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Hi everyone!
We are going to WDW in April. We have decided on this trip to head over to Universal for just one day. It will be myself, husband, son (14), daughters (11). Son will do roller coasters - daughters not all the time.
Which would be better for us for a first time visit for one day only??
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Universal. There are more attractions in that park. Spreads out the crowds better. . Though they have closed a few attractions for building new ones recently. The numbers may be evening out.
I'd suggest looking at the attractions available in each park and then decide. Universal has more indoor attractions, but I think Islands of Adventure has more variety. Just keep in mind that if you don't have a park-to-park ticket, you won't be able to ride Hogwarts Express.
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I think if I could only pick one I would do the Studios. It's the original and they've added a lot of new stuff there recently (transformers, minions, Simpsons, Harry Potter expansion!)
I agree with looking at the attractions for each park to decide. Having said that, the Harry Potter areas in each park are amazing. I't get a park to park pass and try to go 2 days. If you have the time. I could spend 4 days at the Universal parks. They've really added a lot.
Lots of universal info on the Orlando Informer web site.
I'd also suggest to get a park to park ticket - so you can enjoy both parks, specially the Harry Potter area (its divided in both parks and its amazing). My suggestion for one day is start in Harry Potter area from Island of Adventure, then after riding the roller coast there (dragon challenge is a must do for roller coast lovers) and enjoying the castle and Hoggesmead get in the train to Universal Studios and visit the attractions there and the rest of the park. If you daughter is not a roller coast fan she will probably enjoy US better. The parks are smaller than Disney's and if you are going in low crowd you can visit main attractions of both park in one day.
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Last edited by ferrazalves; 01-04-2016 at 08:08 AM..
I'd also suggest to get a park to park ticket - so you can enjoy both parks, specially the Harry Potter area (its divided in both parks and its amazing). My suggestion for one day is start in Harry Potter area from Island of Adventure, then after riding the roller coast there (dragon challenge is a must do for roller coast lovers) and enjoying the castle and Hoggesmead get in the train to Universal Studios and visit the attractions there and the rest of the park. If you daughter is not a roller coast fan she will probably enjoy US better. The parks are smaller than Disney's and if you are going in low crowd you can visit main attractions of both park in one day.
If they are doing both parks, I'd start with Gringots first, it's the newest and when we were there had the biggest lines. 2 hour + lines if you didn't get there by park opening. That was mid August a couple of years ago. 2014
If they are doing both parks, I'd start with Gringots first, it's the newest and when we were there had the biggest lines. 2 hour + lines if you didn't get there by park opening. That was mid August a couple of years ago. 2014
It's interesting...early december Hogwarts had a longer line than Gringots....Also Hogsmeade seemed to be more crowded than Diagon Alley. But we visited in a low time, most of the park had lines bellow half hour. We'd the express ticket offered by the hotel but we almost did not use them. Only took advantage of early admission. Anyway I'd plan to start at Harry Potter area first thing in the morning in either park and hop to the other by train (by the way we loved the train linking both parks)..
It's interesting...early december Hogwarts had a longer line than Gringots....Also Hogsmeade seemed to be more crowded than Diagon Alley. But we visited in a low time, most of the park had lines bellow half hour. We'd the express ticket offered by the hotel but we almost did not use them. Only took advantage of early admission. Anyway I'd plan to start at Harry Potter area first thing in the morning in either park and hop to the other by train (by the way we loved the train linking both parks)..
That is interesting! Mid August is pretty low season, but for us it was the exact opposite. Hogwarts was never over 30 min wait any time of day, but Gringots generated huge lines, only way we got on was going for early entry morning. When we got off, line was already closed to 2 hrs! Crazy.
We stayed at Portofino so had FOTL pass too, and used it, made everything walk on. Even though lines weren't long, why wait 15 min when you can walk on!! I wish it worked for Harry Potter! We thought both were amazing.
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I've been to Universal/IOA four times over the last year. I've stayed both onsite and off and have started at both parks on different days.
I would say it really doesn't matter which park you start with, as both the main rides in the HP areas do get busy as the day progresses, niether had express passes, and they do clear out a bit as the sun goes down. You can find times of day when the lines are shorter at both.
The one ride that is a must-do if first if you don't want to stand in a long line is the Minions ride at US. Hit that first if you do US. Once the day starts, the line never ever gets short.
If you have a way to download the free US App (with wait times) to your phone or Ipad, do so now. You can check it at various times of day and week to see what the lines are like. They aren't always accurate but do seem to be pretty close to reality. I don't even have a trip planned in the future, but I glance at it occasionally just to see how busy the parks are.
I love both parks and I can say I found plenty to do at IOA even though I am a ride wimp. Before IOA we did a trip to Disney and Universal, both my ex and I who were not into thrill rides thought US was the best park of all-lots to do and you don't need to be thrilled.
We enjoy visiting both parks. Considerations for IOA in April: there are several water rides (you will get wet); the Hulk coaster is being refurbished; and the King Kong ride won't be open yet. US has two coasters (one thrill and one milder) and several "for all ages" attractions.
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IOA vs US - which one would you do and why?
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. Though they have closed a few attractions for building new ones recently. The numbers may be evening out.
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