Just back - words of advice

[GOOFYDONALDMICKEY]

I knew that it would be busy in July but WOW! We had FOTL due to staying at PBH but it was pretty much a joke. Many express lines were 20-30 minute waits. You could barely navigate through the park. The standby line for Spiderman was 120 minutes, Hulk was 90 minutes, and DD was 90 minutes. We waited 30 minutes in line at most counter service restaurants. My advice is to avoid summer and if you do go make sure to go during the week and not on weekends.

 

[Spidey7]

I agree for the most part although we did not have much problem at all with our room key fast passes. We pretty much got right on every ride with our fast pass with only 5-10 minute waits at all.

The regular lines were extremely long as well as the crowds I totally agree, I think July is super peak peak season for them. As I said in another thread, i think there had to be about 100,000 people in EACH park literally. If it wasn't around those numbers it had to be extremely close. There was literally a sea of people.

One night we sat at the entrance of IOA at closing and just watched the people leave, there were masses and masses of people that just kept coming and coming. That was when i concluded there had to be around 100,000 peeps per park.

I would be interested to hear from Damo or ChrisFL or Maurader if those figures are accurate.

 

[JohnnySharp2]

Being from the UK , a lot of the many visitors from here can only visit in the summer due to the school holidays.
I must admit the weather and crowds in July can make touring all the parks difficult at times.

 

[nymomof3]

we just returned on July 30 and had a great time at rpr...our plan of attack was hang around the pool till about 2 or 3 and then head to parks around 4-5 and we had no problems with crowds or heat..the parks had alot of people but it seemed only in a few areas...the only time the crowds were huge were after the fireworks at universal but only did that one night so not a big deal...never waited more than 10 minutes for a ride..a couple of rides did go down while there but i guess that is to be expected...i would definetly go back in july again...if anyone has questions would love to answer them as these boards helped me soooooooo much

 

[damo]

GoofyDonaldMickey, I wonder what you were doing differently than the others who only had to wait up to 10 minutes? Were you going in the afternoon when the crowds are higher?

 

[yaytezIOA]

Daughter and I hit IOA and USF on the 21st. We got there EARLY.....the park was scheduled to open at 9, but it opened at 8:30. We rode Spiderman twice, alone. We rode P-flyers 4 times, and rode JPRA alone. Then we rode Flying Unicorn alone. We played in Camp Jurassic for about an hour, and then hit the Discovery Center for about an hour. Then we hit all the rides in Suess Landing, with no more than a 5 minute wait. We then went to USF about noon, and rode Jimmy Nuetron, Shrek, Twister, MIB and E.T. before we had to run and pick up our tickets for Blue man at 2:30 for our 3:00 show.
The key to everything is go early. Early...EARLY. We had no express or room keys.

 

[babieemelly]

I guess it just depends on the week. We were there from July 21 - August 13 last year and the first two weeks were perfect. The lines were SHORT! We waited no more than twenty minutes for anything, and that was for the Seuss Trolley because it was new. We had a great time going from ride to ride. We also got there late, though. We liked to sleep in and head to the parks at around 2:00/3:00 in the afternoon. We didn't have a problem until the last week when suddenly things were packed. I guess you just have to get lucky!

 

[phamton]

It's that time of year for crowds, heat, and long lines at all the parks:
http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1533857

 

[tropical depression]

you can find those same standby times anytime of the year on the weekends, usually starting around noon. the EP lines are subject to the resort levels and how many EP's are being sold. even when the EP's were free there were backups in the lines up to thirty minutes during peak times. a thirty minute wait for Spiderman is a lot better than two hours.

that's why I hate the term 'FOTL', and spend mid-June to mid-August nowhere near Orlando. (other than a few mornings at Bucs training camp) there are too many beaches and too many other things to do rather than wade through that human stew in the heat.

 

[JohnnySharp2]

Whichever park we visit at ANY time of the year we always get there early.

 

[Miss_Nellie]

I think I'm doing a little less of a happy dance now.

We arrive Aug 11 (Saturday) and leave Aug 14 (Tuesday). School here starts August 15, plus DHs work schedule ... we just didn't have many days to choose from. I was hoping that maybe it wouldn't be too bad especially since we'll be onsite and able to use FoTL.

I guess even if it is busier than I had hoped it will be infinitely better than siting here in Indiana watching the corn and soybeans grow. Boring!

 

[Cinderella822]

I think I'm doing a little less of a happy dance now.

We arrive Aug 11 (Saturday) and leave Aug 14 (Tuesday). School here starts August 15, plus DHs work schedule ... we just didn't have many days to choose from. I was hoping that maybe it wouldn't be too bad especially since we'll be onsite and able to use FoTL.

I guess even if it is busier than I had hoped it will be infinitely better than siting here in Indiana watching the corn and soybeans grow. Boring!

I'll be there the same time as you and I was getting worried myself. We went this time last year and, yes, it was crowded but managable. With FOTL the waits were less than 10 minutes. It was just hard walking through all the crowds. But this year, we'll be spending less time at the parks and more time at the pools to relax. A day at USO (even a hot, crowded one) is better than a day at work! Hope you have a great time.

 

[curlyjbs]

We'll be there 8/21-28 with FOTL only on the 23rd & 24th. Probably wont use more than 4 days on the 7 day passes but that's ok! We plan on LOTS of down time in the pool and DH wants (needs) to golf!

We will just have to deal with the heat & crowds - hopefully it wont be too bad.
~Connie

 

[nymomof3]

we just returned..the crowds were there but you really don't feel them that much...exiting and entrance seems the
most crowded..enjoy your trip...

 

[momof2inPA]

What a difference a month makes. We went the last week of June and didn't have to wait much for anything with the room keys. The longest waits were Jurassic and Men in Black, maybe 10 and 15 minutes, respectively.

 

[downunder]

I am thinking about going there when I am in orlando from the 30th Dec-2nd Jan. What do you think? I know that the crowds will be crazy over NYE but if i am there at park opening each day do you think i will be able to beat the crowds and ride the major rides withiout to much fuss?

I wont be staying on site! I just figure with the 86 dollar ticket i just may as well give it a go.

Let me know what you think

Thanks Jess

 

[Metro West]

I am thinking about going there when I am in orlando from the 30th Dec-2nd Jan. What do you think? I know that the crowds will be crazy over NYE but if i am there at park opening each day do you think i will be able to beat the crowds and ride the major rides withiout to much fuss?I wont be staying on site! I just figure with the 86 dollar ticket i just may as well give it a go.

Let me know what you think

Thanks Jess

Jess - that's the busiest time of the year here and the crowds will be pretty large even early on but...go for it! The weather will be great and you should be able to hit the big stuff w/o too much of a wait. The $86 ticket is a terrific deal so make use of it while you can. Now...by 10am or so....look out! The crowds will be overwhelming!