Hi
Twinsmom 2009.
I’am at Universal every year at the end of May with my grandchildren.
Typically the first couple weeks of May have not been to busy, but I will add that Universal has become a more popular destination with fantastic Resorts and Theme Parks. So what was typical in past years as far as crowd levels just depends.
One of the best pieces of advice you will see by the regulars here on the boards is that.
1. Staying at one of the Resorts that provide Unlimited Express Pass in your stay Deluxe Resorts PBH, HRH and RPR is worth it. If it’s busy and you need it you will have it.
2. You could buy the Express Pass for each in your party at the park if your wish, but buying the Express Pass for 3 or 4 people would be expensive....if you made a ressie at a Deluxe Resort where the Unlimited Express is included for 280.00 per night for example each person in your family would get the Unlimited Express Pass For every day of your stay there. The Pass is good on day of check in and through day of check out. If you tried to purchase Unlimited Express for 4 people per day that would be about $ 400.00 per day along with the cost of your tickets. You come out ahead just staying at the Deluxe Resorts and having the Unlimited Express included.
3. You can upgrade to AP. Only one adult (the person who makes the reservation) in your family has to have AP. You can watch for AP discounts on your room at any of the Resorts at Universal.....you can lock in your dates and watch for the prices to fall and call and get better price.
4. There are two Express Passes.....Unlimited Express which is included with stays at Deluxe Resorts. This allows you Unlimited rides on the rides. Then there is the Express Pass which allows you one Express ride per ride.
5. There is early entry at the selected Parks as an onsite Resort guest. You can go to early entry and get on the rides that are open. This will help if you do not want to stay at deluxe resort.
For example.....if USF is the early entry park......Diagon Alley will be open and you can ride Escape from Gringotts and wonder around Diagon Alley and Knockturn Alley and the shops.
If IOA is early entry park you can go straight to Hogsmeade and ride Forbidden Journey and wonder around shops there .
The girls will love Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley.
Take them to see the wand show at Ollivanders In Diagon Alley. Let them pick a interactive wand of their favorite Character so they can do wand spells at both Potter Parks. There is a Ollivanders in Hogsmeade too, but I like the one in Diagon Alley better.
They choose someone out of the audience at the wand show....would be nice if they were chose.
Have a meal at Three Broomsticks and get your butterbeer at the Hogshead pub Hogsmeade.
******Go to the sticky Wizarding World Touring Plans and Details (by Ruthies12) I bumped it up and it’s right above your stickey.....she has detailed all the fun things to look for in the Harry Potter Parks.
. So many things to think about!
