Strategy Help needed

[Laura Weber]

We are heading for Universal Oct 29th and 30th. I have heard that it is good to do 1/2 of US and then take the train and do 1/2 of IOA on one day. Then the next day you reverse it and so 1/2 in IOA and the take the train over and do the other 1/2 of US.

Any info or thoughts on how to divide up the parks? We will not have early entry as we are staying off property. And we will not be doing HHN.

Thanks!

 

[tweak89]

If by 1/2 you are referring to Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade ((via the Hogwarts Express) that would depend on how big of a Harry Potter fan you are. Since you are not staying onsite, you won't have Express Passes (unless you buy them) so a little more planning would be needed.

But, how about giving a little more info. What's your party consist of? Types of rides you like/like to avoid? With HHN going on, you would have to do some planning since teh Studios side would be closing early each day to set up for HHN.

 

[bchbetha]

Eh. You don't really need to plan like that and I really wouldn't. Just bounce around. Use the wait time app or boards and travel at will. Personally, I find the HP too crowded 12-6 and find that to be a good time to enjoy all the other parts of the park.
Do ride the train both ways.
Do start and end your day with HP. The last hour or 2 on Diagon Alley feels extra magical.

 

[Laura Weber]

We are a group of 5 women friends age 50 to 66. Not real roller coaster fans except for 1 of us.

Maybe I am really over thinking this and we should just go with the flow.

What would be the best wait time app?

US closes at 5:00 PM right?

 

[wookiebeck]

It sounds like your first time. Traveling back and forth on purpose can have an effect of lost time. You might want to focus one park at a time, getting around each in a big circle to see as much as possible since the hours are shorter.

We only bounce around, use the app to decide what rides and park hop when we are there for a week. Doing that uses much time walking, stopping to smell the flowers and not that efficient.

Get the Universal App and start using it now to get a feel for how it looks and works. I find it has the same info as the boards posted around the parks.

 

[TheConsciousness]

Universal's official app in the app store will have reliable wait times. Our usual plan is to hang out in Universal Studios all day on the first day, and then Islands of Adventure on the second day. As Islands has more 'thrill' rides, this will give you more time to go back and do rides at Universal if you want to skip Islands rides.

 

[imprint]

Another reason to try out the official USO app is to gauge how quickly it drains your phone's battery. I've found the wait times listed to be pretty good too, but whew the battery drain...

 

[tony67]

US closes at 5:00 PM right?

Yeah - it is Halloween Horror Nights so UO closes early and IOA is open later.

First day you do want to start at UO and do the train to IOA in the afternoon - it will get busier at both parks in the afternoon.
People with HHN tickets start to show up at UO and people who dont have HHN tickets start to head to IOA

Also people who have one park tickets will probably pick IOA since it is open later.

The 30th will probably be the slower of the two days so keep that in mind as well

 

[bchbetha]

Another reason to try out the official USO app is to gauge how quickly it drains your phone's battery. I've found the wait times listed to be pretty good too, but whew the battery drain...

Turn it to airplane mode when you aren't using your phone. And if you have an iPhone, check location settings. Default with the app is always on. That's terrible for battery life.
Buy one of those power block things and charge on the go if worried though. It's a nice option.

 

[Laura Weber]

I have the Touring Plans apps and the Universal and MDE. As suggested, I have started to watch them. Now to remember to check at different times during the day to see how things change.

Thanks for all the help!