FYI for everyone going to the parks this week and next

[phamton]

All this week and next week Universal Studios will open at 8:00 AM (although the official site still says 9:00 AM) so you can beat the crowds, since most people won't know that. It's been open all this week at 8:00 AM and hardly anyone is there when it opens. Everyone there at 8:00 AM were walking onto all the rides. Also the parks don't close until 10:00 PM with fireworks every evening at Universal Studios at 9:50 PM.

I know that the Studios have been opening at 8:00 AM but forgot to check the schedule at IoA. I think they are also opening at 8:00 also. I'll try to find out for sure though.

 

[Foladar]

I'm guessing there is huge crowds this week? Thankfully I decided against my suprise trip next week!

 

[phamton]

I'm guessing there is huge crowds this week?

You guessed right!

 

[Sylvester McBean]

I seriously thought about coming today when our seaworld plans got changed. we decided to go to adventure island, BG's water park. it was a 20 minute backup just to turn left through the lights onto BG's main entry road at 10 AM. the parks must be totally insane this week.

 

[Foladar]

You guessed right!

Thanks as usual!

 

[Slacking]

I seriously thought about coming today when our seaworld plans got changed. we decided to go to adventure island, BG's water park. it was a 20 minute backup just to turn left through the lights onto BG's main entry road at 10 AM. the parks must be totally insane this week.

I was thinking of visiting either Adv Island or BGT for an hour or two (around 2pm on Tues) between my two jobs. Glad I didn't!

 

[robvia]

Well this is good news.

If you're going, take advantage of the early opening. If you get there at 8am, you can do all the rides in Marvel island in 15 minutes. The head over to the Jurassic Park section and get some rides on Pteranondon Flyers before the kid rule. You can take a lap around IOA and be done by 11am. Then leave and watch as the masses of people come streaming in. From noon to 4pm, you'll want to go back to your hotel room, rest and visit the pool. At 4pm, come back, tour a park at night, and watch the fireworks.

 

[Motherfletcher]

Thanks Bev, Even with FOTL I'll likely hit the park early. I like early morning touring anyway.

 

[LilMamiBella]

Well this is good news.

If you're going, take advantage of the early opening. If you get there at 8am, you can do all the rides in Marvel island in 15 minutes. The head over to the Jurassic Park section and get some rides on Pteranondon Flyers before the kid rule. You can take a lap around IOA and be done by 11am. Then leave and watch as the masses of people come streaming in. From noon to 4pm, you'll want to go back to your hotel room, rest and visit the pool. At 4pm, come back, tour a park at night, and watch the fireworks.

Could I still do this if I was going early June? What times do they usually open/close in summer?

 

[phamton]

Right now the opening is at 9:00 AM in June but that could change.

Here are the hours for June:

http://www.universalorlando.com/cal...o_park_hours.html&year=2006&month=6&year=2006

 

[robvia]

Could I still do this if I was going early June? What times do they usually open/close in summer?

Yes, you can still do what I described on just about any day of the year for the morning part. In the summer months, they usually open at 08:45 or 08:30am, but they don't tell anyone, it just happens. If if the parks don't open early, it's no big deal, because you'll be at the front of the gate and first in. By 08:30am on any day, the line goes past the ticket booths, so most people know about this little secret. Here, I'll show you. This picture was taken on 06/16/04 at 08:30am.
http://www.nogodforme.com/images/DSC02266.JPG
Now, if you're at the front of this line, you go in, and immediatley start riding Hulk in the front row, Dr Doom, and Spiderman. Now imagine if you're to the far right of that picture? You have to wait for all those people to go thru the gate, and it takes about 15 minutes for that to happen. People's tickets don't read, they're pushing strollers thru, they start chit chatting with the ticket people. That's the differance I'm talking about. You want to arrive at 8am and be first in that line.

The parks close at 8pm in early June, and you won't get to see fireworks. But you can still go back at night from 4pm to 8pm, and that's plenty of time to tour.

 

[LilMamiBella]

Thanks robvia!

 

[goofie4goofy]

Thanks Phantom for being so generous with your info. Do you happen to know the dates when the parks open at 8 am?

 

[phamton]

Both Universal and IOA are opening this week and next at 8:00 AM.

As fas as any other dates besides this week and next, I don't know. It is usually reserved for busy times and isn't announced ahead of time.

 

[Motherfletcher]

The posted official time shows IOA opening at 8 on the 28th and 29th which is a little unusual. Studios says 9.

 

[phamton]

The posted official time shows IOA opening at 8 on the 28th and 29th which is a little unusual. Studios says 9.

That's because of Grad Bash that night. IOA is closing early those two days so they are opening early for other guests so they can get the full hours in.

 

[Figment22]

I was thinking of visiting either Adv Island or BGT for an hour or two (around 2pm on Tues) between my two jobs. Glad I didn't!

Be VERY glad! We were at BGT on Tuesday. The crowds were INSANE! We were still able to enjoy the day because we arrived at opening. I never did get to ride Gwazi as the wait was 70+ minutes by the time we got around to it, but we managed all the other biggies. My main disapointment was that the water section of Rhino Rally was down so it was land safari only.

FWIW, Sea World was nutso yesterday too! Spring break AND the week before Easter; it's to be expected.

 

[Sylvester McBean]

Be VERY glad! We were at BGT on Tuesday. The crowds were INSANE! We were still able to enjoy the day because we arrived at opening. I never did get to ride Gwazi as the wait was 70+ minutes by the time we got around to it, but we managed all the other biggies. My main disapointment was that the water section of Rhino Rally was down so it was land safari only.

FWIW, Sea World was nutso yesterday too! Spring break AND the week before Easter; it's to be expected.

I'm glad I just didn't imagine it. when we got to McKinley ave. and saw the backed up cars, I nearly passed out. I'm also glad we chose to skip SW.