How bad is Easter week really? Universal newbies

[Tebrown96]

We're heading to Universal for our first time ever for 4 days over Easter week (Wed-Sat). We will likely be purchasing the "Buy 2, Get 2" promotion tickets, and likely park-to-park (via UT, seems to be a lot cheaper). However, we will not have Express Pass so I'm trying to prepare myself (and DH and DD) for how long the lines will be. Are we talking Disney-esque multiple-hour lines? If we plan to do 4 half-days (mornings, as we're staying on-site and will get early entry), will we be able to get a lot done? I don't expect to do everything, and we'll be avoiding the biggest coasters/thrill rides - we're a bit on the chicken side. Any input would be most helpful. TIA!

 

[bchbetha]

Why would you head out and only do half days? I hope you'd at least come back by 4-5pm! Yes, mid-day will be really crowded but the evening will be ok again and it'd be a shame to miss the parks at night!
Yes, they will be really crowded. My ds1 was there last year that week with school so I followed along with the wait time app. There were 2 hour lines but most actually weren't that bad. With a plan (aka ride all your must dos in the morning, like you said), you should be ok.

 

[Tebrown96]

Yes, thanks, I should have been more clear - we'd likely head back in the evening - just thinking of avoiding the craziness of mid-day (and we do want to enjoy some time at the resort and we only have the 4 days total....)

 

[wintersongbird]

We’ll be there the same 4 days with kids the same age! We’re also staying onsite but no express pass. We just can’t swing the lux hotels that include it, and we are morning people who like to relax at the pool in the middle of the day. I did this same plan at Disney 3 years ago and while it was insane from 2-5pm, the mornings and evenings were doable. We didn’t get to everything, but close. I’ve asked friends who’ve been (we’ve never been to universal) and they said smaller crowds but the parks don’t absorb crowds as well as Disney. I’m really planning out 8am-noon, then playing it by ear and returning at night. We’ll see?!

 

[ForMyBoys]

We were there last year over Easter. We had EP so had a fabulous time, but we always got there early, left late afternoon when crowds were just oppressive, and went back at night. I talked with some of my friends parents who had traveled the same week and without EP they had a totally different experience then us with long miserable waits. It was very busy that week.