Parks deserted

[bruin]

We just got back from our wonderful trip, and we were just amazed at how deserted the parks were. I had planned on 2 full days at US and IOA. We arrived at 8:30 on 08/14, and we were the first people in our lot. We got to the US gate and there were maybe ten people there. They opened the gate at 8:45. We went straight to Mummy, and we were the only ones on the ride. This was the same for Jaws. The whole day was like this. NO LINES. We walked on all the rides with no wait. We went to IOA and it was the same way. Rode Hulk four times in about 15 minutes. Again, walked on all rides. We finished both parks by 5:00 and were off to city walk to eat. It was a fabulous day! Here I thought I was going to need an itinerary to make it through each park in a day-nope. What a nice surprise.

 

[newholiday]

cool
hoping it stays that way for the next 2 wks

 

[the Dark Marauder]

Welcome to the slow season!

 

[robvia]

You'll be spoiled now.
The next slow season is in February. Great time to visit, because temps only go up to 75 in the afternoon.

 

[dopeys biggest fan]

I'm going 10/4-10/8. will it still be slow or will it get busy because of the Horror Night?

 

[teachingmykids]

Great! I hope it's that way next week!

 

[the Dark Marauder]

Originally posted by dopeys biggest fan
I'm going 10/4-10/8. will it still be slow or will it get busy because of the Horror Night?

Day: Slow. Night (if there is HHN going on): Busy

 

[mwaldron]

We'll be there Mon am, looking forward to a quiet week. We rescheduled from the week of 9/13, because of Ivan; so I was hoping that it would still be quiet. That's all DS7 and DD 5.75 know: We love September!

 

[the Dark Marauder]

Sept - Early Dec (excluding HHN and Thanksgiving Weekend) are all slow periods.

 

[dislvr75]

I was trying to follow the posts regarding the traffic at the parks during October. Did you say that the parks would be crowded DURING HHN for those days in October, like at night? Or did you mean that the parks would be crowded both day AND night during the days of HHN?

As you will notice from my counter, I have a stake in all of this since we plan to be there soon.

Also, does anyone know if FOTL will be in effect during October? Is it considered "peak" during the day during HHN? I guess what I am wondering is how many people come to Universal for HHN and are in the parks all day, versus those who only come for the evening festivities.

Thanks in advance to those that respond!

 

[the Dark Marauder]

During normal park operating hours (9-5, 530, or 6) FOTL is very much valid in its unlimited state. October days are considered off-peak. On Saturdays it's a little busier during the day than during the week. More people (mainly locals) will come out for the HHN festivities than spend day & night at the parks.

FOTL will NOT be valid during HHN. It's a separately ticketed event, therefore express is extremely limited. Only Halloween Express and GAPs will be accepted. Unless you spring for a VIP tour...


HTH

 

[dislvr75]

Thanks Dark Marauder for your reply. We specifically picked October hoping that it would be low crowds, it was only later that I found out that Universal hosts HHN each year! We have young children, 5 and 7, we won't be experiencing HHN, I was just curious about what the days may be like.

Thanks again!