Is it worth going to Universal if you don't stay onsite?

[CorumJ]

Hearing all the great comments about the FOTL passes makes me wonder if it's worth going to Universal if you don't stay onsite. I think we'd be upset at waiting in line forever and seeing everyone else pass us. Has anyone been to Universal and not stayed on-site and still enjoyed their visit? I'm thinking about taking it off of our list.

 

[ksdave]

I think it depends on when you go.
If you go during a normal-to-slow time (e.g., September, first half of December, January, etc.), the FOTL is not really that big a deal. We stay on-site more for the hotel experience and the extra amenities of the Lowes hotels than for the FOTL.
However, if you are going to go during prime season (e.g., July, Christmas, Easter), FOTL is definitely a big advantage.

 

[CorumJ]

Thanks! We're going in late September, so I feel a little better. I appreciate the quick reply.

 

[robvia]

Late September is a very good time to visit. Kids have no school days off the entire month (except the 1st).

I drive up all the time and stay off site. The trick is to be at the gate early 30 minutes before the park opens.

 

[highlander447]

We where there last year late sept offsite it was great not very busy only problem off season is rehab time as well although in saying that it was only storm force that was closed so I think u will have a great time

 

[Flyfly_Eclipse]

I have stayed onsite and enjoyed the FOTL benefit quite a bit. After I got to experience that, I swore that staying off-sight would...well, basically suck.

Then I wanted to take my cousin to Universal Studios/Islands of Adventure for the first time. Worried that the trip wouldn't be too great because we would be staying off-site, I hesitated. I ended up accepting this option or else it would be a solo-day trip, and there was no way we could experience it all.

Well, let me tell you, when we went, it was early August and the crowds were PACKED. I mean, they were more crowded than our earlier summer trips!! I was really nervous about not having FOTL again.

Turned out, in those two days, we did everything we wanted. We did Spiderman, Hulk, Dueling Dragons, Back to the Future a few times. We also did Men in Black, Twister, Earthquake, Jimmy Neutron, and Shrek 4-D once (would have done some of those more if she liked them better. Had nothing to do with time...unless it conflicted with the Ghostbusters Show... Which reminds me, she saw about... 4 or 5 Ghostbusters Shows and The Horror Makeup Show twice as well.

AND THIS WAS DURING THE BUSIEST TIME OF YEAR!!!!!!!!!!

September is less crowded, and let me tell you, you'll have nothing to worry about. Nothing. Nada. Zip. Yay!

The key is to know which rides are more popular and get crowded the quickest. Also, every pass can get you an Express Pass. Good to use Express for popular rides like Shrek in order to save time. It's all about strategy!


PS - crowds are already starting to go way down...I saw the Shrek line as low as 45 minutes last Saturday!!!

 

[Homer Timpson]

Agree with September being a good time - we've been the last 5 years (last 2 weeks) - never onsite - stayed in Vistana the last 3 years.

The queues have never been an issue - the buzz of driving into those car parks, the music playing as you 'walk' the escalators - and the sight of Jimmy Buffets - has our group rarin' to go


""makes me wonder if it's worth going to Universal if you don't stay onsite""


Absolutely worth going




Brian

 

[CorumJ]

Thanks Everyone! I feel much better now. You've really perked me up. I appreciate it!

 

[the Dark Marauder]

All above info is true. You wont wait long in line during your trip.