Can't afford onsite or express pass...should we just skip Universal?

[Jenny-momof3]

We are a family of 6. We can only travel during peak times....Christmas/New years, spring break, 4th of July. Onsite room rates are sky high during this time...and due to family size I either have to get 2 rooms or a suite. minimum $800/night. Or pay for express pass for 6....minimum of $300/day.

We REALLY want to do Universal...but simply can't afford onsite or buying the express pass. I need your honest advice....is there ANY possible way to see Universal without waiting hours in lines all day during these holiday times? Or are these parks just not going to happen for our family?

I appreciate any and all advice/suggestions you can give me.

 

[macraven]

christmas thru new years is a packed time in the parks.


4th of july will bring in crowds.


line waits are long for those above time periods.

walking thru the parks is time consuming too.


spring break staggers throughout the country so that might be a better option for you.

next year easter is late in April so maybe you should aim for spring break out of the time periods you mentioned.


maybe another poster will add their thoughts too in order to help you.

 

[Goseethemouse]

We are a family of 6. We can only travel during peak times....Christmas/New years, spring break, 4th of July. Onsite room rates are sky high during this time...and due to family size I either have to get 2 rooms or a suite. minimum $800/night. Or pay for express pass for 6....minimum of $300/day.

We REALLY want to do Universal...but simply can't afford onsite or buying the express pass. I need your honest advice....is there ANY possible way to see Universal without waiting hours in lines all day during these holiday times? Or are these parks just not going to happen for our family?

I appreciate any and all advice/suggestions you can give me.

Not sure whether this might be helpful or not: You could consider getting one room for one night (registering only four of you) while staying at an inexpensive place offsite. That should give you FOTL-priviledges for four of you for two days. Not cheap but less expensive than buying express passes/actually staying there in two rooms.

 

[LUVIOA]

Not sure whether this might be helpful or not: You could consider getting one room for one night (registering only four of you) while staying at an inexpensive place offsite. That should give you FOTL-priviledges for four of you for two days. Not cheap but less expensive than buying express passes/actually staying there in two rooms.

You would actually get express for 2 adults and three of the kids for each room. Then you would only need to buy express for one of the kids.

 

[MercerMom]

We are actually attempting this in a couple of weeks. We aren't staying onsite, and we aren't planning on buying express passes. If you are planning on going after July 13th- 20th. Then when our family gets back I will let You know if its possible. We are very worried about it, but our resort stay was free , so we had to stay off site. And I just can't fathom spending the money on passes. We will be there three days and will do what we can.

 

[TheAviator]

I'm guessing it will be just as bad or worse at Disney, and anywhere else for that matter, if you don't want to do the beach, go ahead and do it. Its still great, going on the 4th its just the nature of the beast, things are crowded everywhere. Even the lakes will be packed.

 

[damo]

Personally, I'd book an offsite package through Universal so at least you get early admission. I'd do all the big things as early as possible in the day and save the minor rides for later.

 

[-Hope-]

I think things like express pass and fast pass help us see more and do more but that doesn't mean it's not worth it to do less without it. When I was a kid we visited theme parks without any such convenience and still had fun. It's about expectation I think. We knew we'd spend time in lines and wouldn't be able to do everything. As we gained experience and figured out which lines to do first and which could wait we got to do more but still not all.

So, my suggestion is to follow the advice of experienced dark siders about least busy times, figure out which rides/attractions are priority, make touring plans (even splitting at time if necessary to meet different priorities among kiddos) and then plan for waits. Have small toys/games for long lines, get a cool drink or ice cream before getting in line, play I Spy and 20 questions. Do what you can and make the mist if that time.

I'm a big believer that you don't have to have the "perfect" vacation to have a great one.

 

[nugov2]

We went a couple of weeks ago...I am sure the crowds weren't as heavy, but we felt we got full value out of our day. We saw pretty much what we wanted(the kids got tired since it was the end of our trip so we left a couple hours early). We got in right when it opened and didn't really have waits until 1. We did everything we wanted at IOA(some rides more than once) by then and headed over to Universal and did most of what we wanted. We also watched the superhero parade at IOA(or whatever it is called) and waited to meet each of them, that probably took a good 40 minutes of our day to watch it and wait in the 5 or 6 separate lines to meet each character. I would have liked to have 2 days there, but we didn't have time so we enjoyed what time we did have and have some things to look forward to when we go back in a few years.

