Entry gate logistical questions

[mackeymouse4eva]

I have not been to Universal for about 10 years and never to IOA. We have just purchased the 3 day Costco tickets and expect to use two days of them on our upcoming trip - Thanksgiving weekend !!! We are excited but know that there will be huge crowds and will attempt to use touring plans and express pass to offer a little help.


1 - Do the Costco tickets need to be activated or do we go directly to the turnstiles?

2- If I purchase Express pass ( and I will ) , do I bring my email receipt to the turnstile or to Guest Services?

3- On a BUSY weekend like this ( saturday or friday will be our BIG US/IOA day due to the extended hours) what time should be arrive at the garage...entrance etc.?


4- Taking into account the hours and crowd levels, which park would you recommend starting at? I think we will try to bang out as much as we can at both parks on fri or sat because we have a short trip this time, and if we accomplish most on a single day then on day two we can hit what we missed or maybe a favorite or two. Also should we leave WWoHP till later night? Will crowds gravitate there early and maybe offer mildly shorter lines at other attractions? Or dash to WWoHP asap?

5- For locals and US/IOA experts - will Fri & Sat be equally horrific? or is one possibly SLIGHTLY better than another?


I am VERY VERY experienced at Disney, and Thanksgiving at their 4 parks does not intimidate me as much as the unknown....!!!!

We are VERY excited to experience US/IOA - even during this busy time.


Thank you all for any last minute advice you can offer!!!!!!!

 

[damo]

I have not been to Universal for about 10 years and never to IOA. We have just purchased the 3 day Costco tickets and expect to use two days of them on our upcoming trip - Thanksgiving weekend !!! We are excited but know that there will be huge crowds and will attempt to use touring plans and express pass to offer a little help.
1 - Do the Costco tickets need to be activated or do we go directly to the turnstiles?

No, go straight to the gate.

2- If I purchase Express pass ( and I will ) , do I bring my email receipt to the turnstile or to Guest Services?

I don't recommend purchasing the express pass in advance. After you get into the parks, take a look at the crowd levels and then decide. You can purchase express pass all over both parks.

3- On a BUSY weekend like this ( saturday or friday will be our BIG US/IOA day due to the extended hours) what time should be arrive at the garage...entrance etc.?

About an hour before opening. You will be let in early and allowed to line up outside of WW by Jurassic Park.

4- Taking into account the hours and crowd levels, which park would you recommend starting at? I think we will try to bang out as much as we can at both parks on fri or sat because we have a short trip this time, and if we accomplish most on a single day then on day two we can hit what we missed or maybe a favorite or two. Also should we leave WWoHP till later night? Will crowds gravitate there early and maybe offer mildly shorter lines at other attractions? Or dash to WWoHP asap?

I would probably leave WWoHP until later. That seemed to work best in the major summer crowds.

5- For locals and US/IOA experts - will Fri & Sat be equally horrific? or is one possibly SLIGHTLY better than another?

Probably both bad.

I am VERY VERY experienced at Disney, and Thanksgiving at their 4 parks does not intimidate me as much as the unknown....!!!!

We are VERY excited to experience US/IOA - even during this busy time.

Thank you all for any last minute advice you can offer!!!!!!!

Have a great time!!!

 

[Metro West]

5- For locals and US/IOA experts - will Fri & Sat be equally horrific? or is one possibly SLIGHTLY better than another?

That weekend is going to be slammed no matter when you go.

 

[mackeymouse4eva]

Thank you both for your help!!! If I do decide to purchase the Express passes in advance and not at the park, how does that work? Do I use my email confirmation to get something at a Kiosk? or a wristband from an attendant? Will I need to go to Guest Services? Im just trying to save as much time at the start of the day, because I know how busy it will be! Thanks for all of the guidance!!

 

[damo]

Thank you both for your help!!! If I do decide to purchase the Express passes in advance and not at the park, how does that work? Do I use my email confirmation to get something at a Kiosk? or a wristband from an attendant? Will I need to go to Guest Services? Im just trying to save as much time at the start of the day, because I know how busy it will be! Thanks for all of the guidance!!

If you use the print at home version, you just use your print out. If you choose the kiosk version you go to the kiosk and it will dispense small wallet sized tickets. At the kiosk, you need your credit card that you purchased with.