Strategy to doing two parks in one day (Sept)

[chinhk]

Visiting on the 11th Sept and we only have one day to spare for both US and IOA. The opening hours of US on that day will be 9am - 8.30pm and IOA will be 9am - 7pm.

We plan to arrive there at least 20-30mins before 9am and visit IOA first for Harry Porter (which is the main reason of us going there). Considering they shut early at 7pm, we thought is wise to do this park first. It would also be good if we get that chance to go on spiderman and jurassic park adventure but not keen on other rides. We hope to finish all this by 12noon - 1pm and then off to US. The rides that we would like to go on at US are Despicable Me, Simpsons, Transformers, Revenge of the Mummy and Shrek.
We will get the universal fast pass in order to maximise our time there.

Is this achievable? Any tips/strategy on how to tackle two parks in one day would be much appreciated.

 

[Metro West]

We plan to arrive there at least 20-30mins before 9am and visit IOA first for Harry Porter (which is the main reason of us going there). Considering they shut early at 7pm, we thought is wise to do this park first. It would also be good if we get that chance to go on spiderman and jurassic park adventure but not keen on other rides. We hope to finish all this by 12noon - 1pm and then off to US. The rides that we would like to go on at US are Despicable Me, Simpsons, Transformers, Revenge of the Mummy and Shrek.

We will get the universal fast pass in order to maximise our time there.

Is this achievable? Any tips/strategy on how to tackle two parks in one day would be much appreciated.

Yes...I think so especially if you are going to purchase the EP for the Studios.

 

[damo]

Don't sell the other rides short. I'd add in there Cat in the Hat, ET, Men in Black.

You should have lots of time.

 

[macraven]

the ep's for both parks combined are $45.99 on that date.

doesn't look like large crowds that day


wait until you are there to decide if you need them.

you could always use the single rider line to cut back on ride waits.

 

[BrianL]

the ep's for both parks combined are $45.99 on that date.

doesn't look like large crowds that day


wait until you are there to decide if you need them.

you could always use the single rider line to cut back on ride waits.

Yes, wait on the Express Pass. I was at US Hollywood last October, and we only had one short day, so I ought EP ahead of time. We did not need it at all. Lines were short all around, the only bonus was the best seating for the shows. It was a waste of money.

I have been at US Orlando in the fall, and lines weren't THAT bad, though two parks is still pretty tight.

 

[chinhk]

the ep's for both parks combined are $45.99 on that date.

doesn't look like large crowds that day


wait until you are there to decide if you need them.

you could always use the single rider line to cut back on ride waits.

I'm a bit confused with the different types of express passes that are available at US. I believe there are two:
The regular Express Pass (which can only be used for one time only at any rides that offer the express line)
or the Unlimited Express Pass (which can be used as many times as you want). Am I correct? Any other differences between these two express passes?

Do you know if I can only get the regular or the unlimited Express Pass at the park on the day?

Just had a quote from the official Universal studio website :

For four adults (Sept 11th):
One day park-to-park plus unlimited express will cost USD$819.96 in total

The other option is to have one day park-to-park and then add on the regular express pass - this is cheaper at USD$695.96

 

[macraven]

I'm a bit confused with the different types of express passes that are available at US. I believe there are two:
The regular Express Pass (which can only be used for one time only at any rides that offer the express line)
or the Unlimited Express Pass (which can be used as many times as you want). Am I correct? Any other differences between these two express passes?

Do you know if I can only get the regular or the unlimited Express Pass at the park on the day?

Just had a quote from the official Universal studio website :

For four adults (Sept 11th):
One day park-to-park plus unlimited express will cost USD$819.96 in total

The other option is to have one day park-to-park and then add on the regular express pass - this is cheaper at USD$695.96

there are 3 types of ep's.

anyone can buy the regular ep or the unlimited ep.
for either park or both for the same day.

the last type of ep is the hotel perk.
stay on site and receive unlimited usage of the express lines.
these you don't purchase as they are included by being an onsite hotel guest.

at rack rate for sept 11, you could book an onsite room at $224, rack rate, and received the unlimited ep for both parks for up to 5 people on your reservation.
you are allowed the hotel perks of early entry and ep for the day you checkin and the day you check out.
that would be 2 full days of ep.

it would be cheaper to book a one night room than to buy the ep's at the prices you listed above.

there are quite a few that book the room for the benefits and never use the room to sleep in.


you can buy the ep on the day you are in the park.

