Need honest opinions on visiting in July...

[catwoman71]

Hi all,
Looking for some practical, honest advice on our plans to visit Universal the first week of July.

We are driving down from Ontario to take a cruise out of Port Canaveral. I decided that since we are driving down anyway, we should spend a couple of days at Universal since we haven't been then since just after HP opened.

However, I am really concerned about the crowds and heat and looking for someone to tell me whether it's a really bad time to go or it is doable.

We have a reservation at RPR for three nights. The days at the park would be July 3rd and July 4th (!)

Not knowing if Diagon Alley will be open, can someone give me practical, perhaps first hand, advice on whether this is worth it or not?

Sending appreciation in advance!

 

[Tinachichi]

You have to be as crazy as we are. We are booked the the RPR as well. Just knowing that the new HP section will be open will make it super crowded. It's still doable. Staying there will give you early access and that's all we can hope for. The lines will still be Hugh. Be patient and use the early access to your advantage. There will be no way around the crowds, it's the price you pay for being some of the first to experience the new section.

 

[macraven]

it will be hot when you are at the darkside.

you'll love staying on site .....close to the parks and city walk.


you can do the parks in the morning, take a break early afternoon back at the hotel to get out of the sun.
hang out at the hotel or pool during that break time from the hot sun.

return back to the parks after the hotel break.

 

[Poly-Anna]

It's our third year going at that time to Universal and we really enjoy ourselves. It's hot like macraven says but we do just that - go to the parks in the morning, back to the hotel for the pool in the afternoon and then back to the parks at night. See Diagon Alley with Early Entry and the rest of the parks should be fine with Express.

 

[Bluer101]

We do it every year over 4th of July for 10 days. Like others said get up do the parks then back to anyone of the onsite pools. Have lunch and swim. Head back to your hotel and room. Shower up and grab some dinner. Then hit the parks till close.

This will be our first year in many years that we will not be staying over the 4th. We decided to stay away from HP DA for now. Besides, we are taking our annual in October to be with fiends, you know who you are.

 

[macraven]

 

[hermionesnape]

Totally doable especially since your are staying onsite. Just take breaks and do HP first thing in the morning.

I predict, if not fully open, DA will be in soft opening by July 1st. Universal wants to make as much money as possible and the longer they wait in the summer to open the longer people delay their vacations and crowds reflect that.

 

[Poly-Anna]

Totally doable especially since your are staying onsite. Just take breaks and do HP first thing in the morning.

I predict, if not fully open, DA will be in soft opening by July 1st. Universal wants to make as much money as possible and the longer they wait in the summer to open the longer people delay their vacations and crowds reflect that.

We'll be there June 26 - July 5 and I would love at least a soft opening for DA!

 

[zebsterama]

it will be hot when you are at the darkside.

you'll love staying on site .....close to the parks and city walk.


you can do the parks in the morning, take a break early afternoon back at the hotel to get out of the sun.
hang out at the hotel or pool during that break time from the hot sun.

return back to the parks after the hotel break.

We have done three 10 day on-sight stints at Disney World during this time of year, and this approach (as mentioned above), will be our strategy for our first trip at Universal in late July.

It's the only way to survive!

Looking forward to trying out the Express Passes.