We need a plan!

[sdrsdd]

We have 4 days park hopper tickets-with express passes. We will also have early entry to HP on S, M, and T.
Where should we go first. OUr first day (Sat) we may only be there a 1/2 day (afternoon/evening) then full days Sun, Mon, and Tues.

Thanks for your help. THis may be our only trip to Universal as a family so we want to do as much as possible.

What should we do first?

 

[damo]

You certainly don't need a plan. I would just check out the wait time boards and go from there.

 

[Owl X]

You really don't need to plan much since you have Express Passes. There are a few Live shows that have specific posted times.

Express Passes do not work for the Harry Potter Rides (Escape from Gringotts, Forbidden Journey, Hogwarts Express). So you may want to arrive early one or two mornings for those rides. You also need to ride the Hogwarts Express twice as it is different depending on the direction.

 

[angryduck71]

You can look at orlandoinformer.com for plans. The only real thing you need to plan for is Harry Potter -- I'd do rides at Universal (maybe not Despicable Me as even the Express Line gets full), then go to Diagon Alley at night because it's spectacular. Maybe take the Hogwarts Express over to IOA IF you get done with Diagon Alley. One morning, do Forbidden Journey first thing, then other morning, do Despicable Me. Take Express both ways (different each way) at some point. Take advantage of whichever park has early entry and do that every morning.

 

[Allie B]

With that many days and express passes you will have plenty of time to do everything plus more! Relax and enjoy

 

[wagman67]

Are you staying onsite or offsite? If onsite, just relax and enjoy...don't be in a rush. If offsite, you just need to plan transportation back and forth.

 

[elaine amj]

I like plans Even with plenty of time and staying onsite. Just how I roll. Orlandoinformers has great ones.

Do Despicable me early in the day, even with Express Passes. That's the only one where lines get super long.

The two Potter rides are MUCH easier to do at the end of the nights. Twice we were the last people to get on Gringotts and waits were super short (photos in an empty bank were incrdible!). If you do it in the morning, be aware that the parks open earlier than scheduled. We got caught out once and were "late" to Gringotts and the line was really bad. Forbidden Journey is really uncrowded in the last hour of the day. We actually found it most crowded at about 30-60 mins after opening (everyone goes there first) and it would slowly drop through the afternoon.

 

[schumigirl]

You have EP......no plan needed.

www.universalorlando.com is a fabulous place to get an idea of the layout of the parks.......

You can see where all the rides are and many other things like bathrooms, restaurants and details of hotels and Citywalk.

You can then have an idea of where you want to hit first.

Read the stickies and posts on here, with that and the website you're sorted.........

 

[mjhtvchick]

As others have said, unlike Disney, you really don't NEED a plan at Universal...

However, if you are like me and feel it would make you more comfortable on your first trip there, there are some great sites out there with planning tools. Touring Plans is the "gold standard" as you can customize the plans to fit your needs but it is a paid subscription service. Someone else mentioned Orlando Informer and I would second that as they certainly "specialize" in Universal. Another site that I use for tickets but also has planning tools is Undercover Tourist. They have individual park plans but also one and two day park-to-park plans. The plans are a little hard to find on their site so here is a link...https://www.undercovertourist.com/park-plans/#tp-orlando

 

[gotomu212]

I like to generally decide only dinner plans ahead of time- I don't make reservations until the week of, but just general make sure we hit these places planning.

I would suggest you also make plans to hang at the hotel (assuming you were onsite with your EP) one afternoon. You can also,pool hop to check out all the other resorts.

With 4 days and EP you really will ride all the rides multiple times and it can be nice to break things up with the resorts.

 

[macraven]

If you feel like you need a plan, go to www.universalorlando.com and look at the layout of the parks

Find the walk ways to the rides and shows and get an idea of what your ride priorities are

Know in advance where restrooms, eateries, restrooms, first aide, etc are located

Saturday would be your only busy park day as it tends to bring more locals to the parks if weather is good

If you want to eat at city walk that Saturday night, make a reservation in advance

Some city walk eateries have long waits if you are stand by

 

[bchbetha]

End your day on Diagon Alley. It's awesome at night. Other than that, flit about and have fun.

 

[imprint]

We like to hit early entry and ride the Potter rides a few times. Then we just follow the big circle in whichever park we want to tour that day. With Express Passes, block time for riding The Mummy 5 times in a row.

 

[macraven]

I do what he does....

And it works great