 

[ashearer]

Why don't you book a room at one of the insure hite

 

[ashearer]

Ignore last post!why not book to stay at one if the onsite hotels . Check in at 7.30 am get your room card which will get you into HP world 1 hour early and unlimited express rides. You can also do this on your checkout day.so you pay for 1 night and get 2 days unlimited in parks!we have booked 4 nights in Club room at HRH fir 5 of us and its about £250 per night. Much cheaper and a great experience!

 

[wiigirl]

Don't sell the other rides short. I'd add in there Cat in the Hat, ET, Men in Black.

You should have lots of time.

Definetly ET and Men in Black.

 

[karmutt]

There really shouldn't be any crowds at all when you're going. Most kids go back to school between mid-August and the first week of September, so you're getting here at the perfect time of year for low crowds.

You should easily be able to get IOA done by 12 or 1, then hit US and have that done by 4 or 5. That gives you time to go go back to IOA after everyone else has gone for the day (the last 2 hours or so before each park closes are usually totally dead), then go back to Universal at 7 and do another circuit of rides there. It's a short walk to and from each park. The Harry Potter area is where you'll hit the biggest crowds, especially right after opening, since that's where everyone goes first.

Seriously, don't worry about getting an Express pass at that time of year; you will be walking on almost every ride and then taking in shows because you have so much time to kill. I go after work, getting there at 5:45ish, and am able to ride everything you mention wanting to do at both parks, plus more, even at busier times of the year.

 

[chinhk]

there are 3 types of ep's.

anyone can buy the regular ep or the unlimited ep.
for either park or both for the same day.

the last type of ep is the hotel perk.
stay on site and receive unlimited usage of the express lines.
these you don't purchase as they are included by being an onsite hotel guest.

at rack rate for sept 11, you could book an onsite room at $224, rack rate, and received the unlimited ep for both parks for up to 5 people on your reservation.
you are allowed the hotel perks of early entry and ep for the day you checkin and the day you check out.
that would be 2 full days of ep.

it would be cheaper to book a one night room than to buy the ep's at the prices you listed above.

there are quite a few that book the room for the benefits and never use the room to sleep in.


you can buy the ep on the day you are in the park.

Ignore last post!why not book to stay at one if the onsite hotels . Check in at 7.30 am get your room card which will get you into HP world 1 hour early and unlimited express rides. You can also do this on your checkout day.so you pay for 1 night and get 2 days unlimited in parks!we have booked 4 nights in Club room at HRH fir 5 of us and its about £250 per night. Much cheaper and a great experience!

Thanks for the suggestions. I have actually never thought of the hotel option until now. It is definitely a good one if we eventually decide on having the unlimited express pass + the extra one hour early admission.
We will be staying at WDW so we wil have to leave our resort early at 6am and hopefully check-in at the hotel first then to the park(s). Would it be easy to check-in at 7.30am on our arrival day? or do I need to inform the hotel in advance in regards to my early check-in? We will not stay the night and will go back the same day to WDW, how do they handle the check-out?

There really shouldn't be any crowds at all when you're going. Most kids go back to school between mid-August and the first week of September, so you're getting here at the perfect time of year for low crowds.

You should easily be able to get IOA done by 12 or 1, then hit US and have that done by 4 or 5. That gives you time to go go back to IOA after everyone else has gone for the day (the last 2 hours or so before each park closes are usually totally dead), then go back to Universal at 7 and do another circuit of rides there. It's a short walk to and from each park. The Harry Potter area is where you'll hit the biggest crowds, especially right after opening, since that's where everyone goes first.

Seriously, don't worry about getting an Express pass at that time of year; you will be walking on almost every ride and then taking in shows because you have so much time to kill. I go after work, getting there at 5:45ish, and am able to ride everything you mention wanting to do at both parks, plus more, even at busier times of the year.

Is really good to know that it is possible to do two parks in one day. Many thanks for your personal experience
We have actually managed to do two parks in one day (that was in Feb two years ago). However, I remember we had the express pass at that time.
What worries me this time is that there are new rides, the harry porter land and also the simpsons area. We are also travelling with my mom and sister this time so I just want to make sure that the visit will be more comfortable instead of rushing around and trying hard to make sure we get to go on all the rides that we wanted to.

Decision decision decision...

