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buzzandzurg

Mouseketeer
DVC Gold
Joined
Jan 24, 2009
Fiancé and I are doing a 5 night stay at Disney World mid July. We are planning on doing Universal as she has never been. How many days do we need to see the majority of it? We would like to ride the popular rides and see the good shows. We don’t have to see and do everything. She will want to spend some time in the Harry Potter area. I assume we need park hoppers to ride the express. I don’t mind getting express pass or possibly staying at a hotel there to get it included. Right now we are booked at Boardwalk for the 5 nights. Thanks!
 
1 day for each park should be fine.

1 night at a deluxe resort will give you 2 days of free EP, the day you check in and the day you check out.

Yes, you need park-to-park (hopper) to ride the train between the two parks.
Can we do it all in one day or do we need two?
 
It just depends on how much you want to do. If you are primarily there just for HP plus maybe a few other rides, yes, one day.

If you want to do everything, then you really need about 2.5 to 3 days. Depends on how much time you spend on gift shops, eating, taking pictures, etc.

I’d say 1 day each park would allow a nice relaxing time to see about 75% of each park with EP.

Without EP in July, I wouldn’t plan on doing much of anything in one day based on my recent crowded February trip.

I’d look at the attractions and see how many you are actually interested in doing.

Will you do any of the kids rides?

Personally, I think the Trolley Train is worth a ride for the views of the park, and I enjoy the Minion 4-d movie. The new Villain-con attraction might be of interest if you enjoy shooting arcade games. ET is a fun old school dark ride similar to Peter Pan. Those are the ones we enjoy.


Will you ride the water rides?

Personally, we love them, but they get you soaking wet. Like jumped in a pool with your clothes on wet, so we do them when we can go back to room and change.

Are you planning on performing spells?

The spell spots can get long lines, and even when there aren’t lines, it can still take an awhile to make your way through them all.

Will you stop to explore the HP areas in detail, looking for Easter eggs and through shops?

There are tons of great details to take in, but if you’re just there for the rides, you’ll be done much quicker than someone really exploring the area. You can exchange money with the goblins. You can send mail by owl post. You can eat in a HP themed restaurant or try HP themed snacks.

Will you meet any characters?

Will you watch any of the street shows or the parade?

Will you do any sit down meals?
 
Fiancé and I are doing a 5 night stay at Disney World mid July. We are planning on doing Universal as she has never been. How many days do we need to see the majority of it? We would like to ride the popular rides and see the good shows. We don’t have to see and do everything. She will want to spend some time in the Harry Potter area. I assume we need park hoppers to ride the express. I don’t mind getting express pass or possibly staying at a hotel there to get it included. Right now we are booked at Boardwalk for the 5 nights. Thanks!
Definitely 2 days minimum.
 
If your budget allows, and you have 2 days to spend, i would suggest to stay for one night at one of the premiere resorts. Royal Pacific is usually the cheapest of those. the Unlimited Express for 2 days (check-in and checkout) + EPE is well worth the extra cost in busy months. If you get express on it's own it would be almost the same if more expensive. If you have express, you definitely can accomplish the important things in 1 full day (EPE to close), but it would be tiresome. I would take 2 days to enjoy more at a slower pace and to cover more things.

If you have just 1 day only, my suggestion would be to stay at a value universal resort, buy regular express park to park for 1 day, and hit EPE to park close. the total cost might not really be a lot less than my first suggestion though, so this strategy is not something i would do.
 
You have some good advice, go for at least two days, stay at a premier for one night and use the express pass the 2 days. You may not hit every single thing but the majority of things you can.
 
Mid-July can get pretty crowded, so expect some wait times. For Universal, I'd recommend 2 days to cover most of it without rushing. The Harry Potter areas are a must-see, so plan some extra time there.
 

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