One day, one park, pass for Islands of Adventure...

[Skjhjb]

Were heading down SOON -

We're spending 4 days/3 nights at WDW, and then we're off to my Mom & Step-Dad's condo in Delray Beach for 5 days or so.

We're aiming to head back to Orlando early on the morning of the 28th (Aug) and use our last Disney park pass day, and then we're staying off site and heading to Universal in the morning, specifically for Harry Potter, and if we do other things, yay!

My question is, are we best to pre-buy the Universal tickets? Or is getting them at the gate our best bet?

 

[Metro West]

My question is, are we best to pre-buy the Universal tickets? Or is getting them at the gate our best bet?

Purchase them ahead of time so you aren't spending your time in line at the ticket window. Plus you can save money by purchasing tickets online through Universal or Undercover Tourist.

 

[Maytrix]

Do yourself a favor and stay onsite for the express pass. You can do harry potter (just use single rider to get through if the line is long) and then you can do everything else - you'll get way more value out of your day.

Otherwise, just do single rider on everything that offers it and you'll still get a lot in.

Staying onsite can also get you in an hour early too sometimes.

 

[Marth72]

Do yourself a favor and stay onsite for the express pass. You can do harry potter (just use single rider to get through if the line is long) and then you can do everything else - you'll get way more value out of your day.

Otherwise, just do single rider on everything that offers it and you'll still get a lot in.

Staying onsite can also get you in an hour early too sometimes.

Maytrix is correct about getting in an hour early. If you do decide to stay onsite you get in to the Harry Potter area (but only hp, not the rest of the park, I believe) one hour earlier before off-site guests.

 

[Skjhjb]

Thanks everybody!

Staying on site and doing 2 days was just not in the budget. Our off-site hotel is already booked & paid - yay!

We found that the Orlando Visitor's Centre will pre-sell tickets, and even hold them for us to pick up when we arrive in Orlando. And they work out cheaper than the Universal site prices.

Getting so excited now!!

 

[JessicaR]

Thanks everybody!

Staying on site and doing 2 days was just not in the budget. Our off-site hotel is already booked & paid - yay!

We found that the Orlando Visitor's Centre will pre-sell tickets, and even hold them for us to pick up when we arrive in Orlando. And they work out cheaper than the Universal site prices.

Getting so excited now!!

The Universal website price is $88 and so is the ticket at Orlando Center but now you have to go there first instead of just showing up at the gate.

 

[Skjhjb]

I was told the price at the gate is 20% higher than the site...

And on the site, after the $88, there are taxes and some other fee, so the price from the tourist centre is better.

 

[JessicaR]

I was told the price at the gate is 20% higher than the site...

And on the site, after the $88, there are taxes and some other fee, so the price from the tourist centre is better.

Your $88 ticket from The Orlando Tourist Center ends up costing $93.72 for each ticket.

A single day base ticket at the gate is not 20% higher. It is $1.00

 

[macraven]

sounds like aug 29th is the day you will be at the darkside.
that's a wednesday and crowds should not be an issue for you.

since you are only doing one park, you could hit the highlights of ioa easily.

 

[jeankeri]

We went the last Thursday in June. Arrived 1/2 hr before park opening- started letting people in 15 minutes early. Went straight to HP- wait time posted was 30 minutes- really only the time it took to walk through the queue to the ride. We then rode a second time and left the area to go to do Spiderman & Hulk, walked back and did JP ride, then back to Hogwarts to eat lunch in Three Broomsticks. Waited in the queue for Dueling Dragons- line posted was 40 minutes, really took about 20. Then, we bit the bullet and did the HP standby- posted 60 minutes, probably took 40. Spent the rest of our time there shopping in Hogwarts (PACKED), had a second frozen butterbear, and left the park @2.

 

[Skjhjb]

Your $88 ticket from The Orlando Tourist Center ends up costing $93.72 for each ticket.

A single day base ticket at the gate is not 20% higher. It is $1.00

Just going by what others have told me.

But I haven't bought the tickets yet, so I'm still debating.

The other plus mentioned to me was that we would have our tickets ahead, and not waste time standing in line at the ticket booth on the day we want to go.

We're driving in to Orlando anyway, so one more little stop is not going to be a huge deal. It will give the kids a chance to stretch their legs again!

 

[Skjhjb]

that's a thursday and crowds should not be an issue for you.

I'm beginning to worry that my calendar is wrong!!

You're the second person that has said the 29th is Thursday, but my calendar has it on a Wednesday. Maybe it's a Canadian thing?

How are crowds on a Wednesday?

 

[crostorfer]

I'm beginning to worry that my calendar is wrong!!

You're the second person that has said the 29th is Thursday, but my calendar has it on a Wednesday. Maybe it's a Canadian thing?

How are crowds on a Wednesday?

Lol, you aren't wrong. We are going to Islands of Adventure on Thursday the 30th of August. Wednesday is the 29th.

 

[macraven]

I'm beginning to worry that my calendar is wrong!!

You're the second person that has said the 29th is Thursday, but my calendar has it on a Wednesday. Maybe it's a Canadian thing?

How are crowds on a Wednesday?

oops..........

sorry about that.

guess i should wear my glasses when looking at the calendar.

yes, the 29th is a wednesday and a good day to be in the park.
should have lower crowds.