1 day at Universal

Get the express pass and run to the Harry Potter ride that isn't covered by it when the park first opens. After that you could hit most of the rides in both parks using the pass. The Velociraptor ride isn't covered either, but it had times with a short wait when we were there. The app with all of the wait times is a big help to optimize what to ride next.

quote:

---

Express pass is now available for Velocicoaster.

---

Ha! I started a Universal thread last summer for a visit I made in October (this board came through big time), but both Veloci and Hagrid's were NOT one express pass then. For Hagrid's, that was catastrophic - the line never dropped below 150 minutes - and at times was listed at 220 minutes.

Veloci, however, is still a pretty danged quick line even when it looks really long. I would also add, this might be the best ride in the country at present.

You can see a good bit of both parks in one day if you keep moving, especially with the express pass.

quote:

---

there's really only 2 rides that matter that much, IMO (rock n roller coaster thingy and Gringott's).

---

Rip Ride and Rockit.

The Mummy is good.

Both parks are very doable in a single day with the express pass. I would do both.

quote:

---

Both parks are very doable in a single day with the express pass. I would do both.

---

well I'm trying to avoid the $1800 bill for 1 day

which is what it would cost for park hopper + express pass

We are staying at Disney. We didn't want to move just for 1 day.

My 10 year old loves Harry Potter, so we figured we would take 1 day to do some of the HP stuff.

It's basically the same price for park hopper with no express passes or 1 park with express pass, which is what I'm trying to decide upon.

My son (almost 11) and I were there last week. As has been stated, you will want to get there at least a half hour before opening and then race to the motorcycle HP ride. We were staying at a park property and got in at 8AM (park opens at 9AM) and the line was over an hour both days we were there. That said, it is a fantastic ride and our favorite by far. I would stay in that park (adventure) and do all the rides on that side with express. This should only take until lunch, maybe a little after. Then walk outside the park (skip the dumb train) and go into the other Universal. There are three maybe four rides on that side and the only real winner is the roller coaster and the HP.

With express pass you can do both parks easily. We did it when it was very busy.

If your 10 year old is a big Harry Potter fan, the better and more magical side is Universal Studios. It's where the wand shop and Gringotts are, and it just has the world look better than Islands of Adventure. That side is cool too but I would give the edge looks and environment wise to Universal's side. He/she would definitely enjoy the train ride and there is a spot where it looks like people disappear into the wall to get to the station just like in the movie, depending on where you are standing. The train ride is pretty cool and easy to go between the parks, and they go in between the Harry Potter worlds (you leave and arrive in Harry Potter world).

As for rides: Hagrid's Motorbike is legit and worth the wait. The rest are all on the express pass and will be quick. They are all really well done. You could very easily do everything in a day with time to spare -- there's also a castle lightshow at night in Islands of Adventure FYI.

If it were me and I was already committed to a big dollar theme park trip, I would bite the bullet and spend the money for the hopper and express passes. It will be worth it for the memories alone for your 10 year old. You can always make that money back but you can't get that time back. You may even find yourself disappointed that you did more Disney than Universal -- the express pass is EASY and the Harry Potter worlds are very immersive and well done.

Also - be sure to get some butterbeer. It's nonalcoholic so the kids can enjoy too and it is awesome.