 

[truck1]

We over here now. With the parks open later getting on rides isn't a problem. We have aps and come over regularly. The rule of thumb we use is the 40 minute mark if a ride is more then 40 minutes we move to another and come back. Theres at least 2 wait time boards that have updated times in US. My advice get here early and do Rip Ride and Transformers first then the other Rides and attractions. ET Disaster and Twister are usually almost a walk on. Usually less then 20-30 minutes. Revenge of the Mummy can get up there to over 45/50 on occasion.

 

[DCTooTall]

If possible, I'd avoid the Christmas/New Years time frame if at all possible. That's become probably the single busiest week to be at any Florida park, so it'd just be a lot less stressful to pick one of the other times of the year you have availability to go.

Beyond that, You should be fine to go. The Express pass can be very nice to have, but it's not a requirement if you come prepared. Millions of people visit the parks every year without express, so don't think it's a necessity.

I'd suggest just making sure you know the hours and schedule for the park, and what park(s) you want to visit. You should still be able to see (almost) everything in a single full day at a park.... so 2 days would get you thru both parks, and 3 would give you a chance to be a lot more relaxed and possibly hop between the parks on your final day to rehit favorites or things you missed.


Someone above suggest getting a single onsite room so you can get the express for 2 adults and 3 kids while actually staying offsite at cheaper and better fitting accommodation. This could also be a very valid option, especcially if one of the kids is too small for some of the rides, or has an issue with thrill rides. The coasters (and some of the simulators with height requirements) are usually the ones who are likely to get the longest lines, and where the express would be most useful. the other Advantage is that you would then have a place onsite in case you need a mid-day break or want to hit the pool.


An Offiste package might also work for you since you'd get that hour early entry that could help you with some of the headline attractions that could get busy. You'd probably still need 2 room however.


And finally..... if you aren't concerned as much about WHEN you go, other than your usual windows during busy times..... Next year the Cabana Bay resort will open, which is supposed to have Family suites available that i believe will sleep 6. You won't get express, but you will get some onsite perks (like early entry and transportation to the parks) that could make it a viable option for you.

 

[Jenny-momof3]

Thanks for all the suggestions! Need to look into all of them and see what we can figure out.

 

[shelemm]

We just came back from Universal 7/2-4. The good news is the parks are not crowded, many wait times posted were reasonable except for the big attractions - even then on July 4th 30 minutes after park opening Transformers had no wait even for standby. Team members were out on the sidewalk imploring people to come in. 95% of all Early Entry people are going to Harry Potter. We saw a lot of 15 minute wait times, but 55 minutes for Spiderman, more for Hulk. The key is going early.

The bad news is that some rides (Simpsons, Despicable Me) are just motion simulators, which are no big deal to me. Make sure you check out info about the ride/attraction before you decide to wait.

More good news is that on a hot day, you won't mind getting drenched on Jurassic Park, Popeye & Bluto, or Dudley Do-Right. Just make sure you wear waterproof sandals or flip flops.

 

[jpeppers]

2 years ago we booked 1 day on site but went to the parks a couple of days before and had no wait on the rides in Harry Potter during the week but went again with front of the line and early entry and had an hour wait for the main ride. I think you can do ok staying off site as long as it is the right time of year.

 

[glen65]

Use the same strategies people successfully use for Disney. Get there early "rope drop" and follow a proven plan. Check out the Orlando Informer site. They have lots of Universal touring plans.

 

[MDer2FL]

MOST people do not have the express pass -- and they still go! I think the key is getting there at opening, followed by a tour plan (such as from touringplans. com) Decide on the rides/shows most important to you and go from there. Yes, you'll have to wait in line a little longer, but a little planning ahead will go a long way to minimizing that.

 

[2girlsmom]

I am local and have AP so go a lot, including during busier times. That said, I will NOT go the week of Christmas or New Years, that 2 week period the parks close for capacity throughout the time frame, and that level of crowds is NOT my idea of fun. However, we DO go during spring break, also over Memorial Day weekend 3 years running now, in June over Father's Day weekend, in July though not ON the 4th so far. Certainly there are times that are easier than others, but we have frequently seen manageable waits (45 or less) on most rides even during reasonably busy time frames. I agree with everyone, rope drop or close to it is best time, and try to get the big coasters and/or the new stuff (ie transformers) in early, use single rider for HP if you can.

 

[snowangel72]

I would skip it. We had express passes today and still waited an hour for every ride...oh and then I puked badly after Harry Potter and felt sick again after Dispicable Me...I am sticking to Disney!

 

[ksdave]

I would skip it. We had express passes today and still waited an hour for every ride...oh and then I puked badly after Harry Potter and felt sick again after Dispicable Me...I am sticking to Disney!

That's why they have those warning signs. Some of us just should not do the heavy motion rides (me included). BUT, I still love UO too much to not go. There's just so many other things to do !