How crowded will this date be?

[tallym]

Hi Iam from England and Iam spending 2 weeks in Orlando next Aug/sept. There will be Me, Dh, DS 14 and DD 6.
The first week we are spending in a disney hotel and on Sept 1st we will be checking into a villa for our 2nd week.

Now...I really want to spend a night in a universal hotel for express pass and because it will be so convinient plus the hotels look fantastic.

Iam thinking in particular of doing this on Sat 2nd sept for one night probably in Hard Rock. This day is my ds 14th birthday So obviously I would love to do it this day as after a full week of disney princesses he will love universal and the hard rock.

Anyway my worry is I understand that Labour day is on 4th sept....Now being from the Uk I don't really know too much about this. Is this a huge thing??

Will the parks be super crowded on Sat 2nd Sept and if they are will it matter with the express pass on site thingy??

How long are the lines with express pass? do we walk straight on or is it say 10 mins or so??


Thanks for any help!

 

[Loudbmw]

We have visited Orlando the past 3 years, always during the last two weeks in August, and the crowds are not to bad. Many schools in the States are back in sessions at that time so the crowds drop off a lot. Lots of visitors from the UK during that time.

As far as lines go, most of the time we didn't even need our Universal express access before 11:00am. After that, the most we ever waited was 5 minutes with Express. Disney was busy but not terrible. Even without Fast Passes, most attractions were a walk-on in the morning, 20 minutes max in the afternoon.

Be prepared - Orlando is still very hot around Labor Day. Always carry a bottle of water with you and drink, drink drink. Have a great vacation.

Lou

 

[Amyrlin]

It is worth noting it gets very quiet after labor day (1st Monday in Sept).

Also, don't forget if you are a member of the AA it is equal top the AAA and you might get a discount on the room as well as 10% of a Hard Rock Cafe.

 

[macraven]

i have been in august and sept before ......

it is hotter in august but the last week in august is walk on rides.

early september the same way.

i have been in september before and early october where the park is not using the express pass system for the day guests because there are no crowds.
by staying on site, you get the fotl, front of the line, access. your hotel key allows you to use the express pass lane. this will be open to hotel guests even if the express pass machines are down.
your fotl hotel key is good and valid until midnight of the day you check out.

last month i left on oct 10 at 6 for my plane ride. i checked out of the hotel around 1, stored my luggage with the bell hops and spent the rest of the day in the park using my room key........
went back, checked out my luggage, caught my ride to the airport and that was it.