Which Park for Harry Potter fan

[mickey0624]

So I want to take my daughter to Universal on our WDW trip in August but only have time for one day. She is a huge Harry Potter fan, so I'm wondering which park would be better? I know they both offer different things for Harry Potter fans. Is one better than the other?

 

[sharona]

If you really really can only do one, IMO it has to be IoA so she can do the tour of Hogwarts and the Forbidden Journey ride. That would be #1 for me. Also she can ride the 2 other HP themed rides in that area and eat at the 3 Broomsticks visit Olivander's wand shop, the candy store, get a Butterbeer, see Hogsmeade...

That being said, if I only had 1 day/1park and it was not a HP centered trip, I would go to US park instead.

You could get 1 day park hopper tickets and just do both the HP areas in one day and any extra time you could see the highlights of the rest of the parks. More $ but she would then also get to ride the Hogwart's Express train between the 2 parks.

 

[bchbetha]

Can you pull a day from WDW to add more here? As nice as Disney is, US is awesome and so fun for a HP fan!
Before I read pp's reply I'd have said US because I prefer Diagon Alley and Knockturn Alley to Hogmeade but the castle in IOA is spectacular. I think I'd still go with US though if I had to pick one.

 

[macraven]

I would budget for the p2p ticket for the day

Since she is a hugh potter fan, it would be thrilling to do both sections and ride the train between the two parks

It would make you the parent of the year in her eyes

 

[mickey0624]

I would budget for the p2p ticket for the day

Since she is a hugh potter fan, it would be thrilling to do both sections and ride the train between the two parks

It would make you the parent of the year in her eyes

Is there enough time to do both Harry Potter sections in one day?

 

[bchbetha]

Is there enough time to do both Harry Potter sections in one day?

Sure. Hours should be long in August so that gives you a good amount of time to work with. Get there early. I'd say spring for a deluxe resort or purchase express passes directly but since HP is your priority and the EP doesn't work on most of the HP rides, it might not be worth it.

 

[Jujumama]

If you can spring for both parks She will not be disappointed. Choosing between the two for a Harry Potter Fan is like choosing between two children. Both are such an integral part of the Harry Potter story and experience. If you must choose one however perhaps letting her decide might help ensure you made the right investment.

 

[JustCallMeMommy]

One day is enough to do both Harry Potter areas plus some other attractions. Have a great time!

 

[DisneyTravelers2008]

I would get the one day park to park ticket so she can ride the Hogwarts train and go to both parks. Diagon Ally is on the "Universal " side and Hogsmead is on the "Island of Adventure side".

Here is what is in each side...this is just an overview...I may have missed something:

Hogsmead...has 3 rides and a few shoppes and one restaurant:
1. The Forbidden Journey ride in side Hogwarts castle...great ride ...kind of like and overview of All things Harry Potter
2. Flight of Hipogryf Ride - a simple "roller coaster" similar to Barnstomer at WDW
3. Dragon Challenge - a great ride - a real roller coaster...has all the themeing of the Tri Wizard champion stuff
4. Three Broomsticks - Eat there and get all types of butter beer
5. Ollivanders - buy a wand - the interative ones "cast spells" in the shoppe windows
6. Honeydukes Sweet Shoppe
7. Owlry - mail a post card and get a Hogmead's post mark
8. A Harry Potter Shoppe- cant recall the name with several HP themed items...shirts , cups , ket chains, etc...the main store near the entrance of the park has LOTS of HP stuff as well
9. Moaning Myrtle might visit you in the bathroom by the Three Broomsticks
10. Several street carts sell butter beer



Diagon Ally...has one ride and several shoppes and one restaurant:
1. THe only ride is "Escape to Gringotts" and it s good, but not as good as Forbidden Journey at Hogsmead
2. Visit the bank [near the ride]and talk to an interactive Goblin and exchange your muggle money for some Gringotts money to use int eh parks
3. Weasley's Joke Shoppe
4.Several Shopps at Diagon Ally...and Nocturn Ally...one for school robes, one for stationary, one for stuffed animals / creatures...they have several shoppes...most are quite small but still very cool
5. Eat at the Leaky Cauldron - get butter beer
6. Ice cream shop ... where you can get butter beer ice cream
7. See the dragon breathe fire on top of Gringotts bank
8. Outside of the entrance to Diagon Ally you can see the night bus and visit with the night bus driver and take photos
9. The Hoping POt is a good place to get butter beer...it has picnic tables and is a good place to take a break
10. Also has Ollivnaders shoppe for wands

So...if you have to only pick one, it depends if you prefer rides to stores. Personally, Id pick Hogsmead since it has the Forbidden Journey ride inside Hogwarts and the other 2 rides.

If possible just get a park to park ticket for the day and plan to start early and stay late. Buying the park to park ticket is the only way to ride the Hogwarts Express and it is pretty cool!!! If I had just one day I would only focus on the 2 Harry Potter sections and if any time is left, then do other Universal stuff. You can do both sides ina day if you stay busy [arrive early and download a wait times app]... We are HUGE Disney fans who have taken a Disney break and bought APs to Universal and are planning our 3rd trip this year for just "one more trip before the APs expire"....