EP Lines

[cjlong88]

Just wondering what everyone's experiences are with the EP lines at USO. Are the EP lines really short / nonexistent or are people experiencing longer waits in the EP line than normal? We might be adding a day at USO to our February trip.

Thanks!

 

[Mr. Drauer]

they are the same as always. they limit the amount of EP's. when hotels are crowded, they may not even sell any day of. certain rides have longer EP lines depending on when the merge point is. It is always worth it to have EP over holiday weekends or now just on Saturdays.

 

[CAPSLOCK]

Went early Nov - EP lines were short / non-existent.

Only wait was for Hogwarts Express, which was around 25min once when standby was 100+min. Otherwise it was typically a 5-15min wait for the train (still longer than the other EP lines).

 

[provencio]

Good to know!! Staying at RP December 25th-29th. I am sure my DH will see the "value" of staying at a onsite hotel once he sees the crowds.......I hope LOL

 

[disneyseniors]

We always get the EP's staying onsite. We are so used to them now it would be difficult to Not have them. The only attractions that had a little longer wait were Minions and Shrek. We haven't been since Hagrids ride yet, sooo.
It is so nice to skip lines and practically walk on the attractions.

 

[cfoxga]

EPs over the Thanksgiving week were awesome; almost walk-on for many of the rides (Gringotts, Mummy, Spiderman). Much better than in our previous Thanksgiving trips, where we would occasionally see a 45+ minute wait for EPs.

I think with PBH closed down, the number of EPs were much lower than normal. Between that and the reduced number of people in the parks, there was very little wait at all. Now that PBH is back open, I would expect the lines to lengthen, but still be better than before the shutdown.

 

[cfoxga]

Good to know!! Staying at RP December 25th-29th. I am sure my DH will see the "value" of staying at a onsite hotel once he sees the crowds.......I hope LOL

I've never been there for Christmas, but have been to Thanksgiving three times. The parks are very crowded with very long regular lines. After about 10:30 am, all of the popular rides go from 60 up to 120 minutes. Having seen how much of a difference EPs make for our relaxation levels, the Deluxe Hotels are a great value. I view it as paying a reduced cost for EPs with a free room...

 

[Austen]

EPs over the Thanksgiving week were awesome; almost walk-on for many of the rides (Gringotts, Mummy, Spiderman). Much better than in our previous Thanksgiving trips, where we would occasionally see a 45+ minute wait for EPs.

I think with PBH closed down, the number of EPs were much lower than normal. Between that and the reduced number of people in the parks, there was very little wait at all. Now that PBH is back open, I would expect the lines to lengthen, but still be better than before the shutdown.

PBH will be open for the Christmas crowds so I imagine EP lines will be worse than at Thanksgiving

 

[cjlong88]

This is all great information! I might be surprising my partner by tacking on a visit to Universal at the end of our early February visit to WDW. Is EP needed that time of the year?

 

[CAPSLOCK]

I might be surprising my partner by tacking on a visit to Universal at the end of our early February visit

It is never "needed" and while always nice to have, that time should be fine w/ no EP. Weekends will likely be busy. Expect reduced park hours. Have a plan for Minions, that line is the worst it seems.

 

[ScooterScott44]

This is all great information! I might be surprising my partner by tacking on a visit to Universal at the end of our early February visit to WDW. Is EP needed that time of the year?

We just finished a short stay at the Hard Rock today and was happy to have Express. The waits on many rides in standard lines varied from not too bad to surprisingly long. The Express lines were very short. Since this was a short, low-key visit we did not do a full tour.

For the question about February, we had Express in mid-February earlier this year. We probably would have been fine without it but it definitely made the stay easier since we were doing as much as possible with that visit. Expect light crowds for a typical February (expect specific holidays). My guess is that crowds in February 2021 may not follow typical patterns. With vaccines coming out and a lot of cabin fever, it is possible that people that have delayed trips/vacations might be starting to re-schedule things around that time.