Earthmerlin Posted August 17, 2017 Share Posted August 17, 2017 Hey, I need some quick insight into Universal Studios for a 7 (nearly 8) yr old. She's a huge Harry Potter fan, which is the only current reason I'm considering this park for my sensitive, easily-overstimulated child. Does just this portion of the park justify the entrance fee for a young HP fan? I'm personally not a fan of rides or endless stimulation either but I'd buck up if this HP experience left an indelible impression on a currently obsessed & aspiring wizard. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mommyof1 Posted August 17, 2017 Share Posted August 17, 2017 I was like your daughter when I was little and I loved going to amusement parks and rides. It was such treat and happened so rarely. Just watch for signs of it being to much or just say your staying for a certain length of time so she knows when it's over. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Afn05 Posted August 18, 2017 Share Posted August 18, 2017 I took my daughter when she was 11 and we loved it (big HP fan). We had a two day pass and had plenty of time left to see the attractions we were interested in throughout the rest of the park. I think it's worth the trip once, personally. I'm not sure how a sensitive child would feel about it, though. There's a roaring fire breathing dragon, intense rides, etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nixpix5 Posted August 18, 2017 Share Posted August 18, 2017 (edited) Last year we took our two five year olds at the time and our 7 year old daughter right after HP opened in April. So much fun! We had a blast and the kids loved it. We are HUGE HP fans. I even made them all custom Hogwarts acceptance letters complete with owl stamps and wax seals. Totally worth it if you are a fan :) Edited August 18, 2017 by nixpix5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Starr Posted August 18, 2017 Share Posted August 18, 2017 I would stay onsite in one of the hotels that offers early admission and the pass to put you in short lines if you can. Get to the park to get in line for early admission and head over to the Harry Potter area before the crowds arrive. We were there when it was only one park. Take pictures before it gets crowded. Buy a wand. All things will be wonderful. As my son said, "It's just fun to sit here and drink butter beer!" Also later in the evening folk start to leave and you can hang out some more. If it's too much go back to hotel and swim in the afternoon and relax and then go back. Enjoy! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kathkath Posted August 18, 2017 Share Posted August 18, 2017 Universal in California has wonderful theming you can enjoy without riding--even if you don't do the HP ride, it's still enjoyable to walk through the links bc there is much to see inside the castle. Just don't get on the ride when it's your turn. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Earthmerlin Posted August 18, 2017 Author Share Posted August 18, 2017 Thanks, folks! This is a last-minute-planned trip to FL & we're leaving tomorrow! I think I just may take the plunge & go to Universal since she's such a huge fan of HP. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HomeAgain Posted August 18, 2017 Share Posted August 18, 2017 Let us know how it was! We're considering a trip in a year or so. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ExcitedMama Posted August 18, 2017 Share Posted August 18, 2017 Is she prone to motion sickness? We are going to the one in CA so I don't know about the differences in FL but I've read that the HP ride and the other simulator rides can cause motion sickness. My DS is prone to it so I'm planning on asking his pediatrician about taking something beforehand just in case. You might want to consider that just in case. Everything I've read is that the HP experience is amazing but just be aware of that. Have a great time! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
musicianmom Posted August 18, 2017 Share Posted August 18, 2017 (edited) You'll have to get tickets for both Universal and Islands of Adventure if you want to ride the Hogwarts Express and see both Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade. be prepared for that. Edited August 18, 2017 by musicianmom 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lanny Posted August 18, 2017 Share Posted August 18, 2017 Universal Orlando is AWESOME in the opinion of my family. We are ready to go back, if we win a raffle or the lottery, immediately or sooner. You MUST buy the tickets that allow you to go back and forth between the 2 parks, so you can ride the Harry Potter train and see everything. DD bought a magic wand and then when you are touring a certain area, you point it at something and it makes things happen. DD also has a Cape. I bet you can find videos on the Universal Orlando web site and on YouTube and let your DD view them and see how she reacts and then go from there. We would suggest spending at least 2 full days there. ENJOY! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Earthmerlin Posted August 27, 2017 Author Share Posted August 27, 2017 (edited) Let us know how it was! We're considering a trip in a year or so. Welp, we did it! Overall, she had a blast. Initially though the fire-breathing dragon on top of Gringott's bank was too scary. She wanted to 'go home' but I talked her through it & she persevered & then spent the whole day in HP land. In the 8 hours we were at Universal, we didn't see any other attractions as she wanted to stay within HP. She even went on & enjoyed the simulator ride (although I did NOT). The interactive wand was expensive ($50) but she truly enjoyed putting spells on things all day long. The attention to detail was amazing. Exchanging Muggle money for HP money was a nice touch, for example. Dining on English fare was nice (& tasty) too. Butterbeer was too sweet but Pumpkin Juice hit the spot. The Hogwarts Express train ride between parks was also a nice touch. The down side? Hoards of people!!! This definitely was an indulgent day but worth it if you can swing it. Edited August 27, 2017 by Earthmerlin 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Earthmerlin Posted August 27, 2017 Author Share Posted August 27, 2017 Welp, we did it! Overall, she had a blast. Initially though the fire-breathing dragon on top of Gringott's bank was too scary. She wanted to 'go home' but I talked her through it & she persevered & then spent the whole day in HP land. In the 8 hours we were at Universal, we didn't see any other attractions as she wanted to stay within HP. She even went on & enjoyed the simulator ride (although I did NOT). The interactive wand was expensive ($50) but she truly enjoyed putting spells on things all day long. The attention to detail was amazing. Exchanging Muggle money for HP money was a nice touch, for example. Dining on English fare was nice (& tasty) too. Butterbeer was too sweet but Pumpkin Juice hit the spot. The Hogwarts Express train ride between parks was also a nice touch. The down side? Hoards of people!!! This definitely was an indulgent day but worth it if you can swing it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ExcitedMama Posted August 27, 2017 Share Posted August 27, 2017 Sounds like a wonderful time! Why didn't you like the ride? Did you feel sick afterwards? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Earthmerlin Posted August 27, 2017 Author Share Posted August 27, 2017 (edited) Sounds like a wonderful time! Why didn't you like the ride? Did you feel sick afterwards? Yup, I am not into amusement park rides at all. So I felt the motion too much on that ride. Edited August 27, 2017 by Earthmerlin 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HomeAgain Posted August 29, 2017 Share Posted August 29, 2017 Welp, we did it! Overall, she had a blast. Initially though the fire-breathing dragon on top of Gringott's bank was too scary. She wanted to 'go home' but I talked her through it & she persevered & then spent the whole day in HP land. In the 8 hours we were at Universal, we didn't see any other attractions as she wanted to stay within HP. She even went on & enjoyed the simulator ride (although I did NOT). The interactive wand was expensive ($50) but she truly enjoyed putting spells on things all day long. The attention to detail was amazing. Exchanging Muggle money for HP money was a nice touch, for example. Dining on English fare was nice (& tasty) too. Butterbeer was too sweet but Pumpkin Juice hit the spot. The Hogwarts Express train ride between parks was also a nice touch. The down side? Hoards of people!!! This definitely was an indulgent day but worth it if you can swing it. That sounds like such a fun day! I'll have to keep that in mind when we plan our next Florida trip. My ds is working his way through the HP books right now and it sounds like he'd get a kick out of it. :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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