Touring Plan for Early July

[taliategan]

Have two days on July 9 and 10; are staying at RPR so will have express pass; on the 9th our plane arrives at 10:30 a.m., so will be in park from early afternoon to closing; on the 10th will leave some time early evening to drive to Naples; was planning on one park each day; my youngest (11) has become a big Harry Potter plan - so wondering what would be the best plan to get the Harry Potter attractions, which I assume do not have express pass lines; was planning on US on the 9th, as the park is open later and has the night time show - but concerned what type of line we would be looking at in the afternoon or evening for the new ride in the Harry Potter attraction. Our family was at US once, about 4 years ago. I have been to IOA, but not the rest of the family.

 

[damo]

Since we don't know how early admission is going to work, it is tough to give you a schedule. There might only be early admission to a certain park on certain days for certain hotels.

I strongly suggest you take advantage of whatever park is open for it. It is going to be crazy busy since Diagon Alley will just be opening.

 

[macraven]

Have two days on July 9 and 10; are staying at RPR so will have express pass; on the 9th our plane arrives at 10:30 a.m., so will be in park from early afternoon to closing; on the 10th will leave some time early evening to drive to Naples; was planning on one park each day; my youngest (11) has become a big Harry Potter plan - so wondering what would be the best plan to get the Harry Potter attractions, which I assume do not have express pass lines; was planning on US on the 9th, as the park is open later and has the night time show - but concerned what type of line we would be looking at in the afternoon or evening for the new ride in the Harry Potter attraction. Our family was at US once, about 4 years ago. I have been to IOA, but not the rest of the family.

there will be crowds in both parks no matter how you plan it.

crowd patterns are going to be so different from what we are used to due to HP2 opening.

FJ does not have express but a single rider line.
you will miss out on somethings in the castle if you use it.

use srl and the expresss lines for the other rides at ioa.
dragon challenge and the small coaster have express.

you could start at the back of the park, parry hotter area, and work forwards to the front.

on your check out day, use the early entry for the parks to alleviate large crowds.

if you plan to do the new parryhotter ride in the studios, you will need PtP tickets.

don't count on the new hp ride to have express.

 

[damo]

there will be crowds in both parks no matter how you plan it.

crowd patterns are going to be so different from what we are used to due to HP2 opening.

FJ does not have express but a single rider line.
you will miss out on somethings in the castle if you use it.

use srl and the expresss lines for the other rides at ioa.
dragon challenge and the small coaster have express.

you could start at the back of the park, parry hotter area, and work forwards to the front.

on your check out day, use the early entry for the parks to alleviate large crowds.

if you plan to do the new parryhotter ride in the studios, you will need PtP tickets.

don't count on the new hp ride to have express.

From what I am hearing, it sounds like you will need to book a time to ride the Hogwarts Express and you will definitely need park to park tickets for it.

The new ride in the studios, Gringotts doesn't require park to park tickets unless, of course, you already did IOA that day.

 

[macraven]

i said PtP as the op stated they were doing the studios on the first day.

i heard about booking a time for the ride but since i have not read about it at the darkside, didn't mention it.

 

[damo]

i said PtP as the op stated they were doing the studios on the first day.

i heard about booking a time for the ride but since i have not read about it at the darkside, didn't mention it.

Just wanted to make it clear to anyone else who may be reading the post and perhaps getting confuzzled. I know that you know what you are talkin' 'bout. I should have written, "Just to clarify ..." before my post.

I don't know if the OP knows that they need a PTP ticket to ride the Hogwarts Express.

 

[macraven]

was planning on one park each day; my youngest (11) has become a big Harry Potter plan - so wondering what would be the best plan to get the Harry Potter attractions, which I assume do not have express pass lines; was planning on US on the 9th,

the above is what the op posted so that is why i mentioned having PtP tickets.
they are planning on one park each day so the basic park ticket wouldn't allow them on the HE ride.

i'm sure there are newbies that are not aware a PtP/park to park ticket will be required for the Hogwarts express ride that is located in the studios side.


i'm sure the op is reading this thread and hopefully she will return if she has anymore questions

 

[taliategan]

Thanks for the replies - I am going to keep everything open at this point until Diagon Alley opens and I get an idea of what we will be facing. Probably would not get park to park tickets for just Hogwarts Express, but will consider if I think we would need them for the Harry Potter attractions in both parks in the early a.m on the 10th since we will not be able to get early entry on the
9th.

 

[macraven]

Thanks for the replies - I am going to keep everything open at this point until Diagon Alley opens and I get an idea of what we will be facing. Probably would not get park to park tickets for just Hogwarts Express, but will consider if I think we would need them for the Harry Potter attractions in both parks in the early a.m on the 10th since we will not be able to get early entry on the
9th.

if you buy the basic 2 day 1 park in advance, you can upgrade them to be PtP tickets once you are there at the darkside.

if you do upgrade, it will include both days.
even if you do a one day park on day #1, and upgrade on day #2, all the tickets have the hopping feature.

 

[quinnc19]

I am considering the same dates as the OP plus July 4-5 for my visit. Will Universal be completely insane on the 4th? Anything special going on? Any chance new NP things won't be open yet? Many thanks Dark side experts!

 

[hermionesnape]

Thanks for the replies - I am going to keep everything open at this point until Diagon Alley opens and I get an idea of what we will be facing. Probably would not get park to park tickets for just Hogwarts Express, but will consider if I think we would need them for the Harry Potter attractions in both parks in the early a.m on the 10th since we will not be able to get early entry on the 9th.

The Hogwarts Express isn't just a transport it is an actually a ride. Just saying this because your daughter is a big HP fan. The train is an exact replica of the Hogwarts Express in the movies inside and out. The "windows" are actually giant screens that show you going on Harry's journey to Hogwarts. You might encounter dementers or flying cars or any other random things from Harry's years at school. We are going this summer because our entire family is Harry Potter fans.

Also the magical experience of riding from Diagon Alley and getting off the train in Hogsmead is one that promises to please fans.

 

[damo]

The Hogwarts Express isn't just a transport it is an actually a ride. Just saying this because your daughter is a big HP fan. The train is an exact replica of the Hogwarts Express in the movies inside and out. The "windows" are actually giant screens that show you going on Harry's journey to Hogwarts. You might encounter dementers or flying cars or any other random things from Harry's years at school. We are going this summer because our entire family is Harry Potter fans.

Also the magical experience of riding from Diagon Alley and getting off the train in Hogsmead is one that promises to please fans.

I've read on other boards from TMs who have ridden it, that it is absolutely amazing.

 

[macraven]

I am considering the same dates as the OP plus July 4-5 for my visit. Will Universal be completely insane on the 4th? Anything special going on? Any chance new NP things won't be open yet? Many thanks Dark side experts!

July 4th always brings crowds to the parks and city walk.
would be good to stay onsite.

check out some older threads from last years 4th.

 

[taliategan]

Solved the main problem by getting 2 day park to park tickets. My Harry Potter fan will want to get to the Harry Potter areas as soon as we get there on the 9th. I would assume these areas in both parks will be crowded in the early afternoon, so I will probably take the kids to the early entry the next morning.