 

[macraven]

Thanks for the suggestions. I have actually never thought of the hotel option until now. It is definitely a good one if we eventually decide on having the unlimited express pass + the extra one hour early admission.
We will be staying at WDW so we wil have to leave our resort early at 6am and hopefully check-in at the hotel first then to the park(s). Would it be easy to check-in at 7.30am on our arrival day? or do I need to inform the hotel in advance in regards to my early check-in? We will not stay the night and will go back the same day to WDW, how do they handle the check-out?





Decision decision decision...

yes, you can check in early.
some people have checked in around 6 am at the onsite hotels.
the front desk is manned 24 hours a day.

the check in process could take you 15 minutes.
after you check in, you take your room key to the hotel kiosk in order to make your express pass photo id.

you can info the TM that you won't be using the room and would like to have automatic check out the next day.

if you do stop in at the hotel to look at your room at the end of the park day, you can check out by using the tv in the room.

the info will be in your packet you receive at check in.


if you aim for a 7ish check in, you will be fine.


try to be in the park entrance line by 7:40.
watch for the signs or use the TM help to find the guest hotel entrance for entering the park. it is separate from the other waiting lines.
you show your hotel key and your park ticket to get in early.

many times guests will be let in up to 10 minutes prior to the early entry.


you do have early entry and unlimited usage of the express line for the parks on check out day.

 

[TheAviator]

Don't sell the other rides short. I'd add in there Cat in the Hat, ET, Men in Black.

You should have lots of time.

I agree with this as well, you may get most done particularly if you go from opening to the 8:30 close. I would also add Terminator and if you have time Twister last. Terminator and Twister both are a little dated, but I still like them. I would do ET and Men in Black before those however.

At IOA the main do not miss besides Harry Potter is Jurassic Park and Spiderman, also a non-ride do not miss is Mythos, I would plan on eating there before you left to go to Universal or just when you do lunch. My favorite restaurant on the planet.

 

[ashearer]

If you could cut your last night at WDW hotel and do HRH for last night it might be an even cheaper deal. We asked our travel agent to customise our trip as we wanted 10nights at YC and 4 at HRH at the end of our trip.I don't know if changing your booking is an option though and another thing although you get free express passes you still need to buy the park hopper tickets separately.

 

[chinhk]

I agree with this as well, you may get most done particularly if you go from opening to the 8:30 close. I would also add Terminator and if you have time Twister last. Terminator and Twister both are a little dated, but I still like them. I would do ET and Men in Black before those however.

At IOA the main do not miss besides Harry Potter is Jurassic Park and Spiderman, also a non-ride do not miss is Mythos, I would plan on eating there before you left to go to Universal or just when you do lunch. My favorite restaurant on the planet.

Thank you for recommending the Mythos for lunch. The menu looks great. Hopefully we will finish all the rides at IOA latest by 1pm and have lunch there before we move on to US.
Where would you recommend to eat at US? I'm a big simpsons fan so would love to try their new restaurant in the simpsons area (do not mind if its counter service in order to save some time).

 

[Metro West]

Where would you recommend to eat at US? I'm a big simpsons fan so would love to try their new restaurant in the simpsons area (do not mind if its counter service in order to save some time).

It's all counter service in Springfield. The food is OK but it's more expensive than other places around the park. I doubt I will eat there again.

 

[TheAviator]

Thank you for recommending the Mythos for lunch. The menu looks great. Hopefully we will finish all the rides at IOA latest by 1pm and have lunch there before we move on to US.
Where would you recommend to eat at US? I'm a big simpsons fan so would love to try their new restaurant in the simpsons area (do not mind if its counter service in order to save some time).

Yes and Mythos is much more than just a great unique menu and chef they usually have on staff, its the atmosphere is amazing, the experience.

As for Universal my personal favorite is Lombards, its kind of a normal seafood restaurant, but good quality food. The Irish pub, drawing a blank on the name has good food as well.

 

[Metro West]

The Irish pub, drawing a blank on the name has good food as well.

Finnegan's.

 

[karmutt]

The Simpson's "restaurant" is actually a food court consisting of Moe’s Tavern (drinks) and counter service food stations - Krusty Burger (burgers), Cletus’ Chicken Shack (chicken), the Frying Dutchman (fish), and Luigi’s (pizza and pasta) - that all share the same seating area. It's a good place if everyone wants something different.