1-day base ticket at Universal

[Walt Disney1955]

So here is the thing, we are doing a Florida trip in the fall and don't want to miss out on Universal. The slight problem is that our youngest two (especially our youngest) won't have a ton of things she can ride. Not to mention we haven't really tested them on those sorts of rides either. Our oldest can ride everything and would love everything. So I am going to buy a 2-day base ticket (non-hopper) and do one park each with my son. My wife can come one of the days with our daughters - probably going to choose Islands of Adventure as there is more for younger kids. So I'll buy a base ticket for one day for them.

The question is, does one of the Potter rides require you to have a hopper pass?

 

[DisneyJoe]

So here is the thing, we are doing a Florida trip in the fall and don't want to miss out on Universal. The slight problem is that our youngest two (especially our youngest) won't have a ton of things she can ride. Not to mention we haven't really tested them on those sorts of rides either. Our oldest can ride everything and would love everything. So I am going to buy a 2-day base ticket (non-hopper) and do one park each with my son. My wife can come one of the days with our daughters - probably going to choose Islands of Adventure as there is more for younger kids. So I'll buy a base ticket for one day for them.

The question is, does one of the Potter rides require you to have a hopper pass?

The Hogwart's Express train goes from one park to the other, so you need the park to park pass (hopper).

 

[Walt Disney1955]

The Hogwart's Express train goes from one park to the other, so you need the park to park pass (hopper).

Right, that's all I thought. I just figured it was the train that transported you, not one of the coasters/dark rides. That's fine.

 

[Rob562]

Right, that's all I thought. I just figured it was the train that transported you, not one of the coasters/dark rides. That's fine.

The train is an experience in itself and could easily be considered an attraction, but if you're looking to save money, it's not critical to ride it.

-Rob

 

[Msinnott43]

There are no hopper passes like Disney you can pay a lot of money for their fast pass or stay on property at one of the three hotels and your room key lets you bump to the front of the line. Only rides it doesn’t work on is the Harry Potter but staying on property you get in an hour early and can usually ride it twice. Also use the single rider line if you can. Usually your only a few mins behind the other person wait in the locker are.

 

[JoeCamel]

There are no hopper passes like Disney you can pay a lot of money for their fast pass or stay on property at one of the three hotels and your room key lets you bump to the front of the line. Only rides it doesn’t work on is the Harry Potter but staying on property you get in an hour early and can usually ride it twice. Also use the single rider line if you can. Usually your only a few mins behind the other person wait in the locker are.

Not exactly true. Used to be but the HP rides now have an express line and I don't know what you consider a "hopper" but there are one, two and three park passes available so you can go between them.

 

[BubbaQuest]

As others have mentioned, the Hogwarts Express is a train that requires a Park Hopper to ride. It is also an attraction as it is heavily themed to the Potterverse. You can easily skip it if you are not a huge train or Potter fan -- the queue is pretty easy to walk past without notice and you can still take a pic with the train outside the attraction in IoA. (Anyone know if the outside train is still there with the recent construction?)

However on the day that the whole family is together, will you be able split up to ride the big attractions with your son? There is lots to do in IoA that might be easier with a hopper on the first day? For example, Hulk, Spiderman, Kong, Forbidden Journey.

Hope this helps. Have a great time!

 

[JoeCamel]

As others have mentioned, the Hogwarts Express is a train that requires a Park Hopper to ride. It is also an attraction as it is heavily themed to the Potterverse. You can easily skip it if you are not a huge train or Potter fan -- the queue is pretty easy to walk past without notice and you can still take a pic with the train outside the attraction in IoA. (Anyone know if the outside train is still there with the recent construction?)

However on the day that the whole family is together, will you be able split up to ride the big attractions with your son? There is lots to do in IoA that might be easier with a hopper on the first day? For example, Hulk, Spiderman, Kong, Forbidden Journey.

Hope this helps. Have a great time!

Photo op in Hogsmeade is open and not expected to be moved