two day plan?

[daisyx3]

We are going to be at Universal the Friday-Sunday after Easter. This was a request from my 17 year old son who has never been (DH and I were there after a business trip in 2009 or 10, but no HP yet). We plan to stay onsite, but since we arrive 10ish on Friday (we are coming from a DCL cruise that goes Monday-Friday) we can't use the early admission benefit that day.
Current plan is to check in and go to the parks (will have two day tickets that cover both parks) and check the waits for the HP stuff. We can get the "lay of the land" and then maybe ride some other rides--esp. if we stay at a resort with express passes (I know they aren't good for most HP stuff, right?)
Then on Saturday go as soon as we are allowed and get the major HP rides ridden and ride other stuff as it opens up, but DS and I are both most excited about HP. We will fly home Sunday (back to school Monday); no tickets purchased yet but probably no park time.
I remember when DH and I went we got express passes and I liked the Mummy and the Simpsons ride. I thought Jaws, Twister and Shrek were boring. Rip, Ride Rockit! was in a testing phase and not open yet so we didn't get to ride.
So, any ideas? I know, go during a less crowded time lol...but that's not an option as I'm a teacher. I just want to make the best of the time we have to go.
Daisyx3

 

[damo]

Jaws and Twister both won't be there when you go next year. The Harry Potter rides both are running great and chug through a ton of people, so the lines may be fine when you go. From the sounds of it, they've been pretty steady under 30 minutes. Both parks have a lot of headliner rides that eat up a ton of people. So even though there may be a lot of people in the parks, there are a lot of rides to spread out the lines.

 

[Robo56]

My suggestion is to go to the Universal Orlando online site and look at the both park maps. This will help you get familiar with each parks layout. Once you check in you can go out and get your express pass cards made in the lobby of your hotel and head to the parks. If your room is ready you can get settled quickly then to the park. If not then they will hold your bags and text you when your room your room is ready.

Looks like you are going to have park to park tickets. You will need these to ride the Hogwarts Express between the 2 parks.

Jaws is no longer there. This is where Diagon Alley is now.

Obviously optimizing your time is going to be important. If the Wizarding World of Harry Potter is your main focus then I would make sure to focus on Hogsmeade which is in Islands of Adventure ride the Forbidden Journey, Dueling Dragons and Flight of Hippogriff look at the shops and head over to the Hogwarts Express train and go to Diagon Alley. As you can see above there are only 3 rides in Hogsmeade. You cannot use your express pass on Forbidden Journey.

At the Universal studios park is where Diagon Alley is. You will recognize that Amity and the Jaws ride is no longer there. Again that's where Diagon Alley is. The only ride there is Escape from Gringotts. This is popular. If this ride is to busy to get on the on Friday, try single rider option or try it again in the evening if needed. Wait times are much improved.

Take advantage of the early entry you get with being a resort guest on Saturday.

Try to see the wand show at Ollivanders if possible.

Lunch at the Three Broomsticks in Hogsmeade or at the Leaky Caldron in Diagon Ally would be a chance for a sit down meal in WWOHP.

Mytho's in Islands of Adventure is also another option for a lovely meal.

Take advantage of your express pass on other rides.

Have a great vacation