WWOHP touring plans

[Soupermom]

Hello! I am planning a girls weekend at Universal for the weekend of October 23-25, with our goal being all things HP. We've never been to Universal, but LOVE HP and that is the focus of our trip. Cast will include myself, DD and my sister. We are staying at Cabana Bay so we have early entry on Saturday and Sunday. I do have a touring plans subscription and am using that as a resource as well, but I was just wondering if anyone had a two day touring plan that focused on HP. We will have park-to-park tickets, so we can go back and forth between the two parks each day. I am happy to use the other attractions at Universal as fillers, but I'm not sure which are the best to add. Can any offer some advice or a proven touring plan? Right now the crowd calendar is a 3 for each day, but I'm pretty sure they will have some Halloween night time activities going on which we will not be attending.

Thanks for any help or suggestions you can offer! I love the Un-Official Guide and have always successfully used their plans for WDW, the whole Universal thing just has me scared since we will not have any type of FastPass system in effect. We will be leaving early evening on Sunday, so that needs to be taken into consideration, however we will be up early to hit the parks each morning (what time exactly should we do that?)

Thanks again!

 

[bsiev1977]

Hello! I am planning a girls weekend at Universal for the weekend of October 23-25, with our goal being all things HP. We've never been to Universal, but LOVE HP and that is the focus of our trip. Cast will include myself, DD and my sister. We are staying at Cabana Bay so we have early entry on Saturday and Sunday. I do have a touring plans subscription and am using that as a resource as well, but I was just wondering if anyone had a two day touring plan that focused on HP. We will have park-to-park tickets, so we can go back and forth between the two parks each day. I am happy to use the other attractions at Universal as fillers, but I'm not sure which are the best to add. Can any offer some advice or a proven touring plan? Right now the crowd calendar is a 3 for each day, but I'm pretty sure they will have some Halloween night time activities going on which we will not be attending.

Thanks for any help or suggestions you can offer! I love the Un-Official Guide and have always successfully used their plans for WDW, the whole Universal thing just has me scared since we will not have any type of FastPass system in effect. We will be leaving early evening on Sunday, so that needs to be taken into consideration, however we will be up early to hit the parks each morning (what time exactly should we do that?)

Thanks again!

If Harry Potter is your focus, a popular option is to follow Harry's journey throughout the stories.
Start at Diagonal Alley, do some shopping, eat at Leaky Cauldron then ride train over to Hogsmeade. And so on.

 

[Robo56]

Be there a little early to the Park that will be doing early entry that weekend. You can find this out on the website or call Cabana ahead of your visit and they will tell you which park opens early. Example- make sure to factor in the time for your bus ride from Cabana (minimal) to the park to make sure you are there about 20 minutes before early entry time.

Example- if it's Islands of Adventure head to Hogsmeade ride the forbidden journey, dueling Dragons and Flight of the Hippogriff then enjoy the shops. You are finished with the rides in Hogsmeade. Then catch the Hogwarts Express to Diagon Alley in time for its opening and head straight to Escape from Gringotts. After that wonder Diagon Alley in awe.

To make your trip special how about purchasing one of the interactive wands. With each interactive wand is a map that takes you to areas in Diagon Ally and Hogmeade where you can use your wand to do magic. There is a metal medallion in the pavement marking Your magic spell spots located on your map. Enjoy a lunch in Hogsmeade at the Three Broomsticks or Leaky Cauldron in Diagon Alley.

Make sure to have a Butterbeer. Make sure to ride the Hogwarts Express back to Hogsmeade as it is a different experience each way. Get picks of yourselves disappearing through the wall at King's Cross Station in Diagon Alley before getting on the train.

Get a Chocolate Frog, Bertie Bott's and lots of pics.

There is a shop in Diagon Alley that sells Hogwarts Express Golden Embossed tickets. I bought some of these for a photo albums.

Have a great trip

 

[crazywig]

I do have a touring plans subscription and am using that as a resource as well, but I was just wondering if anyone had a two day touring plan that focused on HP.

Orlando Informer has what you need here.

 

[disneydaydreamer33]

I'm in the same boat. I feel very comfortable with WDW, but have never been to Universal. We will not be staying on-site, but will have a total of three park days. I love the idea of following Harry's journey chronologically. I'm just not sure that is the smartest choice considering lines and all that!