Questions from a first timer

[AveryandLilysmom]

First time posting for Universal, we are typically at Disney since our girls our young, but mom and dad are huge HP fans and want to see WWOHP when it opens...us and everyone else that is

So, some questions...requesting assistance please!

First, we are going the week of 10/23-10/30. I know that WWOHP will impact crowds so it's difficult to estimate how busy it will be then, but based on past experience, can anyone tell me if pre-HP it was busy during the day the week leading up to Halloween? We will not be going to the night events, just standard park admission during the day for US and IOA (also SW).

My other questions relate to the first. We are staying off site so to get front of line access we'd have to pay for the express passes. Is it worth it to pay the extra money to get FOL access? Is it necessary if the crowds aren't bad? Can you buy it the day of at the park or do you have to buy it in advance? I'm thinking of how the fastpasses at Disney can run out when it's busy and wondering if Universal limits the number of FOL passes that can be bought for a particular day??? Is it more expensive to buy them onsite than to buy in advance?

Thanks very much in advance!!!!

 

[giant4203]

First time posting for Universal, we are typically at Disney since our girls our young, but mom and dad are huge HP fans and want to see WWOHP when it opens...us and everyone else that is

So, some questions...requesting assistance please!

First, we are going the week of 10/23-10/30. I know that WWOHP will impact crowds so it's difficult to estimate how busy it will be then, but based on past experience, can anyone tell me if pre-HP it was busy during the day the week leading up to Halloween? We will not be going to the night events, just standard park admission during the day for US and IOA (also SW).

My other questions relate to the first. We are staying off site so to get front of line access we'd have to pay for the express passes. Is it worth it to pay the extra money to get FOL access? Is it necessary if the crowds aren't bad? Can you buy it the day of at the park or do you have to buy it in advance? I'm thinking of how the fastpasses at Disney can run out when it's busy and wondering if Universal limits the number of FOL passes that can be bought for a particular day??? Is it more expensive to buy them onsite than to buy in advance?

Thanks very much in advance!!!!

You might see a bit more traffic because of HP, but this is usually a dead time for the parks in the area. Usually at this time the crowds aren't bad at all (well unless you go to Halloween Horror Nights) and see how crowded it is. I believe you can buy Express passes inside the park if you feel you need them. But typically, people are still in school, and if you go during a weekday you'll encounter minimal lines

 

[Planogirl]

I don't know much about the time period before Halloween except that this is during Universal's Halloween Horror Nights which is very popular. I don't know if this event has much impact on daytime crowds but it certainly does in the evening.

I will say that we usually stay offsite and have never had to buy Express passes. We follow the old rule of get to the park at rope drop and then hit the popular rides first thing. We normally knock those out before the big crowds arrive and then we can concentrate on less busy attractions and shows.

Of course Harry Potter could change all that.

 

[Metro West]

Historically...October is fairly slow during the day. The crowds will increase in the afternoons with the folks coming for HHN at the Studios that night. Since the Studios usually closes at 5pm on HHN nights for setup, IOA stays open until 7pm so there's still a park open for those not wanting to attend HHN.

I wouldn't fool with purchasing Express passes ahead of time for October as you probably won't need them for most attractions. I don't recommend buying them ahead of time because they are date specific and non-refundable. The best thing to do is to purchase the EPs at the stores inside the parks so you aren't waiting in the long lines at the gate. Pricing is the same either online or in person.

Hope that helps!

 

[czycropper]

I also have a question - what are the days leading up to Thanksgiving like at US/IOA? I know that with WWoHP things will be different

We were originally going at the beginning of Nov. but now my DDs have cheer competitions the last weekend in October as well as the first weekend in Nov. so it's not feasible for us to go then.

We've now decided to fly out either Sat. or Sun. before Thanksgiving spent a couple of days at RPR and then spend Thanksgiving with my Dad on the Gulf Coast (let's hope that there won't be oil on the beach since the beach where he lives is beautiful)

I'm hoping to catch the Deathly Hallows I movie at the cinemas in CityWalk on the night we get there and then go to the park the next day

Thanks for any suggestions!

 

[AveryandLilysmom]

Thanks very much for the helpful replies!!! It is appreciated!

 

[Metro West]

I also have a question - what are the days leading up to Thanksgiving like at US/IOA? I know that with WWoHP things will be different

Leading up to Thanksgiving isn't usually busy...just that weekend. Even with the increased crowds you should be good.