Which park should we go to first?

[chitown_disneylovers]

I am probably over thinking this but we have never been to Universal before and we are going in 2 weeks for Spring Break.

We check in Sunday night and our first day at the parks will be Monday.

Should we go to the Studios first or Islands of adventure?

My kids are not huge Harry Potter fans. In fact, they don't even really understand what Universal is. They are 12 and 9 and have been to Disney multiple times.

Thanks!

 

[Badge]

How many days are you staying? Are you staying onsite?

If you are going for more than 2 days, I would suggest doing the Studios first and then leaving about 3 hours before IOA closes and head over to that park so you can experience Harry Potter in the evening on the first day. The crowds are normally smaller during the evening hours plus the area looks even more amazing when the sun is setting. Even though you say they are not big HP fans, they will still love the main ride there...and the Butter Beer! Still the best drink I have ever had...just thinking about it makes me want another

With Universal if you are staying onsite and going for 3 or more days, there really is no need to plan anything. It is unlike Disney where you need to have a general plan of action before you go. It is a lot more relaxing than Disney is. I would have your kids look at the park maps and the rides and have them pick something that they both really want to do and go to whichever park that it is in first. If they pick something in IOA for the first ride, I would go to that park but avoid the HP area until the evening unless they pick the HP ride first. If they pick the HP ride first, take advantage of the early entry you get if you stay onsite to avoid the crowds that will take over the area right after the park opens.

 

[christophfam]

I would also highly suggest watching the first couple of Harry Potter films before you arrive. They are great movies (books are even better if you have the time) and will help explain a bit of what you are seeing once you get there. Your kids are at the perfect age to take over to the dark side. I think it was around those ages that my kids fell in love and now we hardly ever do Disney.

Post back on where you are staying... it makes a huge difference in the advice you'll get.

 

[JenSinMA]

Subscribing. I'm wondering the same thing. We'll be there one month from now, staying way offsite at Windsor Hills. We'll have 3-day park to park tickets, but don't plan to buy Express Passes unless it seems more crowded than expected. I assumed we'd go to IOA first thing and head straight to WWoHP at rope drop. Now I'm wondering if I should give more thought to the order in which we do the parks. Interested to hear all your opinions and experiences!

 

[macraven]

i stay onsite and use the early entry.

for what, for Mr Pothead of course!!


i don't know why it is but i do hit ioa early on my first few days there to do FJ.
i know i have a lot more days to do the parks but i guess it is the excitment that makes me go with the crowds in the morning.
(i'm not even a parry hotter fan and i truly enjoy that section!)

once i finish that, i head over to the studios.

about day 3, i zig and zag back and forth from the 2 parks.

to the op chitown, why don't you go to the studios side first since your kids aren't familar with UO.
a lot of the rides there are movie based.
familarize yourself with those movies in advance if possible.

they will probably enjoy the nonstop rides there.

then switch over to ioa and start from the front of the park.
head to the back near the end of the day for parry hotter rides and section.

 

[Moon Child]

My boys are 8 and 11. My youngest is not the biggest Potter fan either.
Hasn't seen one movie
That said, on our recent visit to Disney/Universal in Oct 2011, the Forbidden Journey was his favorite ride, from both Disney and Universal/IOA