Harry Potter Tickets [any discounts? + Advice for keeping costs down?] - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
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Harry Potter Tickets [any discounts? + Advice for keeping costs down?]
We may be making a last minute surprise trip to Orlando this summer and because it wasn't planned it needs to be shoestring budget. My son is in LOVE with Harry Potter, so we will have to do those parks. He decided 6 months ago that his birthday party next October will be Harry Potter! Are there any deals going on for tickets? We've avoided these parks for years because they just aren't Disney and we just couldn't swing the extra cash. Any suggestions on how to do this on the cheap since we'll be going in the busiest time of the year.
Thanks so much!
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You have to have a Park to Park admission ticket as The Wizarding World of Harry Potter (WWoHP) is in both parks (Universal Orlando and Islands of Adventure) and joined by a train ride on the Hogwart's Express. My biggest concern would be crowd sizes in the summer, so you really need to plan on at least two days to see WWoHP as the lines can be brutal for this part of the Universal/IOA Parks.
As for deals on tickets...that's a tough one. I was fortunate to be able to go with my 2 daughers last November, and because they are both married to military men, they got us a wonderful rate on hotel/ticket combo. But as for summer deals; all I can say is to scour the internet daily for deals that might come up, or use a travel agent who may have insight to ticket bargains.
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You can check their website for deals. Do you have AAA? If so, they can sometimes help with ticket prices, etc. Don't be afraid to call Universal. We had a great guy that gave us some good rates and better suggestions one year.
Since you're on a tight budget, I guess the deluxe resorts would be out of the question. Those would put you in walking distance and give you the front of line passes for everything but Gringotts and forbidden Journey. They used to sell an express pass that wasn't too outrageously priced that got you front of line - one time each - on most of the rides. You may check to see if they're still available. I mention this because you need to prepare to be in line for a good hour, maybe longer, for both Gringotts and FJ. So those passes would help make so many of the other rides a possibility for you.
You're right.... Universal Parks are NOT Disney. That being said, there's a Lot of really neat rides and shows to enjoy. Go with an open mind and you all will have a blast! WWHP now has an interactive thingy (think Phineas & Ferb at Epcot) and it works with the kids using their wands. Make sure he gets to go into Ollivanders! Our DS was the one chosen and it was so much fun! And the butter beer is yummy!! You'll all have so much fun!!
A suggestion.... you may want to let DS wear his swimsuit and a t-shirt for the water rides at Islands of Adventure. Because he WILL get soaked. No "maybes" like Disney.... just count on it. At least you're going in summer, so it'll be refreshing.
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Show your AAA card and you get discounts on food and merchandise. It's awesome. If you go to Universal's website and buy tickets, there's a discount there too. Not much, but everything helps.
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and we just couldn't swing the extra cash. Any suggestions on how to do this on the cheap since we'll be going in the busiest time of the year.
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