Advice from past holiday park troopers?

[mhelsley]

I'm wondering how bad the crowds will be Thanksgiving weekend? This idea of tring Universal again(not impressed with US giving it a 2nd try and 1st time for IOA)is an add on to our WDW vacation so the dates of Nov 28-Dec 2 was our only choice. We are staying at RPR and the plan is to arrive Fri- go shopping/Citywalk Sat.-US on Sunday- IOA Mon. with the hope that a good number of people had to catch flights home. Can the above be done or should we stay an extra day at RPR before moving on to Disney? Thanks for your advice and please don't flame me for not enjoying US there is a very good chance that we were just tripped out after 7 day WDW/Cruise.

 

[damo]

I think that it is very commendable that you are trying them again. You know, sometimes when you have a preconceived notion in your head of how someting is supposed to be, it is very hard to enjoy what is actually there. Now that you are familiar with the park, you may be able to actually see it for what it really is.

I've never been to the parks at busy time, so sorry, I can't help you there. I just know that I like USF and IOA more and more everytime I go (and I've been there lots!!!)

 

[BarryHom]

Thanksgiving Day is usually not busy. It's the Friday through Sunday that have large crowds.

 

[the Dark Marauder]

And you will be very Thankful that you got a room at the RPR. On Fri-Sun after Thanksgiving, it'll be very busy. I mean 45-90 minute wait for anything busy.

 

[travelin' tigger]

mhelsley

We're also staying at RPR - checking in Sat. am and checking out Mon. to head to WDW. I was going to do my own thread on this, but have a couple ?s since this is my first time to US/IOA...

I bought a Kodak underwater camera and got the Express pass coupon. Do I need it if I have FOTL? Or should I save it for a later date (don't know if it has an expiration date)?

Also, is one park better to attack on Sat. vs. Sun.? Plan to use Mon. am as the time to do any missed/fav rides.

Thanks for any help you can offer!!!

 

[mhelsley]

WOW thats a lot of time spent in line is that with or without FOTL. Do you think we should add a day by doing this we would then be going to US on Monday and IOA on Tuesday and could catch anything we missed on Wed. Is there really a noticable difference crowd wise from Sun to Mon than again i did notice our hotel rate dropped for our Monday night stay.

 

[damo]

Originally posted by travelin' tigger
mhelsley

We're also staying at RPR - checking in Sat. am and checking out Mon. to head to WDW. I was going to do my own thread on this, but have a couple ?s since this is my first time to US/IOA...

I bought a Kodak underwater camera and got the Express pass coupon. Do I need it if I have FOTL? Or should I save it for a later date (don't know if it has an expiration date)?


Thanks for any help you can offer!!!

You don't need express passes if you are staying on site unless you are planning on riding a ride more than once in an hour.

 

[the Dark Marauder]

Originally posted by mhelsley
WOW thats a lot of time spent in line is that with or without FOTL. Do you think we should add a day by doing this we would then be going to US on Monday and IOA on Tuesday and could catch anything we missed on Wed. Is there really a noticable difference crowd wise from Sun to Mon than again i did notice our hotel rate dropped for our Monday night stay.

That's without. With it, your wait can range from 5-20 minutes. And there is a HUGE crowd difference from Sunday to Monday. I mean wait times of 45+ (Sun) to 30 or less (Mon).