What to do after HP?

[MotherofLandon]

My family will be spending one day at IOA in May. I like to have a general plan of attack as it prevents later confusion and arguing. We are planning to stay onsite the night before so we can go to HP @IOA first. Then we plan to return for lunch at Three Broomsticks later. My question is would we be better off going to the Jurassic park section inbetween or heading towards Seuss Landing?

 

[the Dark Marauder]

Realistically, it doesn't matter. The park is donut shaped, so as long as you go in one direction, you'll end up making a circle. Know that the JP-side is where the water rides are...

 

[AJA]

As the pp said it really doesn't matter. Choose the one you want to do first. You'll have the express pass and plenty of time to do everything you want at the park. You don't have to plan as much for UN as you do Disney (one of the things we loved most).

If you use the bridges JP is a little bit closer so if you feel you must "have a game plan in mind" that would be my choice. Really though it doesn't matter. It's a 5 min walk to either one.

*know you will get very wet on the two main water rides. The JP river raft is hit or miss. I would plan the day around not hitting the water rides right before going in to lunch.

 

[MotherofLandon]

Thanks everyone for the tips. My dh and ds have special aspects of their personalitys that makes this type of planning important. We need structure, especially on vacation as they are both prone to melt downs. Im thinking we will save the water rides for after lunch. Thanks again!!

 

[macraven]

if you walk towards seussland after you leave potterville, i believe that is a shorter walk than going thru the other side.

do seuss and then hit marvel land.

 

[andyman8]

I agree with the PP, for IOA is shaped like a donut (so it's one direction or another). Although, I am like you, because I must have a plan. I see you're staying onsite, which is a great choice. You will receive Universal Express and Early Park Admission to IOA!

So, get up early and get to the park by 8am, and head right to HP and the Forbidden Journey (this does not accept Universal Express). After that you can knock off the Wanda shop, Olivander's (which may have a long(er) line by then and also does not have Express). While you are at the WWoHP, hop on the Flight of the Hippogriff and Dragon Challenge (both DO offer Express). It should be about 10am. I would head down to Seuss Landing (all rides have Express). Start off a Cat in the Hat, then head to One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish. Caro-Suess-el is next, and then the High in the Sky Seuss Trolley Train Ride. It should be almost 12:00, so head to The Eighth Voyage of Sinbad show.

Your next stop will be WWoHP for lunch at Three Broomsticks. Please note that this may be very crowded.

After you finish with lunch, let your food digest a bit and explore the Village of Hogsmede at WWoHP. Then head over to the Jurassic Park River Adventure. You may also find the Jurassic Park Discovery Center really neat. If you have young ones, they will enjoy Pteradon Flyers (this is a pain to ride though and is the only ride outside of WWoHP to not offer Express). Now, skip Toon Lagoon (you will return at the end of the day) and head to Marvel Super Hero Island. This is where you can ride the Amazing Adventures of Spider. If you are a real adrenaline seeker, ride the Incredible Hulk, and then Dr. Doom's Fearfall. After that, head right to Storm Force (we love this ride)! Finally, it is time for my favorite part of IOA: Toon Lagoon (so you actuarially have to got back up an island). Start off with Dudley Do-Right's Falls, and then top your day off with Popeye and Bluto's Barges. If you have little ones, let them spend some time afterward at Me-Ship: The Olive.

TIP: Spend a night at Universal CityWalk. There are some great restaurants (like Hard Rock Cafe and Emeril's) and some neat shops.

 

[CdnCarrie]

I agree with the PP, for IOA is shaped like a donut (so it's one direction or another). Although, I am like you, because I must have a plan. I see you're staying onsite, which is a great choice. You will receive Universal Express and Early Park Admission to IOA!

So, get up early and get to the park by 8am, and head right to HP and the Forbidden Journey (this does not accept Universal Express). After that you can knock off the Wanda shop, Olivander's (which may have a long(er) line by then and also does not have Express). While you are at the WWoHP, hop on the Flight of the Hippogriff and Dragon Challenge (both DO offer Express). It should be about 10am. I would head down to Seuss Landing (all rides have Express). Start off a Cat in the Hat, then head to One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish. Caro-Suess-el is next, and then the High in the Sky Seuss Trolley Train Ride. It should be almost 12:00, so head to The Eighth Voyage of Sinbad show.

Your next stop will be WWoHP for lunch at Three Broomsticks. Please note that this may be very crowded.

