Quote:
Originally Posted by Mr. Plow
I knew I was asking a loaded question that could come with hundreds of answers. But, wanted to get some peoples "top choices" outside of Disney.
I love Disney. I've probably been 20-25 times in my life. With such a quick trip (get in on a Thursday morning, leaving Saturday morning), I wanted to get some ideas of things other than parks to do.
We're driving down to Miami for work and then stopping back in Orlando on the way home, so we'll have our own car to move about anywhere we please.
Does anyone know if the Harry Potter stuff is worth seeing at Universal? Wife is really interested in it.
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If you are thinking of Universal on a one day option it can definitely be done if you get the park hopper option. No one will be able to do everything in one day but the teenagers can ride all the thrill rides and you and your wife could pick and choose some while still seeing all of Harry Potter world. Remember that Harry Potter is part of both parks so seeing it all needs either two park tickets or a park hopper, but it and Universal is small enough to have a good experience in one day.
Even non fans will enjoy it given the thorough theming and complete submersion into the world. They took every page out of Disney’s playbook creating it from the theming and experience but also in the line queues and rides in Harry Potter world. They are all very good. You can’t see any of the other parts of the park while in it. Every building and detail contributes to the feeling of being part of that world. The dragon shoots fire every so often which is cool. Just a lot of details you can otherwise only find in Disney.
I highly recommend the slushy style butter beer. We tried it, the ice cream, and the regular drink with the slushy version being by far the best.
In short, as a big Disney fan you are, you will both definitely find the appreciation, value, and enjoyment of Harry Potter alone given it’s Disney inspiration, but adding in the rest is just a nice bonus. There is plenty for others to do as well. The City Walk can be good as well with the Chocolate Emporium being a really cool place with good shakes, candies, and desserts.
As for where to stay, anywhere near Disney is too far from Universal. There are plenty of good options from reliable national chains along International Drive.