Do I Need An Express Pass - April 11-14

[MMixtape]

Hello guys!

I am just in the middle of planning my week in Orlando and was thinking about heading to Universal Studios / IOA.

I looked at the crowd calendar over at Undercover Tourist which recommends to head to the park on a Saturday (April 13th which is showing green for IOA).

I would assume the weekend would be busy, but I'm hoping most of the spring break / easter break crowds have headed home. I was at the parks last year in August and although it was busy, we managed to ride all the headliners and FJ twice. Rode the Hulk 6X (5min wait around 6pm) - all without a ExpressPass.

I'm open to changing dates if any of you have suggestions or recommendations the week I'm there. Also, do you think I would need to purchase an Express Pass?

 

[macraven]

suggest if you are thinking of buying the express pass to wait until you are in the park to do so.
they are date and park related with no refunds.


if the weather is good, more locals will be in the park on a saturday/weekend.

i don't know why the site you mentioned would suggest that saturday is the best day to go to ioa.

the large crowds from easter and spring break will be gone.

mid April is a nice time to be in the parks.

 

[damo]

I'd do the Sunday instead. Saturdays are busy. Like macraven said, wait until you get there to purchase the express pass.

 

[hpriamson]

Pitbull is playing the Mardi Gras concert on April 13. I understand he's the hep thing with the kids these days, so Studios will probably be crowded, especially later in the day. We're going the same days as you, and we're definitely planning not going to Studios on Saturday until the parade.

 

[Metro West]

Pitbull is playing the Mardi Gras concert on April 13. I understand he's the hep thing with the kids these days, so Studios will probably be crowded, especially later in the day. We're going the same days as you, and we're definitely planning not going to Studios on Saturday until the parade.

Crowded isn't the word! The Studios will be wall to wall that night...you'd better believe it!

 

[MMixtape]

Thanks for the replies so far.

Like I said I'm open to changing dates to whatever will be best to visit. I'm in Orlando for a trade show and debating wether to purchase the convention special pricing which is $67 for a park-to-park pass. The only downside is it will have to be after 2pm.

I also looked at the hours and during that week the park seems to close really early either 7pm or 8pm.

The convention pricing is a good deal - it's just after 2pm and depending on what day I go I'm not sure how crowded it will be by then.

 

[hpriamson]

Crowded isn't the word! The Studios will be wall to wall that night...you'd better believe it!

Metro West, does the whole park get packed before a concert, or just around the concert area? We're planning to see the parade & not the concert, but I don't even want to attempt it with 3 kids if the whole park will be impassable.

 

[Metro West]

Metro West, does the whole park get packed before a concert, or just around the concert area? We're planning to see the parade & not the concert, but I don't even want to attempt it with 3 kids if the whole park will be impassable.

The park will begin to fill up in the early afternoon. I would suggest getting to the park around noon...if not before and spend the day there. You will need to line up for the parade no later than 6:45PM or so but since the parade and concert will be later in the evening since Daytime Savings Time kicked in, you might a little more time to tour before lining up. You'll need to keep an eye out on how the crowd is building. I would also suggest lining up on Rodeo Drive near the front of the park to make for an easy exit. If you get stuck back around Twister or the Mummy, it will take quite a while for you to exit the park because of the concert goers. Remember the construction at Transformers has changed things this year.