Leaving Frigid North Dakota....

[Docnd]

for our first ever visit to Universal Studios in less than two weeks. I have some rookie questions and any help will be appreciated. First off. We are staying off site (about 25 miles from Universal). How soon should we leave to get there, get parked and get in line before the gates open? Also, we are planning on our first day being Sunday, Feb. 14th. Will the Daytona 500 play any part in the crowds being up or down that day? I have been scanning this board a long time. I have picked up some excellent tips. Thanks in advance for any help.

FYI: Current temp at 9:35 P.M. Central time: A balmy +8 degrees!

 

[Purseval]

First tip: never live in a place where going out for a pizza involves making sure you have survival equipment in case you break down

Since you didn't say exactly what kinds of roads those 25 miles involve all I can comment on is what's needed once you arrive. It actually takes 15 minutes or so to get from the point where you pay the attendant to the gate, a brisk warmup for a long day of walking. So if you are near an Interstate and can get to US in 30 minutes give yourself an hour or more, depending on how early you want to get there. 2 weeks from now it shouldn't be too bad crowdwise. Have a great time.

As for the Daytona 500: I live in the heart of NASCAR country and know lots and lots of race fans. When they go to Daytona they go for the race, not theme parks.

 

[Disn3y]

Hey there neighbor (South Dakota here), where are you staying? Like Purseval said it's hard to tell you when to leave without knowing exactly where your at but I agree on probably at least an hour if you want to make it for before the park opens. Enjoy your trip! I am very jealous that your getting out of this cold weather..

 

[Docnd]

Purseval, that is why there is pizza delivery people!!! We are staying at Summer Bay. We were there in '08. We had a great time. The nice thing about that is that they had a complimentary shuttle to and from Disney. This time we rented a vehicle. It looks like it is nothing but main road to the park.
Disn3y, I just finished clearing our driveway of 4 more inches of snow. I can't wait to get out of here!!!

 

[Purseval]

If it's the Summer Bay in Clermont Mapquest estimates 26 minutes, probably not realistic for a saturday afternoon but possible on a sunday morning if you don't hit a lot of lights on 192. I'd give yourself an hour from the time you want to be in line, so if you want to be at the gate 30 minutes prior to opening leave no later than 7:30am. Take a practice run one day when you're going out to eat or on a shopping run. You don't have to go all the way to Universal, just from your resort to I-4 or I-4 to your resort, either direction doesn't matter. Time how long you are on 192, you know you can go 65 or better once you hit the Interstate. Then you'll have a better idea.

 

[Docnd]

We are staying in Clermont. We may have to do a test run like you suggest. Also, if anyone has any "diamonds in the rough" in the park that we can't miss, I would appreciate those suggestions as well. We have two kids (ages 10 and 7) that are almost as excited as me to be going.

Thanks for the info Purseval!!

 

[susiesk]

I live in ND too DH wanted to go to Florida this winter and get away from the cold and snow, but I said we had to wait till June to make sure WWoHP is up and running

Have a great time!