Universal Studios OR Islands of Adventure?

[Guest]

In September, my boyfriend and I are heading off to Florida for just under two weeks!

This is primarily a Disney trip - I've been once before and he has never been - but we're throwing in Sea World as well.

Neither of us have ever been to either of the Universal parks and would like to go to see the Harry Potter stuff. However, I think the ticket prices for a multi park pass are ridiculous, especially when we're already paying quite a lot for all the Disney things we're going to be doing! Aside from Harry Potter nothing massively appeals to me at either park and the boyfriend isn't fussed either way.

As such, which is your favourite out of Universal and IoA if you could only fit in one? Both in terms of which section of the Harry Potter world is better/more fun and in terms of the park as a whole!

[lovedisney]

IoA definitely, the theming is amazing, there are a lot more rides, and I think the Harry Potter section is probably better than Universal. Have you checked out the 14 day 3 park ticket which includes the new water park ?

[Guest]

Originally Posted by lovedisney

IoA definitely, the theming is amazing, there are a lot more rides, and I think the Harry Potter section is probably better than Universal. Have you checked out the 14 day 3 park ticket which includes the new water park ?

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Thank you, but as mentioned above I think the prices are stupidly high even for a one day pass to one of the parks - so 14 days in three is definitely not happening! The water park looks nice enough, but we're perfectly happy with Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon :-)

[sha9]

IoA had more rides in the HP area but I think US is better.

[Floridaagogo]

I would look at pictures on line and see which one you prefer.both the harry potter parts are beautifully themed so it may be a case of considering other rides in each park you would prefer.i prefer the harry potter ride in ioa but the dragon breathing fire ontop of gringotts bank is spectacular.i love the mummy and rip ride rockitt in universal and the hulk and Jurassic park in ioa.not an easy choice ...good luck with your decision x

[Animagus]

Really tough decision. The US HP section, Diagon Alley, is incredible. Only one ride, Gringotts, but so much else to do. The shops are fun to explore and there are loads of wonderful details that fans will love. Knockturn Alley is there and you can eat in Florean Fortescue's or The Leaky Cauldron. There is the Celestina Warbeck show and the Tale of the Three Brothers puppet show. If you buy an interactive and, you can cast spells around DA too.
As for the rest of the park, RRR and The Mummy are great but IOA wins for me with Hulk and Jurassic Park.
If HP is the main draw, go to US. If rides are as important as HP, go for IOA.

[loldis]

We were considering the same. Wanted to check out the HP stuff - neither of us are really fans, but appreciate good theming. But not interested in the rides in either park, can't ride simulators which seemed to be the bulk of the good ones. So in the end we decided to skip it completely - wasn't worth the nearly $400 in tickets!

BTW, I think someone suggested the 14 day explorer ticket as it's only slightly more expensive than a single day entry - about £220 each on ATD. The ticket packages are crazy like that.

[W1zz]

Originally Posted by loldis

BTW, I think someone suggested the 14 day explorer ticket as it's only slightly more expensive as a single day entry - about £220 each on ATD. The ticket packages are crazy like that.

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We're the opposite, doing Universal only. 3 park tickets cost £1,080 (5 adult prices as kids are over 11).

We did consider revisiting a couple Disney parks, but a 2 day ticket works out at £896

It's a shame really, it's as if they want you to spend £2.8K on ultimate tickets or do without Disney or Universal.

[Alfiebeau]

Personally couldn't do one without the other and although we only do one or two days at universal as we usually stay onsite at Disney the teenagers and adults much prefer the Universal parks

[mseagle]

Originally Posted by revelvia

In September, my boyfriend and I are heading off to Florida for just under two weeks!

This is primarily a Disney trip - I've been once before and he has never been - but we're throwing in Sea World as well.

Neither of us have ever been to either of the Universal parks and would like to go to see the Harry Potter stuff. However, I think the ticket prices for a multi park pass are ridiculous, especially when we're already paying quite a lot for all the Disney things we're going to be doing! Aside from Harry Potter nothing massively appeals to me at either park and the boyfriend isn't fussed either way.

As such, which is your favourite out of Universal and IoA if you could only fit in one? Both in terms of which section of the Harry Potter world is better/more fun and in terms of the park as a whole!

See more...

Island of Adventure every time ! Loads of varied rides there plus it has Harry Potters castle. Do try and do both parks though if you can.