Late arrival... Worth it?

[thewelts]

We are visiting Universal for the first time on Saturday, December 12. We arrive at MCO at 5:30 PM. We have arranged for car service to the Hard Rock Hotel where we will check in for 2 nights. We transfer to WDW on Monday afternoon.

Universal is open until 8 PM on Saturday, December 12. Is it worth it for us to enter the park for the last hour of the day? I am planning to purchase an annual pass for myself (discounted rates at HRH) and my husband and son will have a 2 or 3-day ticket. It seems to cost only $10 more for a 3-day ticket (vs 2-day) so cost is not a huge issue in our decision.

Does the park really close up at 8 PM sharp or do we just need to enter the park by that time?
What would you do?
Alternatively we can just have a relaxing dinner at Mama Della and explore the on-site resorts (and get to bed early for early entry on Sunday morning).

Thanks for your advice!

 

[angierae]

From what I understand, it's a lot like disney where if you're in line at 8, you'll be able to ride.

Our plane lands around 1:30, and I'm going to play that day by ear. If we get to the resort and get settled in and aren't starving from travel I may go ahead and head in that day (and add a day to our tickets) but if we're enjoying exploring the resort and relaxing, we won't.

I would just wait and see how you feel when you get there. If your plane is delayed or it takes a long time to disembark you might not even have that time anyway.

 

[johde]

I agree with the previous poster to play it by ear. If you get to your hotel in good time, can get a good hour in the parks, and don't feel wiped from traveling, I'd say go for it.

I'd head over to USF and go to Diagon Alley. Lines for Gringotts often are shorter in the evenings and your Express Passes aren't good for that ride. You can then use Early Entry at IOA the next morning for Forbidden Journey then hit Pteranodon Flyers right at opening (if you have a child the right height). That would take care of the 3 worst rides that don't accept express passes.

 

[thewelts]

Thanks for the replies...
I'm still hoping to get a better understanding of what happens inside the park after 8 PM.

Are there shows? MANNHEIM STEAMROLLER? Can't find the show time.
Dining options for dinner (inside the park)?
Rides?

If the parks closes at 8 PM, what times does everything inside the park close?

Thanks again!

 

[RMulieri]

The studios has an evening show, Cinematic specatacular , but that does not run every night .Mannheim steamroller is performing on the 12, 13th but not sure of the time. Some of the dining venues very often close well before the park does ( Mythos especially).If you are in a ride line at 8pm, you will be allowed to ride, but you can not enter a ride line at 8pm and ride

 

[HM]

If you go right over after you check in, you'll likely have time for a couple rides. A lot depends on if your plane is on time, if your ride from the airport is on time, and that there is no traffic snarls in Orlando.

I don't know if it's worth the rushed feeling you'll have that evening trying to get from the airport to your hotel and to the park in a short period of time.

Wouldn't it just be better to check into the hotel and explore the hotel and Citywalk instead?

 

[sk8jdgca]

Why not get an annual pass for everyone. It was only 15 more for me to do this in September ( to the cheap one, just watch blackout dates)

 

[nkereina]

We always arrive at our Universal hotel late afternoon/early evening and just use that first night to explore the resort and City Walk. We love roaming the stores at City Walk, stopping for drinks, having dinner there, etc. Even though it's smaller than Disney Springs, we actually like it better. That being said, since you will only have 1 full and 1 half day at Universal, that hour on your arrival day might be pivotal in helping you accomplish more rides/attractions since your time there is brief, if that's a concern.

 

[Pembo]

When we flew in last year on a Friday, we had 2 hours for park time. We are huge Potter fans so we headed straight to Diagon Alley. It was a great introduction to area. We got a few rides in before park closing. We ate a late dinner at Margaritaville and called it a night.