Express Pass, the first week of May??

[RebYork]

We will be visiting Universial/IOA around May 4-8 of next year. Would it be worth it to purchase the Express Pass during this time? How crowded are the parks during these dates and in the middle of the week? If it is not very crowded and the lines are not very long it would not be worth the purchase of the Express Pass.

 

[macraven]

We will be visiting Universial/IOA around May 4-8 of next year. Would it be worth it to purchase the Express Pass during this time? How crowded are the parks during these dates and in the middle of the week? If it is not very crowded and the lines are not very long it would not be worth the purchase of the Express Pass.

it has been 5 years since i have been at UO during the first week of may.
when i went, it was walk on for the most part.

if the crowds are still light, don't buy the express passes.
be at the park at opening time and stay ahead of any crowds that might show up.

check the calendar for uo.
if the ex passes are less than $20, then they are foreseeing a lighter day for crowds at the park.

you can buy the epp at the stores in the park or at guest services anytime.
if you buy the epp in advance and never use them due to no lines, you can not exchange them for money back.

better to wait until you get to the park and judge for yourself.

middle of the week does not have crowds.
tu-we-th tend to be light on crowds.
it's saturdays that the lines really get long waits.

 

[coastermom]

We just visited for my DD sweet 16 this May . We arrived 4/30 and stayed till 5/4 . The three days in the parks had pretty big crowds . It seemed as every school in the area had their class trips there that week and weekend . We stayed at the HRH so we had the express passes. I remember the line for water rides like dudley were over 70-90 min. I say if you want see how the lines are and you can always buy the express that day in the park if you want. The hours were shorter when we were there also the park was only opened till 6 or 7 each night . Even Saturday night.

 

[RebYork]

Thanks for the info. We will wait until we get there to decide on buying the EP. I know we will go to US/IOA on a Monday, Wednesday or Thursday. I think those dates will be May 4,6,and 7. We will get there early and try and beat the schools that are visiting.

 

[Metro West]

Thanks for the info. We will wait until we get there to decide on buying the EP. I know we will go to US/IOA on a Monday, Wednesday or Thursday. I think those dates will be May 4,6,and 7. We will get there early and try and beat the schools that are visiting.

That's a good plan. I would always recommend waiting on buying the EP's until you get to the parks.

 

[RebYork]

How busy are the crowds during the week days at the parks? What are the wait times like also during this time?

 

[Metro West]

How busy are the crowds during the week days at the parks? What are the wait times like also during this time?

For early May...the crowds are light to moderate and I would say wait times are anywhere from walk-on to 20 mins or so...but don't hold me to it.

 

[Subi WRX]

We just visited for my DD sweet 16 this May . We arrived 4/30 and stayed till 5/4 . The three days in the parks had pretty big crowds . It seemed as every school in the area had their class trips there that week and weekend . We stayed at the HRH so we had the express passes. I remember the line for water rides like dudley were over 70-90 min. I say if you want see how the lines are and you can always buy the express that day in the park if you want. The hours were shorter when we were there also the park was only opened till 6 or 7 each night . Even Saturday night.

Agree with you. Many, many school trips. Most of the school kids don't have express so that makes for very long waits in the reg lines.

Beat the schools by going early as Metro said. They tend not to arrive until about 11. It doesn't matter if it's a weekday or not. The school trips are on field trips during the week.