It’s happening! I just booked a trip to Orlando for a visit with family. One of the major attractions I am planning to visit: the Wizarding World of Harry Potter!
Aside from the fact that this is my first real vacation break this year, I am particularly excited about this trip because I’m a fan of J.K Rowling’s Harry Potter series. I watched all 7 films when they were released, read all the books, and even read the play “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child”.
Needless to say, I am excited about the visit. I know some people think of theme parks as an “kid-thing” to do, but it works for me since I’m a big kid at heart! Of course, I hope the parks aren’t really just geared for kids and there are things that adults would enjoy just as much.
I know there are tons of good information out there about Universal Studios and the Harry Potter theme parks, and I’ve been doing my research. However, I’d love to flip this around and hear some insider tips and travel advice from fellow readers instead.
Seeking Reader’s Experiences
Of course, it helps to provide some parameters on what I am looking for:
- Where to Stay: I usually stay at the same hotel if staying in an area, but I am open to hotel hopping during this visit if it makes sense. Some initial thoughts:
- IHG property: Complete my IHG Accelerate promotion while I’m at it? Any particularly good IHG property in Orlando?
- Book a stay at Hilton resort property and try out my Hilton Diamond benefits?
- Is it worth it to book at a Universal Studio property for the extra hour of park access and fast passes?
- One Park or Both Parks: I’m not into roller-coaster/thrill rides. Is the Island of Adventure park still worth it, given that it’s mostly thrill rides?
- Fast-pass Access: Is it worth it?
- Must Do Rides: Any must-do rides that you love that is worth the wait?
- Orlando to do: Any cuisines/restaurants near the parks/outside of the parks that are worth a visit?
- Other money saving tips?
I would love to hear tips and your experiences from dear fellow readers. Thanks!
I don’t know how many days you’re planning on going to Universal, but I would say at least 3-5 if it’s your first time. It sounds like you aren’t considering going to Universal’s new waterpark Volcano Bay, but I would HIGHLY recommend checking it out if you like water parks at all. It’s beautifully-themed and the rides there are so much fun. The rides at the two traditional parks are fun too, especially if it’s your first time, but don’t have as much re-ride potential in my opinion. We usually stay onsite which gets you early admission and free fast… Read more »
Thanks so much Austin! Lots of really good nuggets of info jammed in there. Short time there, so I will skip on the water park. I haven’t booked the park tickets yet but I probably will end up visiting the Island of Adventure (just to check out Hogwarts Express). I’m not adversed to thrill rides — i’ve done the crazy scary superman ride at Six flags and other rides like Tower of Terror. I just don’t care much for them and one person in my party is not a good fit for thrill rides (heart can’t take it well), so… Read more »
Ed at PizzaInMotion wrote about Universal not long ago. They have good parks, and a very nice pair of Harry Potter areas. The good news is that the line jumper pass (fast pass?) saves an enormous amount of time. The bad news is that the expense is breathtaking. It seems that staying at certain hotels on property will automatically give you these passes. I haven’t done it, but that should give you a starting point to check. Another much cheaper option is to split up your party into single riders. That saves a lot of time but obviously is less… Read more »
I’ll check out Ed’s post. You are right – the expenses are really breathtaking ( I am booking for a few weeks out so prices aren’t cheap, as I am already finding out). I will only be in town for about 3 nights (and I was really thinking about spending 2 days max at universal studios), so I’m weighing between $ savings vs. time/convenience. I value the latter a bit more, so I’ve reserved an onsite hotel for now (It might actually work out cheaper than getting fast passes separately for my party, but I’m still working some things out)… Read more »
Have to do both parks for Hogwarts express. Stay on site to get access to fast pass. Butter beer is gross.
Thanks! I’m interested in the Hogwarts express, so I will weigh that (against the lack of interest in Island of Adventures). Duly noted on the butter beer — got to cut back on my expectations there!
I recommend staying at the Top tier onsite hotels for the express pass benefit. Since you are not a rollercoaster rider, it will help you do the two parks in two days. You will need to hop parks to do the HP in each park multiple times! You actually could accomplish this with a one night stay as you can check in early on arrival day, and use it all day on checkout.
Thanks for the tip. We did go back and forth on staying at an onsite hotel. The property we were interested in is pretty pricey for the dates we need, but we will be staying at an onsite hotel (at least for part of the trip anyway)