Question regarding Early Entry if you are NOT on property

[LibrarianBecky]

I know that early entry is something available for on property guests only. We have ten days booked at Wyndham Bonnet Creek, so that won't be us. At Disney, one of the worst things you can do is go to the EMH park...when you don't get EMH. Is that similar for Universal? If there is a choice between the two parks, I should go to the one that is not offering EE, right?

 

[Moonwolf]

It may have been the time of the year I went but last Oct I had no problem with going to the Early Entry park even as an off-site guest. I got there about 20mins before regular park opening and was near the front of the line. Everyone was let into the park but anyone without early entry was just held in the front section before the rides. Also once they did open the park to everyone I didn't find the lines too bad either but again it was Oct and I was traveling solo.

 

[JustCallMeMommy]

You can't really avoid it at Universal. Islands of Adventure has early entry pretty much every day, and during peak times, Universal Studios may also. The difference is that the whole park isn't open for early entry - it is only the Harry Potter area.

 

[saskdw]

As stated above you really can't avoid it. However it's on a much smaller scale. There aren't 25 huge resorts full of people like at WDW that have this perk. It also really only affects the Harry Potter areas. All the early entry people are heading straight for HP. The rest of the park will still be virtually empty at park opening.

 

[LibrarianBecky]

Ok, that helps me understand it better. Thank you! My next question, then, is does it make sense to still rush to Harry Potter at rope drop or would it be better to do a headlining ride in another section of the park and go back to HP at another point in the day? If so, what time of day?

I appreciate the help! Universal is new for us, and I like to go in prepared with as much info as I can.

 

[pcstang]

When are you going?

 

[bumbershoot]

I see from your signature that this will be November or December. "2015: 5 Days at Disney, 3 at Universal, 1 at LEGOLAND, and Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party!! Cannot Wait!!!"


Really depends on crowds. If it's close to the holidays and it's going to be packed, try to wait until 2 hours before close to go to HP. (I haven't yet done this, I cannot do it. I must go there early. I can't leave it to the end of the day when I might be hurting or tired or grumpy.) Poeple tend to leave. Then again, during that time of year the sun sets early and it's "night" early and the parks close early! Since the days are short, people might stay longer so getting an emptier HP area once it's dark might not be possible.

If you're me, you go anyway. Or if you're at US Park you go to Despicable Me first then move to Diagon. Because the lines for Despicable get seriously despicable, and the line is dreadfully UNinteresting after the first 5 minutes! If you're at IOA and you're me, you just head on back to Hogsmeade and hope for shortish lines on Forbidden Journey. Though if your party is all big enough for Single Rider and brave enough, you can ask about that for FJ.

 

[LibrarianBecky]

Thank you for the advice! We are going to be there the first week of November....not the dead slowest time of year, but not bad either.

I completely understand what you are saying about not being able to wait! I'm a kid at the theme parks. I'm sometimes more of a kid than my kid is. I just can't help it. It makes me so happy/excited/giddy to be there, I'm frequently about 10 feet in front of my husband and son, turning around to encourage them to walk faster!

Doing Despicable first sounds like a good plan, then going to HP. I'm not even sure that we are going to be able to go on FJ. My husband and I are both large individuals, and I'm thinking that the harness system might thwart us. We will still definitely do the Castle tour though!

P.S. Congratulations on your weight loss! That is amazing!

 

[schumigirl]

Going to Despicable Me first is usually a good plan. It does get an extremely long queue very early........then head to Potter.

Try the test seats outside the rides if you're not sure if you or your husband will fit FJ. TM's are nice and helpful with you with that issue