money is an issue start with the studios side and see if that is the park you would do a second day at.
if you have been to ioa before, you probably only need the one day for that park.
you mentioned a 3 day 1 park only to buy.
go with that on your first day and if you feel you need to upgrade to park to park, you can do that at the shops in the park.

with the dates you have planned, you will see crowds but you can manage that easily.

 

[lilbuddy88]

since the DA is the newest addition, the studios crowds up faster due to that area.

lines usually end up with TF and DE being longer that most want to wait.

dueling dragon is the same ride except the red and blue don't "duel" anymore.
HE is a favorite with potter fans.

if money is an issue start with the studios side and see if that is the park you would do a second day at.
if you have been to ioa before, you probably only need the one day for that park.
you mentioned a 3 day 1 park only to buy.
go with that on your first day and if you feel you need to upgrade to park to park, you can do that at the shops in the park.

with the dates you have planned, you will see crowds but you can manage that easily.

Thanks that is a great idea we will do IOA first then decide on the upgrade as we go that day. I appreciate your help.

 

[leiaorgana]

Are there any parades?

US has the Superstar Parade, which your little ones might enjoy, as it has characters from Spongebob Squarepants, Dora The Explorer, Despicable Me and Hop. I think it normally takes place twice a day in the afternoon but you can find out more about it on Universal's official site to see if it's for you guys or not

 

[lilbuddy88]

since the DA is the newest addition, the studios crowds up faster due to that area.

lines usually end up with TF and DE being longer that most want to wait.

.

DA= Diagon Alley

TF=?
DE=?

I did try to figure it out but I'm shooting in the dark here lol

US has the Superstar Parade, which your little ones might enjoy, as it has characters from Spongebob Squarepants, Dora The Explorer, Despicable Me and Hop. I think it normally takes place twice a day in the afternoon but you can find out more about it on Universal's official site to see if it's for you guys or not

Thanks they would love this. It's going on the to do list.

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

DA= Diagon Alley

TF=?
DE=?
.
I did try to figure it out but I'm shooting in the dark here lol

I am guessing TF is Transformers, and DE is Despicable Me.

 

[macraven]

for what gina said

 

[disneylove69]

Nana and the 2 year old might like the water area in Universal Studios. There is the Curios George water and Fiefel play area. There is a little water area at IOA. Baby swap is where the party waits in line. When you get to the front of the line 1 person takes the child to a waiting area while the rest of the party rides. Once their ride is over they take the baby and you ride. Easy peasy. Both parks are easy to do one in a day. I would think IOA is easier to do as there is no real shows except one so your not waiting for the "next show." US can be done in one day if you plan the shows just right. Lots of seating so shouldn't be to bad. Despicable Me usually has a long line. HAVE FUN

 

[macraven]

Thanks that is a great idea we will do IOA first then decide on the upgrade as we go that day. I appreciate your help.

i know those of us that go regularly to the parks, tour them in different ways.
so i think with ioa not being as the main draw for potter (since DA is open) you could do that park easily in one day.
you said you have done IOA before so you wil remember where everything is located.
potter will be the new part to you there.
ollivanders (wand shop and show) are at both parks.
the studios has 2 ollivander rooms, ioa only 1 and it can have a lengthy wait line.

butterbeer is at both potter places.
both have a similar set up restaurant.
both have shops, candy store, etc

studio potter side is larger and more set ups with the buildings and an alley way.
if you buy the interactive wand, it can cast spells at both potter sites.

at UO side, more steet shows with the characters, mini show/parade near Mels/horror make up show.
all ages enjoy it
it's short, musical, fun loving and gets those watching involved with them.
more character interactions and picture taking moments

the scooby do gang in the van, the simpsons, the movie stars, parades with the floats and dancers (short, small and sweet) are all on the studio side.

ioa has marvei heroes in the marvel land.
they ride in at set times each day and then do meet and greets
smile, it's picture time!

you have three days for your vacation there.
if you want to upgrade to park to park tickets do it the first day if you bought the 3 day single park tickets.
all the days will be upgraded when you do the first day.


but if you only have a one day ticket each, do each park once and then decide which park will be done twice.
i'm guessing you'll go with the studios on that one.

whatever you decide, just have a great time having fun for your trip.

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

ioa has marvei heroes in the marvel land.
they ride in at set times each day and then do meet and greets
smile, it's picture time!

mac.....question for you on the above....

Would you know if the marvel meet and greets are the same time every day? Or does it differ?

If I ask a TM, would they be able to give me an idea of the times for that particular day?

Seeing the superheroes ride in and get pics with guests would be a highlight for my DH.....what can I say, we're a pair of big kids at heart ,.

 

[schumigirl]

Gina, it was on the hour we saw them come out on their bikes......a sight to see....but I`m not sure if it was every hour or every two hours after that.

It was 10am we definitely saw them most mornings we were there, but didn`t hang around after that.

Dr Doom came our rather randomly too at times, have bumped into him on more than one occasion.

It is worth seeing........definitely

 

[johde]

I'm not sure if they are the same time everyday but the times should be listed on the park map and app.

 

[macraven]

it is listed on the park map brochure that you pick up when you enter the park.


the maps are changed usualy weekly to reflect times of all shows and events.
if a ride is down for the day, it will be posted up front in the park by the ticket entrance.

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

Gina, it was on the hour we saw them come out on their bikes......a sight to see....but I`m not sure if it was every hour or every two hours after that.

It was 10am we definitely saw them most mornings we were there, but didn`t hang around after that.

Dr Doom came our rather randomly too at times, have bumped into him on more than one occasion.

It is worth seeing........definitely

I'm not sure if they are the same time everyday but the times should be listed on the park map and app.

it is listed on the park map brochure that you pick up when you enter the park.


the maps are changed usualy weekly to reflect times of all shows and events.
if a ride is down for the day, it will be posted up front in the park by the ticket entrance.

That is awesome! Thank you!

 

[lilbuddy88]

Nana and the 2 year old might like the water area in Universal Studios. There is the Curios George water and Fiefel play area. There is a little water area at IOA. Baby swap is where the party waits in line. When you get to the front of the line 1 person takes the child to a waiting area while the rest of the party rides. Once their ride is over they take the baby and you ride. Easy peasy. Both parks are easy to do one in a day. I would think IOA is easier to do as there is no real shows except one so your not waiting for the "next show." US can be done in one day if you plan the shows just right. Lots of seating so shouldn't be to bad. Despicable Me usually has a long line. HAVE FUN

Great the play areas should be a life saver. So I guess I need to start prepping everyone on the baby swap because I'm not caring him by myself in these lines, and I can already see the puppy dog eyes when I say nope you have to walk . And of course they'll all jump in to comfort and hold him. So we'll plan to hit Despicable Me at park open one day and Transformers at Park open the next. I'm starting to get excited!