Express Pass in April

[OZMom]

We are almost completely new to Universal, as in I have not been in 15 years at least, DH even longer and my kids never. We have family in Orlando and will be staying with them but I was thinking it's a good time to check out the "dark side" parks. I am looking at buying 3 day park to park tickets online and I notice the express pass has to be bought, unless you stay at one of the hotels. Will it really be necessary in April? Do they get the 2 hour lines that Disney does, or will we be OK without it? With the cost difference, if it is really that necessary we might as well stay at the resort.

 

[damo]

It is going to be tough to judge crowds this April since schools seem to have varying breaks this year with Easter being so early.

 

[kohlby]

What time in April are you looking at? I'd imagine the first week of April would be crazy crowds and the fourth week would be easy.

 

[OZMom]

What time in April are you looking at? I'd imagine the first week of April would be crazy crowds and the fourth week would be easy.

The 16th-24th. We will only be in the parks tues-thursday though.

 

[kohlby]

The 16th-24th. We will only be in the parks tues-thursday though.

We'll be there from the 18th to 23rd - with our likely park days being tues-thurs too! (There's a chance we might upgrade and do an extra day though). I've never been that time of year, but from what I've read, I feel we'll be okay. We will not be buying the express pass nor staying at a hotel that has it. However, we are staying at CB, so we will have the early hour.

I know some northeast schools have break that week, but that doesn't mean they all head down to Disney. (Nor do they all have that week off). None of the southeast schools I know of are off then, so that helps with crowds quite a bit. Add in that Easter is long before then, and I think it will go well.

 

[Noelle Powell]

We are heading to Universal in April and trying to figure out if we need Fastpasses too. We are staying at CB from April 2nd to April 9th. Does anyone know how the crowds are the first week of April after Easter break? I'd hate to spend the money on FP's if we don't need too. We are coming from Michigan and most of them head to Disney. Any idea when the schools from other states go on break? Are any of the schools in Florida on break April 2nd-9th?

 

[JimmyV]

I won't give away any "paid for" content, but according to Touring Plans, the days in the middle of that week look pretty favorable. Yes, a lot of schools are on vacation that week, and yes, being from the Northeast, a lot of those folks look to get away to warm weather destinations. But WDW is by far and away the more popular choice with US getting "overflow" crowds and "I think I'll go for a day" crowds. The weekends will be more crowded, but the middle of the week should be pretty good.

 

[Noelle Powell]

I won't give away any "paid for" content, but according to Touring Plans, the days in the middle of that week look pretty favorable. Yes, a lot of schools are on vacation that week, and yes, being from the Northeast, a lot of those folks look to get away to warm weather destinations. But WDW is by far and away the more popular choice with US getting "overflow" crowds and "I think I'll go for a day" crowds. The weekends will be more crowded, but the middle of the week should be pretty good.

Thank you for the thought.

 

[kohlby]

We are heading to Universal in April and trying to figure out if we need Fastpasses too. We are staying at CB from April 2nd to April 9th. Does anyone know how the crowds are the first week of April after Easter break? I'd hate to spend the money on FP's if we don't need too. We are coming from Michigan and most of them head to Disney. Any idea when the schools from other states go on break? Are any of the schools in Florida on break April 2nd-9th?

You can buy EP in the parks if you find they need them. As for Spring Break, ALL the counties near me on the SC/GA border have the first full week of April off every year - so that's the week you're going. (Other schools in the state have different weeks off. I'm near a big sporting event that takes place then so that's always Spring break). You could look up school calendars for the schools near Orlando to get an idea as well. However, as stated, Disney is more popular than Universal. I know lots and lots of people who take off for Orlando that week every year, but more do Disney than Universal. (And if they do both, they do more Disney days than Universal). I'd plan for crowds though - since then you can handle anything. (I wouldn't buy express in advance though since you can get it there if needed. People have different crowd and price tolerances).

*Edited to add - Just looked up 4 counties school calendars that are near/in Orlando and they all have Spring Break in March.

 

[Noelle Powell]

You can buy EP in the parks if you find they need them. As for Spring Break, ALL the counties near me on the SC/GA border have the first full week of April off every year - so that's the week you're going. (Other schools in the state have different weeks off. I'm near a big sporting event that takes place then so that's always Spring break). You could look up school calendars for the schools near Orlando to get an idea as well. However, as stated, Disney is more popular than Universal. I know lots and lots of people who take off for Orlando that week every year, but more do Disney than Universal. (And if they do both, they do more Disney days than Universal). I'd plan for crowds though - since then you can handle anything. (I wouldn't buy express in advance though since you can get it there if needed. People have different crowd and price tolerances).

*Edited to add - Just looked up 4 counties school calendars that are near/in Orlando and they all have Spring Break in March.

This is excellent information. Thank you for sharing.