Universal Do or Die in a Day - We Need a Plan!

[TallMumHP]

To the park mavens and sages of the boards, please share some thoughts on how best to enjoy the both parks on one day. We have never tried this before but we have purchased the 1-Day/2-Park Universal Ticket with Transfers from Disney that will pick us up at our Disney Hotel and take us to Universal. We then have a two-park pass for the day and we will then arrange to be picked up and taken back to our hotel through Mears.

The day we are planning on going happens to be MardiGras concert day in March. We will be travelling with a 15-year-old roller coaster loving girl and my 24-year-old niece. My spouse and I can pass on the coasters but are happy to hang around, soak up some sun and watch some entertainment or meet up with them later. We all want to see the new Harry Potter stuff. We have no expectation that we will see everything, we just want to pick a few key things and are willing to wait in lines of about an hour. But beyond an hour, it may not be worth it to us. We have been to Universal once before for two days and we were able to visit most of the big attractions, Spiderman, the Hulk, (without me), HP's Forbidden Journey, Shrek, Men in Black, etc. etc. but have not tried a one day blitz before and I am just not that familiar with the Parks. And now there is Diagon Alley! Help! I need a plan!

Where should we start?
What can we expect for lines, etc. and how can we best manage them by timing when we go?
What are some fun filler things to do when the lines get too long?
Where should we eat? Since we are going to be there all day, one sit down meal might be nice. do we need to make a reservation?

Any suggestions, pointers, tips, would be appreciated.
Thanks in advance.

 

[glocon]

Definitely eat at the Leaky Cauldron if you are Potterheads. And watch the shows if you can. If there is any possible way, spend one night at a UO resort for early entry. You would get unlimited express passes to use outside of the main HP attractions too. You would get the most done that way.

 

[macraven]

www.universalorlando.com is the site to check out.
get the lay out of the parks and where things are located.
this will save you time if you decide in advance what you want to see and know the best way to reach that ride/show.

read the description of the rides and shows so you know what you don't want to miss that day in the park.


use the single rider lines when possible, it will cut down the wait time in the regular lines.


check out damo's thread about meals, food places in the park.

there are some pictures of the foods that other peeps have posted.


DE and TF usually have a line wait so if you see those lines are short, change your itenary and hop in those lines.

 

[johde]

If you're looking for "professional" plans, Touringplans.com and Orlandoinformer.com both have 1 day/2 park plans. They each take a slightly different tact to touring both parks. I like a variation on Touring Plan's for a commando day in the park. If possible, you want to get to the park before Rope Drop, I'd start with USF. Hit Despicable Me first, then HRRR, continuing through the "headliners" around to Diagon Alley (Transformers, ROTM, Simpsons, MIB). Most of the year, you can knock off those headliner quickly early in the morning. Next check the wait at Gringotts, if it's acceptable ride Gringotts now. Otherwise hop Hogwarts express and make a loop around the islands. Returning to USF via HE to pick up any attractions you want or since your going during Mardi Gras for the parade and concert.

 

[TallMumHP]

Thanks for the tips. The Dis'ers are so smart!

I downloaded the Universal App to my phone have started reviewing the park layouts.

Leaky Caldron for a meal sounds great, I assume the practices of eating early or late is the same good idea as it is at WDW. But I will also check out Damo's thread on meals.

Since we already bought the package, staying at Universal, is out of the picture for this visit.

I like a variation on Touring Plan's for a commando day in the park. If possible, you want to get to the park before Rope Drop, I'd start with USF. Hit Despicable Me first, then HRRR, continuing through the "headliners" around to Diagon Alley (Transformers, ROTM, Simpsons, MIB). Most of the year, you can knock off those headliner quickly early in the morning. Next check the wait at Gringotts, if it's acceptable ride Gringotts now. Otherwise hop Hogwarts express and make a loop around the islands. Returning to USF via HE to pick up any attractions you want or since your going during Mardi Gras for the parade and concert.

Sounds like a good plan.
Thanks everyone - keep those tips coming.

 

[TallMumHP]

OK based on the advise above and a little bit of research, I have booked the shuttle service to pick us up at 7:30 AM, so we can be there at Rope Drop. I am thinking of buying Express passes (EP) for my DD and DN, so they can ride the coasters. Please feel free to weigh in on this plan. Still looking for tips and tricks. Only been to there once before.

We might not do the wet rides at IofA as we will not have a change of clothes. Do not want to carry much with me. I was thinking I could hold my DD and DN's purses when they ride the coasters and then only need to do the lockers when we ride all together.

Here is the tentative plan: Sorry spelt it all out - not up on the abbreviations.
IofA:
Incredible Hulk Coaster (EP)
Amazing Spider Man (EP)
HP Forbidden Journey
Dragon Challenge (EP)\ while I go on Flight of the Hippogriph

Hogwarts express to Diagon Alley (if <30 min wait)

USF: Diagon Alley – Check line Gringotts
Olivanders Wand shop (Maybe)
Roam around try to catch live entertainment in Carkitt Markett – Tales of Beedle the Bard & Celestina Warbeck – Knockturn Alley. London waterfront, including the Knight Bus with its conductor and interactive shrunken head, and 12 Grimmauld Place

Lunch : Leaky Caldron

Despicable Me Minion Mayhem
Rock'n Roller Coaster
Transformers
ROTM – Revenge of the Mummy (EP)
MIB Alien Attack
Transformers
Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit (EP)
Concert at USF

 

[macraven]

you could use the single rider lines for some of the rides you listed instead of ep lines.
i go solo and stay on site.

i usually go for the srl and have very little wait to board a ride.

if you do buy the ep, buy it for the studio side, not ioa.

 

[CPanther95]

You're going to want to let the kids use the EP for Despicable Me and Transformers. By the time you get on Despicable Me, they'll probably be able to ride the Mummy 2 or 3 more times.

... and nobody wants to ride the Mummy only once.