Help me decide... Express pass and crowds March break

[CanadaJulie]

Hi all, I am on the fence about how to do my 5 days in Universal in 2 weeks.

I know this *looks* like a hotel question, but it's more of an EP / Crowd level question so I put it here

Date: March 20-24. We have 5 days in the park since we arrive early on the 20th and fly home only at 9pm on the 24th. Prime March Break time...

We are currently booked at the Cabana Bay for 3 nights (20-23) and then we switch to the Hard Rock for 1 night to get the EP for the Saturday/Sunday. Total cost: 801$ (before tax).

I checked this morning and the Hard Rock is at 334$ for the Friday night too (it keeps going up and down, mostly it's been at 504$ so I was surprised to see 334$). This is the APH rate BTW.

The cost difference is 165$ (+tax). Our current reservation for the Cabana Bay on Friday at 169$ and Hard Rock is 334$. Of course, we'd have the EP for 3 nights instead of 2

Undercover Tourist has the crowd level at an 8/10 the whole time we are there. (screen shot attached)

Not sure what to do... I like the lazy river and Sundae Bar at the Cabana Bay but the extra day of EP on the Friday is kinda pulling me...

Help me decide !

 

[suetoo]

I would 100% switch to Hard Rock...if you can swing it and its just the pool pulling you to CB, you can just pool hop to their pool! We just got back and had only moderate crowds on the crowd calendar 6-7/10 and on Friday and Saturday I was really happy we had the EPs!

 

[soniam]

We will be there the weekend before that. We have been at that time before, and it can be pretty busy. Early Entry is only at one park, and it's usually only good for the Wizarding World and sometimes Despicable Me, since EE is at the Studios. It's not xmas or Thanksgiving busy, but it's busier than summer.

 

[CAPSLOCK]

Are you planning to be at the parks most of the day Fri? Or more of a lazy morning enjoying a slow start / lazy afternoon floating along between park time? Or hitting Volcano Bay, where there is no hotel EP to take advantage of?

Or, is it impacting something else in the budget? All depends on where you want to allocate your funds.

Is not dealing with significant lines worth $165(+tax) for your family for the day?