Touring plan assistance (with EP)

[lchuck]

We're heading to US/IoA for the 1st time in early June. We've been to Disney a few times and consider ourselves well versed, but we always create a detailed touring plan. I've read multiple accounts that seem to say if you have EP at US/IoA, then there is no real need for a touring plan? We want to focus on the HP areas, but also ride a good portion of the rides in both parks. Plus, my kids are both interested in trying out the HP magic wand areas and I know there are better times to try those out. Any hints or tips for this scenario? Thanks!!!

 

[tweak89]

Well,what you've read is true. Leave the Disney planning mentality behind and just enjoy yourself. Now that FJ and Gringott's are part of EP, there is even LESS planning involved.

Better advice could be given if you let us know how long you will be there and if you will be visiting Volcano Bay as well.

 

[shanew21]

Our longest wait over Christmas with an EP was 15 minutes at Kong. Everything else 10 minutes or less.

Add the fact that there are fewer rides at Universal than Disney and I wouldn't worry about it.

 

[WhitneyMB]

I'm a total Disney planner and I don't feel comfortable walking into a theme park with no plan of what to do. Last time we were at Universal (with EP) we mapped out the first 3-4 rides of the day, and then after that just went where ever we wanted to. The first few rides each day depended on if we were using Early Admission--when only a selection of rides are open--or when the entire park opens.

While I am the type of person that kind of enjoys the "game" of staying on a touring plan and beating the times, I agree with the others that there is something freeing in not needing one. It was nice to sit down and share a snack as a family whenever we wanted, knowing that we had an Express Pass for every ride!

 

[WhitneyMB]

PS- Like all theme parks the afternoon (12-4) is the busiest time of day. We prefer not to spend long periods of time in the two Harry Potter lands during this time as they just get so crowded. We will often go in the morning and then circle back in the evening. Make sure you are aware though if there is going to be a fireworks show above Hogwarts--I've heard that it's a madhouse getting out of that crowd.

 

[schumigirl]

EP all the way........

Even on so called quiet times it has been a blessing to have......wouldn’t be without it for Universal........

I wouldn’t want to waste my day queuing when I don’t have to. We saw regular lines of over 90 minutes for Despicable Me and even Transformers had long lines early December.........

You’ll be glad you had it..........

 

[lchuck]

Thanks for the advice! We'll be there for 2 full days, plus what is left of our arrival afternoon. We won't be doing Volcano Bay, just IoA and US. It's just so hard to get out of that planning mentality, especially because we'll be doing WDW following the Universal days.

 

[gotomu212]

Get ready for a whole new world (haha) EPs at Universal will spoil you silly. We usually go to HP area in the morning, then clear out when it gets crowded (about 90 minutes after early entry) and then come back to them around 4:30. Diagon Alley can be a lot of fun later in the evening. We’ve hung out outside Florians, enjoying ice cream and butter beer and watched the wizards go by. That’s usually when it’s easier to try out your interactive wands too.

Keep in mind that it is super easy to switch parks with either the hogwarts express or with a 5 minute walk gate to gate so if one area seems crowded, move over. We typically make dinner reservations the night before if there’s a sit down we want (although you can walk up at off peak times). It’s a lot of fun to wander, see a ride, and just walk up to it.

 

[martikus]

One of the best things is if you love a ride you can exit and get right back into line with RP. At Disney we have to say darn no more fast passes left.

We had our first universal trip this fall and we honestly won’t be back to Disney any time soon and I love Disney. The EP and ability to go anywhere we want without a plan was so freeing. DS did forbidden journey 5 times in a row one day. I’m an Uber planner too but wow such a relaxing break.

Have a great time!

 

[shanew21]

Thanks for the advice! We'll be there for 2 full days, plus what is left of our arrival afternoon. We won't be doing Volcano Bay, just IoA and US. It's just so hard to get out of that planning mentality, especially because we'll be doing WDW following the Universal days.

