Crowds on last weekend of April???

[FloridaMom]

We will be staying at the RPR for 2 nights this April 29, after 5 nights at Disney OKW. Any ideas on the crowds for the last weekend of April? I know school won't be out yet, but do you think I will miss the spring break crowds by then? We are taking this trip before summer starts because we want to miss the crowds in June, July and August....

 

[ATAfamily]

I'm wondering the answer to this question too. We will be staying at the RPR the last week of April and I was just wondering what to expect when it comes to crowds. Either way we'll have FOTL......Yeah Baby!!!

Deanne

 

[kdudley3]

That's normally the time we go. Not this year. We'll be arriving on Easter and thank goodness, we'll be staying onsite.

You're going at a great time. The weather is perfect. Not too hot...not too cold.

I don't know if I'm desensitized by living and going to Cedar Point my whole life. Waiting in lines in norm for us. But, I thought the crowds were fine. Hulk did take us about 25 minutes. MIB took about 15. The line for Jurrasic River ride was the longest at about 30 minutes (it was a bit warm at that time).

But like I said, I'm used to waiting in lines.

The best hint I can give is to go to the most exciting ride first thing. If you can go back in the evening, then hit the other popular rides as late as possible. I know that Cedar Point closed one night at 11PM and I asked (when we were about 20 minutes from loading and it was 10:50PM) and they said that they closed the line at 11PM and stayed till everyone in line was able to ride. I hope that is the case at USF/IOA...can anyone comment on this?

 

[mill4023]

Just bumping for any other opinions because we are planning on spending Friday, April 29th at US. We are spending 4/28 - 5/3 at the Fairfield Marriott Village, then 5/3-5/7 at Port Orleans Riverside. We'll be at US one day, Sea World one day, and the rest of the time will be at WDW parks. I've been debating whether or not it's worth spending $220/night to stay one night at RPR instead of the $57/night we are paying for the Fairfield Marriott Village. I know the FOTL perk is highly praised, so I'd go ahead and splurge, but our vacation budget is pretty tight and if the wait times won't be too long, I'd rather save the money for other things.

 

[beaker]

fyi april 29th is a student teacher holiday here in orange county. That may affect the crowds. You could always buy an express pass if it is crowded.

 

[ATAfamily]

Thanks for letting us know about the student/teacher day off.

D

 

[mepperson]

FYI - April 29 and 30 are Grad Nights at MK, so it will close early - 7pm. That may also affect locals who would normally go to MK - they may go to US instead.

Mary

 

[mill4023]

uh-oh, I'm getting a bad feeling about this.

So I checked online and it would cost us $108 to buy Express Plus passes for all 5 of us. Staying at RPR for one night would cost about $170 MORE than our room at the Fairfield.

So should we:
-Stay offsite, get there before the gates open, hit the big rides first, then use the regular free Express Passes as much as possible.
-Stay offsite, buy Express Plus passes for an extra $108 and use the Express line once for each ride.
-Stay onsite for an extra $170, have Thursday evening to spend at RPR and use the pool, then use Express line as many times as we want on Friday.

 

[phamton]

Just bumping for any other opinions because we are planning on spending Friday, April 29th at US.

Yes, April 29th is a school holiday for Orlando. Also Saturday the 30th is the last night of Mardi Gras and crowds are expected for Saturday.

I'd stay onsite if I were you as you then have unlimited Front of the line. With express plus you only get FOTL once per ride.

 

[mill4023]

Alright, I just booked Royal Pacific for one night on Thursday, April 28th for $210. Gulp. That's three times as much as I've ever spent on a room before. We'll be spending Friday, April 29th at USF. Now I'm really excited about it. RPR will be our first night in Orlando, so we'll have the whole late afternoon and evening on Thursday to just relax and enjoy the resort and the pool.

Anyone know if I can leave our car parked at the hotel while we are at the park on checkout day? I'd like to be able to walk or take the water taxi to the park in the morning.

 

[TigerLilly's Mom]

Just as a heads heads up - Thursday is the 28th, not the 29th. I'm not sure if it was a typo or not. I hope you booked the right night!

 

[JessicaR]

Alright, I just booked Royal Pacific for one night on Thursday, April 29th for $210. Gulp. That's three times as much as I've ever spent on a room before. We'll be spending Friday, April 30th at USF. Now I'm really excited about it. RPR will be our first night in Orlando, so we'll have the whole late afternoon and evening on Thursday to just relax and enjoy the resort and the pool.

Anyone know if I can leave our car parked at the hotel while we are at the park on checkout day? I'd like to be able to walk or take the water taxi to the park in the morning.

You can leave your car and use any of the transportations to the park the entire next day till midnight. If you havent already go sign up at www.loewshotels.com and join the First program...this will get you a welcome gift at check in and a late check out if available.

 

[CEO]

Your kids will definitely enjoy the RPR pool area. If you're on a budget you may want to consider ordering a pizza that night (or, if you have a car, just driving over to one of the places right by the hotel like "The World's Largest McDonald's" or Sweet Tomatoes) as the food at the resort restaurants is not exactly cheap.

Still, I think you've made the right choice. Though don't be surprised if being so close to the park and having front of the line access will spoil your kids the rest of the trip!

 

[mill4023]

Just as a heads heads up - Thursday is the 28th, not the 29th. I'm not sure if it was a typo or not. I hope you booked the right night!

Oops, I just double checked and yes, I booked Thursday, the 28th. When I was typing, I had 29th in my head because that is the Universal day.