Early Park Admission

[johnvree]

We are staying on site.
Where does USO publish which park has early park admission on which days?

 

[macraven]

it will be on their website. (UO)


in low or regular time periods, it has been the studios that has had early entry.

i have read both parks were opened early on some of the summer dates and when attendance level has been high during other periods during the year.

when are you going to the darkside?

 

[damo]

After the peak season, it will go back to just Universal Studios having early admission. I have heard that the last day for both having EA is Jan. 3

 

[johnvree]

After the peak season, it will go back to just Universal Studios having early admission. I have heard that the last day for both having EA is Jan. 3

Even though they advertise getting into the WWHP one hour early as a main advantage of staying on site? People have booked vacations based on the perks they put on their site. It would surprise me that they would make such a big change without warning (though I'm sure they have plenty of small print reserving their right to do so).

 

[damo]

Even though they advertise getting into the WWHP one hour early as a main advantage of staying on site? People have booked vacations based on the perks they put on their site. It would surprise me that they would make such a big change without warning (though I'm sure they have plenty of small print reserving their right to do so).

It has been just Universal Studios all fall. It really isn't necessary to have both during non peak times.

This is what it says on the site as a disclaimer (which has been there for months) Early Park Admission begins one (1) hour prior to regular scheduled park opening to one (1) Universal Orlando theme park as determined by Universal Orlando. Valid at select attractions at each park. Universal Orlando Resort reserves the right to open alternative attractions in the event that a technical problem arises or an attraction opening is delayed.

 

[johnvree]

It has been just Universal Studios all fall. It really isn't necessary to have both during non peak times.

This is what it says on the site as a disclaimer (which has been there for months) Early Park Admission begins one (1) hour prior to regular scheduled park opening to one (1) Universal Orlando theme park as determined by Universal Orlando. Valid at select attractions at each park. Universal Orlando Resort reserves the right to open alternative attractions in the event that a technical problem arises or an attraction opening is delayed.

Sorry. I misread your post. I thought you were saying January 3 would be the last day there would be early entry "for both," as in no more early entry at "either" park. Now I get it -- as of January 3, they will end opening both parks early on the same day. Thanks.

So basically, in early May, I should plan on US being open one hour early and being able to get into Diagon Alley.

 

[damo]

Sorry. I misread your post. I thought you were saying January 3 would be the last day there would be early entry "for both," as in no more early entry at "either" park. Now I get it -- as of January 3, they will end opening both parks early on the same day. Thanks.

So basically, in early May, I should plan on US being open one hour early and being able to get into Diagon Alley.

No problem. Yes, I would plan on US being open one hour early in early May. Diagon and Despicable Me should be open early.

 

[coastgirl]

Oh, that's the first I heard of DM being part of early admission? We've only done it once, soon after opening, with a *brutal* wait. Not sure if I'm willing to give up any DA time, but I'll keep that in mind...thanks Damo.

 

[schmcktgt]

My review of stopping for Despicable Me first:
We did early entry and took the time for Despicable Me before heading to Diagon Alley. Totally worth it! We were on the first ride of the day and done fairly quickly. We had the time to watch the video in the "living room" where you get your glasses and also the training video in the "lab room" before the ride. Of the 4 of us, one got very antsy to get going to Harry Potter and was full of dramatic sighs and an eye roll or two. The rest of us enjoyed the entire experience. The videos may add a few minutes to the time it takes to get through, but they add to the whole thing and its a really fun ride. We still had time to enjoy Diagon Alley before Early Entry ended. DA wasn't crowded and overall it saved us time later in the day when the lines at Despicable Me were long, even with the express pass.
So unless you're only going for the Harry Potter sections, it's worth the stop. You walk right past the ride anyway.

 

[johnvree]

My review of stopping for Despicable Me first:
We did early entry and took the time for Despicable Me before heading to Diagon Alley. Totally worth it! We were on the first ride of the day and done fairly quickly. We had the time to watch the video in the "living room" where you get your glasses and also the training video in the "lab room" before the ride. Of the 4 of us, one got very antsy to get going to Harry Potter and was full of dramatic sighs and an eye roll or two. The rest of us enjoyed the entire experience. The videos may add a few minutes to the time it takes to get through, but they add to the whole thing and its a really fun ride. We still had time to enjoy Diagon Alley before Early Entry ended. DA wasn't crowded and overall it saved us time later in the day when the lines at Despicable Me were long, even with the express pass.
So unless you're only going for the Harry Potter sections, it's worth the stop. You walk right past the ride anyway.

Thanks for the report. I would not have stopped at Despicable Me because I would have assumed it would be an easy ride with Express. Good to know.