Presidents Day Weekend vs. Easter Weekend

[JaxDad]

I am a total Universal newb. I would like to take the kids to both parks either Presidents Day Weekend or Easter Weekend 2017. Yep, the dates suck, but it is what it is.

The non-subscribers version of the crowd calendar indicates near-peak crowds for Presidents Day Weekend, but does not go through April. I assume crowds are as bad or worse for Easter Weekend.

I would plan for us to stay at Cabana Bay and am willing to buy Express Passes. (For the rates I was seeing, it was cheaper to stay at CB and buy the EPs separately than get the cheapest available room at one of the resorts with free EPs, especially since our last day will be a half-day in the park, so we would likely not even get EPs then.) We would mostly want to see the Harry Potter sections, but will certainly like to experience all the areas we can. We have no problem getting there for rope drop.

Any advice? Is it worth battling the crowds? Thank you.

 

[damo]

The Harry Potter areas don't take express passes for the major rides. Early admission is your best bet there.

 

[gsikes]

touring plans is showing a 8 for Good Friday, 8 for Saturday and 7 for Easter. We went for Easter in 2015 and that seems about what it was. Presidents Day weekend is predicted a little higher with 9s, probably because of Mardi Gras. With a good plan and Express Passes, you will enjoy it. Hit up WWHP early, grab lunch right at 11am (beat the crowds) at 3Broomsticks, then use the Express Passes when the crowds are larger in the afternoon. Have fun!

 

[macraven]

I would think Easter week for this year would be better than Presidents' Day weekend

 

[JaxDad]

Thanks everybody! (Hi @macraven, I remember PMing you when you were reconfiguring the SeaWorld board!)

Well, it turns out Easter is not an option, so we are going to brave the Presidents Day weekend crowds! I got some pretty decent deals on the room and the tickets as a military retiree. We still plan to stay at CB, and I will buy Express Passes as needed. My son may be the only one who needs them. My daughter is not into thrill rides, and I am not into rides with screens, at least the ones I have ridden previously. We're definitely looking forward to our first visit to Universal!

It looks like we will have early entry to just one park during our stay, if I'm reading the calendar correctly. We'll take advantage of that to explore the HP areas before things get too crowded. I'm also looking forward to the Mardi Gras stuff. It's all a little overwhelming at this point, but hope to dial it in more by reading through more of these boards. If anyone has touring advice, it is always appreciated. Thanks again!

 

[macraven]

JaxDad

Do take advantage of EE for the potter sections
It won't be packed in that time period
Hit the rides first and then check out the rest of the section after 9

When the park fully opens, that is when the line waits for rides will begin

Ep is not available for the major potter rides gringotts and FJ

Also later in the day, lines might ease up for them

Difficult to predict crowd pattern yet

Some rides will have single rider lines
Go for it as it will cut time for you

The Minions ride has ep and lines get long for the ride
You can see the line wait times on the changeable signs in the parks
Use that to decide which rides have a better wait time for you

At Ioa, Kong will have lines off and on during the day
Sometimes there are less waits for rides during lunch hour period

Www.universalorlando.com has maps of the parks

Look at it and figure out in advance of locations of things you want to do
If you know the layout of the parks, you can get more done in the day

Hope you enjoy Mardi Gras !

I'll be there when it opens but skipping the concert
Not a favorite of mine
But plan to enjoy other entertainment and special foods

 

[JaxDad]

Thank you!

 

[Owl X]

The Star Wars Celebration convention is in Orlando from April 13 - April 16:
http://www.starwarscelebration.com/Orlando/Home/
They expect around 40K in attendance.

Easter is April 16. Good Friday is April 14.
The Universal Theme Parks are about 3 miles from the Orange County Convention Center.
I suspect that many of the convention attendees will be visiting the parks that weekend.