Proper Planning Prevents Line Waiting

[fishhunter]

My family and I are planning a trip to Universal parks in mid-December and I have been reading a lot about the problems with the Harry Potter waiting lines. We recently went to Disney during the same time and we were told that it was the busiest time of the year. We stayed at a Disey resort and took advantage of the early park hours and planned accordingly (im the type of person that studied maps for routes and ride selection). I believe the longest wait time was 15 min on any ride and most were walk ons. I'm still a little unsure about the early hours for onsite guest at Universal parks but I do believe the same strategy will work. Although, I'm still trying to locate detailed maps of the parks. What do you experienced guests think?

 

[Metro West]

My family and I are planning a trip to Universal parks in mid-December and I have been reading a lot about the problems with the Harry Potter waiting lines. We recently went to Disney during the same time and we were told that it was the busiest time of the year. We stayed at a Disey resort and took advantage of the early park hours and planned accordingly (im the type of person that studied maps for routes and ride selection). I believe the longest wait time was 15 min on any ride and most were walk ons. I'm still a little unsure about the early hours for onsite guest at Universal parks but I do believe the same strategy will work. Although, I'm still trying to locate detailed maps of the parks. What do you experienced guests think?

If you're going mid-December the crwods shouldn't be too bad. The parks usually don't get really busy until the week after Christmas. If you're staying onsite, you get unlimited Express access and the lines will be of no concern...except for WWoHP but there's where the early entry would come into play.

 

[NashvilleTrio]

Try this link for the maps...

http://www.universalorlandovacations.com/pdf/2010_UNI_brochure.PDF

I think you'll find your experience at Universal to be a lot less overwhelming than at Disney. We always feel that our UO vacations are more relaxed and less "commando" style.

If you're not staying onsite, then you may want to get to the parks at or before opening time at least a couple of days and you should be able to experience everything with little or no wait.

I think the early hours for onsite guests only applies to the WWOHP section, but I could be wrong. As of now, I think they are allowed into IOA an hour early to experience the Harry Potter area. Universal does not have "extra magic hours" like Disney does.

Hope this helps!
-Melissa

 

[La2kw]

I've been to WDW, Universal Orlando, Universal Hollywood, and Disneyland many, many times and Wizarding World of Harry Potter is unlike anything I have ever seen regarding crowds, lines, and fan devotion.

Summer is not the busiest time of year at Disney, spring break and the weeks surrounding Christmas are the busiest times. We have gone in the summer many times and have never spent more than 30 minutes in line for a ride, usually more like 5-15 minutes in the summer. Spring and Christmas are much more crowded.

WWOHP has lines to get in, lines to get in the shops, lines to buy things, lines to get into the restaurant, etc. etc. I don't see that changing anytime soon.