First time visit in Jan. mid-week - 1 day/2 parks-should we buy express or VIP pass?

[MissMagnolia]

We are staying at WDW and planning a day mid-week (Wednesday, 1/11/12) to go to Universal and IOA. Our main focus is to see HP and then take in all we can at both parks in one day. The hours of operation are 9-6. The plan is to go directly to HP and then finish up IOA and then head to Universal. Our children's heights are 48" and 55" but my 11-year-old will probably choose to bypass the heavy-duty coasters.

I have been looking into the Express Pass and VIP options. Do you think they will be necessary in January? We don't know what to expect for crowds as it will be our first visit away from WDW.

TIA!

 

[damo]

I wouldn't bother. Forbidden Journey doesn't accept the express passes anyways. I would wait until you get there, judge the lines and see if you think you would like to get the passes then. You can purchase both express passes and the VIP tickets inside the parks.

 

[Cdn Friends of Pooh]

I don't really see the need for the Express Passes as January is typically a slower time of year at the parks. As well, the VIP isn't a pass but a tour - you and your party are put in a group with up to 12 people. I wouldn't suggest against the VIP tour (especially since you are only visiting for 1 day), however you should keep in mind the cost of the tour is $275 per person plus tax, plus your admission to both parks for the 1 day/2 park tour.

 

[damo]

I don't really see the need for the Express Passes as January is typically a slower time of year at the parks. As well, the VIP isn't a pass but a tour - you and your party are put in a group with up to 12 people. I wouldn't suggest against the VIP tour (especially since you are only visiting for 1 day), however you should keep in mind the cost of the tour is $275 per person plus tax, plus your admission to both parks for the 1 day/2 park tour.

There is a VIP tour which is what you described. There is also a VIP ticket which is an unlimited express pass with admission included. You can upgrade a normal ticket to a VIP ticket.

Here's the link to the VIP ticket. You can purchase them for 1 to 4 days. https://secure.universalstudios.com...ryGroupExternalID=UO&CategoryExternalID=UOVIP

 

[Metro West]

We are staying at WDW and planning a day mid-week (Wednesday, 1/11/12) to go to Universal and IOA. Our main focus is to see HP and then take in all we can at both parks in one day. The hours of operation are 9-6. The plan is to go directly to HP and then finish up IOA and then head to Universal. Our children's heights are 48" and 55" but my 11-year-old will probably choose to bypass the heavy-duty coasters.

I have been looking into the Express Pass and VIP options. Do you think they will be necessary in January? We don't know what to expect for crowds as it will be our first visit away from WDW.

TIA!

You should be OK w/o Express Plus passes and you certainly wouldn't need to buy the VIP Express tickets...it's just not that busy in mid-January.

 

[macraven]

I don't really see the need for the Express Passes as January is typically a slower time of year at the parks. As well, the VIP isn't a pass but a tour - you and your party are put in a group with up to 12 people. I wouldn't suggest against the VIP tour (especially since you are only visiting for 1 day), however you should keep in mind the cost of the tour is $275 per person plus tax, plus your admission to both parks for the 1 day/2 park tour.

or you can book a VIP private tour and it will cost you about $2100/2500? for the day. (plus you cover the park tickets)

a poster last week made a thread about it asking how much to tip the tour guide.
in talking with her, her tour was only for 2 people for 7 hours.
she is doing a private tour not the other one where you are with strangers with up to a count of 12 peeps.

btw, tipping is usually 15-20% per person.








don't do the private tour for mid january.
you won't need it

 

[Cdn Friends of Pooh]

There is a VIP tour which is what you described. There is also a VIP ticket which is an unlimited express pass with admission included. You can upgrade a normal ticket to a VIP ticket.

Here's the link to the VIP ticket. You can purchase them for 1 to 4 days. https://secure.universalstudios.com...ryGroupExternalID=UO&CategoryExternalID=UOVIP

Well color me informed ... I had no idea about this ... guess that's what happens when you have an AP and don't care about using express lines except for HHN

Edited to add: I took a look on the "tickets" page and unfortunately these VIP tickets aren't advertised anywhere that I could find (just the VIP tours)

 

[macraven]

Well color me informed ... I had no idea about this ... guess that's what happens when you have an AP and don't care about using express lines except for HHN

well, color me stupid as i sent her a pm to explain the 'group' of 12 for those vip day tours.

it took about 2 more pm's before it dawned on me she was asking me about the private tours of 7 hours.

then it hit me....
and i became unstupid.......


yea, vip private day tours go for big $$$ and just like the group tours.
except you pay more for it.


but, if you only have one day and coming over from disney for uo, it is worth it.

you do everything and not exhausted from the day.
no lines
no waits
and leave happy...



i'm always learning something that i thought i already knew.....