After you finish with lunch, let your food digest a bit and explore the Village of Hogsmede at WWoHP. Then head over to the Jurassic Park River Adventure. You may also find the Jurassic Park Discovery Center really neat. If you have young ones, they will enjoy Pteradon Flyers (this is a pain to ride though and is the only ride outside of WWoHP to not offer Express). Now, skip Toon Lagoon (you will return at the end of the day) and head to Marvel Super Hero Island. This is where you can ride the Amazing Adventures of Spider. If you are a real adrenaline seeker, ride the Incredible Hulk, and then Dr. Doom's Fearfall. After that, head right to Storm Force (we love this ride)! Finally, it is time for my favorite part of IOA: Toon Lagoon (so you actuarially have to got back up an island). Start off with Dudley Do-Right's Falls, and then top your day off with Popeye and Bluto's Barges. If you have little ones, let them spend some time afterward at Me-Ship: The Olive.

TIP: Spend a night at Universal CityWalk. There are some great restaurants (like Hard Rock Cafe and Emeril's) and some neat shops.

Only thing I would change is to eat lunch before Sinbad. Get to the Three Broomsticks for an early lunch before it gets too busy.

 

[MotherofLandon]

I agree with the PP, for IOA is shaped like a donut (so it's one direction or another). Although, I am like you, because I must have a plan. I see you're staying onsite, which is a great choice. You will receive Universal Express and Early Park Admission to IOA!

So, get up early and get to the park by 8am, and head right to HP and the Forbidden Journey (this does not accept Universal Express). After that you can knock off the Wanda shop, Olivander's (which may have a long(er) line by then and also does not have Express). While you are at the WWoHP, hop on the Flight of the Hippogriff and Dragon Challenge (both DO offer Express). It should be about 10am. I would head down to Seuss Landing (all rides have Express). Start off a Cat in the Hat, then head to One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish. Caro-Suess-el is next, and then the High in the Sky Seuss Trolley Train Ride. It should be almost 12:00, so head to The Eighth Voyage of Sinbad show.

Your next stop will be WWoHP for lunch at Three Broomsticks. Please note that this may be very crowded.

After you finish with lunch, let your food digest a bit and explore the Village of Hogsmede at WWoHP. Then head over to the Jurassic Park River Adventure. You may also find the Jurassic Park Discovery Center really neat. If you have young ones, they will enjoy Pteradon Flyers (this is a pain to ride though and is the only ride outside of WWoHP to not offer Express). Now, skip Toon Lagoon (you will return at the end of the day) and head to Marvel Super Hero Island. This is where you can ride the Amazing Adventures of Spider. If you are a real adrenaline seeker, ride the Incredible Hulk, and then Dr. Doom's Fearfall. After that, head right to Storm Force (we love this ride)! Finally, it is time for my favorite part of IOA: Toon Lagoon (so you actuarially have to got back up an island). Start off with Dudley Do-Right's Falls, and then top your day off with Popeye and Bluto's Barges. If you have little ones, let them spend some time afterward at Me-Ship: The Olive.

TIP: Spend a night at Universal CityWalk. There are some great restaurants (like Hard Rock Cafe and Emeril's) and some neat shops.

This is awesome! Thank you sooo much.

 

[christophfam]

I would go to Olivander's first if it is something you want to do. IF you get to the gate before opening and rush straight there, the wait should be minimal. Even 20 minutes later will make the line far longer than the show is worth sinc it is such a slow moving line. FJ ride line will not have changed much while you watch the show since it is a much faster moving line. If you want to shop in WWOHP, the mornings or late evenings are the best time to do so.

I'd also plan a stop in the play area at Camp Jurrasic after lunch. My kids have always loved to run and play in the caves here and it makes a great break for the parent while lunch digests!

If you do plan on doing the water rides in Toon Lagoon, make sure to bring a change of clothes. You will feel as though you jumped into a pool with your clothes on... yes, you get THAT wet.

 

[mesaboy2]

I would go to Olivander's first if it is something you want to do. IF you get to the gate before opening and rush straight there, the wait should be minimal. Even 20 minutes later will make the line far longer than the show is worth sinc it is such a slow moving line. FJ ride line will not have changed much while you watch the show since it is a much faster moving line. If you want to shop in WWOHP, the mornings or late evenings are the best time to do so.

Agree with everything above, especially the bold.