Need advice for 1 day in early January

izzylovesmickey

DIS Veteran

Joined

Jan 5, 2014

• Apr 26, 2015

• #1

I would really appreciate any advice from the many experts here on the Universal side. Background: We (me, DH, DD21 and DS19) have a "magical deal" for our stay at Disney around New Year's and are considering a 1 day trip over to Universal. We had 2 days there last July right after Gringott's opened. We stayed at RPR so we had front of the line and did everything we wanted to do within the 1st day minus a show or two (we had some major magic and were invited to go on Gringotts by someone with a gold pass). We won't want to do any of the water rides. We will get the park to park pass. So If we go on 1/4 (the Monday after NY Eve) do you think we will need to purchase the express pass or do you think that the crowds will be low enough that we won't need it? Thanks in advance!

 

tink1957

Proud Redhead

Joined

May 18, 2008

• Apr 27, 2015

• #2

You should be fine going without ep...crowds are usually low at that time and you can always purchase them in the parks if needed.

 

izzylovesmickey

DIS Veteran

Joined

Jan 5, 2014

• Apr 27, 2015

• #3

Thanks! I looked at Touring Plans and it looks like it was busy last year on that day. Guess we'll wait to buy the express pass until we get there and see what it's like. Just hate to wait in the lines there (to buy tickets) if I can avoid it. Also hate to pay for something we don't need!

 

tink1957

Proud Redhead

Joined

May 18, 2008

• Apr 27, 2015

• #4

You can purchase them inside the park usually and skip the ticket line at the gate.

 

M

macraven

Proud Redhead

Moderator

Joined

Apr 21, 2003

• Apr 27, 2015

• #5

this year in january for that date, did have crowds.
i went the year before last in the first week of january, and had crowds but they lessened by the 7th.

 

izzylovesmickey

DIS Veteran

Joined

Jan 5, 2014

• Apr 27, 2015

• #6

tink1957 said:

You can purchase them inside the park usually and skip the ticket line at the gate.

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Where can we do this? Last summer was the first time we had been to US since the early '90s, so I'm not as familiar with the parks. That would be a great option. I looked at the historical numbers and last year was a lot higher than the other years. This trip is a "bonus" trip that we weren't really planing on but my OT & bonus are paying for almost all of it so we are trying to be mostly reasonable about what we do. Our family likes the Disney resorts better (sorry) and no one wants to move over to get the FOL by staying at US again. Maybe on another trip...

 

izzylovesmickey

DIS Veteran

Joined

Jan 5, 2014

• Apr 27, 2015

• #7

macraven said:

this year in january for that date, did have crowds.
i went the year before last in the first week of january, and had crowds but they lessened by the 7th.

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Thanks for the info! I really was hoping someone who had been there at that time could answer. So would you recommend the Express passes for that time? Just hoping to get my ducks in a row so I can finish planning the day for US($ wise) so I can get my ADRs taken care of at 180 days and work out the FPs. Yup I know US will be easier! We are all excited to add in the US day since we're missing it this summer.

 

pcstang

Always Universal Orlando bound!

Joined

Nov 29, 2011

• Apr 27, 2015

• #8

I was at USO this year for a week at the time you are talking about. It was busy the entire week. I really expected the crowds to die down but they didn't. Hope that helps!

 

pcstang

Always Universal Orlando bound!

Joined

Nov 29, 2011

• Apr 27, 2015

• #9

Also, I have been several times over New Year's Eve and first week of jan. It was definitely a lot busier than I've seen in the past.

 

R

RMulieri

DIS Veteran

Joined

Jul 5, 2001

• Apr 27, 2015

• #10

That week in Jan has been busy the last 2 years.I wouldn't count on low crowds

 

izzylovesmickey

DIS Veteran

Joined

Jan 5, 2014

• Apr 27, 2015

• #11

RMulieri said:

That week in Jan has been busy the last 2 years.I wouldn't count on low crowds

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Thanks! This makes my decision really easy!

 

tink1957

Proud Redhead

Joined

May 18, 2008

• Apr 27, 2015

• #12

The last time we went at that time was in 2012 so I guess it changed since then...at least you know now and can plan accordingly.