How Bad Are Evening Crowds?

[Maxwell42]

I am planning to be in Orlando for business from Monday, March 21, through Friday, March 25. I will be working during the days, but my evenings will be free. I was considering checking out Universal on a couple of evenings during my stay - I've been to WDW multiple times but have always wanted to do Universal.

However, I am afraid that during this time of year, the crowds will be so heavy that there's no way I'll be able to get my money's worth, unless I can expect the crowds to taper off a bit in the evenings. So if I go from 6:00-10:00, should I expect waits of an hour or more, or will I be able to get a fair amount done in a short time?

I'll be going single if I go, so if there are single rider lines, I'll be able to take advantage of them.

My expectation is that my plan would be a good one if I weren't going during spring break, but for the dates I'll be there, I'd be better off saving my money and trying it out some other time.

 

[xApril]

I just wanted to make sure you knew that the hours aren't until 10pm on those days.

IOA does close at 9pm, but USF is 7pm/8pm on those days.

I don't think it'll be too terrible crowdwise, and there are some single rider lines available that you'd be able to take advantage of.

 

[CamdenScott4]

Another link that we have found useful is IOA Express Pass page. The pricing of this item tells you what dates IOA anticipate being busy or not. Hope this helps!

Turns out we are too new to post links. Just copy and paste the line below into your browser. Change the underscores (_) to dots (.) and it should pull it up.

secure_universalstudios_com/webstore/shop/ViewItems_aspx?CG=UO&C=IUEP

 

[Metro West]

Another link that we have found useful is IOA Express Pass page. The pricing of this item tells you what dates IOA anticipate being busy or not. Hope this helps!

Turns out we are too new to post links. Just copy and paste the line below into your browser. Change the underscores (_) to dots (.) and it should pull it up.

secure_universalstudios_com/webstore/shop/ViewItems_aspx?CG=UO&C=IUEP

Allow me:

https://secure.universalstudios.com/webstore/shop/ViewItems.aspx?CG=UO&C=IUEP

 

[Maxwell42]

Thanks for the help. Based on the Express Pass pricing, it looks like the parks are not expected to be too crowded, and with the single rider lines I could probably see/do a fair amount.

But thanks for pointing out the park hours, xApril. Since I'll be working during the day, I might get two hours in the parks per evening, and that's just not enough to justify the cost of admission. Too bad they don't have half-day tickets. Anyway, maybe I'll go see Blue Man Group and save the parks for another visit.

Thanks!

 

[TheRealDrDisney]

I have a dream... of a day when Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure realize that they would have people stay till 11 or 12 at night if only they would stay open. The parks are beautiful at night (as seen during HHN nights) and I for one would stay and spend money every time I was there.

 

[Metro West]

I have a dream... of a day when Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure realize that they would have people stay till 11 or 12 at night if only they would stay open. The parks are beautiful at night (as seen during HHN nights) and I for one would stay and spend money every time I was there.

The reason they can't stay open past 11pm during the week is because of the noise ordinance. Remember...the park is within Orlando city limits and there's a residential area right across Turkey Lake Road behind IOA. They can stay open past 11pm on the weekends for HHN since it's a weekend.

 

[TheRealDrDisney]

The reason they can't stay open past 11pm during the week is because of the noise ordinance. Remember...the park is within Orlando city limits and there's a residential area right across Turkey Lake Road behind IOA. They can stay open past 11pm on the weekends for HHN since it's a weekend.

Great info - thanks. Just another reason why Walt was a genius when he acquired all that land for his "Florida Project".