Which Park first?

[goofynut41]

Going in Sept and have been before to Harry Potter Islands but never seen Harry Potter Universal. Which park should we visit first to get the best experience and ride the train to and from or does it matter?

 

[macraven]

Are you staying onsite with EE ?

If not, start at the park that opens at 9:00

 

[goofynut41]

Yep staying at Royal Palms...

 

[VacaPlanner2012]

There is a different "show" on the Hogwart Express for each direction. If you are a Potter nut, then ride from Diagon Alley (Universal) to Hogsmeade (IofA) first, it is in line with Harry's first ride to Hogwarts. But, there is no NEED to do this. If you really liked the theming at Islands, you will be blown away by Diagon Alley.

 

[frecklamy]

Oo I just came here to look for this! Sorry to jump on your thread, OP, but just wondering if the same applies if you're trying to do two parks in one day - does where you start make more of a difference then (we're looking at going the week following Memorial Day so I imagine it will be relatively busy, too)? We're mostly interested in Harry Potter, but if we have time would like to do Simpsons, MIB, Spiderman, ET, Mummy and maybe a show or two.

 

[Disxuni]

All I can say is whichever park has EE for the OP, as you're staying on property. That's easy. However, if both parks are open for EE I'd say Hogsmeade, as not only it's closest to Royal, but also Hogsmeade feels a little more narrow and smaller, so therefore it's best to get there first thing, to try to experience, and take it in as much as you can before it gets more crowded begins to feel claustrophobic. That's just me.

Oo I just came here to look for this! Sorry to jump on your thread, OP, but just wondering if the same applies if you're trying to do two parks in one day - does where you start make more of a difference then (we're looking at going the week following Memorial Day so I imagine it will be relatively busy, too)? We're mostly interested in Harry Potter, but if we have time would like to do Simpsons, MIB, Spiderman, ET, Mummy and maybe a show or two.

Since most of the rides you've listed are on the Universal end, that's where I'd start, as once you're done with Potter you can began riding the other rides you want much sooner and it would be easier for you. Also, Diagon Alley truly is remarkable when it comes to theming and has a lot more cooks and cranny's to look into it seems than Hogsmeade. There's so much to explore and shop!

 

[goofynut41]

I think I'll start with Diagon Alley, ride the train over do Hogsmeade and all of IOA then ride the train back to Universal and do the other stuff there....

 

[amy1115]

What time does HE start running in the mornings?

 

[macraven]

When the park officially opens to the public

 

[frecklamy]

Since most of the rides you've listed are on the Universal end, that's where I'd start, as once you're done with Potter you can began riding the other rides you want much sooner and it would be easier for you. Also, Diagon Alley truly is remarkable when it comes to theming and has a lot more cooks and cranny's to look into it seems than Hogsmeade. There's so much to explore and shop!

Thank you for the tips! So excited to experience it all, the details just sound amazing (though I guess I should expect nothing less from a JK-sanctioned project!).