How to have a "budget" day at universal?

[firsttimer2014]

When we booked back in May 2017, DS had just started reading the first Harry Potter book, and wasn't really fussed about Universal, so we booked a Disney only package with free QSDP. However, fast forward 15 months, 7 books, 8 movies, a subscription to Pottermore, all the Lego Harry Potter games and a toy Hedwig later... you get the picture. DS is 10 and is a wonderful kid, he hasn't even asked to go to Universal as he knows the tickets are expensive. We have worked out though, that if we skip MNSSHP, we can pay for 1 day of park-to-park tickets for Universal/IOA and the ubers to and from Universal. I really hope one day will be enough, but I was looking for advice on ways to save money while we are there? We were planning on having an very early quick service breakfast at Disney first, and then a very late dinner in Disney Springs afterwards. We would be hoping to be in the Parks from 9am-8pm and the kids have their own spending money. Thanks

[sha9]

If you only aim to do the Harry Potter areas then a day is more than enough time. You may even fit in some other rides.
Food wise, Universal quick service meals are typical theme park food. There are a couple of places that do pizza which you could share. It may be worth considering a Coke Freestyle mug if you’re happy to share. We have collapsible cups we carry around in case we decide to share a drink. A Lard Lad donut is enormous and would do a family of 4 easily.

[coggie]

What I would do is check the busy parks day guide on here to see what the best day is to visit...

It does depend on what you want to do there, if you are concentrating on HP it's doable and then throw in a few other rides along the way.
As for costs then just beware of things he may want whilst there such as frozen butter beer, ice cream, chocolate frog and other sweets,wands etc.

You can reduce costs by asking for free water at any place that has a soda fountain

[bex85chelt]

You can also get sandwiches / snacks from resort to go and take with you

[Mrs Valentine]

We did 1/2 and half days at both parks. Just do single riders if u dont mind and dont line up anywhere that has large queue times, then if you have time at the end of the day, you can always go beck. Head straight to HP, start at the Studios then go over in the after noon to Islands. That way you see the HP bits in the right order.
Take food from your Dining plan with you, like a sandwich, drink in a bottle etc. then you can do maybe a Butter Beer and get some other bits at the HP shops and it wont seem so expensive as you haven't had lunch. Look at a map and pick all of the stuff you definitely want to do and do all of that first. Dont linger at City Walk. It is a good tip though to get the Uber to a hotel rather than the drop off and pick up spots at Univ, as it can be nearer say, to be a Royal Pacific or whatever, then get the boat in. For pick up with Uber go back to a hotel as its a nightmare where you are supposed to get the taxis/busses from, maga busy. Get up really really early lol

[firsttimer2014]

Thanks for all the advice, we will take snacks from our dining plan and we are not really bothered about the other areas or rides, it is the harry potter experience for DS we are going for. DD will enjoy it too but she is too short for most of the rides so I will be staying with her while DH and DS do the Harry Potter rides. Thanks again

[choccielover]

Then why not just let ds and dh go and save the cost of 2 tickets?

You could spend the day with dd doing something just for her or send her on the pirate cruise trip or something.

If you will just be sat around waiting all day that’s an expensive 2 tickets...

[firsttimer2014]

The selfish part of me really wants to see DS's face when he sees it, especially as by the time we could afford to go back he will be 16. I really don't want to miss that memory. But you have a really good point it would be cheaper just to send DH and DS and let them have a boy's day. I have some thinking to do!

[DisneyNikki]

Coolbag rucksacks are your friend. We spend nothing. Just take what you need with you.

[Ruthieroo]

Originally Posted by firsttimer2014

The selfish part of me really wants to see DS's face when he sees it, especially as by the time we could afford to go back he will be 16. I really don't want to miss that memory. But you have a really good point it would be cheaper just to send DH and DS and let them have a boy's day. I have some thinking to do!

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The Dr Suess area is amazing for little ones, there is plenty to do for you and your younger child at Universal, even if your daughter is not tall enough for some of the rides, the Harry potter areas are still lots of fun to spend time in.

Going by your count down you may be there when they do the Halloween Horror nights ? they close early and start moving people out of the Harry Potter areas before closing, so if you are going for the day try and avoid a HHN day.

Our son was only 4 the first time we went and he said Universal was his favourite

Hope you all have a great time!