2 days in Septemeber--New to Universal

[Ryann]

We have never been to Universal Studios or IOA, but are going for 2 days in September. We have park-to-park tickets. We are staying off-site (Pop century at Disney World). We will be driving to and from ourselves.

We will be focusing mainly on the Harry Potter areas, but plan to spend some time at other parts of the parks.

How do we make the most of our time?
How early do we need to be there in the morning?
How is parking? How far is it from gates? How do we get to gates from our car?
What is this I hear about "return times" being given at Hogsmeade and Diagon?
What other parts of the park are "must see" other than Harry Potter?
What's good to eat? Both sit down and quick service
What other tips can you give us to maximize our days?

Thank you for taking the time to answer. We are so excited to go, but feeling overwhelmed!

 

[JillC LI]

Allot a half hour to drive to Uni from Pop. Then it can be a 15 minute walk from the parking lot to the gates - it's easy to follow the path. Since you won't get early admission, I'd still plan to be at the gates 1/2 hour before opening in case they let you in a bit early and so you are at the front of the line. I'd plan to go straight to WWOHP in IoA one day and straight to WWOHP in US the other day. From there, it's up to you. Transformer and Spiderman are big hits. There's tons of good stuff to see. Mythos is often recommended as a sit-down location (although I personally have never done a sit-down meal at Uni). Get a frozen butterbeer. Bring rain ponchos and perhaps a change of clothes if you plan to go on the water rides as you can get soaked.

 

[Disneydreamer23]

How do we make the most of our time? Always Leave POP 1 hour from Opening 30 minute drive 15/20 minute walk from parking lot .
How early do we need to be there in the morning? They open at 9 in September So be there by 8:45
How is parking? How far is it from gates? How do we get to gates from our car? Far not to me but I am a walker Its about 15 minutes ( parking is 17/ per day)
What is this I hear about "return times" being given at Hogsmeade and Diagon? UNSURE SORRY
What other parts of the park are "must see" other than Harry Potter? Depends, How old are you what do you like? If I had to pick TOP 5 to VISIT after Harry Potter it would be 5.Men in Black Ride (shooting game like TSMM or Buzz but better) 4.Et, It's a classic 3.The Mummy Coaster 2.Transformers Ride 1. Hulk ( I would also check out BeetleJuice Show
What's good to eat? Both sit down and quick service I love Nascar In City walk! and For a quick I would Say Mels Diner
What other tips can you give us to maximize our days? Go from Park opening to Close they have limited hours 9-8:30 . DO Universal First Islands Of Adventure some days close Later !

 

[Timekeeper]

We have never been to Universal Studios or IOA, but are going for 2 days in September. We have park-to-park tickets. We are staying off-site (Pop century at Disney World). We will be driving to and from ourselves.

We will be focusing mainly on the Harry Potter areas, but plan to spend some time at other parts of the parks.

Thank you for taking the time to answer. We are so excited to go, but feeling overwhelmed!

How do we make the most of our time?

• What are the dates of your visit? Will you be going during Halloween Horror Nights? If so, that will impact park hours, and you may want to start each day at USF if it will be closing early.
• Be mindful of the weather. Many IOA attractions are outdoors (rollercoasters), and virtually all USF attractions are indoors. If there's inclement weather, you'll probably want to spend that time at USF.

How early do we need to be there in the morning?

• You will not be visiting during a terribly busy season (like a holiday), so there's no reason to arrive very early. But as others have suggested, just depart your hotel one hour before opening and you'll be fine.

How is parking? How far is it from gates? How do we get to gates from our car?

• You will be parking in a giant parking garage. The parking garages (2) are connected to a central hub, which leads into CityWalk. The distance from your car to the park entrances is approximately the distance from Space Mountain to Cinderella's Castle - not far at all. And there are motorized walkways from your parking area up until the point where you enter CityWalk.
• In the photo below, the parking garage is at the bottom (mostly cropped out), the hub is at the bottom/center (round structure), Citywalk is in the center, USF entrance is at the center/right (golden arch), and IOA entrance is at the center/left.

What is this I hear about "return times" being given at Hogsmeade and Diagon?

• That's only during grand opening events, or on holidays, when the parks are extremely busy and there's a danger of overcrowding in a specific area.
• By way of example, there were no return times being given this past weekend (August 3), and I wouldn't expect there to be any in September. There were no lines waiting to get into Diagon Alley or Hogsmeade. It was actually a very comfortable day, with the exception of the 3 hour wait time for Escape from Gringotts.

What other parts of the park are "must see" other than Harry Potter?

• For a first time visitor, I would suggest that everything is basically a "must see."
• If you're not really into live shows, then I might bypass some of the shows in favor of rides if you're pressed for time, otherwise, see as much as possible.

What's good to eat? Both sit down and quick service?

• There's a lot to choose from, but while you're in Diagon, you may as well eat at the Leaky Cauldron, which is basically quick-serve with a themed dining environment.
• If you're a beer drinker, there are some "exclusive" beers on property.
• Here are some photos and menu items from Leaky:

http://www./wp-content/uploads/2014/06/leaky-cauldron.png

What other tips can you give us to maximize our days?

• My biggest tips are that you (1) arrive at opening and stay until closing, (2) pay attention to the weather forecasts and plan accordingly, "hopping" between parks when appropriate, and (3) hit the longer line attractions early or later in the day.
• You really shouldn't be too worried about wait times in September, because they will be typical (not extremely high or extremely low).
• Escape from Gringotts is the only ride that may have a dramatically long wait time (partly depending on when the attraction will begin to run at full operation, because right now it's running at less than half its full potential capacity). Note that the park may close entry to this ride before the posted park closing time, which is not typical for theme parks, if the wait time is in the multiple-hours-range. So be sure to check with a team member (employee) to see if there's a chance they may close off entry early, since you'd normally expect to be allowed to enter a line at 7:45 pm at a park that closes at 8:00 pm, with Gringotts being the exception to this otherwise normal practice at theme parks.

 

[Ryann]

Thanks for all the info, everybody!

 

[Disneyhead'71]

Headline Attractions:

USF:
Mummy
Transformers
MiB
Simpson's
E.T.
Depicable Me

IOA:
Hulk
Spider-man
Bluto's
Dudley Do-Right's
Jurrasic Park River Adventure
Cat In The Hat

Table Service of Note:

Mythos (IOA)
Finnagan's (USF)

Counter Service of Note:

Three Broomsticks (IOA)
Thunder Falls Terrace (IOA)
Burger Digs (IOA)

Springfield
Leaky Cauldron
Cafe LaBamba (Seasonal)

Must Dos that aren' "Headliners"

Horror Make-up Show
T2:3D
Disaster
Explore Camp Jurassic