crowds 1/11-1/13?

[aprilzw]

Hi there! DH and I are making our first trip to Universal after many years of WDW trips over the years. I know Disney inside and out, but nothing about Universal!

This is a last-minute weekend getaway and I'm totally winging it... made my ressies at Portofino Bay (on friend's recommendation) and was told there was limited availability and no discounts (not even AAA). I know January has historically been for us a fantastic time to go to Disney b/c the parks are virtually empty.... I also saw that on the dates/rate thread no one seemed to be going that weekend - is there something going on that I don't know about?

I would welcome any and all advice! I've been lurking around the boards this morning and have picked up a few tips (Lowes first card upgrades, go to US first in the morning then head to IOA, etc). We will only have Saturday and 1/2 of Sunday for the parks.

Thanks so much!!

 

[JerseyJ]

April - My DH & & are also going that weekend. We will get there Thrusday PM & are staying offsite. We thought we had picked a slow time to go but now hearing your information makes me wonder. I know that the Disney Marathon is the same weekend that brings thousands of runners & their families/friends. (we were at Disney 2 years ago when my BIL ran the Marathon = what an experience)
I didn't think that Universal would be affected our weekend tho.

We are looking for any suggestions for Fri, Sat & Sun. Should we go to US on Friday?

Also not sure if we should spend the money for Express Passes? What does everyone think?

 

[spatter1234]

Our family will be in Orlando 1/14 - 1/20 and would love any info we can get. We will be staying at BCV but bought the 7 day consecutive pass that is on sale and thought we would head over the US and IoA for a couple of days. Just can't decide what days to go. We want to miss the crowds if possible.

 

[phamton]

January is usually quite slow. The weekends are a little more crowded than the weekdays but the whole month is usually not very crowded. The 19th and 20th (MLK weekend) might be a little more crowded but the rest of the month of January should be great.