1 day in WWoHP...worth it to stay at Universal? - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
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Dave and I are taking our niece Jess to WDW and WWoHP this June and she and I are going to spend a day at Universal doing the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. We are staying at AKL and BCV and were planning on going to WWoHP one day, while Dave stayed at the resort and had a rest day. But now, after reading SO many reports of how crowded WWoHP is, I was thinking about staying at Universal one or two nights so that we could get early entry to WWoHP. WWoHP is the ONLY thing we are really interested in...although I do suppose that we could check out The Mummy and some of the other rides, as we've never been to Universal.
Does anyone have any thoughts or advice for us?
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We didn't stay at a Universal hotel when we did our one day this summer. We did have lines and missed out on Ollivander's Shop because the line was too long all day and in the hot sun, but were able to do everything else without problem in that area and really had no problems in the rest of the park. Though Forbidden Journey had a line all the time, in the afternoon it was pretty short. So if it's too long at the start of the day, just wait until later to it, and do the other attractions first. I wouldn't spend the extra money on changing hotels.
I'm also planning just one day and not staying onsite at Universal. (Well kind of. It'll actually be a Thursday afternoon and then a Friday morning, but combining the two equals one day in my book!) As posted above, I understand the line for Ollivander's is ridiculous all. day. long. I figure if the queue for Forbidden Journey is half of the attraction anyway, then it's no big deal to wait for that one. We're planning on waiting on Ollivander's first thing Friday morning - regardless of how long it is. For pretty big HP fan's such as myself and my DD, it'll be worth it.
We're not going anywhere else at IOA, so I think 1 day will be plenty of time to explore WWoHP. Should we end up with any extra time at all, I think we may explore Dr. Suess a bit, but we're strictly set on only WWoHP!! I think you'll be fine if you really and truly plan to spend all your time at WWoHP from open to close, you should be able to see it all.
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For 1 day I wouldn't do it. WWoHP and the Mummy are in different parks Mummy in US, WWoHP in IOA). If you want to really see both parks, stay at a Universal Hotel (we Love Portofino) for 2 nights. Front of the line is great
i'd stay at a universal resort for two nights. but then, i love it there. however, beyond the love, it is a very different experience visiting as an on site guest vs. an off site guest. much more so than in WDW. i've done both at both parks, and would hesitate to do an off site universal trip...ever again.
first, you park a good mile from the gates to either park. there's no tram--just you, walking, really really REALLY far.
second--no matter the time of year (i stayed off site this past september, as you likely know) it will be MUCH MORE CROWDED at regular opening time, as onsite guests always get in an hour early. imagine showing up at MK at 10 am. the difference between having been at the gates at 8:45 is drastic.
third--even if you are only going to see the wizarding world, it is worth it to stay for two nights. my husband and i stayed for four and could have stayed two more--and we 'only' went for WWoHP. we did the wizarding world on two mornings and an early morning at US one day (the fourth day was our departure day). the on site resorts are BEAUTIFUL and the transportation is amazing. with a two night stay, you can do early access to IoA twice. on the first morning, do FJ and something else (olivanders, the shops, dueling dragons) and on the second morning, do FJ again (i promise you'll want to--even if you rode it three times the first day...ahem...like we did) and then something else (olivanders, the shops, dueling dragons) before the crowds arrive. you really only have that first hour before it gets crazy. and, again, i was there during VERY low crowd times on both occasions. once as part of the 'select few' an hour early, and once as part of the masses an hour later. guess which time i enjoyed more?
fourth--we were there in early may. june will be more crowded--especially late june (and i imagine you will be traveling in late june due to your work schedule--see why you should have just asked me? )
and...finally...fifth. i don't think i'd want to do universal ever again without the express pass. even in september i was annoyed by the lines. add to the crowdedness a weekend--forget about it. stay onsite. get the express pass, the ease of entry, the early entry, the happy fun transportation, the beautiful resorts. seriously, it is a totally different experience.
I would totally stay at a Universal resort. Their express pass or whatever they call it is totally worth it and we really liked the resort too. Just a different world to explore and I think its much more of an experience if you stay on site.
Just a thought - one night's stay at a Universal resort will give you 2 days of "Front of the line" privileges at the Parks - just show your room key at the attraction entrance and you will be directed to the Express line. Arrive at the hotel that morning - your room won't be ready but you can pick up your room keys and head to the parks. The next morning, check out and go back to the parks - your keys are good all day. The resorts will store your luggage if needed.
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1 day in WWoHP...worth it to stay at Universal?
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