Universal Studios, Orlando - Harry Potter!
 

Hi there!
I'm traveling to Orlando in September for a conference, and I'm going to stay for a couple of extra days to see some theme parks. I'm pretty excited about checking out the new Harry Potter area, but I'm trying to do it "on the cheap" as much as I can.

Any tips, tricks, etc? It looks like I'll probably be staying at a cheap place, getting a cheap rental car, and doing a 2-day park hopper ticket, but if you have any other recommendations for this visit, I'm all ears! Also, if I could do Universal in one day and do some Disney things one day, I'd be open to that, too.

Thanks in advance!

I don't see how you can buy a 2-day park-hopper ticket for Universal and also visit Disney. Just one of the Disney parks will take a full day.

Moreover, by doing this on the cheap, you won't be able to get early entrance to either of the Harry Potter park areas, which means you'll spend a LOT of time waiting in line (another reason a one-day visit to Universal probably won't work for you). I'd stick to Universal for this trip and save Disney for another.

Thanks, Doug_Stallings! I always tend to overextend myself, especially in the planning phase, but you make a good point. Harry Potter all the way! How would I get early entrance to Harry Potter if I'm not staying at a Universal hotel?

You cannot get early entrance to Harry Potter without staying at a Universal Hotel. So you are out of luck. There's a reason people pay the price to stay on-site.

Universal did open a cheaper resort, the Cabana Bay Beach Resort, which offers early entry to Harry Potter but NOT fastpass. So that could be an option. But it's not a super-cheap hotel by any means, just cheaper than the other Universal hotels.

There are some hotels that offer deals that include early entry. However, with the opening of Cabana Bay that might not happen too much any more. Since Diagon Alley recently opened and crowds have been ridiculous even with early entry. Go to this site for up to date info on the Universal Parks....
http://www.disboards.com/forumdispla...0811f6f00&f=30

Orlando has mass transit and most hotels (even cheap ones) offer a shuttle to the parks. Would you need a rental car? Parking @ Universal is not cheap.
My only tip is single rider everything possible. In Sept. HP will be still have a crazy wait time, but you can still get things done without all the early entry/fastpass crap.

Thanks a million, everyone! I found a cheapo room to stay in on airbnb (<$30/night), and a rental car for $6.65/day, so the $17 for parking should be OK. I'll be there on my own, so I can do the single rider thing, unless anyone wants to join! :-)

I am reading on the Disboards that waits for those coming in at opening can be up to 4 hours for Gringotts, which seems insane to me. Be sure to report back and let us know how it goes. People are arriving at 5:30 to wait for the rope drop!!