Is on-site worth it?

[Mickey'snewestfan]

I'm planning a trip for DS(9) and I the 3rd week in October, I'm thinking that we'll stay in a condo somewhere, spend a day at Aquatica, a day at the beach, do a Halloween party at WDW and otherwise spend our time at US and IOA, where we have never been before.

My question is, at that time of the year, how bad are the lines? Is it worth it to spring for one night in an onsite hotel so that we get FOTL for 2 days -- one at US and one at IOA, or will the lines already be very short?

I know we can buy a FOTL pass, but DS tends to pick 2 or 3 favorites in a park and want to do them over and over again, and those passes are only good for 1 ride.

Also, is this a decision I can make while I'm there -- e.g. I buy the tickets, and we spend a few days in the park and then decide do we drive back on Saturday (the day we're checking out of the condo) or do we splurge for Saturday night and then drive back late Sunday/Monday. Or will prices be more expensive/or rooms sold out if we do it that way?

Thanks!

 

[Metro West]

I'm planning a trip for DS(9) and I the 3rd week in October, I'm thinking that we'll stay in a condo somewhere, spend a day at Aquatica, a day at the beach, do a Halloween party at WDW and otherwise spend our time at US and IOA, where we have never been before.

My question is, at that time of the year, how bad are the lines? Is it worth it to spring for one night in an onsite hotel so that we get FOTL for 2 days -- one at US and one at IOA, or will the lines already be very short?

I know we can buy a FOTL pass, but DS tends to pick 2 or 3 favorites in a park and want to do them over and over again, and those passes are only good for 1 ride.

Also, is this a decision I can make while I'm there -- e.g. I buy the tickets, and we spend a few days in the park and then decide do we drive back on Saturday (the day we're checking out of the condo) or do we splurge for Saturday night and then drive back late Sunday/Monday. Or will prices be more expensive/or rooms sold out if we do it that way?

Thanks!

During that time, the lines are typically pretty short...the only time it starts getting busy is in the afternoons when HHN is taking place. You will see lots of people standing around outside the gates waiting to get into the Studios and since they close early on those days, the crowds will start to get heavy after 3pm.

If you can swing it, stay onsite. I never have but plenty of the homies won't stay off-site anymore. It's just so easy to get around and you are able to do things at a slower pace than Disney. With FOTL, you get unlimited access and your son could ride something over and over.

It's definately something to think about.

 

[kirbsam]

you cant put a price on front of the line. if you want to ride spiderman or mummy time after time, you can do fotl or wait 45 minutes each time.

 

[boomhauer]

I think it may be different for everybody. I just decided last night to stay onsite, despite the $400 per night price tag. We RARELY go to Universal. IN fact, this will only be my 2nd time ever there. Never been to City Walk or IOA. We do Disney for 7-14 days twice a year. This Universal weekend trip is a rarity, and it will probably be some time before we do it again. We're going on a weekend during a busy time (mid March.) FOTL will really make the trip more enjoyable for us. Not being familiar with the layout would take up some time. This way, we can spend a nice full day at each park and know that we'll be able to go on whatever we want as many times as we want.

2 nights onsite at Universal = $840.
Piece of mind knowing we'll have a fabulous weekend chock full of all the rides we want = Priceless.