Tell me what I need to know

[mom0299]

We have never been to Universal. We are planning to go to IoA on Sunday, Dec. 19th. I'm hoping that will be before it gets too busy with Christmas, but I'm trying to be realistic and I know that we will have longer wait times. The posted park hours are 9am to 9pm. If we get there when it opens and stay till it closes do you think it's realistic that we will get to see all of WWoHP, which is the reason we're going. I don't care about seeing the show at Olivanders. DD wants a wand, but we can buy one somewhere else, right? We would like to ride FJ and Dueling Dragons and just enjoy being in Hogsmead/Hogwarts.
WWoHP will be our top priority, but we would like to see more of the park as time allows.
What should our expectations be for that day? What do I need to know for my first trip to Universal? I'd like to get a good feel of the park so we'll know if we want to plan a longer trip sometime.
It will be me, DH, DS (13) and DD (11).
I know one day isn't a lot of time, but we have to work with what we have. Pleae help this Universal newbie. Thank you!

 

[DOMMM]

My family went to IOA 3 weeks ago. we saw all the WWOHP in one day. We got early entry by staying a partnering hotel. we got there at 8am and rode the FJ, Hippogriff and Dragons by 9:15 am. the shops were packed with people and SO small. we then did some other attractions at went back to HP later in the day and it was packed. hope that helps.

 

[mom0299]

Thanks, that does help. We'll plan to hit WWoHP first and do what we can. Unfortunately, we won't have early entry though.