New to Universal - please help me understand...

[ColoradoDis]

Our next trip is May 10-18, 2013. We haven't been to Universal for over 15 years. My kids (24,24&20) all want to see WWHP. We'd like to only go for the one day and spend the rest at WDW. We plan to stay at Shades of Green because my son-in-law is in the Air Force and we can all stay in one large room at a great rate.

What can we expect during the second week of May? The express pass seems very expensive for the five of us - is it a must?

Do you recommend a specific day of the week?

What else should I ask/know?

Thanks so much.

 

[damo]

That's a great time to go. Crowds are reasonable and weather is lovely. You'll have a great time! Get to the park so you can be ready to enter about 15 minutes early. Head straight for the Wizarding World.

 

[the Dark Marauder]

Go on a Sunday or Wednesday (Sunday is best, as it's slow from 9a-1145a), get to the gate by 830, head for WWOHP first (usually 850). Take your time, as you may spend 2-3 hours there taking it all in Then venture forth into the other areas. Be sure to see Spider-Man in HD!

 

[Brit_Jude]

Shades or Green is a great benefit. We have stayed there several times. There is a thread on the Resorts Board all about Shades of Green.

We have mainly switched to staying at a Disney Hotel now for the free transportation benefits from the Airport. So we don't have to rent a car and we like to use the dining plan at Disney dining establishments.

When driving from Shades of Green to Universal make sure you leave enough time to drive, park and walk from the parking garage to be at the gate 30 minutes before the advertized park opening for IOA.

You can get your Universal ticket sales at Shades of Green so won't need to factor in time at the park to purchase tickets.

 

[derekburgan]

I would think with kids at those ages you may want to consider more than one day. Universal is geared heavily towards that demographic, especially if they are into thrill rides.

 

[macraven]

avoid friday and saturday if you can work your plans that way.

lots of schools do field trips on fridays in May.

Saturdays, if the weather is good, is usually busy.

 

[ColoradoDis]

Thanks for all this information. We have a lot of time to figure everything out but I'm a planner and getting ready is half of the fun!

 

[AJA]

We visited from May 7th - 13th this year. It was not crowded at all Sun-Thurs. As a pp said Friday and Saturday were def busier. Since you'll only have one day I would suggest Sunday (early morning Sunday was great) or anytime early-mid week, just try to arrive at park opening.

The express pass is a nice perk if staying onsite but we didn't think it would be 100% necessary in early May, most of the posted ride times were 20 mins or less through the week.

 

[TinkerbellinLouisian]

We were there 5/26 and 5/27....

Drove straight in checked into hotel 5am 5/26 and up at 10a at IOA after that...

We had our tickets pre-purchased online which was a PLUS because the lines for tickets were long...

We headed straight to Harry Potter (late) around 11:30am.... the stand by line was 70 minutes so we did the "wand" thing/show and shop and talked to folks and realized there was a SINGLE RIDER Line for Harry Potter... so we headed to SR line.

AT the end of the SR line we realized that we really could have jumped over to the regular line... but never mind by then.

The ride was IMPRESSIVE !

We did both IOA and US in 2 "1/2" days and finished everything we wanted to see...

Have a magical visit !

Mary