Rides at Universal [how many days for the parks?] - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
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Hello, My teen daughter is a HUGE Harry Potter fan and we are planning a visit only to Universal Studios and no Disney this time. We've never been to Universal so we don't really know what to expect.
Is three days at the park too much time or the right amount of time?
I'm a little worried it may be too much time because it may have a lot of rides we don't want to do. I'm sure my daughter would love them, but mom & dad won't want to do them . I hate upside roller coasters, but I did really like Rock'n'Roller Coaster at Disney. Would totally do that one again. We like all the rides at the Disney parks expect Twilight Zone Tower of Terror. I know a lot of our time will be at Harry Potter, but just wondering about the rest of the park. We're looking at going in the fall, but two of the days will be on the weekend.
Thanks!
You may want to talk to your teen daughter about just visiting the Harry Potter sections. If she agrees to that than definitely 2 days there would give you a lot of time to see everything and even some things twice or more. If you and your husband are not big roller coaster fans the other part of the park isn't going to be for you.
We're not thrill ride or coaster fans either and, as a result, three days would probably be too much for us. I'd say two sounds about right from your description, but I'd aim for one of the days to be a weekend and another to be a weekday - it sounds from your post as if that will be possible.
It depends. If your daughter loves Harry Potter then three days might be just right. If you aren't staying on property at portofino, hard rock, or royal pacific then you would get express pass which is a huge saver but is not good,on Harry Potter rides or the train. And, the train is different each way you ride it so those lines can be long. The interactive wand is a must so you can do all the spells in the Harry Potter areas. So three days would be the max you would need. There are a ton of small things to do and see too. But my son could spend all day using the wand and calling the ministry of magic on the phone! Be sure to spend time looking at all the windows and such too.
Our first family trip to Orlando both my ex and I decided Universal was our favorite park. There is a lot to do for non thrill riders. I highly recommend Men in Black (BUzz Lightyear for adults), the Terminator and any shows. You might also enjoy the Simpsons (not for the motion sick), the Mummy (roller coasterish) and Jurassic Park (plunge at end).
At IOA Spider-Man is a must do-not scary. Seussland it lots of fun and not scary, the water rides are not bad, although wet.
I think people don't really look at the rides and assume they are all thrill rides. Many are not.
I also heard they are going to have a Willy Wonka theme restaurant that looks just like the factory or very close to it. Don't know if it is named after the famous movie, but it is suppose to be very similar to Wonka's Factory and have delicious eats I have heard.
Last edited by Swedish Meatball; 02-01-2017 at 06:09 PM..
I also heard they are going to have a Willy Wonka theme restaurant that looks just like the factory or very close to it. Don't know if it is named after the famous movie, but it is suppose to be very similar to Wonka's Factory and have delicious eats I have heard.
Toothsome chocolate factory...and it is amazing. Huge shakes with entire pieces of pie or brownies and excellent food. One of our best meals between disney and universal when we were there in October.
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We just did 3 days last November. That was plenty of time for us. We've never needed beyond that. But we also stay at the Royal Pacific so we get the Express Passes. The only rides the passes aren't good for are Gringott's and Forbidden Journey. But we hit those fairly close to closing time and wait no more than 10-15 minutes in line. Be aware though that you will need park-to-park tickets to be able to ride Hogwarts Express. There are plenty of neat rides and shows to enjoy. Several of the coasters do "loop" but they're very smooth rides. I'd strongly suggest just letting the teens ride The Hulk or Rip Rocket and hold their phones for them while they ride. They can't take them on the coasters. In fact, unlike Disney, bags won't go on most of the rides so you'll have to use lockers. On the upside, Universal cured me of lugging anything extra to the parks....even WDW parks. lol Now, I'm so old I have to hand off my glasses and hearing aids to hubby to hold for me for some of the coasters that loop and twist! But they are awesome coasters and I won't give them up.
Another perk, beyond the Express Passes, when you stay at the three resorts mentioned in this thread is that it's a short and pleasant walk to the parks. Or you can enjoy a brief ferry ride to City Walk and the parks.
Thanks everyone for your help!!! I now have a much better idea of how to plan our trip. My daughter is looking so forward to getting a wand and wasn't sure if she should get the interactive one. We'll plan on doing that now. Thanks kv3291 for that tip.
Huntermom, thanks for suggesting those rides. I feel so much better now about the parks & the rides.
Toothsome Chocolate Factory looks yummy! We are excited to eat there even if it's only for dessert. I can't get over the huge shakes they have and the toppings they put on them. I can't wait!
Mamasann, thanks for letting me know about no purse on the rides -- that stinks -- and about your trip. It sounds like you had a good one.
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Remember to go to gringotts bank and talk to the goblin. You can change money there to commemorative bank note that you can use like cash. My son saved his though. And, outside of Daigon alley, go into the phone booth and call M-A-G-I-C or 62442, she will be able to hear a special message from the Ministry of Magic.
Oh how fun! Thanks for letting me know about that. I haven't even looked into any of that stuff yet. My daughter has just started researching the Harry Potter parks. I've been more focused on planning the trip right now. I'm a big planner and that's the fun stuff that really makes the trip even better. Thank you!
By the way I'm not a bad mom (for those of you wondering why I only mentioned one child). The 4th one in our family (happyfamily4) is our dog -- LOL. He's a true member of the family.
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. I hate upside roller coasters, but I did really like Rock'n'Roller Coaster at Disney. Would totally do that one again. We like all the rides at the Disney parks expect Twilight Zone Tower of Terror. I know a lot of our time will be at Harry Potter, but just wondering about the rest of the park. We're looking at going in the fall, but two of the days will be on the weekend. 
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