Where do we start!

[disneyfool_1202]

Avid Disney Fans finally feel the kids are old enough to enjoy and appreciate US Orlando so away we go! Planning 2 days with a 3rd reserved just in case ( down day but available to tour if needed) and got a buy 2 get 1 free on ticket if we want to go back. Transportation may be an issue day 3 but Uber is always there.... Anyway... Kids are 13 and 15 now. Neither have been to US and DH and I haven't been to US since 1990's so IOA was not even a thought at the time. Which park should we start at? We know we can't see / do it all. Wizarding World is a must, as is Jurassic and then would like to see some Marvel stuff, Skull Island, Minions... My I don't even know what else is there! LOL!!! Kids are thrill ride seekers.

 

[bchbetha]

HP fans= start at Universal so you can travel as Harry- Diagon Alley to Hogsmeade via Hogwarts Express. Note the ride is different in each direction so do plan to ride it both ways.
Are you staying onsite?

 

[skylock]

I say for your thrill seeker kids, I would start in IOA. Hulk in great. Then they could ride the ones they like over multiple days.

It makes no difference which HPland you start at.

 

[macraven]

Check out the uo website for starters
Get an idea of locations for the rides, eateries, first aide, restrooms, etc

Decide in advance what rides- shows are a must and which ones are a meh for you

Trip report forum and the stickies will give you info that you did not know you needed

Check out other posts on the main page here

 

[Disney Ron]

And don't forget to look for Harry Potter on the ET ride.

 

[pattyw]

2 park days are good- 3 will be great! You'll be able to see a lot in those days. I'm assuming you're staying offsite? I'd arrive early and start at IOA- based on your must do's. Download the Universal app and you can check wait times on your phone. They also have a few signs in the parks with the wait times. Use the single rider line if that will work for your family- you'll reduce wait times significantly. Kong and the HP rides in IOA always see long lines so hit them early or just before close for the shortest waits. In the Studios, Despicable Me ride and the HP rides will have long waits as well so same thing - best times are early or before close. They have virtual lines at Fallon and Fast & Furious- you can reserve a time either on your phone or at the attraction kiosk.

You will have an amazing time! Please come back and tell us about your trip!

 

[only hope]

You should be able to do everything in two days, if you hit headliners early before there are long lines. I would do standby on the HP rides and MiB at least once- the queues are part of the experience. You miss nearly the entire thing if you do single rider. This is especially true for Forbidden Journey. You tour the castle. The portraits talk and in two rooms, characters appear and talk for about two minutes. For that reason, I wouldn’t ride FJ for the first time unless the wait is 20-30 mn so that you’re not rushed through the queue. The parks are small, so save shows, shopping, looking around etc for the afternoon when most things have a long line. It won’t take that long to walk to wherever you’re going.

 

[Tksolomom]

I would see Tranformers, Spideman and the Monster makeup show. The mummy, RRR and Hulk coasters are all great too.

 

[DrummerBoy523]

We just got back with a 15 and 11 yo. Did 2 days in the parks but almost had everything done on day 1 with the express pass. Check out my trip report.

 

[disneyfool_1202]

Thanks everyone. Unfortunately, we won't have access to an express pass as we are staying at WDW (DVC members) and with four of us, the cost is too much on top of the gate price. Without an EP, do they have kiosks to get come back times like Disney's FP system (prior to prereservation?) I also have a child with special needs and waiting in long lines increases his anxiety (staying still for too long) so I have to plan accordingly. Your suggestions are all very valuable- thank you SO much!

 

[VacaPlanner2012]

How much would you be willing to pay for Express Pass for 2 days? Then, you could see it "all" and spend adequate time in HP World. You didn't say which time of year you are going, but look into paying for one night at Royal Pacific (you don't have to stay there, but I would...) and you get Express for 4 people for 2 days - that is 8 passes for $450 or less. Reroute yourself to Royal Pacific vs. the parking garage, spend 20-30 minutes in line to get room keys, then ride the boat over, and you are in the parks in less than an hour.

If its not in the budget, its not in the budget - but a little over $50 per person per day to have zero worries might be a look see. Give me that deal on unlimited Fast Pass at the mouse, I might go again...

 

[davper]

Thanks everyone. Unfortunately, we won't have access to an express pass as we are staying at WDW (DVC members) and with four of us, the cost is too much on top of the gate price. Without an EP, do they have kiosks to get come back times like Disney's FP system (prior to prereservation?) I also have a child with special needs and waiting in long lines increases his anxiety (staying still for too long) so I have to plan accordingly. Your suggestions are all very valuable- thank you SO much!

