All rides open at official park opening time?

[Mainebound]

Hi all,

We'll be going to Universal for the first time March 6-9 (after 6 days at WDW). Staying at HRH. I'm writing to ask if all the rides/shows start up at park opening time, or if there are weird exceptions, a la Frontierland and Mickey's Toon town Fair in MK or Asia in AK.

Also, since we are staying at HRH and already have our tix (5 day bonus pass we bought online), do we need to be at the parks especially early?

Oh -- one more question -- we'll have all of Sunday and Monday, and then Tuesday until about noon and were planning to do Universal Studios on Sunday and IOA on Monday. Then re-visit on Tues a few of our favorites. Is that the best order?

Thank you!

 

[TigerLilly's Mom]

When we were at IOA this past Nov., The Lost Continent part of IOA did not open at Park opening. We waited by the entrance in Suess Landing and they had three people standing there with a rope. When it was clearly past 10:00, people started to get angry because they woud not drop the rope. I'm not sure what they were waiting for? But DH and I didn't want to wait with a bunch of angry people, so we walked around the other way (quite a walk!!), and by the time we reached that area it was opened - maybe 10:30. I'm not sure if that will be the case for you in March or not.

 

[Bonnie40]

I don't remember anything opening later when we were there last March. The way you have set things up is exactly how we did it last year. This year we are doing Disney first and then Universal and you will find a wonderful difference between parks. It's still a good idea to hit the parks when they open, but not as critical as it is at Disney. With FOTL passes, you will be able to do all the rides and attractions without waiting in much of a line. We loved it! Also, with FOTL, you will be able to do everything in a day. We also used the 3rd day to go back and do whatever was the best and it worked out great!

 

[the Dark Marauder]

Originally posted by TigerLilly's Mom
We waited by the entrance in Suess Landing and they had three people standing there with a rope. When it was clearly past 10:00, people started to get angry because they woud not drop the rope. I'm not sure what they were waiting for?

They were waiting for the OK from the supervisor(s) of the areas to say that they were ready.

As for the parks, the attractions do the staggered opening. IN IOA, Seuss Landing and Marvel Island are open first. The other three open around 10AM. In USF, Jaws, Earthquake, Twister, and parts of Kidzone open later. Check the showtimes insert for specific opening times.

 

[robvia]

During slow periods of the year, the back of the park doesn't open until 10 or 10:30 like said above. They stop you at the bridge leading to the Lost Continent, or they have a rope just past Spiderman.

Popeye usually opens at 11am.

Here's a little secret. I was hanging out in front of Spiderman, looking at the lagoon and walked thru the back of the burger restaurant on the water. They we're getting ready to open, and didn't pay any attention to me. So I went out the front door and was behind the rope people. It was only 5 minutes to go, so I said what the heck and continued to Toon Lagoon, thru JP, and to Dueling Dragons. The workers didn't care, they we're saying good morning to me.

Yes, you wanna get to IOA early (8am), even if you are staying onsite. Sit in front of a turnstyle so you are first. That gets you a front seat ride on Hulk with no wait. Then you continue clockwise so you can get to the JP area. If you wanna ride Peteranondon Flyers with your kid, you gotta do it early. Then they can go on the play ground and try the squirt guns without other kids hogging them.

 

[SpideyHulk24]

I was not aware of this. Thank you for sharing!

 

[Mainebound]

This is great info. Thank you all so much for sharing. I promise to write a very detailed trip report, although I think you will find it quite boring as it will not include any first hand info about the thrill rides -- I'm too chicken! LOL!