Need help on which ticket to buy - is Early Entry worth it?

[a-mad]

Hi everybody - appreciate all the help you've provided thus far.

Need some advice: our family of 6 will be there on two weekdays at the end of April. On both days the hours for IOA are 10am - 6pm (with EE at 9am) and 9am - 5pm for Universal Studios. We have a travel agent that can sell us multi-day park-to-park passes for about the same price as Universal's website - but it includes EE for both mornings (without having to stay at a Universal hotel). I can go to a discount website and save about $35 off that price for each ticket, but it does not offer EE.

I have thought through the whole AP and Hotel option... and the overall size of our group (3 families) is just too large to pull it off - so this is our current plan.

Given the options above, is it worth the extra $$ to get EE those two days? I'm guessing we'd utilize EE on both days so we could get rides on Hagrid's before the park officially opens. I know the line is still long even for EE... but it might guarantee we ride multiple times during our 2 days. Do we miss out by not being at Universal Studios either day at park open?

Thanks in advance!

 

[shawthorne44]

I think EA is essential. My two favorite parts is seeing the HP area largely empty, and starting official park open at the back of the park, so you move opposite of everyone else. If any of those families wishes that they got the pass, they can upgrade while there.

 

[DL1WDW2]

Early entry Yes , especially need to park early too!
Long line to park, get temp screening, security, and long walk to stand in long line for turnstiles!
Im pretty sure your ticket media can be scanned at gate but doublecheck with agent that you won’t have to stand in another line for guest services To convert ticket.
Good luck and have fun!

 

[cfoxga]

Without EE or EP, you are at the mercy of crowds for what you can do. Since Spring Break is over when you are there, then that should help.

Onsite resorts are very nice. With APH rates, they are reasonably priced for the benefits you get. Just being able to park your car and not touch it the entire time is priceless, in addition to the EE.

Keep in mind that you can always upgrade your tickets to APs. So if you really enjoy things and think you can make a trip back before the APs expire, it usually is pretty cheap to upgrade...

 

[Bethany10]

so this would give you EE even though you are offsite? DO IT.

 

[a-mad]

Thanks for the advice everybody! Yes, I think we're going to do it... I think having the extra hour both days will be worth the price difference.

New question - it sounds like by going this route, I would be given a document/voucher that I would need to take to a "ticket kiosk" near the entrance to get the actual ticket. I was hoping to avoid standing in a line to get the ticket before hitting the turnstiles... Has anyone dealt with this that could give me advice on how early I need to be there so it doesn't jeapordize our ability to take advantage of EE? Also, how early do ticket kiosks open? Are they human interaction or something you punch into a computer screen. Thanks!

 

[SwanVT2]

Hi everybody - appreciate all the help you've provided thus far.

Need some advice: our family of 6 will be there on two weekdays at the end of April. On both days the hours for IOA are 10am - 6pm (with EE at 9am) and 9am - 5pm for Universal Studios. We have a travel agent that can sell us multi-day park-to-park passes for about the same price as Universal's website - but it includes EE for both mornings (without having to stay at a Universal hotel). I can go to a discount website and save about $35 off that price for each ticket, but it does not offer EE.

I have thought through the whole AP and Hotel option... and the overall size of our group (3 families) is just too large to pull it off - so this is our current plan.

Given the options above, is it worth the extra $$ to get EE those two days? I'm guessing we'd utilize EE on both days so we could get rides on Hagrid's before the park officially opens. I know the line is still long even for EE... but it might guarantee we ride multiple times during our 2 days. Do we miss out by not being at Universal Studios either day at park open?

Thanks in advance!

Do you mind my asking what travel agent you are using to get the EE on your passes? Thanks.

 

[a-mad]

Do you mind my asking what travel agent you are using to get the EE on your passes? Thanks.

No worries - Be Our Guest Vacations is the TA we're using.