Hi
For the 2 days that you are going, get a hotel room at one of the 3 deluxe resorts for 1 night. You don't have to stay. But checking in will get you the Unlimited Express pass for the 2 days for 4 of you. Plus you have a place to retreat too for a break and a swim.

Let's say you are going on Saturday and Sunday. You reserve the room for Saturday night. You can check in early Saturday before the park opens. The front desk will give you 4 temporary room keys that are your express passes for the parks. On Sunday, your express passes are still good all day.

Advantages are that you can also enter the park 1 hour early. You would only pay for 1 days worth of parking. On hot days, you could go back to the pool for a swim.

 

[davper]

Without an EP, do they have kiosks to get come back times like Disney's FP system

No, Express pass is your only choice.

 

[bobbie68]

Thanks everyone. Unfortunately, we won't have access to an express pass as we are staying at WDW (DVC members) and with four of us, the cost is too much on top of the gate price. Without an EP, do they have kiosks to get come back times like Disney's FP system (prior to prereservation?) I also have a child with special needs and waiting in long lines increases his anxiety (staying still for too long) so I have to plan accordingly. Your suggestions are all very valuable- thank you SO much!

Hi we use to get a disability pass before we started staying on site. You just have to go to guest relations at the beginning of the park and get it. They will ask you the usual questions if you get a pass at disney. It works like Disney's you will go to the attraction and get a return time to come back. Sometimes if it was under 15 minutes we would just go in the line. It depends on the time of year. I believe the max amount of people is 3 plus the person receiving the pass.

Enjoy!

 

[disneyfool_1202]

If we do the hotel room to get the EP, how early can we check into the room? We are checking into Disney on a Friday, but plan on Universal on Sat and Sun and were going to be there bright and early. I can't imagine I can check in at 7am..... It may be worth the money but most hotels check in is at 4.

 

[nkereina]

If we do the hotel room to get the EP, how early can we check into the room? We are checking into Disney on a Friday, but plan on Universal on Sat and Sun and were going to be there bright and early. I can't imagine I can check in at 7am..... It may be worth the money but most hotels check in is at 4.

The check-in time for most hotels (3pm or 4pm) is just the stated time you can reasonably expect your room to be ready. You can check-in any time prior to that, but your room may not be ready until the stated time. I can't confirm how early at Universal, but I know computers "roll over" to the next business day at 6am so you can check-in any time after that. I suspect 6am is about the same for Universal. So you can check-in any time after that and they will give you room keys to use for express pass. You'd just need to return to the front desk to have them re-programmed for your room once its ready.

 

[macraven]

You can check in at 7 am but rooms are not available until 4

If the room was not used the night prior very possible it can be released right away

Rooms are released to be used once it has been cleaned and inspected
So it is possible to be in the room before 4
I’ve had a few occasions to have the room at 1:30-2:00

Check in early and store your belongings with Bell services

You can have them placed in your room at your request

You will receive a text when your room is ready so you can bypass the front desk when you return from the parks

 

[JustCallMeMommy]

Thanks everyone. Unfortunately, we won't have access to an express pass as we are staying at WDW (DVC members) and with four of us, the cost is too much on top of the gate price. Without an EP, do they have kiosks to get come back times like Disney's FP system (prior to prereservation?) I also have a child with special needs and waiting in long lines increases his anxiety (staying still for too long) so I have to plan accordingly. Your suggestions are all very valuable- thank you SO much!

Universal does have a guest assistance pass, if you child's needs dictate it. I have not used it, but my understanding is that you are with routed through the express pass line or given a return time, depending on current wait times.

 

[macraven]

For the assistance pass, if the wait time is under 30 minutes in the ep line, you are allowed to enter then when there

If the line wait is 30 minutes or more, you are assigned a time you can return and use the ep line

Formula last year was based on the regular line wait divided by two
Or it might have been ep line wait
that was used to determine your return time

When you do return, it is not you are the first to enter the line, but allowed to use the ep line then

 

[shanew21]

I've always been a proponent of touring the way Harry did. Plus I think Forbidden Journey is a much better ride than Gringotts so you save the better ride for last.

I'd also suggest doing Express passes through one night at a hotel. You'd get 2 days of passes and they help a lot when it's crowded. When we go with EPs we can knock out almost every major ride in both parks in one day.