Where do we start?

[alljess11]

We are going to be at Universal 1/12 and 1/13 and have two day two park passes. I have never been and I am feeling very overwhelmed. It will be my husband and my two 22 year old daughters so anything goes as far as rides, food but they are big HP fans. We are not staying on site so I don’t even know where to park. I feel like we are going in blind so if anyone has any words of wisdom please let me know. I can’t possible read all the threads.

 

[Lynne G]

If you are not staying at one of the on-site hotels, then the best place to park is at one of the parking garages. If you are driving, follow the signs to park in those garages. They are easy to park in and cost, not sure, but check online, as I have a pass that includes parking, so I never have paid for parking. Then you go through security before entering CityWalk. From that entrance, you go left to go to the Studios, right to go to Islands.

If you Uber or other car service, get dropped off at the Hard Rock Hotel. From there, a short walk where you go through security right before going to the Studios, or a short boat ride to CityWalk, with security before you get on the boat. Both security lines are generally shorter than those at CityWalk.

And good thing you bought park to park ticket, so that you can ride the Potter train.

May take advantage of single rider, if available, and stand by line is long.

And if you feel like you want to buy an express pass for all but new Potter ride, and another ride, no one in your party can ride (kid limited ride), it is sold everywhere in and around the parks. Beware though, it is date and park or parks specific, with no refunds.

With that, I hope you all have a great Sunday and Monday in the parks.

 

[alljess11]

Thank you, you have no idea how even knowing left or right makes me feel a little bit better.

 

[patster734]

Thank you, you have no idea how even knowing left or right makes me feel a little bit better.

Actually, Universal Studios will be to your right, past NBC Sports Grille And Brew. You can get to Islands Of Adventure by going left (past Bigfire and Margaritaville) or right (past US, Hard Rock Cafe, and Toothsome Chocolate Emporium), but going left is probably shorter. Here is a Citywalk map.

 

[CAPSLOCK]

Download the Universal App for ride wait times and show schedules, and the interactive map that shows where everything is.

You should be able to get quite a lot done, since you can use single rider lines for re-rides (or first rides, but FJ and especially Gringotts are not a good choice for that as part of the stories start in the queue).

Check out menus including prices for all the City Walk and park restaurants to have an idea where to eat. It's very easy to hit City Walk between or after parks - with just 2 days and shorter Jan hours, you may consider a fairly quick lunch (such as in the HP restaurants) and then a dinner in City Walk after parks close. Having a sit down for lunch, even just quick service, will help recharge you during the day.

Maximize your day by getting there by park opening - lines in the morning are nice and short.

 

[alljess11]

Thanks for the info this will help me a lot.

 

[andieb0602]

you may consider a fairly quick lunch (such as in the HP restaurants) and then a dinner in City Walk after parks close. Having a sit down for lunch, even just quick service, will help recharge you during the day.

This is exactly what we did except it was a late breakfast between 10 and 11 am. We rope dropped Hagrid each morning then hit the other rides while everyone else was in line for Hagrids. By the time we ate the restaurants were almost empty. The food was really good and I'm pretty sure breakfast included butterbeer (or a drink in general). It was enough food to keep us held over until snack time in the early afternoon.