EE for Universal Parks ?

[deirdrefitch]

I am trying to split our vacation between Universal Parks and Disney. I was wondering if Universal offers EE days to the park for resort guests like Disney does? If they do, if anyone has the schedule I would really appreciate the information. Thanks!

 

[BarryHom]

There is no official early entry at any of the Universal parks. However, sometimes during busy periods, you can get onto some rides (like Spiderman and the Hulk) 15-30 minutes before the official opening if the rides are ready for operation.

 

[Beckles]

Universal does not need to offer early entry for its resort guests because they get Universal Express access to all rides (like Disney's Fastpass) with their room keys (i.e., no passes needed, just show your key and you can go whenever you want).

Read this thread for more information.

 

[Tigger&Belle]

No EE, but the the park opened earlier than posted hours last week. Posted time was 9am and was open when we arrived at 8:30 and someone told me that IoA opened at 8am.

 

[robvia]

Check this out. Here we've been saying no EE, and look at what I find while browsing the ticket site.
http://www.universalstudiosvacations.com/superhero/splash.htm?referrer=un4

Early entry for Hulk or Jimmy Neutron for onsite guests, June 30 - Sept 1 staying 3 or more nights. Monday, Wednesday and Fridays only.

Wonder how that will work at the gate? Guests will probably show their magic keys, and go thru. I just wonder if they'll make a seperate line for hotel guests, or just call them up to the front of each line and let them enter.

That's a huge advantage. It's only 1 ride per park, but entering ahead of everyone else will get you walkon rides, plus the park is less congested. And for Hulk, you'll get front seat rides since the line will be short.

Wonder what time it will start each morning? It's gotta be 8am, and they unofficially let the GP into the park at 08:30am. But if they make EE 08:30am and then don't let the GP in until 9am, that will cause alot of congestion at the gate. The unofficial openings between 08:30am (busy days) and 08:45am for the GP must continue.

Any insiders have more details to share?

 

[Tigger&Belle]

Is that offer for any hotel guest or only people who have booked packages? I would think that it will be tough for them to check the room keys closely enough to determine how many nights a person is staying.

 

[flbeachbum]

I've been reading that most of you say there are no EE days and it does make sense since they have the FOTL passes if you stay on property but I did find something in my papers given to me through universal stating they did have EE days.

I booked my stay through the Universal site. It sent me my tickets, a pamphlet about the hotel and also a larger pamphlet that shows all the parks,hotel, and wet and wild on the last page.

This is what is says on the page about the hotels ....

Exclusive Theme Park Privileges...

Guests at all Universal Orlando on-site hotels enjoy special theme park privileges which include..

Universal Express access to the rides and attractions at both parks all day,every day during thier stay.

Early theme park admission on select days.

Complimentary on site transportation.

Character dining opputunities..and priority seating at select Universal rest's.

SOoo, it does mention that they have EE days....now just to find out then these are!!!!!

 

[gschmerl]

fbeachbum,
There used to be regularly scheduled EE days at Universal, but they stopped after 9/11. I think they're still using the old brochures. There is a special package (see robvia's post) that allows early entry for specific attractions. At times the parks just open early, but not all the attractions are up and running. Staying on site and using your magic room key gives you plenty of time to get things done.

 

[flbeachbum]

thanks! I'm glad we have the FOTL keys...that is much better than one hour ealry anyway=)

 

[Tigger&Belle]

When we were there last week the parks (at least IoA) opened an hour early and at least by the time that we got there (8:30am) all the attractions seemed to be up and running. We did the park counter clockwise, so I'm not sure about Suess Landing.

 

[flbeachbum]

I'm happy anyway...just realized on May2 and 3rd IOA opens at 8am..so wouldn't want much earlier than that anyway! haha