FOTL passes in mid-January?

[Zippa D Doodah]

I am a Disney pro and Universal virgin... My family and I (me, DW, DD9, DS6) are thinking of doing a trip to Universal (no WDW at all on this trip) two weeks from now. I have so much to learn, but am a willing study.

My main question, I suspect this is a slow time of year. Will we need FOTL passes (would be an extra expense since we are staying off-site)?

TIA for any advice you want to throw my way.

 

[the Dark Marauder]

No. There will be very low attendance, so short wait times.

 

[stwyatt]

we were there the week before thanksgiving--when crowds are still supposed to be light but building leading to the tgiving weekend. we had fotl and rarely had to use it. we would always use the fotl lines, but the regular lines were never that bad. we were at wdw one day and the crowds were much worse. i am not a wdw or universal pro(we've been 2x to each) but i can't stress how nice it is to stay onsite at universal. everything is so close--you can walk to everything if you choose which is so unlike wdw. not trying to change your mind, just pointing out our "semi-pro" observations

 

[drenalin'junkie]

Off-season on-site can be pretty reasonable.About price equivalent to Disney's moderates.The facilities are somewhat better for the price.FOTL was only needed after about 1100 or noon on a few rides during our recent trip 12/28-1/1

 

[essmom]

What about in August around 8/9- had planned to stay onsite for FOTL?

 

[Laurabearz]

You wont need it. have a great trip!

 

[Zippa D Doodah]

I can't believe how cheap we are going to be able to go! I am sure the on-site resorts are nice (have read reviews), but with the "kids free" deal our family of four is going for four night (and four days in parks) for $502 (staying one mile off-site). Looks like the best deal on-site was around $1100.

Funny how this trip came together... DW and I were sitting around last night talking about how nice it would be to go somewhere next week since kids (DD8 and DS6) are out of school MLK Day and the two days after. We can't leave until afternoon of 1/15, but decided the kids could miss the two days of school at the end of the week. Having been to WDW 6 times in the last 4 years we tried to see what else was available. A bit of looking led us to Universal and this incredible "kids free" deal. This vacation will cost us about 1/3 of what we usually spend at WDW. Hard to pass up. I hope Universal is as nice as I hear it is.

I just bought a guide book today. I will be studying it in depth between now and next week-end . Soooo... wish me luck everyone, on this last miute adventure. And don't tell Mickey we're visiting the dark side.

 

[essmom]

I am thinking the lines will be very long being a holdiay weekend so go early take a break then go back later in the day!!! Without FOTL, the lines get very long on holidays. thought you'd want to know!!!

 

[ksdave]

Just a heads up...I booked a waterview King room at RPR for $129/night for 1/24-25. January is Annual Passholders month and they have great rates for their AP holders. You may want to consider buying one Preferred AP for yourself and using it for the great deal at the UO resorts. You would also get free parking for a year, discounts on the regular park passes, 15% off at all park restaurants and 20% off all shops. It will pay for itself + in a very short time.
And then you get FOTL for your stay and you get to experience the awesome UO resorts!

 

[Zippa D Doodah]

I am thinking the lines will be very long being a holdiay weekend so go early take a break then go back later in the day!!! Without FOTL, the lines get very long on holidays. thought you'd want to know!!!

Hoping to avoid the holiday weekend. We arrive Monday (1/16) and first park day is 1/17