Onsite, Offsite, Early Admission, WWOHP, help!

[Marquibiri]

I will be visiting Universal Studios and IOA in a couple of months, last week of September to be more precise, for the third consecutive year. I’ve been having issues with the hp packages and any other package as a matter of fact. First, I all ready have my park tickets ( the 2-park, 7-day unlimited for $99) bought online during January. Here are my questions:

1. I will be staying in Orlando for over a week, but only visiting the parks on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday Sept. 23, 24, and 25. Will it be necessary to stay on site; the crowds should have died down for the WWOHP by then, right?

2. Staying onsite (room only since I have my tickets all ready) still grants me early admission and express pass, right? Again, will it be necessary by then? Previous two years every ride barely had any queue during the same time of year.

3. This is my plan. Staying onsite is quite expensive, so I plan staying offsite on Wednesday night, so if I book my room at Loews Royal Pacific Resort from Thursday to Saturday (two nights), I will be able to use express pass and early admission on Thursday early morning, Friday, and even Saturday after checking out of the hotel for all the day, correct? Can I still leave my car parked there? Then, I could stay offsite again on Saturday since my flight leaves on Sunday morning. Sounds good?

4. Through the universal website the Loews Royal Pacific Resort is 219 a night. Is this the best price I can get?

Thank you all!

Marquibiri

 

[finucane]

We just visited IOA Wed. -Sat. Staying at Royal Pacific 3 nights, using the early admission on Thursday and Saturday (we were to beat Friday.) On Thursday, even with early admission, there were instantly waits of over an hour for FJ and Olivanders. When we left WWOHP the staff told us that there was a two hour wait just to get back in to the area. However, Saturday I was able to walk straight on to FJ, Dragon Challenge, and in to Dervish & Banges for shopping, all in under 30 minutes. I headed out of the area as the park was opening and there did not seem to be the mad dash to WWOHP that I had seen the other morning so it does seem to vary day to day.

What was consistant though, was that after about 8pm the area is still crowded, but you can get what you want done. Although, Olivanders and Dervish & Banges were still quite busy each night, the wait for FJ averaged 20-45 minutes and Flight of the Hippogriff and Dragon Challenge were Express Pass walk ons.

As far as Express Pass goes, it is not tied to what ticket your purchase, but to your Hotel Room Key. So as soon as you check in and are issued your room key you can star using it. (even if your room isn't ready yet.) We didn't try it, but I've read you can check in as early as 7am which probably would get you in in time for the early admission.

Also, it is good all day the day you check out as well. Same goes for your parking the day you check out. When I inquired at front desk what time we had to be out of the lot she said, "just by the end of the day." We left around 1pm without issue.

Hope that helps some.

 

[Dougweller]

From another post, it looks as though Universal Parks don't stay open later than 7PM in September.
Doug

 

[Metro West]

1. I will be staying in Orlando for over a week, but only visiting the parks on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday Sept. 23, 24, and 25. Will it be necessary to stay on site; the crowds should have died down for the WWOHP by then, right?

Coming for opening weekend of HHN huh? Cool...I'll be there Friday night!

 

[Marquibiri]

Also, it is good all day the day you check out as well. Same goes for your parking the day you check out. When I inquired at front desk what time we had to be out of the lot she said, "just by the end of the day." We left around 1pm without issue.

Thanks finucane, very helpful! I don't think I will be able to pick the car up till about 12:30 in the night (from Sat to Sun). Would I have to pay a parking fee?

Coming for opening weekend of HHN huh? Cool...I'll be there Friday night!

I sure am! 3rd time is a charm! Bringing DW along, she is frowning towards going the this. I showed her a vid I took and uploaded to youtube of last year and she said.... hell no!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dlkayVWfFWw

Marquibiri