Does the boat from Portofino Bay get you there early enough?

[StevieTimes]

We are planning on taking the ferry boat from portofino Bay to universal, regular day, no early access. Does it get us there in time to be near the front of the line? It says that they start operating a half hour before early morning access, which is really a half hour before regular opening time at universal.

thanks!

 

[cschaaf]

Weekend or weekday? Might make a difference.

I don't think the Universal side is as busy in the morning as IOA is - with Hagrid's pulling the early crowd over there.

The boats do start running 30 minutes before the Early park, but that means that is when the boats leave from their overnight dock which is over by RPR. It will probably take then 5 - 10 minutes to make the trip over to PBR.

 

[cfoxga]

On our trip Nov 2019, we stayed at PBH. Back then, there was no virtual queue for Hagrids, so we had to go early to wait in line at IOA. There was no EE at IOA that year, and the we were able to get in line an hour before opening.

If you are there for 3+ days, EPs make it unnecessary to get to the park early. But if you are only there 1-2 days, then I guess you'll want to make every minute count...

 

[Mrsjvb]

It’s less than 20 minutes to walk along the path if you really want to be up front.