How does early opening work now?

[MomtoGKC]

Last time I was at Universal the new HP land wasn't open yet so we just had early entry to IOA. I thought when the new side opened we would get early entry to either park but I just read that has changed. How does the early opening work now? Is it just for US or does it switch parks each day? Just trying to figure out how long we should stay this time and the early entry will make a big difference.

Thank you!

 

[cedricandsophie]

We were there the day before thanksgiving and got early entry to the Harry Potter side Only. Not sure if thst is everyday or it switches from day to day. But it is for one side only not both.

 

[snoopboop]

Early entry is typically just for ONE park, and it can vary from day to day. That being said, it sometimes will be at the same park for several weeks in a row. There's no way to guarantee that you'll get to experience EE at both parks during one trip. Sorry!

 

[MomtoGKC]

Ugh- makes planning hard! We live close so it's easy to do a 1 or 2 night trip. Might only do 1 night if the early open park was the same the whole week (we are going the week of Christmas- the 20-21/22). If we only went 1 night is just buy a 2 day ticket, but if we went 2 nights if consider a 3 day ticket- hmm- decisions! Thank you for the information!

 

[kohlby]

It was IOA the entire week I was there. There was even a printout that said IOA on it - like it will be IOA for a while. However, one day FJ was down so they opened up Hogwarts and Escape from Gringotts early to make up for it. We still had to go through the IOA side though.

I was there from the Sunday after thanksgiving to this past Saturday for in the parks.

I've seen where they opened up both parks for early entry during a busy time before.

 

[johde]

Right now, USF tends to only be the EE park during busy times. Gringotts requires more maintenance to keep it operating smoothly. When I looked at Touringplans, they anticipate both parks having early entrance during that time. The 8:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m. theme park hours would also suggest large anticipated crowds and both parks open for EE.

 

[RMulieri]

It varies.In peak or busy times, both parks have it usually ( only for the Potter sections and when it is at the Studios that is only Gringotts, shops,Ollivanders so they add Despicable me ) .In not -so-busy times, it can be either IOA or the studios( most often it is just IOA). When we were there last Jan, it was only at IOA the whole week we were there.

 

[John Marecek]

We are going in February. Where can I find which park will have the early opening the days we are there?

 

[snoopboop]

We are going in February. Where can I find which park will have the early opening the days we are there?

You won't know for sure until you are there. This information is not posted online anywhere... and even if it was, it wouldn't be reliable, as it can change from day to day on short notice.

 

[John Marecek]

Is it a day of decision they make or is it something I can find out before we go over? We do not intend on getting park to park so I'd hate to get there in time for early opening, then find out the park we are doing that day isn't the one opening early.

 

[snoopboop]

Is it a day of decision they make or is it something I can find out before we go over? We do not intend on getting park to park so I'd hate to get there in time for early opening, then find out the park we are doing that day isn't the one opening early.

The front desk of the hotel is usually the best place to ask. I have seen it happen where, apparently, the EE park was changed last-minute and that information had NOT been communicated to the employees directing foot traffic outside of the parks. They tried to send us over to the other park, but luckily we stood our ground and waited in line for EE at the right park. This is one detail that I *wish* Uni would communicate more clearly to all relevant parties....

 

[John Marecek]

Wouldn't be a bad idea for them to make it a little more clear to people when they book. I wouldn't have known both parks are not open early everyday had I not gone through this message board. Thank you for the help.