Universal and IOA in One Day?

[WDWMAD]

We are going in October, but, can only really afford to use one day of our 10 night holiday at Universal and IOA. Our plan is to arrive at IOA for opening, go straight to Harry Potter then get on what else we can without a massive wait. We then plan to get the Hogwarts Express to Universal around dinner time, so we can be there for the Parade at 3pm, but, I was just wondering what the queues would be like for both Hogwarts Express and Gringotts etc. when we arrive. Has anybody experienced it this way around or would we be better doing it vice versa, Universal first, then going back to Universal for the Parade?

Which parks would have the better rides to get on early for an 8 year girl who loves Harry Potter?

[coggie]

Originally Posted by WDWMAD

We are going in October, but, can only really afford to use one day of our 10 night holiday at Universal and IOA. Our plan is to arrive at IOA for opening, go straight to Harry Potter then get on what else we can without a massive wait. We then plan to get the Hogwarts Express to Universal around dinner time, so we can be there for the Parade at 3pm, but, I was just wondering what the queues would be like for both Hogwarts Express and Gringotts etc. when we arrive. Has anybody experienced it this way around or would we be better doing it vice versa, Universal first, then going back to Universal for the Parade?

Which parks would have the better rides to get on early for an 8 year girl who loves Harry Potter?

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do you know what day you are going to US/IOA... first step may be to look at the Busy Day Guide

[WDWMAD]

Yes, it's Monday 19th October and it says IOA is the quietest.

[coggie]

Originally Posted by WDWMAD

Yes, it's Monday 19th October and it says IOA is the quietest.

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You know it's a tough one, from my experience last year HP London was much busier than Hogwarts but it was relatively new then... some people have said that its best to do London first thing or in the last hour before closing.

What type of rides does your daughter like...US has Shrek, Minnions Simpsons and ET which I am sure she will love, but then you can add Transformers and The Mummy which are more of a rollercoaster and Men in Black which is good fun as you shoot aliens. If she doesn't like rollercoasters then I think US is probably better...but IOA does have Cat in the Hat and some very good water rides

[WDWMAD]

To be honest I think Universal would almost certainly be our first stop, but, it's the Parade at 3pm that is throwing us because it means going back to Universal again. She would much rather ride the Minions and visit Daigon Alley more than anything else, plus she would probably rather catch the Hogwarts Express from Platform 93/4!

They busy day guide suggests IOA will the quieter park, so we may have more chance of getting on rides later in the day there.

[Redrach1903]

I would maybe miss the parade and focus on the rides. From all accounts the Universal parades are pretty pathetic in comparison to Disney. Just a thought to give you more time

[johnscone]

I struggled to remember the parade, it wasn't great especially compared to Disney.

When we went to Universal (Oct 2014), we went straight to Gringotts on opening and by the time we had come off the ride the queue was massive.

I would do Gringotts first and go from there as that is going to be the busiest ride all day regardless of what order you do things in.

[WDWMAD]

Think it might be best to got to Universal now then, if we feel like going back for the Parade we will, but, Daigon Alley and Gringotts is probably our main priority while we are there.

[Kim]

Here are the wait times for the Harry Potter rides from the same date last year.











These are taken from the Dibb Wait Time History

Kim

[DIBBadmin]

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