@schumigirl and I will go back and forth on this, but IMO 2 days (and the rest of arrival day) are plenty for what Universal has to offer if you have an Express Pass. If you want to ride every ride in the park you can do so multiple times in that timeframe.

Don't skip the Potter stuff though. Really explore those lands.

 

[bchbetha]

@schumigirl and I will go back and forth on this, but IMO 2 days (and the rest of arrival day) are plenty for what Universal has to offer if you have an Express Pass. If you want to ride every ride in the park you can do so multiple times in that timeframe.

Don't skip the Potter stuff though. Really explore those lands.

Express pass= ride more and have more time for all the fun shows, Magic making, play areas and snacking. I could fill a lot of days!

 

[kniquy]

say if you have EP at US/IoA, then there is no real need for a touring plan?

I am so glad that you asked this question as i was pondering the same thing for our upcoming April trip. We have the EP with our Royal Pacific room. I feel like i am doing something wrong with not planning anything for the UO portion of our trip. It seems rather freeing not to have to worry about where to be at what time. When is disney going to get on board with this. Imagine how much they could charge for an unlimited fast pass - and people would pay. Not this silly 3 extra FP for $50 (oh only club level)-- ridiculous!!

 

[macraven]

@schumigirl and I will go back and forth on this, but IMO 2 days (and the rest of arrival day) are plenty for what Universal has to offer if you have an Express Pass. If you want to ride every ride in the park you can do so multiple times in that timeframe.

Don't skip the Potter stuff though. Really explore those lands.

I think you need to add me and most of the regular posters and not just Schumi, as needing more than two days to do all the UO parks

Most of us enjoy taking our time and not dash from one ride/show to another during our days there

But for those that have a set two days only and avoid the major holidays, they can see and do a lot

Rides have gone down before and it changes people’s day schedule
Last visit I waited in the ep line for 35 minutes before it was announced ride down and unknown when it will be operational

I’m not a major potter fan but it usually takes two hours of my time some days
( do the ride, watch the live show, eat, window shop, grab a butterbeer)

 

[shanew21]

I think you need to add me and most of the regular posters and not just Schumi, as needing more than two days to do all the UO parks

Most of us enjoy taking our time and not dash from one ride/show to another during our days there

But for those that have a set two days only and avoid the major holidays, they can see and do a lot

Rides have gone down before and it changes people’s day schedule
Last visit I waited in the ep line for 35 minutes before it was announced ride down and unknown when it will be operational

I’m not a major potter fan but it usually takes two hours of my time some days
( do the ride, watch the live show, eat, window shop, grab a butterbeer)

To be clear, 2.5 days is what I consider enough time, not just 2. I was including the arrival day.

For our trips we spend almost all of our arrival day in the HP sections then venture out the next two days (and of course head back). I'm also not including Volcano Bay but OP excluded it too.

 

[macraven]

From what I have read from the peeps that do Volcano Bay, it could be a full day for them while others half a day


When I talk about the parks, I’m referring the main two and not the water park or city walk

Same when I’m at Disney, I don’t hit the water parks

Anything that takes me away from the base parks, I just don’t do

Many have a 2.5 day in the parks and are successful
If a ride goes down or an unexpected increase of crowds can make plans cramped

Two years ago had a couple of my favorite rides go down and had waited to my last day to ride them
Not that I had not been on them before but still disappointed I had to miss them in that trip

 

[WhitneyMB]

I think you need to add me and most of the regular posters and not just Schumi, as needing more than two days to do all the UO parks

Most of us enjoy taking our time and not dash from one ride/show to another during our days there

But for those that have a set two days only and avoid the major holidays, they can see and do a lot

Yes, definitely agree with this. Our first Universal vacation we had 3.5 days there (for the two parks) and that didn't feel like enough for our family. There were still shows we wanted to catch, more restaurants to eat at, rides we had only got on once and loved, etc. This upcoming trip we planned for 5 days at Universal. We prefer just to focus on either Disney or Universal though, rather than combining them (longer tickets = more economical we feel too) but I understand that some families need to or like to combine their trips.

