Last week of August - Is Express Pass recommended/needed?

[Silvermist999]

Has anyone been during this time, how busy are the parks, assuming school has started up again for most, by this time? Are there still big crowds, long lineups?

We are deciding if we should stay at the Royal Pacific again for the express pass or possibly try Cabana Bay out for the first time. Thx!

 

[ClapYourHands]

This is one of the lowest times of the year, so if you are thinking of doing a non-premier trip, this is a good week to choose. Keep in mind that low crowds are simply in comparison to the crazy crowds of other times; you will still have waits. Wait tolerances vary.

However, if your last week goes into Labor Day Weekend, that changes things. Expect holiday level crowds for Labor Day, as it is both a 3-day weekend and the start of HHN, but the earlier part of the week should be fine.

 

[Silvermist999]

This is one of the lowest times of the year, so if you are thinking of doing a non-premier trip, this is a good week to choose. Keep in mind that low crowds are simply in comparison to the crazy crowds of other times; you will still have waits. Wait tolerances vary.

However, if your last week goes into Labor Day Weekend, that changes things. Expect holiday level crowds for Labor Day, as it is both a 3-day weekend and the start of HHN, but the earlier part of the week should be fine.

This sounds promising. We will likely do 2 or 3 days at UO/IOA the start of that week so we will not be there during the start of HHN.

 

[spewey]

This is our go-to week (also coming from Canada) to visit UO or Disney, having been at least seven or eight times the end of August.

We always stay at the Royal Pacific, as it is one of our favourite hotels, regardless of EP. But frankly, given the low crowds, they don't reduce the waiting that much. And with the notorious August heat we also spend a day at VB, where the hotel EPs don't apply - so if you do the same (which I would strongly recommend if you like waterparks at all) that's another reason to skip a premier for CB, which is basically attached to VB.

Our last end of August trip to UO was in 2021. Keep in mind COVID was still impacting crowds, but it was DEAD. Like spooky quiet, to the point where at times, like at VB, it almost wasn't as much fun (for the first hour we basically walked around an empty waterpark). The only time we ever waited for anything was for Hagrid's and VC, and neither of those took EP anyway.

HHN opening night that year (as it will be this year as well) was the Friday of Labour Day weekend. That was our last day, and it actually had the lowest crowds of the week - during the day. Makes sense if you think about it - people will flock to the park that weekend for sure, and the hotels will fill up, but if you're going for the Halloween event (we weren't) it's unlikely you'll be lining up at 8AM for EE, and you may skip the parks during the day altogether, knowing you'll be on your feet all night and up until 2AM.

We're doing our first HHN this year, arriving the last Tuesday of August, staying at RPR through Sunday. Can't wait - maybe we'll see you there!

 

[Silvermist999]

This is our go-to week (also coming from Canada) to visit UO or Disney, having been at least seven or eight times the end of August.

We always stay at the Royal Pacific, as it is one of our favourite hotels, regardless of EP. But frankly, given the low crowds, they don't reduce the waiting that much. And with the notorious August heat we also spend a day at VB, where the hotel EPs don't apply - so if you do the same (which I would strongly recommend if you like waterparks at all) that's another reason to skip a premier for CB, which is basically attached to VB.

Our last end of August trip to UO was in 2021. Keep in mind COVID was still impacting crowds, but it was DEAD. Like spooky quiet, to the point where at times, like at VB, it almost wasn't as much fun (for the first hour we basically walked around an empty waterpark). The only time we ever waited for anything was for Hagrid's and VC, and neither of those took EP anyway.

HHN opening night that year (as it will be this year as well) was the Friday of Labour Day weekend. That was our last day, and it actually had the lowest crowds of the week - during the day. Makes sense if you think about it - people will flock to the park that weekend for sure, and the hotels will fill up, but if you're going for the Halloween event (we weren't) it's unlikely you'll be lining up at 8AM for EE, and you may skip the parks during the day altogether, knowing you'll be on your feet all night and up until 2AM.

We're doing our first HHN this year, arriving the last Tuesday of August, staying at RPR through Sunday. Can't wait - maybe we'll see you there!

Thanks for sharing! We are also big fans of the Royal Pacific, so we may very well see you there that week!