Ticket advice for 2 days - base or park to park?

[Den Carter]

Hi,

I'm planning a visit to Universal in October 2016. We only have two days. I've been many times before, but not for at least 5 years!

My other half has never been, so excited about taking him.

I'm looking at the price difference between Base tickets (one park per day), and Park to Park tickets (park hopper). As we're only going for two days, it makes sense in my mind to just get base tickets and spend a day in each park, but I'm interested in your opinions on this, please!

Also, any good discount ticket retail suggestions welcome. Best I've found is $159.73 for 2-day base tickets or $200.21 for Park to Park.

Advice appreciated!

 

[Tinkerkelle]

Need park to park if you want to ride Howarts Express but saving money with a park a day is good too. We like flexibility and had park to park.

 

[Den Carter]

Need park to park if you want to ride Howarts Express but saving money with a park a day is good too. We like flexibility and had park to park.

Ah - good tip, thanks. Can you visit Platform 9 ¾ without a park to park ticket, just not ride the train? Is the train worth the extra 40 bucks? As far as I can tell, the actual views from the windows on the train are CGI, ie it's not a 'real' train journey like the Disney Railroad?

 

[Tinkerkelle]

Ah - good tip, thanks. Can you visit Platform 9 ¾ without a park to park ticket, just not ride the train? Is the train worth the extra 40 bucks? As far as I can tell, the actual views from the windows on the train are CGI, ie it's not a 'real' train journey like the Disney Railroad?

It's very cool to ride. There are 2 different "journeys", one each way. We really enjoyed them both, but once each way was enough for us. As to the platform, I can't quite remember where our tickets were scanned but it was before joining the queue and so I think before the platform. Unsure if there's a viewing area like the non-riding tour you can do at Hogwarts and Gringotts. If you only have a day in each park you could try to figure out your top must-do attractions and how much time that might take and see if you have time for the HE. 12 minutes each way plus wait time each way can easily chew up over an hour at least. Whatever you decide, Universal is doing great things and you'll notice so much change from your last trip. Have a fab time.

 

[Tinkerkelle]

...and yes, views are CGI out the "window" and you see "shadows" and hear voices of those passing in the corridor (Harry, Hermione, Ron) on the other side. Theming of the stations are fab and very different.

 

[JoeCamel]

You would need P2P to visit 9 3/4.

IMO the flexibility of visiting two parks on the same day allows you to get to the least crowded attractions so if one park feels crowded then you can hop over to the other park.

HHN will be in full swing at the studios so that park will close at 5 on those nights. Unless you stay for HHN you will be escorted out, if you have P2P you could go to IOA for a few more hours and extend your day that way. Depends on the day of the week when USO closes for HHN.

 

[Demeter Tess]

Hogwarts Express is our favourite attraction in the park. P2P is a "must" for us.

 

[Den Carter]

Thanks to you all for your great advice! Park to park it is, then!

 

[Den Carter]

I would say it not worth the money. Each park is abut right for a full day, jumping back and forth seems like a waste to me. Is the train worth $40 a person? I doubt it but I have never been on it because I have never gotten park to park tickets.

Put it this way - my partner is a MASSIVE HP fan and I'm pretty sure I'd be in the doghouse if I brought tickets that meant he couldn't ride it! Haha!

 

[JoeCamel]

Put it this way - my partner is a MASSIVE HP fan and I'm pretty sure I'd be in the doghouse if I brought tickets that meant he couldn't ride it! Haha!

That is reason enough to get the P2P then, I may ride it 2 - 3 times a day. I like the freedom to go back and forth without having to walk around the front.

 

[EngineJoe]

H2h is definitely worth it.

Keep in mind with universal you can always upgrade a lot of stuff like park hopper day of at the park iirc.

 

[Den Carter]

Not to make you spend even more money, but if you are buying through Undercover Tourist (which is where I assume you got the pricing)- you will actually get a 3 day park to park pass (2 + 1). If you choose to upgrade in park at that time- it should only be around $32 to upgrade both passes to an Annual Power Pass (has some blackout dates).
I did it in September with my 6 yr old (so she had a less expensive pass) and it was $42 for both of us ($16 for me $26 for her). Prices may have changed a little since then (or might change by that time)- but I doubt by much.

If I'm you, I go ahead and do that and plan a trip in October 2017 or before as well.

Interesting, thanks... Definitely one to think about!