Getting in earlier than park opening?

[disneygal55]

Are Universal Studios and IOA still letting in the general public earlier than the posted opening time?
In years past, the gates were open to the public sooner than the official opening times. Don't know if all this has changed since EE and we are not staying onsite this trip.

 

[macraven]

When at ioa and the line up line is back to margaritavile , yes, I have seen staff letting in people then

Usually it is just about 10-15 minutes before 9:00 at those times

 

[disneygal55]

Thanks Macraven!
Guess things have changed from a couple of years ago then. It seems like we were getting in before the posted opening time for quite a few of our trips to Universal.

 

[macraven]

I agree
When the crowds were lighter rules seemed more slack if they had enough staff scheduled for the morning

One thing about UO, they do listen to the guests and their needs

UO does attempt within reason, to make changes or modify things to better the park systems

And when they say a new ride will be built, it does not take five years to get that job done

 

[macraven]

Sometimes I hesitate to post about how early the parks will let peeps in

It is so changeable and can be a different experience for each person

When someone says they were let in 20 minutes early, I believe them
A TM at the gate can let off site guests in depending on the go ahead from a supervisor

If the EE peeps are not packing the potter section or low attendance is expected, sometimes those outside the gates are allowed in early

But the general answer I give is what UO has informed me when I call them,
UO will decide at the time if guests will be allowed in minutes/10? early into the parks

 

[Disxuni]

As Mac says, it differs, but since I've been going to the parks this year now that I got a pass again, more so than ever they usually let us in 10 minutes early on average. One time when it was non-peak season they let us in 15 minutes prior.

It will be interesting to see how things run this fall, as when I got my pass it was right before spring break, so since I've received my annual pass it's been relatively busy. So, with school being back in session soon and the fall approaching it will be interesting to see if they will start to let people in a little earlier. As Mac also said, it's all depending on how busy and quickly the park is filling up with "early entry" people (which are only people who stay on property, or purchased a vacation package). Lighter the crowds, the more likely the staff will ease people in sooner. Even as a pass holder you technically can get early entry on the weekdays, but only depending on how light the crowd is.