Need onsite hotel perks for Jan. 18 crowds?

[Ann Z]

Our family of 4 is planning to make first visit to IOA on Fri., Jan 18. From my research, sounds like it is very doable for us to get through everything (especially Harry Potter and Marvel stuff) in one day without a crazy rush. (kids are 7 and 9). We're willing to pay extra to stay onsite for the extra hour and Express Pass since we really hate crowds and are only spending one day at park.
However, with this being a low season - do we even need to worry about crowds? What kind of wait time should we anticipate with/without Express Pass?
I'm trying to decide whether to go with cheaper "partner" hotel offsite (which provides early entry, but no Express Pass) or if Express Pass is the more valuable benefit.

 

[macraven]

suggest you check the website for the express pass costs for that day.

if the charge for the ep is $35 or under, universal is not expecting a high crowd that day.
you would be fine then in the parks without crowds.


you could use the single rider lines where they are offered.
the wait in those lines are not long.

 

[Ann Z]

The RPH is $254/night now and Express Pass is only $29 for 1/18, so I should check prices again for Partner Hotels.

 

[damo]

Make sure that if you book an offsite hotel, you book it as part of a package directly through www.universalorlando.com

That is the only way to get early admission. Simply booking through the offsite hotel will not get you early admission.

 

[bumbershoot]

Make sure that if you book an offsite hotel, you book it as part of a package directly through www.universalorlando.com

That is the only way to get early admission. Simply booking through the offsite hotel will not get you early admission.

That might bring the costs up a bit, since it's a package!


And, OP, just in case you would *consider* a second day, if you stay onsite you get the perks for checkin AND checkout days.

 

[dreamscometrue47]

Just FYI: We were at IOA yesterday 1/8, had early entry as we stayed at HRH. The mornining was empty and my kids were the first on Forbidden Journey, did it again, then Dragon Challenge twice and it was still only 8:45am. Leaving Harry Potter land at 9 am, the wait for FJ was 60 minutes. The afternoon got very busy and waits for Spidey and Hulk were over 1 hour. Love love love the express pass...BUT love early entry to Hogsmeade too!