How early to arrive at parks?

[Spelurker]

We will be arriving at Universal for our vacation in 10 days, but will not be staying on-site. I've read that it helps to get to the parks before it opens because they will often begin letting visitors in early. Knowing that we are not staying on-site and that both parks open at 9:00am, how early should we arrive to make sure we are there whenever they begin letting people in?
Thanks.

 

[macraven]

depending on the crowds, they have let peeps in 10 minutes early.
its a call they make at the time.

can't guarentee when they do it and at what time it is allowed.

 

[GabBeFit]

I like to be parking 15-20 mins before the park is opening. There is a walk to the front.. and you have to go through security first. So worth it to do early though! The wait times are way lower!! (Then at night they get lower again... We always stay from open to close!)

 

[ruthies12]

On our last trip we were off site. We drove in and were in the parking garage around 8:30ish. I'm not sure how long exactly it took us to go through security and walk to the front gate but we weren't rushing or walking very slowly.

We got to the gate and handed them our tickets and they let us right in without batting an eye. I would estimate we were let in the gate right about 8:40-8:45, I didn't look at my watch but I know it was before 9. We walked right into Despicable Me to the pre-show.

We liked the ride a lot so after walking through the gift shop and back around we walked in and did it again. When we got done the second time, there was a minion in the picture/dance room so we stopped for pics. After that we walked out front and I saw that the line was out through the extended cue and all the way into the road! I couldn't believe it had built up that fast!

That was the Saturday right after Thanksgiving last year. It got very crowded later that day so I think in hindsight that maybe they let us in early because they were expecting big crowds and maybe they were hoping to spread people out more. So I would guess that it varies as to what time they will let you in but would say getting there early is definitely the way to go! If nothing else, at least you'll get a closer parking spot.

 

[macraven]

So true

If a large crowd is expected, they will let peeps in earlier than usual

My first reply was aimed for days of normal park attendance

 

[nighttowll]

If regular opening is 9:00, early entry will be 8:00. Depending on crowds they may open as early as 7:30. Usually it is closer to 7:45 / 7:50. Even if you aren't a resort guest, you can enter the front part of the park during early entry. At least that's what I have always experienced in the past. They will block you from going past the first part of the park to the actual rides, but you can get to the lockers, strollers, bathroom, maps, gift shops, bakeries, and restaurants that are at the front. This is great because it gives you extra time to get all settled and ready to go. You can enjoy a relaxed breakfast or cup of coffee or browse shops without wasting ride time later on. And you'll be one of the first non resort guests to get to the rides as everybody else arriving at 8:45 / 9:00 will still need to take care of lockers and stuff. They may even drop the non-resort rope early anywhere from 8:30 on, depending on how much earlier they opened for the resort guests.

So if...
Park opens 9:00
Non-resort guest

You are interested in having a relaxing breakfast, window shopping, or have lots of stuff to take care of when you first arrive, I suggest getting to the gate by 8:00 or before. The gates will open sometime between 7:30. - 8:00.

If you just want to go straight to the rides, I'd get there by 8:30. Inner ropes keeping non-resort guests out will drop sometime between 8:30 - 9:00.

Give yourself 15-20 for parking, security, and walking to the gate from the garage.

Plan on 5-10 minutes to get through the park gate if it crowded. Otherwise, you can usually walk right in.

 

[macraven]

Regular park opening is 9:00

Never has been at 10:00

 

[nighttowll]

Regular park opening is 9:00

Never has been at 10:00

Thanks. I have corrected the above.

This is what happens when they force you to work 12 hour days and weekends. Your brain starts to turn to mush. I completely read the first post wrong. I thought it was early entry at 9, regular opening at 10. And I kept thinking that was really really late, but I just thought off season hours are crazy short so... As soon as you pointed it out, the lightbulb went off.

 

[macraven]

No problem
I've done the same thing before too

 

[kwdw]

If regular opening is 9:00, early entry will be 8:00. Depending on crowds they may open as early as 7:30. Usually it is closer to 7:45 / 7:50. Even if you aren't a resort guest, you can enter the front part of the park during early entry. At least that's what I have always experienced in the past. They will block you from going past the first part of the park to the actual rides, but you can get to the lockers, strollers, bathroom, maps, gift shops, bakeries, and restaurants that are at the front. This is great because it gives you extra time to get all settled and ready to go. You can enjoy a relaxed breakfast or cup of coffee or browse shops without wasting ride time later on. And you'll be one of the first non resort guests to get to the rides as everybody else arriving at 8:45 / 9:00 will still need to take care of lockers and stuff. They may even drop the non-resort rope early anywhere from 8:30 on, depending on how much earlier they opened for the resort guests.

So if...
Park opens 9:00
Non-resort guest

You are interested in having a relaxing breakfast, window shopping, or have lots of stuff to take care of when you first arrive, I suggest getting to the gate by 8:00 or before. The gates will open sometime between 7:30. - 8:00.

If you just want to go straight to the rides, I'd get there by 8:30. Inner ropes keeping non-resort guests out will drop sometime between 8:30 - 9:00.

Give yourself 15-20 for parking, security, and walking to the gate from the garage.

Plan on 5-10 minutes to get through the park gate if it crowded. Otherwise, you can usually walk right in.

This is a great answer!