First trip during HHN time of year

[truetink]

Hello! I am new to this thread. I am a Disney veteran but have never been to Universal. I am contemplating taking my family for their first trip on a long weekend during HHN. How does that affect the day crowds and should we not go during that time if we have no interest in HHN (kids are still little)?

 

[Lynne G]

I would still go. All the scary, spooky stuff, only in the Studios, is covered over or not out, so if your little ones don't like scary, they will be fine. Know the Studios close early for HHN. That means, a clear out of all guests that are not staying for HHN. But, Islands is open at least 2 hours later, so if you have park hoppers, move over there. Most going to HHN, tend to start arriving at the Studios around the middle of the afternoon, so City Walk starts to become more congested during that time too.

I am not an HHN fan, and always like going during HHN time. The weather's usually warm, and the crowds are not crazy. I do stay onsite, getting the hotel's express pass. I find wait times, mostly low with the express. I rarely get up for the early entry, but if your little ones are early risers, it's a good time to enjoy the Potter area with lesser crowds. Your express doesn't work during that early entry, but when I have gotten up early for it, it is definitely not as crowded.

I hope you do go, and have lots of fun. The kids areas in both parks are fun, the pet show, and even the horror make up show would be fun way to spend time in.

 

[truetink]

I would still go. All the scary, spooky stuff, only in the Studios, is covered over or not out, so if your little ones don't like scary, they will be fine. Know the Studios close early for HHN. That means, a clear out of all guests that are not staying for HHN. But, Islands is open at least 2 hours later, so if you have park hoppers, move over there. Most going to HHN, tend to start arriving at the Studios around the middle of the afternoon, so City Walk starts to become more congested during that time too.

I am not an HHN fan, and always like going during HHN time. The weather's usually warm, and the crowds are not crazy. I do stay onsite, getting the hotel's express pass. I find wait times, mostly low with the express. I rarely get up for the early entry, but if your little ones are early risers, it's a good time to enjoy the Potter area with lesser crowds. Your express doesn't work during that early entry, but when I have gotten up early for it, it is definitely not as crowded.

I hope you do go, and have lots of fun. The kids areas in both parks are fun, the pet show, and even the horror make up show would be fun way to spend time in.

Thank you for the great reply! The Islands information is great because I was mostly concerned about early park closures. Thank you!!!

 

[Disxuni]

I would suggest get there first thing in the morning and enjoy the park. You should have plenty accomplished by the afternoon, especially if you get there at opening time, or if you stay on property you get EE, which is even better.

From there, you can determined if you're done for the day and move onto going back to the hotel to rest for the evening (since tomorrow is another day, as you said this would be a long weekend), do something else in Orlando in mid-afternoon, or to head over to IoA if you have the two-park tickets, as @Lynne G suggested.

Or even if you want to relax a little bit, but want to stay in the area, perhaps enjoy a full service meal and take your time to relax in the restaurant before slowly heading to IoA, or even enjoy a movie at the City Walk.

Also, another thing to note is that Sunday is typically slower not only generally for the parks, but HHN as well, since people typically have to get to work, or school the next day.

However, as a whole, I do not believe HHN affects the crowds really, other than the time in which it starts to transition from regular park hours, to HHN hours.

 

[truetink]

I would suggest get there first thing in the morning and enjoy the park. You should have plenty accomplished by the afternoon, especially if you get there at opening time, or if you stay on property you get EE, which is even better.

From there, you can determined if you're done for the day and move onto going back to the hotel to rest for the evening (since tomorrow is another day, as you said this would be a long weekend), do something else in Orlando in mid-afternoon, or to head over to IoA if you have the two-park tickets, as @Lynne G suggested.

Or even if you want to relax a little bit, but want to stay in the area, perhaps enjoy a full service meal and take your time to relax in the restaurant before slowly heading to IoA, or even enjoy a movie at the City Walk.

Also, another thing to note is that Sunday is typically slower not only generally for the parks, but HHN as well, since people typically have to get to work, or school the next day.

However, as a whole, I do not believe HHN affects the crowds really, other than the time in which it starts to transition from regular park hours, to HHN hours.

Great! Thank you for these wonderful replies!

 

[Lynne G]

Plus, if you are done with park time, there's a mini golf in City Walk that would be fun, as well as a movie theater, and of course, the hotel pool should be open until later that time of year.