Start in the evening?

[staceychev]

Hello -

We are planning our first family trip to Universal as a quick long-weekend surprise for our 2 HP-obsessed daughters, ages 8 and 13. We will be staying on site (CBBR) and arriving at MCO a little before 5 pm on a Thursday, the first week in December. We fly home early afternoon on Sunday. My original plan was lazy evening Thursday with possible swimming (depending on weather), and 2 days at the parks. However, with the "buy 2 days get 2 days" promotion, we can possibly hit the parks for a couple of hours in the evening we arrive (not to mention maybe even the morning of the day we leave).

I'm wondering if anyone has thoughts on this? Will it be more fun to experience the HP stuff first thing in the morning, or arrive at night and see it all lit up? I know that this is Dis-thinking, but is one way or the other more "magical"?

For the record, we won't be purchasing Express passes. Our budget is maxed out as it is!

Thanks,
Stacey

 

[schumigirl]

Not sure how long your flight is, but I wouldn't be able to stop myself from going to see Potter all lit up at night......and the Christmas things will be in full flow then too...….it`ll be beautiful...….and if your kids are Potter mad, they`ll love it...….

I honestly wouldn't be able to resist doing it that way...…..head to the parks and take in as much as you can......swimming is way over rated anyway...….

Having the four days even if two of them are half days, you'll see plenty...….

 

[CAPSLOCK]

I'd opt to start the evening of arrival also. Should be able to get a few hours of park fun, dinner after, and swimming after that if the kids really want to swim.

 

[staceychev]

Thanks, everyone! I'm so excited for this trip. It's killing me to not tell them, but I know that the surprise, Hogwarts letters and all, will totally be worth it.

If they want to swim, a park break on Friday or Saturday might be a better call anyway.

 

[staceychev]

Bummer - it looks like the evening hours aren't going to work, unless we go for a quick 45 minutes or so. The park is only open until 7 pm for our first day (Dec 6), and we don't land until 4:40 if our flight is on time.

Should have checked the park hours before I asked my question!

 

[skylock]

Bummer - it looks like the evening hours aren't going to work, unless we go for a quick 45 minutes or so. The park is only open until 7 pm for our first day (Dec 6), and we don't land until 4:40 if our flight is on time.

Should have checked the park hours before I asked my question!

Since you will be so close and will apparently have a ticket with an extra day, if you manage to get there early enough to have an hour in the park, I would at least go over and walk around a bit. As long as you are in a ride line before the park closes, you can ride.

Otherwise, just do the swim part. Your hotel has a nice pool area.

Take advantage of your early morning extra hours. The Potterland areas will be a bit less crowded then.

 

[bchbetha]

I'd still go over. Get the lay of the land. Maybe go and buy your wands at Ollivanders since the lines will be super short in the evening!

 

[CAPSLOCK]

Maybe go and buy your wands at Ollivanders since the lines will be super short in the evening!

This. I believe you can also still use them for spells after the park has closed. You can linger while there are people still making their way through ride lines, even after official closing time.

 

[PrincessWithABlaster]

This. I believe you can also still use them for spells after the park has closed. You can linger while there are people still making their way through ride lines, even after official closing time.

Yes. This.

OP, you asked for magical and for HP obsessed kids I would totally hit Diagon Alley if you get the chance. Maybe grab ice cream at Florian Fortesques if you have time before it closes (after getting wands). You can do spells for a while after the park closes and it's much less crowded and the windows are magical all lit up at night.

 

[mitsukoshi samurai]

Thanks, everyone! I'm so excited for this trip. It's killing me to not tell them, but I know that the surprise, Hogwarts letters and all, will totally be worth it.

If they want to swim, a park break on Friday or Saturday might be a better call anyway.

Don’t forget the robes

 

[staceychev]

I'd still go over. Get the lay of the land. Maybe go and buy your wands at Ollivanders since the lines will be super short in the evening!

I was thinking that!