Going to Universal/IOA this weekend

[Epcotfan21]

Hey guys,

It's been about 12+ years, but the wife and I are finally going to leave Walt and the gang behind for a bit and head over to see Harry and the rest of the crew at Universal/IOA. Since it's been a while, I was hoping some of you can give me the best tips on how to attack both parks, placing a big emphasis on Diagon Alley/Hogwarts. The plan right now is to do a 1 day park-to-park ticket, but possibly adding Sunday as well.

We're staying at WDW Swan, so we'll be driving from there and ordering tickets online, but picking them up at the window. I noticed the park opens at 9am on Saturday. Would leaving the Swan at 8 give us plenty of time?

Also since it's been a while, can you give any suggestions on quick service or sit down places to eat at either park?

Any other tips you may have would be greatly appreciated!

 

[melflip8]

I'll be there too! All the plans I saw say to tackle the front part of Universal first, then take the Hogwarts Express from Universal to IOA. Do Hogsmeade and Forbidden Journey, some IOA attractions and then take the train back to Universal and do Diagon Alley and Gringotts around 3:30ish after the crowds have died down.

Leaving at 8am should get you there on time, it's about a 20-25 minute ride depending on traffic.

As for food, I'm not as much help there since it's been a long time for us too! Have a great time!

 

[JoeCamel]

Do lunch at Mythos in IOA, if you get there at 11 you can book a table usually and even though it is sit down if you want to stick to a good sandwich the cost is about the same as quick serve. Compare the price at Desert Kabobs next to the Mythos entrance. If you want a more filling meal eat at Finnigans in USF. Again it is sit down but a little more expensive. If you want the whole Potter thing you will be able to eat at Leaky Cauldron in DA or Three Broomsticks in Hogsmeade. Either has OK food at a Potter permium price compared to the rest of the parks. There is always City Walk and there you are only limited by your wallet. Good things at Red Oven Pizza, upscale mexican at Antonitio's and good pasta at Vivio's.

ou have two choices to ride Gringot's, either be to the park well before opening time and hustle straight to the ride where you will wait 1 - 2 hours or try later in the day when the wait will be about the same unless single rider is available to you. The queue is worth the wait the first time IMO but after that I care about how long the line is so I don't mind bypassing the mainline. Any other times of the day the wait will be double those times. Once you ride Gringott's plan on spending several hours exploring DA, it is chock full of detail.

 

[DisneyDaver]

Any chance to can spend your last night on-site at a Universal deluxe? If you only have 1 day, the Express Passes and Early Park Admission that accompany a stay at a Universal deluxe are incredibly valuable.

With the Harry Potter expansion, I think each park will now be a full day park. In fact, this fall I am spending 3 full days at Universal. I've never spent more than 2 days there in the past, but after my last 2 day visit in 2012, I realized I wanted more time this year with Diagon Alley opening.

 

[JillC LI]

I'd leave a tad earlier. It can take almost 15 minutes to get from the parking lot to the entrance. And if you want to be near the front of the line when they open the gates, then earlier is safer. You have A LOT to do in one day. I agree with the previous poster who suggested staying at Uni one night to get the Express Pass (even though it won't work on most HP rides) and to get early entry.

 

[danpam1024]

Have fun- I predict we will soon have another convert on our hands I personally don't think 1 day will be enough, but I am sure you will want to go back. We went to DA for one afternoon (not nearly enough time) and happened to catch the Tales of Beetle the Bard and it was FANTASTIC! I could have spent all day there myself, there is just SO MUCH detail. There is NOTHING like it (even at WDW). HE is just amazing as well. We like to end the day at IOA with a cocktail at the Bar behind Confisco's (and we get a couple of apps for dinner). I'm not a fan of the food (I'm vegan), but I do love a pint from Finnegan's- it makes me feel like I'm on vacation. We really enjoyed Vivo, Antonjito's, and Bob Marleys (especially after dark). And as always HR Cafe

 

[Epcotfan21]

Thanks everyone for the tips! I guess we're gonna see how Saturday goes to determine whether or not we're going to come back on Sunday.

Since we're not staying at one of the resorts, would it be wise to purchase the express pass at the gate when we pick up our tickets?

 

[JillC LI]

Thanks everyone for the tips! I guess we're gonna see how Saturday goes to determine whether or not we're going to come back on Sunday.

Since we're not staying at one of the resorts, would it be wise to purchase the express pass at the gate when we pick up our tickets?

It's not a bad idea if you're willing to spring for it, but give yourself even more because you'll have to wait on line to buy it. I seem to recall - but I wouldn't swear to it - that you can buy the Express Pass inside the parks as well if you find that lines are too long. Maybe someone else can confirm this so you can see how your waits are before buying. Remember that it won't be good on most HP attractions.

 

[Epcotfan21]

Good points, Jill. We have to pick up our tickets at the window anyways, because we were able to get a special discount on the park-to-park tickets through my company. I guess we can add the Express pass (if we decide to) when we pick up the tickets.

 

[Nick Wilde]

I'll be there, too! All the plans I saw say to tackle the front part of Universal first, then take the Hogwarts Express from Universal to IOA. Do Hogsmeade and Forbidden Journey, some IOA attractions and then take the train back to Universal and do Diagon Alley and Gringotts around 3:30ish after the crowds have died down.

Leaving at 8am should get you there on time, it's about a 20-25 minute ride depending on traffic.

As for food, I'm not as much help there since it's been a long time for us too! Have a great time!

Seems like everyone's going! I'm going Sat. for the day!

 

[danpam1024]

I would wait to see how the crowds are, you may not need it, as most FL kiddos are back in school. you can buy them inside the park, in the stores. be sure you know what you're buying. some are unlimited, some are for only one park, etc

 

[Nick Wilde]

Thanks everyone for the tips! I guess we're gonna see how Saturday goes to determine whether or not we're going to come back on Sunday.

Since we're not staying at one of the resorts, would it be wise to purchase the express pass at the gate when we pick up our tickets?

I'd say get Express, since you want to fit EVERYTHING in one day, and it's your first time, so you'll probably want to do everything in the parks. It won't be crowded, luckily, according to http://www.orlandoinformer.com/universal/crowd-calendar/, and their predictions have never been wrong for me.

 

[Nick Wilde]

It's not a bad idea if you're willing to spring for it, but give yourself even more because you'll have to wait on line to buy it. I seem to recall - but I wouldn't swear to it - that you can buy the Express Pass inside the parks as well if you find that lines are too long. Maybe someone else can confirm this so you can see how your waits are before buying. Remember that it won't be good on most HP attractions.

I confirm this. I see them all the time in the park

 

[Tom Morrow]

My advice is don't go in comparing everything to Disney or looking for things to complain about. Not saying you were going to do that, but a lot of posters here do that and end up having a bad time at the place that is trying much harder to be quality than WDW.

 

[Nick Wilde]

My advice is don't go in comparing everything to Disney or looking for things to complain about. Not saying you were going to do that, but a lot of posters here do that and end up having a bad time at the place that is trying much harder to be quality than WDW.

Let the fire war begin.