 

[macraven]

ichuck, there are a few line rides i will do at least once in the regular line

I have the hotel ep and do use it

For a few rides I enjoy the regular
line as it has sections that are bypassed in the ep lines

Mummy is one I prefer to hit
You miss a lot of the displays when using the ep line

So many details in different sections to see
It just adds to the story line for me


Spider-Man is another ride line I do the long walk thru before the ride

Kong has more visuals also for regular line

 

[schumigirl]

I think you need to add me and most of the regular posters and not just Schumi, as needing more than two days to do all the UO parks

Most of us enjoy taking our time and not dash from one ride/show to another during our days there

But for those that have a set two days only and avoid the major holidays, they can see and do a lot

Rides have gone down before and it changes people’s day schedule
Last visit I waited in the ep line for 35 minutes before it was announced ride down and unknown when it will be operational

I’m not a major potter fan but it usually takes two hours of my time some days
( do the ride, watch the live show, eat, window shop, grab a butterbeer)

Thank you!!

Not really sure why this poster mentioned me specifically??? Many of us feel this way on the Universal boards.

Yes, definitely agree with this. Our first Universal vacation we had 3.5 days there (for the two parks) and that didn't feel like enough for our family. There were still shows we wanted to catch, more restaurants to eat at, rides we had only got on once and loved, etc. This upcoming trip we planned for 5 days at Universal. We prefer just to focus on either Disney or Universal though, rather than combining them (longer tickets = more economical we feel too) but I understand that some families need to or like to combine their trips.

We see this so often on these boards and it`s fabulous to read........

A couple of days wouldn't even scratch the surface for us in the parks.......

We love to do repeat rides over many days........and can certainly understand more folks wanting more time than from their first visits........

Hope your trip is fabulous!!!!

 

[keishashadow]

Thanks for the advice! We'll be there for 2 full days, plus what is left of our arrival afternoon. We won't be doing Volcano Bay, just IoA and US. It's just so hard to get out of that planning mentality, especially because we'll be doing WDW following the Universal days.

surely, you will find yourself standing in line @ WDW afterwards (even with the best touring guide) fondly day-dreaming re the EP. I always try to add it onto the end of our WDW portion of split trip.

Other than around HHN time, rarely do more than 3 days each visit (but multiple visits per year - yea!). The WDW portion of my trips is prepaid/DVC most times. Starting doing U on the pricier point days of weekly trips (Friday & Saturday) to give us 3 days there. Always excited to be there even if just for 1 night/2 days. We do have APs to all 3 major parks, gives us flexibility but I do know what parks/what days before I depart.

Once a commando, always a commando. Well, not so much for me re U planning, but it's how i roll in general. Not going to stop on vacation. Even at U when i wake up know how I generally want to time my day as to the train to other park & make it happen. The EP allows for plenty of impromptu rose-sniffing. Also, I do make dining res in the parks as I'm admittedly type A and not fond of waiting for a table anywhere. . We know who we are lol

If doing the Pterandon flyers @ IOA with a the appropriate sized child, you do need to sprint back @ rope drop to avoid that slow-moving line. You can add the Raptor Encounter into that category too, IMO not to miss first go-round.

I think you need to add me and most of the regular posters and not just Schumi, as needing more than two days to do all the UO parks

Most of us enjoy taking our time and not dash from one ride/show to another during our days there

But for those that have a set two days only and avoid the major holidays, they can see and do a lot

Rides have gone down before and it changes people’s day schedule
Last visit I waited in the ep line for 35 minutes before it was announced ride down and unknown when it will be operational

I’m not a major potter fan but it usually takes two hours of my time some days
( do the ride, watch the live show, eat, window shop, grab a butterbeer)

I admit to being in minority here, but appreciate that others do their own thing. No wrong or right way to enjoy Universal...it's all good!

We love the HP franchise but when it's crowded, will often depart after an hour or so since we know we will back, if not this trip one of the other ones. I get enough of the sardine effect at WDW.