Early Admission Question

[goldie09]

I'm going to UO on October 31, staying at Portofino Bay. I'm looking at the calendar for October (specific date, October 31), and I noticed that neither of the parks are offering early admission for the entire month (the same seems to be true for the month of September) - is this no longer a perk being offered to onsite guests, or have they just not updated the calendar yet with which park will be open early? Thanks in advance!

 

[macraven]

Nothing released yet for September

 

[goldie09]

Nothing released yet for September

Awesome, thanks! I just wanted to make sure I wasn't "missing" anything, I really do like that I don't feel the need to schedule like crazy at UO compared to Disney, it makes it less stressful

 

[slford00]

Early admission dates and times are now up for September and October:

https://www.universalorlando.com/Resort-Information/Early-Park-Admission.aspx

 

[goldie09]

Early admission dates and times are now up for September and October:

https://www.universalorlando.com/Resort-Information/Early-Park-Admission.aspx

Awesome, thanks so much for updating This board is so helpful!

 

[knicksak2]

so there is no early admission at IOA for the entire month of october?

 

[RAPstar]

so there is no early admission at IOA for the entire month of october?

Doesn't look like it, no. During the off season, they usually only do early entry to one park. With HHN going on part of Sept and all of Oct, it makes sense to have it at US to make up for it closing early.

 

[goldie09]

so there is no early admission at IOA for the entire month of october?

I agree with RAPstar, I think that because US has HHN and closes early, they are opening that park up earlier. I'll be starting at US with the EE, then switching over to IoA in the afternoon, staying until close!

 

[aroundtheriverbend]

Anybody have experience with Columbus Day, and think they might possibly open both parks like they did in August? Just hoping

 

[macraven]

Anybody have experience with Columbus Day, and think they might possibly open both parks like they did in August? Just hoping

I have been going to UO during the Columbus Day weekend since 2008
( or 2006 )

Last year and year before there were some dates in oct that they did EE on both parks

It was noted at our hotel the night prior of this addition

But it was only for a few mornings and can not remember which ones
Both years I had a 17 day stay onsite and the days now are a blur which dates it happened

No idea if that will happen again
Hotels at the 3 deluxe were sell outs
Not sure how full Cbay was

 

[5ofus]

The one day my whole family is going to US there is no early entry at that park We've only bought the one park, one day ticket for my husband and kids (I have a two day hopper), because we figure we'll all still be dealing with jetlag and we want to let the kids recover a bit before hitting Disney. So we're going on Monday 12 September and US opens at 9am with EE at IOA. Will we have trouble hitting Gringotts and Minions before it gets really busy? Would love advice on the best plan of attack.

 

[damo]

The one day my whole family is going to US there is no early entry at that park We've only bought the one park, one day ticket for my husband and kids (I have a two day hopper), because we figure we'll all still be dealing with jetlag and we want to let the kids recover a bit before hitting Disney. So we're going on Monday 12 September and US opens at 9am with EE at IOA. Will we have trouble hitting Gringotts and Minions before it gets really busy? Would love advice on the best plan of attack.

They generally open the park about 15 minutes early. Be at the gates well before that so you are near the front of the line. Go to Minions first and then check the wait times board. September 12 will not be very busy. You'll be just fine.

 

[bethiecow]

Looks like November and December are up as well! We're there in early November, so IOA will be our first stop in the mornings. Do the times ever change after they are posted, or is it likely to stay? I'm flexible so it's no big deal, but it does help me get even more excited to know what we'll be doing first thing every day.

 

[macraven]

UO usually adds and not take away extra hours for the parks


I have stayed onsite before when they made both parks EE

This was due to unexpected crowds
I was notified the night prior to this one day change

It can happen but it is not common

 

[babesboo99]

Early admission dates and times are now up for September and October:

https://www.universalorlando.com/Resort-Information/Early-Park-Admission.aspx

Thank you . I now know there are no openings for IOA but for US which is fine with me since I have the EP I can head over to IOA for Kong. If i remember correctly when I was there last time they didn't have EE then either.

 

[bethiecow]

UO usually adds and not take away extra hours for the parks


I have stayed onsite before when they made both parks EE

This was due to unexpected crowds
I was notified the night prior to this one day change

It can happen but it is not common

Good to know, thanks! I'm (selfishly) hoping that there will be no unexpected crowds. I'm cool with only one park having EE if I get lower crowds levels in return.

 

[macraven]

Me too


Even though I stay on site and get the ep as a perk, I rather have lower crowds

When both parks have EE that means the hotels are sold out
And makes longer lines in the hotel for eateries and front desk waits

 

[5ofus]

They generally open the park about 15 minutes early. Be at the gates well before that so you are near the front of the line. Go to Minions first and then check the wait times board. September 12 will not be very busy. You'll be just fine.

Thanks for that I have no clue what I'm doing when it comes to Universal.