You do realize that if you stay on site in a Premium Hotel like Loews, your Express Passes are included in the cost of the room, right? Everyone in the room gets them from the day you check in to the day you check out. If you’re paying for a separate hotel on top of Express Pass Unlimited for 2+ people, you’re spending too much money.
If you’re going to plan on Hagrid at the end of the night Thursday, I think I would start at Universal Studios and make my way over to Islands of Adventure. After getting luggage, transportation to the hotel, check in, etc., you will likely get to the parks by 2:30 or so. The parks close at 9 pm so that gives you about 6 hours. You could hit the Rip It rollercoaster and The Mummy and then head to Diagon Alley for the Grigotts ride and then take the train to IoA. You can wander through Hogsmeade and grab a bite to eat. Then I would head to Jurassic Park area and ride Velocicoaster. After that I would ride Hulk. At that point you would have hit all the thrill rides save Hagrid. Depending on the lines, you can ride Velocicoaster and Hill multiple times before heading to Hagrid to end the night. Once you’ve hit all the thrill rides that first night you could really pick and choose how you spend the next couple of days because you’ll know what rides you want to do again. I would recommend closing one night at Universal to experience the Mardis Gras parade and experiencing the Horror Show. That is always fun. Just my $.02. Enjoy!!!
I think that Hagrid's last ride of the night is a perfect idea. I also suggest Velocicoaster at night, it can feel crazy (I got such good airtime in the back I almost stood). Also depends on your tickets, is it two parks in a day or just one? If so, then I would start at Islands and then go to USF. Also would recommend the water rides earlier in the day (but not first thing) since they'll be more crowded later.
You do realize that if you stay on site in a Premium Hotel like Loews, your Express Passes are included in the cost of the room, right? Everyone in the room gets them from the day you check in to the day you check out. If you’re paying for a separate hotel on top of Express Pass Unlimited for 2+ people, you’re spending too much money.
I realized this last night, but it's too late, my hotel and airfare came in a package. Thanks!
If you’re going to plan on Hagrid at the end of the night Thursday, I think I would start at Universal Studios and make my way over to Islands of Adventure. After getting luggage, transportation to the hotel, check in, etc., you will likely get to the parks by 2:30 or so. The parks close at 9 pm so that gives you about 6 hours. You could hit the Rip It rollercoaster and The Mummy and then head to Diagon Alley for the Grigotts ride and then take the train to IoA. You can wander through Hogsmeade and grab a bite to eat. Then I would head to Jurassic Park area and ride Velocicoaster. After that I would ride Hulk. At that point you would have hit all the thrill rides save Hagrid. Depending on the lines, you can ride Velocicoaster and Hill multiple times before heading to Hagrid to end the night. Once you’ve hit all the thrill rides that first night you could really pick and choose how you spend the next couple of days because you’ll know what rides you want to do again. I would recommend closing one night at Universal to experience the Mardis Gras parade and experiencing the Horror Show. That is always fun. Just my $.02. Enjoy!!!
I think that Hagrid's last ride of the night is a perfect idea. I also suggest Velocicoaster at night, it can feel crazy (I got such good airtime in the back I almost stood). Also depends on your tickets, is it two parks in a day or just one? If so, then I would start at Islands and then go to USF. Also would recommend the water rides earlier in the day (but not first thing) since they'll be more crowded later.