Better: 2nd or 3rd wk of May 2011?

[SuzySparkle]

Hi all,

We are planning a trip to Orlando that will include 2 days at Universal, 1 day at SeaWorld, and 1 day at Magic Kingdom (since we're already down there!).

I have some questions that I'd like information on, please!

1. In terms of price and crowds, is it better to visit during the 2nd week of May or the third? My husband would prefer the third due to some deadline issues he may run into at work. We would arrive on Sunday and leave on Friday probably, so our only days in the parks would be Mon-Thurs. (We don't do parks on travel days since we are 10 hours away.)

2. If we stay at an offsite (from Universal) hotel, we will possible miss Early Park Admission, City Walk passes, and Express options. (I know we can purchase the Express tix as add-ons if necessary). Are those things really a big deal in May? Our Spring Break here is the third week in April, but I'm not sure about other areas, plus any big groups that go during that timeframe.

Thanks in advance for any guidance you might offer!!!

Susan

 

[flfun]

I don't think there will be a big difference between the 3rd and 4th week, its historically a good time for low to average crowds except for school field trips and weekend graduation events, but since this is the first year of school trips since Harry Potter opened, be prepared for either scenario, its very unpredictable and it could be very crowded. It seems most of those field trips occur later in the week so plan on Harry Potter/IOA either Monday or Tuesday.

Yes, the third week in April is major spring break time and crowd levels will be insane, May is so much better.

 

[Metro West]

I don't think there will be a big difference between the 3rd and 4th week, its historically a good time for low to average crowds except for school field trips and weekend graduation events, but since this is the first year of school trips since Harry Potter opened, be prepared for either scenario, its very unpredictable and it could be very crowded. It seems most of those field trips occur later in the week so plan on Harry Potter/IOA either Monday or Tuesday.

Yes, the third week in April is major spring break time and crowd levels will be insane, May is so much better.

Agreed.

 

[cidermill]

I'd say the earlier the better. May is a great month. Enjoy!

 

[SuzySparkle]

The lady in our AAA office told us she always heads to Orlando the first week of May because of the light crowds and good weather, so we decided to try it ourselves this year!!!

 

[Pumpernoodle]

We are thinking of going the first 2 days of May. Do you think it would be crucial to do the HP package for early entry? How much time does that give you?

 

[damo]

We've been there the first week of May and it is wonderful. We've also been the third week and crowds were heavier.

 

[vettegirl]

We were there the third week in May last year and it was not bad at all. We are heading back again this May during the same time. The FOTL pass was wonderful and really kept our wait times a zero. The only thing we waited 20 min for was rip rock, which i hated