What to do w/ 6 yr. old while rest ride FJ???

[BWV2001]

Forgive me if these questions have been asked over and over. We're staying onsite (HRH) and plan to take advantage of early entry. So...if we split up and I take 6-yr. old while others ride FJ, what can he and I do to entertain ourselves? He'll do less-intense rides. Also, do we really need a locker? Is FJ the only ride that "steals" your stuff in the Harry Potter section? I hoped that when I take 6yr. old I can just take the "stuff", but if other rides are apt to "steal" it, we'll have to do the locker. One more question...how can we optimize our time at the 2 Universal parks while staying only 2.25 days? I want a little pool time (to enjoy the underwater speakers), but want to maximize park time, too. Should we just plan to swim at night after parks close? I am very confident with my Disney knowledge, but feel helpless in the Universal world. TIA for any help.

Kathy

 

[Timmy Boy]

If you mean "steal" your stuff as in rides requiring lockers, Forbidden Journey and Dragon's Challenge require lockers. Flight of the Hippogriff does not. The other ride in IOA that does is Hulk. In the Studios, Mummy, Men in Black and Rockit require lockers (however don't count on Rockit being open).

With 2 days in the parks, with an unlimited Express pass for all rides, you should be good to go to see everything.

 

[damo]

You could just use the child swap area and you and the 6 year old wait in the child swap room and watch a video while the others ride. That way you can see the castle with everyone else.

 

[mjohnson96]

If you use the child swap and go through the line you can bring your stuff with you When we were there with the baby I brought the diaper bag, and the bags of everyone else with me with no problems and we just waited for the group to get off the ride and then I traded places with grandma. The child swap areas at US/IOA are pretty nice and at FJ you have the first Harry Potter movie playing so that can keep the kids entertained.

The rides don't usually "steal" but "borrow" after the park closes they will bring items that the rides likes to "borrow" back to the front for you to pick up, if they are found.

I also reccomend that you take some time during mid day to head back to the hotel for some downtime at the pool. Since you are staying onsite the hotels are close enough that going back doesn't take that long and the FOTL will help you in enjoying all the rides and shows at the parks. Still go to the pool in the evening too, it is nice to just relax after a day at the parks....I know my feet always needed a soak!

 

[SmallWorld71]

Forgive me if these questions have been asked over and over. We're staying onsite (HRH) and plan to take advantage of early entry. So...if we split up and I take 6-yr. old while others ride FJ, what can he and I do to entertain ourselves? He'll do less-intense rides. Also, do we really need a locker? Is FJ the only ride that "steals" your stuff in the Harry Potter section? I hoped that when I take 6yr. old I can just take the "stuff", but if other rides are apt to "steal" it, we'll have to do the locker. One more question...how can we optimize our time at the 2 Universal parks while staying only 2.25 days? I want a little pool time (to enjoy the underwater speakers), but want to maximize park time, too. Should we just plan to swim at night after parks close? I am very confident with my Disney knowledge, but feel helpless in the Universal world. TIA for any help.

Kathy

First, I would definitely suggest that you go through the castle one time to see the things inside, but then not ride. I hear there is also a separate viewing line, but we did not use it. DD7 rode the attraction the first time, but that was enough for the two of us. When the boys rode it for subsequent rides, we just rode the Hippogriff a bunch of times and checked out the things in the shops. If the other members of your party use single rider this will cut down on the wait time. You can take a bag on Hippogriff, but I found it to be a bit of a pain. If you just have one small bag, you should be fine, but I found it easier to just put the stuff in the lockers even when we weren't going on FJ. If you go through Filch's it will be very quick.

As far as swimming, I suppose it depends on what time of year you are going and what the park hours are. It is very easy to walk from HRH and you will have the front of the line access for most rides, so you will be able to get a lot done in a quick amount of time. Night swimming is fun, but we also had no trouble going back to the hotel for a few hours and then heading back to the parks. Again, depends on park hours.