IOA/US Early November - need express pass?

[gorkt]

I think I know the answer to this, but I am looking for reassurance that I am making the right call. We are going to WDW in early November 2013 and we want to see US/IOA while we are there. The priority, like most people, is to see Harry Potter, so anything else we see in the parks is a bonus.

My first thought is to get the two day flex-tickets with the Mears shuttle, and go on Saturday the 9th and Wednesday the 13th, just to split things up a bit for trip variety. On the touring plans website, Saturday is rated a 5 and Wednesday a 2. Are we going to need express passes for those days? I assume Wednesday will be pretty clear, so I was thinking of seeing HP primarily on that day, but even with a 2, will HP, since it opens early for hotel guests, be mobbed all day?

Also, is the Mears shuttle a good option, or is better to shell out the extra $$$ for a cab. How much is a cab each way from WDW to US?

TIA!

 

[Metro West]

Crowds in early November are light most days...you wouldn't need Express passes for that time of year.

 

[es45]

Great question, because it is the one that I came here to ask!

So if the crowd levels are expected to be low and the express pass is not necessary, would that mean that the early entrance isn't needed as well?

We don't want to do a split stay but if the early entrance would make that much of a difference, I would consider one of the Universal hotels for two days.

 

[macraven]

since the hotel rates are so much lower in early november, i don't think that the EE would be an issue for large crowds in the park when you go at 9:00.


hotel rates are lower in order to encourage more to book onsite.


check out some of the trip reports for those that have gone in early november.

 

[hlg22]

Cab fare was about $37 (not incl. tip) from Yacht Club to Universal, return was about $10 higher going from Universal to the Grand Floridian, as we were switching hotels - this was about a month ago.

We planned for a cab to maximize time as we thought we were only going to have 1/2 day at IOA but ended up having a full day. Had I known that I would have planned and booked Mears as my understanding is they're significiantly cheaper.

 

[Jenny3]

We just went this past November (8-13th) and the lines were pretty minimal. I would save your money on Express Pass and Early Entrance