 

[damo]

Well color me informed ... I had no idea about this ... guess that's what happens when you have an AP and don't care about using express lines except for HHN

Edited to add: I took a look on the "tickets" page and unfortunately these VIP tickets aren't advertised anywhere that I could find (just the VIP tours)

They are on the same page as the express plus pass stuff.

http://www.universalorlando.com/Tickets/special_offers/UniversalExpress/expresspluspasses.aspx

see the very last thing in the grey rectangles

 

[MissMagnolia]

Thanks for all the advice! I was not interested in the VIP tour - just the VIP tickets since they allowed unlimited returns and the Express Plus is only one per ride. I found the prices on the website, but just wasn't sure if they were necessary.

I will be very glad to not have to purchase them if I don't have to! I just have no idea about crowds at Universal as I have been strictly a WDW (I know...gasp!) visitor - mostly due to having short children and it has taken this long for them to be tall enough to make Universal's and IOA's rides possible.

I appreciate all your input!!!

 

[NewCruiser2011]

Hi, Miss Magnolia! I would advise you NOT to start your day with Wizarding World, unless you are staying on property and take advantage of their early entry. Everyone flocks to WW straight away, creating capacity limits. As a result, lines form simply to enter that portion of the park, before you can even get in lines for any of the WW attractions.

I would suggest starting with the Studios and and then going to Islands of Adventure at midday. There are rarely any capacity issues in Wizarding World as the day progresses, the lines for rides are shorter and it's all the more magical to view at night! You'll save yourself precious time to be enjoying other portions of both parks rather than waiting in line with the morning rush.

Have a great trip.

 

[neoavatara]

Not sure about the morning advice. I didn't stay on site, got there after 9, got to WWoHP at 9:30...and FJ was a 15 minute wait, Ollivander's was 30 minutes. Rode FJ twice and finished the whole area before lunch...came back later in the evening.

 

[damo]

Not sure about the morning advice. I didn't stay on site, got there after 9, got to WWoHP at 9:30...and FJ was a 15 minute wait, Ollivander's was 30 minutes. Rode FJ twice and finished the whole area before lunch...came back later in the evening.

It all depends on when you go. Peak season crowds build up very quickly in the WW.

 

[AllesonWonderland]

We are staying at WDW and planning a day mid-week (Wednesday, 1/11/12) to go to Universal and IOA. Our main focus is to see HP and then take in all we can at both parks in one day.

We'll be at Disney that same week! We're thinking of going to Universal on Sunday and/or Monday. (Still trying to figure out if we need 1 or 2 days.) DH and DD were so sad that WWOHP wasn't open yet when we were down last March, so we definitely have to go this time! We've only been to Disney over Spring Break...wonder if we'll feel like we have the parks all to ourselves in January? We'll keep an eye out for you!

 

[MissMagnolia]

AllesonWonderland -

We typically go in January and we NEVER have had issues with lines. The weather can be a bit sketchy. We have been there when it was in the 80s and we could swim and then in January 2009 it was in the 30s and 40s and we froze (we had just come off of a Caribbean cruise and didn't bring coats).

We enjoy January very much (we've also been in August - never again, September, October, and May as well). If weather is typical, we start out with sweatshirts and shorts, by midday we get rid of the sweatshirts, and then at night we are back in sweatshirts and sometimes go back and get jeans. Perfect!

We are going to Universal on Wednesday of that week. We are all planned because we got free dining and I needed to get the ADRs planned out. Since we are going to Universal for just one day I want to make sure we don't miss out on Harry Potter. I understand the rationale for not doing it right in the morning, but in January and mid-week at that, I am HOPING crowds won't be too much of an issue.

 

[NewCruiser2011]

Not sure about the morning advice. I didn't stay on site, got there after 9, got to WWoHP at 9:30...and FJ was a 15 minute wait, Ollivander's was 30 minutes. Rode FJ twice and finished the whole area before lunch...came back later in the evening.

Wow -- sounds like you were very lucky! We were there this time last summer and that was our experience with so many people lining up around two other sections of the park just waiting to walk into WW, let alone get in line for any rides. Perhaps the crowds are calming down now that it's no longer brand new.

In any case -- hope you had a great time!