Trying to plan a day at HP, need logistics help

[SandraBL]

Sorry if this is posted in the wrong section. I wasn't sure where to post it since its about both Universal and Disney.

I'm making plans to go to DW with my DH and 2 kids for a trip in July (2-7). We'd like to spend 4-5 days at DW and 1 day at HP (no plans to attempt anything else at Universal). We'd be staying on site at Disney, but I'm trying to figure out how we should handle the Universal portion of the trip.

If we opt to stay at Universal, can we check in one day and go to the park the next day (which would also be our check out day)? I like this option so we can take advantage of the extra hour at the park, but am not sure if this is possible.

Or would it be best to stay at DW the entire trip and just burn one of our park days at Universal (paying seperately for the HP tickets)?

Is it possible to stay on site at Disney for 5 days, but only get a 4 day park pass?

Is there a better scenario that I'm not thinking of?

As I'm sure you can tell, I'm a bit of a DW newbie

 

[Que_Sarah_Sarah]

We went with staying at DW and buying the HP tickets with a AAA discount. You can get a lot more of the park done in one day than just HP, by the way. We got on almost every ride when we went. Mostly single rider lines.

FYI: Don't take bags to Universal if you can avoid it! You MUST put your bag into a locker before a lot of the rides, and that is free, but it is a separate line!

 

[AJA]

The holiday will mean big crowds (as I'm sure you know). When you stay onsite at Universal you get express passes to skip the lines free. It is totally worth it especially at such a crowded time. You will be surprised how much you can get done in one day. Def stay onsite, you'll have express passes for the day you check out as well as the extra hour. Do HP in that first extra hour, then use your express pass everywhere else in the park and come back to HP late in the evening to ride again and do your shopping.

Yes you can purchase 4 days park tickets at Disney even if you're staying 5 nights.

As long as it isn't a hardship in your budget stay on site at Universal, the express pass is priceless at such a crowded time.

*Just be prepared for the express pass at US to blow your mind, especially after the long lines at Disney.