New Years Eve at US/IOA...

[Beejayjay]

My lass, her two boys and I are going over to Orlando on Boxing day, and the plan is to spend New Years Eve at one of the Universal parks. I did it once before but a long time ago, in '94.

I'd prefer to be at US than a Disney park, and anyway I read on the DIS boards that you can expect the WDW parks to be jam packed by mid afternoon, whereas US/IOA don't get quite so crowded, another good reason to go !

My main question is, how early would we likely need to get there nowadays, to be sure of getting in ?

I dont mind going as early as is necessary to ensure we do get in, just in case huge crowds do mean they do have to prevent entry by a certain time.

I'm also wondering what the situation may be regarding re-entry if we feel the need to take a break off of the park. Will re-entry be as normal (whatever that is, never done it other than at Busch Gardens), or is it likely that having left you wont be able to return after a certain time ?

It might be good if we go to the park first thing as per a normal day, to then come out for a few hours to freshen up before returning for the celebrations later in the evening. Is that going to be do-able ?

Lastly, is New Years Eve regarded as an ordinary day at the parks ? Will we need a separate ticket, like you do for the Halloween Horror Nights ? I assume not - I don't remember buying a special ticket last time - but want to be sure.

Any advice would be appreciated, thanks !

 

[the Dark Marauder]

US/IOA get very crowded on New Years Eve. I'm talking 60-90 minute wait busy. The express system will also run out of tickets very early in the day for most major attractions. Express plus will be sold out by around noon.

Since the parks are open till 1am on NYE, you'll have plenty of time to get there. I'd recommend getting to the park early (before 10a) so you can be there first and experience some major attractions early, before the lines start building. Between 12p-3p is when the majority of the crowd will be getting there. Some will get there later, for they want to stay for the festivities. No matter how you look at it, getting there around opening is best. This way you can go commando for a few attractions and hit them while their wait is still >30 mins.

Re-entry works like this: you get your hand stamped as you exit. When you return, you'll need your ticket stub and your hand stamp. Also, if you're staying off-site, your parking stub for the day will be good all day. DONT LOSE IT. NYE is a "normal" day, just with long park hours (8a - 1a) and a big fireworks spectacular at the end. No additional tickets are required, though I'm not sure if they will be selling a discounted ticket for later entry. Hmm, I should check into that...

This should help.

 

[Beejayjay]

Thanks Marauder, thats useful info - kinda what I expected, but good to know.

Ok, anyboy else got an opinion ? Concur/disagree with Marauder ? Any suggestions as to which park of the two mght be quieter ?

Thanks.

 

[Beejayjay]

Bump...

 

[the Dark Marauder]

Both parks should be equally busy.