What would I do if I was at Universal for only 1 day?
A very good friend of mine who I grew up next door to turned 50 on the 12th. She was NOT looking forward to it so her family surprised her with a trip to Disney, one of her favorite places. They told her on Christmas Day and she was so excited. So she, her 2 daughters and sister flew down Monday where her sister surprised her by not staying at the Port Orleans, but the Grand Floridian. Wow!
They moved over to a house Wednesday, where the rest of her family and sister’s family will all meet and stay through Sunday. The “kids” decided they want to do Universal on Friday (today), so I thought I’d sit down and give them some pointers on what I would do if I was them.
I thought I would share. They aren’t huge Harry Potter fans and don’t have express passes so I don’t know if rushing to Diagon Alley 1st thing is really the best time management. With the waits short on all the other rides at opening, I thought it would be better to hit them and then head over to Diagon Alley. One 60 minute wait is better than 4 later in the day, especially since DA only has one ride.
Of course, this is just my opinion but might be helpful to someone.
* Open 9 am - 8 pm
* No express passes
* No park to park
* Not giant Harry Potter fans
#1 Rule - get to the parks early! Get there by opening, if not 15 minutes early. Wait times are always shortest in the morning.
To see how accurate I was, here are the waits times on the Universal Studios App (get that - it's great!)
Wait times for Friday, January 15th - Friday before MLK Holiday-
- Despicable me 3D ride (long wait later in the day) (wait time at 11:00 am 50 min, 20 min at 9:30)
- Rip Ride Rocket - roller coaster like Demon. Lockers Required. Single rider line (wait time at 11:00 am - delayed)
- Transformers - can take items on the ride with you, single rider line (wait time at 11:00 am 5 min)
- Simpsons Ride 3D show - can take items on the ride with you, leave in your room against wall (wait time at 11:00 am 15 min)
* Can ride King & Kodos ride in this area if you want
5. Men In Black – Lockers required, single rider line
(wait time at 11:00 am 10 min)
6. Harry Potter Area (or do this later in the evening, do #7 or fit in some shows)
- Share a butter beer $6 regular, $7 frozen
- Look in shops
- Ride Gringotts – 3D ride, Lockers required, I think single ride line (wait time at 11:00 am 20 min, had been 45 at 10:00 am)
- Florean Fortescue’s ice cream – salted caramel is yummy! Cup $5.50, waffle cone $6.50
- Ollivanders Wand Show – lines up along outside wall - cute show with 28 people and the wizard picks one person and they get measured for a wand (you don’t need to buy if you get picked). It’s cute and part of the HP world.
- You CANNOT ride King’s Cross Train at HP – you need a park hopper ticket for that.
7. Head over to the Mummy area and either
- Have lunch - Finnigan’s across from Mummy is good! It is sit down but great prices
- Or have lunch at Louie’s (Italian between HP and Mummy)
- Monster’s Café (past Mummy and down the street on the left)
- or Go on the Mummy – locker required, single rider line (wait time at 11:00 am 15 min)
8. Shrek 4D – show, fit this in at some time (get your picture with Shrek & Donkey outside after show)
(wait time at 11:00 am 10 min)
You can also fit in shows and head back over towards Simpsons and eat at Fast Food Blvd (ok food, ok prices)
Shows You can See:
*
Animal Actors Live – pet trick show, about 25 minute show
* Shows on 1/15 - 12:15, 1:30, 3:30, 4:45, 6:00
- Barney (about 20 minute show – then get your picture with Barney)
* Shows on 1/15 - 11:30, 12:45, 2:00, 3:00, 4:15
- Can also ride ET in this kid’s area
- Horror Make-Up Show - 20-25 minute show, we thought this was funny
* Shows on 1/15 - 12:45, 1:30, 3:00, 3:45, 4:30, 5:45, 6:30, 7:15
- Fear Factor Live – tryout for the show 70 minutes before – lots of fun, bring your ID to try out; the show is about 35-40 minutes
* Shows on 1/15 - 1:00, 2:30, 5:00, 6:30
- Terminator 2 – 3D show. (it was ok and do only if you had time)
* Shows on 1/15 - 11:00, 11:45, 12:30, 1:15, 2:00, 2:30, 3:00, 3:45, 4:30, 5:00, 5:45, 6:30, 7:00
Parade - 5:00 pm
Cinematic Spectacular - 8:00 pm
Get your Picture with Characters: Check back of map for times or ask cast members, may start later in am
- Minions – when you exit the ride before the gift shop (return later if they aren’t out early) Also should be out at Party Zone (check map times)
- Scooby Doo – found on Rodeo Drive, ask what times will be out if they aren’t there
- Shrek – across from the Shrek 4D show exit 1/15 - 10:45 - 1:15, 2:15 - 4:45
- Simpsons – by Simpsons ride exit (at 10 after hour, and Crusty/Side Show at 40 after hour or ask)
- Barney – (after the show, or go through the gift shop after show ends (20 min show)
- Other Characters - Check the back of the park map
Dinner – if you did everything, head out to the CityWalk for dinner – Margaritavilla, CowFish (burgers and sushi)
Lockers Required rides – They are only free for usually the posted ride time plus a little more time. Keep a few singles in your pocket in case your time runs out on your free lockers. Have 1 person be the locker person, it’s easier!
I really like this plan the more I look at it. I think you can fit in all the personal preferences and still get a lot done in one day. There are always variables, but I'm giving my own plan a thumbs up. lol
I hope it worked well for them today!