Better time to go..October or November

[pixiemomma]

Which is the better time to visit USF/IOA mid late October or early mid-November (before Thanksgiving)? I've only visited during peak times (Chiristmas vacation, Spring Break) so I have no idea what it is like during off-peak times. If we do go in October we will NOT be doing HHN, if this has any bearing on the response.

TIA.

 

[macraven]

since you do not want to do hhn, then i suggest you go in november.

the crowds will be gone in early november and hotels will not be packed.

the hours for november can be viewed on line at the universal site.


october is busy when hhn is happening. on the nights hhn is open, it will be crowded in the park by 2-3:00 in the afternoon. parks also close earlier on those days. IOA at 5:00 and US at 6:00. on site hotels sometimes over sell during those weekends. some people plan months in advance to be at universal in october for hhn

if you want low crowds and less waits for rides/attractions and resturants, i would say early november would be ideal for you.

 

[pixiemomma]

I just checked out the HHN website. Do you know if those dates are for this year or last year? If it is this year, I am amazed that several days are already sold out. My niece and nephew, locals, go every year and I know they usually only get through 2 houses because of the crowds. It looks really imaginative. Maybe when the kiddos are alot older.

 

[macraven]

that would be last years hhn dates.

if you go to the hotel section of UO website and try to book the rph for the 3rd weekend of october, you might be surprised.

rph is the cheapest hotel and usually sells out first for the hhn weekends.

that is how i measure the crowd level for the time period i go.

i always go for hhn weekends. totally and completely addicted to it.

 

[yaytezIOA]

I just checked out the HHN website. Do you know if those dates are for this year or last year? If it is this year, I am amazed that several days are already sold out. My niece and nephew, locals, go every year and I know they usually only get through 2 houses because of the crowds. It looks really imaginative. Maybe when the kiddos are alot older.

If you are going to go for HHN, then of course you need to do stay and scream. You go to the parks for the first part of the day and do the rides.....say get there by 2 o clock and most of the crowds are gone. They then direct you to a waiting area...once the parks are cleared and some of the houses are open....you get first crack at them...they usually let you go about 6 and the rest of the park at 7. You ride your coasters and rides then.....do the houses as soon as they open....we got through each and every house before 8 last year, and were on our second round.
As for going to UO in general....first two weeks in November are generally the best. Before Thanksgiving....then the week before christmas.....like the day before christmas eve.....ghosttown.

 

[pixiemomma]

that would be last years hhn dates.

if you go to the hotel section of UO website and try to book the rph for the 3rd weekend of october, you might be surprised.

rph is the cheapest hotel and usually sells out first for the hhn weekends.

that is how i measure the crowd level for the time period i go.

i always go for hhn weekends. totally and completely addicted to it.

Thanks for your help!!!!!

 

[macraven]

last year they opened the park for hhn to the general public at 6:30.....

years past it has been 7:00 for opening

 

[BrknAngel]

The only thing I don't like about the houses are when it gets really crowded and you make several stops inside the houses. To me, I enjoyed them when I was able to walk fast, practically run through the houses. When I went into Demon Cantina this past HHN, all I was doing most of the time was standing around inside. I didn't like that at all. *sigh* I wish there was a better way to moderate how many people are being let in at a time, but the wait time would probably get even more terrible than it already is.

 

[Motherfletcher]

At HOS on the VIP Tour our guide would stand at the door and wait until the room/hallway cleared which allowed us to get "fresh" scares.
BTW, BrknAngel, welcome to the Dis. Its good to have that "inside" knowledge.

 

[Motherfletcher]

Here are the hotel seasons which probably reflect the park's. So the end of November is the best.

Value Season Jan 3 - Feb 9; Aug 20 - Sept 28; Nov 26 - Dec 21
Regular Season April 30 - Aug 19; Sep 29 - Nov 20
Peak Season Feb 10 - Apr 6; Apr 23 - 29; Nov 21 - 25
Holiday April 7 -22; Dec 22, 2006 - Jan 3, 2007

 

[BrknAngel]

At HOS on the VIP Tour our guide would stand at the door and wait until the room/hallway cleared which allowed us to get "fresh" scares.
BTW, BrknAngel, welcome to the Dis. Its good to have that "inside" knowledge.

I remember having the employee preview this past HHN, and got there earlier on, and none of the houses were all that crowded. I actually enjoyed it and I felt more scared. But later on, waiting in the long lines, and then keep getting stopped in the houses just ruined it for me.

And thanks for welcoming me . I'm up to any questions and I'll answer them with the best of my knowledge.