Just Back, getting crowded!

[Laz]

Had a fantastic time and will be glad to answer questions! I don't know how we would have stood it if it weren't for using Universal Express. We stayed at the Hard Rock and used Express constantly. Shrek was somtimes over an hour wait without Express. If you go early between 9 & 10, they don't open the Express machines and only people with room keys get express access. Favorite rides: Hulk, Spiderman, MIB.

 

[Figment22]

We were at USF/IOA last week, staying offsite this time. We generally arrive at opening but we slept in one day and got to the park at about 11:20 a.m. and all express passes for the Hulk were already gone for the day. The crowds have definitely arrived! If you're staying offsite: Arrive early!

 

[FOV]

We are leaving in a few days and will be staying at HRH (thank goodness!!!) We have never been to Orlando during peak season and are trying to prepare ourselves. Could you describe what it is like just moving around the park (crowd-wise.) How about the non-express activities like the playgrounds and getting photos and autographs with the characters? My son is a super hero nut and we will wait 2 hours for Spiderman if that's what it takes - lol! Hope it isn't that bad but I really have NO idea what to expect.

We are also from Massachusetts (it is 65 degrees and I am wearing my winter fleece - lol) so how unbearable is the HEAT ?

Having said all that we are still so excited! There's always the hotel pool!

 

[Laz]

First of all, relax! Your going to have a great time no matter what the crowd or weather. Universal Express is going to make your vacation! You'll be glad for staying onsite just for that!

The weather will be hot, but not unbearable if you plan your day accordingly. Same thing with rain. plan for it in the late afternoon and your will be fine. Go early in the morning. It is cooler. The general public does not have access to Express until 10 am, so its wide open on the lines. I did see more characters in the mornings, but their are usually lines. If you see a character out, ask his follower how much longer he/she will be out so you don't wait only to be disappionted. My DD has out grown the characters so I didn't pay alot of attention. We did Islands in the morning due to less heat and less chance for rain. Then it was either to the pool or over to Universal for the A/C and the inside rides. You will "feel" the crowds when you are walking in the later part of the afternon, but still little waiting with express.

Water rides will get you soaked, so bring a change of clothes if you plan on going to the A/C rides. You will feel a chill. What did I forget to tell you?

 

[FOV]

Thanks for all the great tips, Laz! I think I will follow your advice and do IOA in the morning, back to the pool and then US for late afternoon and evening. Thanks!

How did your kids like the HRH?

 

[Laz]

I have one DD and she loved it, esp. the pool with the big slide!. Great ice cream parlor and a Starbucks for me! They had character breakfasts and character wake up calls. You all will have a blast!

 

[FOV]

Happy to hear the good review - especially from your dd's view! We picked the HRH because the pool and slide sounded like a lot of fun. We are planning to do a character meal at Sunset Grille and dh and I will be at Starbucks every morning - is there a better way to start the day?

ps - I hadn't heard about the character wake-up calls. COOL! (I learn something every day from these boards!)

 

[Figment22]

Originally posted by FOV
ps - I hadn't heard about the character wake-up calls. COOL! (I learn something every day from these boards!)

The character wake-up calls are the best. Oh, and you can really surprise your super hero loving son because one of them is from
Spiderman! My kids usually sleep later than DH and I so what we do is set the clock radio alarm for about half an hour earlier than we want the kids to get up (say 6:30 if we want them up at 7:00) and then when the wake-up telephone call comes in we let it ring 3 or 4 times so the kids will start to stir and then pick up the phone by using the speaker phone feature so both of them can hear it. It always brings a smile to their faces.

In answer to your first question, the crowds will pose no problem to you because of FOTL access. This time we weren't staying onsite but we were at HRH last August and also in July, 2001 and it just works like a charm. Be sure to lay back and float in the HRH pool so you can hear the underwater stereo system; my very favorite thing to do!

Have fun!