Long lines?

[Rabbit]

Hi! I am new to this board but have been reading around for a couple of weeks now. In about a month I will be traveling to Universal for the very first time! WAY EXCITED! After reading a bunch of posts I was wondering if the wait times on the rides were really long.

I am staying off site and will probably not be able to afford the express tickets for a family of five for five days or so.

Will the long lines make the trip miserable? I am just worried about spending the whole day at one park and only getting on three or four rides because of the long wait.

I have an eight year old, ten year old and a thirteen year old. All boys!

 

[princesspumpkin]

The middle of May isn't a bad time to travel to US/IOA. If you will be visiting the parks over the period of a few days, much can be accomplished without too much waiting. Maybe you can purchase express passes for just one of the days. On the other days that you are there, be sure to get to the parks (ie: parking lot) at least 1/2 before the stated opening. Being able to get into the park before 95% of the visitors allows you to get 3 or 4 rides with virtually no wait! When the lines start to get too much for you, go grab lunch at one of the many restaurants, then head on back to your hotel for the rest of the day. Good luck.

 

[phamton]

It's busy now because of Spring/Easter Break. It shouldn't be too busy when you go.

 

[babieemelly]

We were at Universal last summer (we spent about 2-weeks there, as part of a long trip) and we rented a house off-site so we didn't have Universal Express. Despite the fact tha we were there in the middle of the summer, wehardly had to wait on ANY lines. Both parks were always petty empty, which was great. The longest we had to wait was 40-minutes the first time we went on The Mummy, which could be expected for a new ride. However, the next few times we rode it we went late at right (about an hour before closing) and there was no wait AT ALL. Oh, and we also had a REALLY long wait on Men In Black, and right before we got to board the ride broke down, which added to the wait time. It wasn't too bad, though.

We were able t pretty much walk right onto everything else, and we always found seats right away at all of the shows. It was great!

 

[KRWong]

Rabbit,

We went last year in early May for DD's 10th birthday and we had hardly any waits. The only "problem" that we had, if you can even call it that, was that there were quite a few school field trips during that week. The only time it really impacted our trip was in IOA on Spiderman and some ride out in the dinosaur area, I can't remember what it's called, but the kids waited over an hour for this ride! That was our longest wait! It was hot, the water park at US (Curious George) was a great place to cool off and the kids also ran around the Cat in the Hat water area. It was a great trip!!! Enjoy!!

 

[robvia]

In "about a month" would put you at about May 17th. This is right as the kids are getting out of school.

Staying offsite is fine, as long as you arrive the parking garage at 8am. That way you can be near the front of the line when the park opens.

 

[Slacking]

IMO, long lines will only ruin your experience if you let it get to you. Like msot people said, if you arrive early, you shouldn't have much problem. But even if you encounter long lines. Don't stress out, that will only make you feel miserable. Be aptient and wait, or do something in the parks with a short wait or see a show. Your experience is what you make of it.

 

[Universal_Studios]

you should get there early, read this on robvia's web site. clickme!