Universal newbie with some questions

[MegMouseketeer]

We are headed to Universal on Sept. 29th. We are just going to do US and not park to park. I have a great Disney strategy, but have not been to Universal in almost 20 years. The park opens at 8am on our day since they close at 5pm for HHN. We plan on being their by 7:30am. Is that early enough? Also, I thought we should try and hop on Minions right at opening since it seems to have the longest wait times and then head to Diagon Alley, but I am unsure if this is the best idea. We plan to ride Gringotts and then mill around the shops before heading out to the rest of the park. Should we stick to that plan, or head straight for Diagon Alley at 8am?

Also, it is just going to be myself, my husband, and my sis. My kids are staying back with my mom at our Disney resort so we should be able to move around pretty quickly and efficiently. Any other tips?!

 

[damo]

I wouldn't necessarily have a plan. I would just use the wait time board. The park tends to open 15 minutes early but there will already be early admission people in there and the Despicable Me line may already be very long.

 

[agavegirl1]

September 29th as a Thursday should not be too bad. Yes, the Potter area and Minions ride will have longer lines but if the early entry for Deluxe resort guests is US, all these will be longer waits until later in the day. I agree with damo, go where the time boards tell you.

 

[gigi from canada]

I would say do Minions first then go to Gringotts, reason being is that Minions is at the entrance. If you go to Gringotts first, if you are like me, you won't want to walk all the way back at the front of the park to go to Minions right after Gringotts. Once you get those 2 done, I would say Simpsons and Transformers then Rip Rocket (as those lines can also get long). I prefer going a little commando at first and getting as much done in the first 2 hours then taking a more relaxed approach. This time of the year, you should get lots done.

 

[MegMouseketeer]

Thanks so much! I called US and they said there was no early entrance for hotel guests on that day. The 8am entrance was for everyone since they are closing at 5pm for HHN. Hoping to knockout Minions and then Gringotts quickly. We will prob mill around Diagon alley for a time before heading to the Simpsons. I don't mind waiting around for the Simpsons ride a little longer, but I really would like to do some shopping in Diagon Alley before they get crazy crowded!