early entrance question

[cyndik1111]

Does anyone know the "path" that UO sends guests on when Universal Studios is the early park?
When we went last year IOA opened early and we were directed though Seussland.

 

[macraven]

Yes that is the way early entry guests are directed to go

TMs are along that route to point the way

 

[Disxuni]

Just make sure if you can to ask which park will be accepting early park admission!

I've only been there a few times since I recently got my pass and all those times it was Universal that opened early. One day we tried to go into IoA and got the surprise that they were not letting people in early. I should say not that early, because they let us in 10 minutes early, however where as Universal would have the option for early admission guests go in one direction in the park, or have people who had regular admission to wait inside near Terminator 2.

 

[hopemax]

There is a checkpoint outside of Despicable Me, and EE guests can go do that, and I think Transformers might be open besides Diagon Alley. Non-EE guests are directed toward Terminator, but we hang out in the big shop until they remove the checkpoint and quickly hop into the queue for Minions. So I don't really know what happens elsewhere.

 

[damo]

Hopemax, are you saying they let non EE people through the gates?

 

[pcstang]

Hopemax, are you saying they let non EE people through the gates?

I saw that happen the one and only time I that I did EE. It was for universal and the let everyone through the gates but held non onsite guests right before DM. We had to show our resort key to get past the barricades and TM's. I assume the TM's held the non EE people until regular park hours were in effect. We headed straight back to DA so I'm not sure when the other guests were released.

 

[hopemax]

Hopemax, are you saying they let non EE people through the gates?

Every time I've gone they let non EE people in the turnstiles prior to official opening time. So when we went in Feb the park opened at 9, EE started at 8, at about 8:30 they let non EE people through the turnstiles but they hold you in the front section. All you can really do is shop the big store. And then at 8:50 we were released into the park.

 

[macraven]

i know when they have the staff at their stations in the parks and also when the line snakes all the way back to the front by the gates, they have let guests in to wait until close to 9 for the park to open for rides.


when the lines to the gates snake out into city walk, they usually allow guests to certain sections inside the park to wait for 8:50/8:55 to open IOA.

try to get off the water taxi at city walk and use the far end of stairs to reach city walk.
difficult when you have to cross through lines waiting for park opening.

i have only experienced this a few times when high attendance happened

 

[damo]

Every time I've gone they let non EE people in the turnstiles prior to official opening time. So when we went in Feb the park opened at 9, EE started at 8, at about 8:30 they let non EE people through the turnstiles but they hold you in the front section. All you can really do is shop the big store. And then at 8:50 we were released into the park.

Ah okay. I thought you meant that at the beginning of EE they were just letting everyone through the gates and separating them after that.

 

[pcstang]

Ah okay. I thought you meant that at the beginning of EE they were just letting everyone through the gates and separating them after that.

That's exactly what the did when I did EE. They let everyone in but only onsite past the checkpoint. I remember thinking "why the hell am I up this early" if it didn't matter who came through the turnstiles. Then they checked keys at the checkpoint...

 

[damo]

That's exactly what the did when I did EE. They let everyone in but only onsite past the checkpoint. I remember thinking "why the hell am I up this early" if it didn't matter who came through the turnstiles. Then they checked keys at the checkpoint...

Okay, they must have changed it. When I did it, they checked you before you got to the turnstiles and if you didn't get EE they put you to the side and let the EE people line up at the turnstiles.

 

[cyndik1111]

So if universal studios has EE, do the employees direct you through Hollywood, woody woodpecker and world expo, to the right? Or are you directed left through New York and San Francisco?

 

[pcstang]

The one time my son and I did EE we went through NY and SF. Not sure how it's done now. It was right after DA opened. 2014 I think...not a morning person so will probably never do EE again. I think this pic was taken around 5:45 am. I believe EE was 7 and we were in line by 6:00 am. Each line was already about 20 deep when we got there.