Is Spring Break do-able with FOTL?

[Lisa0620]

We went to Disney this summer and felt like we missed a lot because of the crowds. We were able to do all the rides without waiting because we were there at park opening, used Fastpass, etc. But all the interactive exhibits and playground type stuff that was so fun for our boys (4 & 7) were too mobbed to really enjoy. We were planning to just pull the kids out of school for a week next time to avoid both the crowds and the heat, but then I stumbled on some Universal info and read some of the trip reports here and we're ready to head to the dark side! We would do some rides where FOTL mattered like Simpsons, but we'd probably spend a lot of our time in the kiddie play areas. I guess I'm trying to get a feel for how crowded Universal parks feel compared to Disney. Is there a big rope drop mob every morning with wall to wall people? Do you have to get there super early? Are the pools always crowded? I wouldn't even consider going to Disney for spring break after experiencing the summer crowds, but this Universal sounds like a magical place... no ADR's, no buses, no touring plans... it's hard for me to wrap my brain around! All opinions welcome, thanks.

[Metro West]

Originally Posted by Lisa0620

We went to Disney this summer and felt like we missed a lot because of the crowds. We were able to do all the rides without waiting because we were there at park opening, used Fastpass, etc. But all the interactive exhibits and playground type stuff that was so fun for our boys (4 & 7) were too mobbed to really enjoy. We were planning to just pull the kids out of school for a week next time to avoid both the crowds and the heat, but then I stumbled on some Universal info and read some of the trip reports here and we're ready to head to the dark side! We would do some rides where FOTL mattered like Simpsons, but we'd probably spend a lot of our time in the kiddie play areas. I guess I'm trying to get a feel for how crowded Universal parks feel compared to Disney. Is there a big rope drop mob every morning with wall to wall people? Do you have to get there super early? Are the pools always crowded? I wouldn't even consider going to Disney for spring break after experiencing the summer crowds, but this Universal sounds like a magical place... no ADR's, no buses, no touring plans... it's hard for me to wrap my brain around! All opinions welcome, thanks.

Spring Break is one of the busiest times of the year so if you have unlimited Express access, you will be fine. Otherwise...it's a nightmare. Spring Break is also a time of year when the crowds don't show up late...it's busy right from the start so if you aren't staying onsite, you would need to get there at opening. There is no rope drop ceremony like at Disney. The play areas are lots of fun so the kids will really enjoy them.

[Darcy03231]

We went to US/IOA for our spring break in April 2009. I highly recommend staying on-site to get the unlimited Express Pass. While others were waiting in line, we were riding all the rides, multiple times. Our longest wait was at the Simpsons and that was only about 15 min. Most of the rides were walk on to a 5 min wait. We also loved being able to sleep in and not be there for park opening.

We stayed at the Hard Rock Hotel and my kids loved it. Great pool and the service we had was wonderful!

[Lisa0620]

Thank you so much! Definitely the answer I was hoping for!

[goofy!]

Originally Posted by Lisa0620

Universal sounds like a magical place... no ADR's, no buses, no touring plans... it's hard for me to wrap my brain around! All opinions welcome, thanks.

Shhhh....it is the Universal Junky's best kept secret

The play areas are wonderful! My kids still love to spend some time in them, especially Camp Jurassic. My youngest boy is now 12.

Universal is actually a vacation. You can sleep in, you can ride what you want when you want, even on a whim, you can decide where you want to eat that morning. During spring break, I would recommend getting reservations at either your hotel or the dining cart in the morning for that evening. But that is about all the planning you are going to need.

You can spend the morning at the pool, decide you want to ride a few rides, make a 10 minute boat ride or a 5 - 10 minute walk, ride, go back to the pool, etc.

It really is great, especially if you want something a bit different than WDW.