Early Entry Questions

[surgefest]

How does Early entry work these days at Universal??? Is it just for hotels guests? Also is it for both parks?? just one of the parks??? Is only wizarding world attractions open during this time?? How long do the lines tend to be during Early Entry??? i'm just wondering what the capacity of those attractions is compared to the amount of guests that can stay at the hotels. thanks!

 

[RMulieri]

In peak times ( Christmas week, Easter Week) it has been both parks open.The rest of the time it is only one. Which park it is can change at no notice.Most of the end of 2014 it was at the Studios only.We arrived on Jan 18th and 2 days later it was only at IOA.I think Universal is currently testing out various variations on early entry because what was happening is the Studios was packed for early entry and then all day since everyone once to see Diagon alley, leaving IOA kind of empty and uneven crowd patterns in the parks.

 

[nkereina]

It is only for Universal hotel guests. They check room keys as you enter the park. As PP mentions, early entry varies but currently it's only at IoA. When we were there in November, it was only at US. They can and do change it periodically. WWoHP is open during early entry, along with a few select headliner attractions throughout the rest of the park. We did Gringotts during EE and it was pretty much walk on. Took about 10 minutes walking slowly through the queue.

 

[TallandGoofy]

Just to clarify - it doesn't HAVE to be a Universal hotel. If you book a vacation package through Universal and stay at one of their "partner" hotels, e.g. Best Western Orlando Gateway, you can also get early entry. Check it out here: https://www.universalorlando.com/Vacation-Packages/Featured-Vacation-Packages.aspx

 

[surgefest]

great information.. Do they let you know ahead of time which park will be opening early?? a few days before or even the night before? I cant imagine you just walk up to each park to find out that morning?

 

[schumigirl]

great information.. Do they let you know ahead of time which park will be opening early?? a few days before or even the night before? I cant imagine you just walk up to each park to find out that morning?

Yes it's well advertised what park/parks are open early.

 

[Bluer101]

Normally at checkin they will tell you the time and which park. At RPR the employee writes it in you welcome envelope.