Park Hours/crowds

[ltkl7]

We are going to go to IOA on Monday July 10th and US Wednesday July 12th. What can I expect the crowds to be like?

Also the website shows the park opens at 900 but is that the time you can actually get into the park or is that the time you can get on the rides? We want to get there early to try and get into Harry Potter before it gets way too crazy.

 

[mesaboy2]

Crowds will probably be heavy. The 9 open is park open, but it is not unusual for the TMs to start letting people in 10-15 minutes early. Definitely get there by 8:30 or so (earlier if you need to buy tix), and you should be as good as can be. Be aware that onsite hotel guests will have an hour head start at HP no matter what you do.

 

[Metro West]

We are going to go to IOA on Monday July 10th and US Wednesday July 12th. What can I expect the crowds to be like?

Also the website shows the park opens at 900 but is that the time you can actually get into the park or is that the time you can get on the rides? We want to get there early to try and get into Harry Potter before it gets way too crazy.

You're going to see heavy crowds as it will be for most of the summer and HOT HOT HOT temps. If the park is scheduled to open at 9am, that's the time the gates will open...not the time you would get to the rides.

 

[kdawg954]

It's gonna be packed enough for you to want to consider an Express Pass.

If you have a group of 4 . . . you definitely would be better served getting a stay on property for the benefits of early entrance and the fast pass. Those passes run $49.99 a day, per park, per person during that period.

I just can't do July at either park w/o a pass, I did it once in 2007, and rode one ride in 8 hours (thanks to rain also) . . . trust me it isn't fun, it gets aggrivating and its hot. The waits were unbearable and I felt like I didn't get my money's worth.