Touring Plan for One Day in Universal Parks

[Meteora]

Hello Universal experts! I've been to the parks for a day or so at different points over the last year, but I'm afraid I still haven't mastered how best to navigate them. My sister and are planning to go for one day in late April. We're going to do park-to-park so that we can do the Hogwarts Express. We've both done the IOA Harry Potter section a couple of times in the past, but this is my first time for Diagon Alley. I'm trying to figure out what the best plan would be so that we can do Diagon Alley (specifically Gringotts and the Express in both directions), but also hopefully some other park rides as well. My sister just attempted a similar enterprise with her boyfriend, and they really only managed two other rides throughout the day due to long lines--would like to avoid a similar experience! We'll be staying with family, so the onsite express pass is sadly not an option.

Other rides we would really like to do are: Men in Black, Rip Ride Rock It (just my sister, so she can use single riders if it's open), Transformers, and maybe the Simpsons or Revenge of the Mummy. We also like the Forbidden Journey and Spiderman, and my sister likes the Hulk, but since we've done them on previous trips we won't be as upset if we don't get to them. Any advice about the orders/times at which we should tackle these things would be appreciated! The fact that the Express involves actually leaving one park for another is really throwing a wrench into my planning!! My sister and I are both fast walkers and don't mind walking out of our way if it will set us up better for shorter lines.

Thanks in advance!

 

[damo]

Since you've both done the areas before, I would recommend using the single rider lines. I'd head to Gringott's first thing and get it done. then do MIB single riders and over to Mummy Single Riders. Then head back to the Hogwarts Express and do Forbidden Journey single riders.

 

[macraven]

Since you are planning to do one park day only, be flexible with that date

UO has annual events for graduating students from Jr. High and Sr high schools
Park closes on select dates April and May
I don't know the dates yet but they usually fall on weekends

UO website should have info but I usual Google the grad adventure event as some specials take some seeking out to find on their website


Single rider line usage will save you a lot of time

 

[johde]

You didn't mention them, but if Despicable Me and Hollywood Rip Ride Rocket are on your list I'd do them first and second. From there it's tough. I had good luck doing Mummy, Transformers, Simpsons, MIB then going into Diagon Alley. After Diagon Alley and Gringotts hop over to IOA. like mentioned previously Single rider Forbidden Journey. Make a loop around IOA hitting what you want to ride. Take Hogwarts Express back to USF. Hit E.T. and any other rides you want.