Is Easter week 4/21 -4/26 going to be busy?

[JoeCathyAngelina]

This is our first time to Universal. We're used to planning an entrance and exit strategy at WDW. We get to the park, we go to a ride, get a fast pass for another ride, scramble for a short line, do the fast pass ride, use the fast pass again....
I was told Universal is not like that. We're (3 of us) booked offsite, we have the 3 day pass, we're planning on doing a park on 4/22, 4/25 and 4/26. I don't want to spent the extra $50pp/day on express passes.
My questions are; how long should we expect to wait in line for the rides? Is there any special way to do the parks? Witch park should we do first?
Thanks,
Joe

 

[macraven]

This is our first time to Universal. We're used to planning an entrance and exit strategy at WDW. We get to the park, we go to a ride, get a fast pass for another ride, scramble for a short line, do the fast pass ride, use the fast pass again....
I was told Universal is not like that. We're (3 of us) booked offsite, we have the 3 day pass, we're planning on doing a park on 4/22, 4/25 and 4/26. I don't want to spent the extra $50pp/day on express passes.
My questions are; how long should we expect to wait in line for the rides? Is there any special way to do the parks? Witch park should we do first?
Thanks,
Joe

disney has changed their fast pass system.
you can pick 3 rides a day in the same park for a specific time period.

the old system is long gone there.


you can use the single rider lines if they are open on the dates you are at the darkside.
i don't advise buying the EP's in advance but to wait until the day you are in the parks to decide if you need them.

 

[RMulieri]

First, Disney isnt like that anymore either with the new FP+ system...Second, it is going to be busy., express passes go up in cost with the projected crowds levels, so what you see now can go up in price between now and then.Since the EP start at $29 for just Islands of adventure and are $49-59 during your visit, it is going to be busy.My best advice, have your tickets and be at the parks BEFORE rope drop.Keep in mind that not only do onsite guests have express pass, they also have early entry privelages so there will already be ALOT of people in the Harry Potter section of the park, if HP appeals to you,do Ollivanders wand show first.The line only builds throughout the day and is out in the sun.After that Forbidden Journey.It has long waits, but goes thru the Hogwarts castle so it isnt as bad..If you are not opposed to splitting your group, use single rider when you can.By midday , rides will have waits of 60-90 mins or more .
If you are interested in Express passes, you can purchase them at the parks.We usually do not recommend buying them ahead of time( though it is a gamble since prices can go up), because they are DATE SPECIFIC, PARK SPECIFIC and NONREFUNDABLE.

 

[damo]

Get to the gates at least half an hour before opening. Go to the major rides immediately. Those would be Forbidden Journey, Spiderman, Hulk, Despicable Me, Mummy, Transformers, Rip RIde ROckit.

Save the shows and the smaller rides for when those big ones are done.

Later in the evening, you'll have another opportunity to ride the major rides without a major wait.