xmas week

[goofyfigment]

This has probably been asked before. We are planning on going to us/ioa on dec 24, and two other days (between dec 27-29). We are planning two ioa days and one us day. Do you recommend starting back at hp and work our way around? We are planning on being there for RD each time. Thanks.

 

[macraven]

This has probably been asked before. We are planning on going to us/ioa on dec 24, and two other days (between dec 27-29). We are planning two ioa days and one us day. Do you recommend starting back at hp and work our way around? We are planning on being there for RD each time. Thanks.

well, it will be very crowded so starting when the park first opens will go in your favor.
dec 24th will be the lightest day out of the 3 you have planned.

many peeps go to the back of ioa for parry hotter.
the early entry peeps usually hit that area first so it won't be empty by the time you do get back there.

be in the line at the park gate a good 30 minutes prior to opening.
that should help push you way ahead of the line wait to get in.

one tip that is passed around on the darkside boards is to also visit parry hotter section in the last hour before the park closes.
many have already been to that section and are in the front of the park at the end of the night.

for the studios, hit the main attractions first as lines will grow for them as hours pass by.
check the park site at www.universalorlando.com to see where the rides are located.
plan in advance which are your priorities and hit those rides/shows first.

try to use the single rider lines when they are available. it will cut back on long wait times. even if you are going with a group, many of the rides are set up in a way where you couldn't carry on a conversation while you are riding it. (ie: forbidden journey, hulk, dr doom, RRR, mummy are a few that comes to mind)

be sure to come back to us here and let us know how your touring went for you.

the park will be packed after christmas, that you probably are already aware of.
the lines for the restrooms and eateries, the walk ways will be the headache of dealing with the crowds.

i wish you the best and hope you have a wonderful time at the darkside!

 

[goofyfigment]

Thank you!

 

[goofyfigment]

I Dont think I ever came back to let you know how it went. Xmas eve we got to the park for opening (I o a ) and did everything but harry potter. Left around 3. Dec 27th we went to the studios and did everything but rip it and left around 4 it was freezing this day. The 29th we went back to ioa we got there for opening and took the secret path to harry the wait was only 25 minutes, after FJ we wandered around that part of the park, when we were leaving we heard cms saying there was now a wait to even get into that section. We left around 1030 am. Since we visit once a year we did everything we wanted plus more over the 2 days at ioa. I'm glad I got to experience the holidays in Orlando I just wish it was warmer that week! My daughter's college schedule for next year isn't finalized yet, we wanted to go for hhn but I think we may have to go Jan 5-11.

 

[Metro West]

That week is known as Holiday Hell Week!

 

[goofyfigment]

That week is known as Holiday Hell Week!

Wow so I've survived holiday hell week and Halloween horror nights hell week. Personally if it was completely up to me I'd never do either again lol. But if its then or not going I'll take it

 

[Metro West]

Wow so I've survived holiday hell week and Halloween horror nights hell week. Personally if it was completely up to me I'd never do either again lol. But if its then or not going I'll take it

You are the champ!

 

[macraven]

I Dont think I ever came back to let you know how it went. Xmas eve we got to the park for opening (I o a ) and did everything but harry potter. Left around 3. Dec 27th we went to the studios and did everything but rip it and left around 4 it was freezing this day. The 29th we went back to ioa we got there for opening and took the secret path to harry the wait was only 25 minutes, after FJ we wandered around that part of the park, when we were leaving we heard cms saying there was now a wait to even get into that section. We left around 1030 am. Since we visit once a year we did everything we wanted plus more over the 2 days at ioa. I'm glad I got to experience the holidays in Orlando I just wish it was warmer that week! My daughter's college schedule for next year isn't finalized yet, we wanted to go for hhn but I think we may have to go Jan 5-11.

glad you came back to let us know how it went for you.


if you go Jan 5-11 next year, you will see tour groups in the park.

crowds slack off usually mid january.


if you do go then, give us a heads up on what you think of the crowds at that time period.

 

[goofyfigment]

I have been so spoiled by going the last week in September that whenever I need to go at a different time, it always seems like I end up having to be there at a busy time. Silly me thinking it would get easier as my daughter got older but it is getting harder, I might just have to start going solo ( not sure she'd like that too much)!

 

[macraven]

go solo.
it is fun...

and, you will be able to do hhn then.



i do my hhn trips solo all the time.
plus 10 nights onsite.

 

[BamaPrincess]

After going in October I really cringe at planning trips when it will be even remotely crowded. Lol

 

[goofyfigment]

After going in October I really cringe at planning trips when it will be even remotely crowded. Lol

Me too! But its doable as long as you go in knowing its going to be crazy! We had a game plan for everyday, the only thing we didn't plan on was the freezing cold temperatures, but being from Pennsylvania and the fact we drove down we had our winter gear which really helped.

I have the first week of October scheduled off at work so I may just make a solo trip for hhn.

 

[buckeev]

?........the only thing we didn't plan on was the freezing cold temperatures, but being from Pennsylvania and the fact we drove down we had our winter gear which really helped...........

LOL....being from the HOUSTON area....we DIDN'T bring much in the way of "winter gear"-(what is winter gear anyway?)-so unfortunately had to purchase a few items when it was like 20-something degrees in Orlando FLiPPING Florida!

 

[goofyfigment]

LOL....being from the HOUSTON area....we DIDN'T bring much in the way of "winter gear"-(what is winter gear anyway?)-so unfortunately had to purchase a few items when it was like 20-something degrees in Orlando FLiPPING Florida!

We had our winter coats, gloves and hats in the trunk of the car.