Sept. Crowds--Need to stay onsite for FOTL?

[Belle & Ariel]

We are looking at going for Rock the Universe and getting the 3 day 2 park pass. We would go to I of A each morning and head to Universal after a pool break midday. We will be moving from Disney to Universal area on Friday.
Should that weekend/event have enough crowds we will need to stay onsite to get FOTL benefits? We can book Holiday Inn Maingate or the Holiday Inn Express that are about a mile away with a savings of over $100 per night. The distance is not a deciding factor--that would be whether FOTL is needed and justifies the extra money.
We go to Disney a lot, have DVC and stay in the deluxe resorts but also stay at the values and spend so little time in the room they are perfectly fine for us too. It would be myself, DH, and 17 year old son, so walking is not a problem.
I did a search here for September crowds and it must be relative, because info was conflicting.
What do you suggest?
Thanks!

 

[mesaboy2]

September shouldn't be bad and you have 3 days. I think you'll be fine without FOTL.

In the interest of full disclosure, I'll be there during Labor Day weekend and staying onsite. That has less to do with FOTL--though that'll be nice--and more to do with just enjoying the nice hotel and convenience to the parks. Still, I'll be the tall goofy-looking dude sticking his tongue out at you while I walk by you in the Express lane.

 

[Marquibiri]

Agree..

I've stayed both onsite and on partner hotels during september trips and with 3 days, you should be fine...

The onsite perk is fabulous, though. It makes me feel all relaxed not having to worry about having to take a cab back to the hotel. Very convenient!

Express pass is not necessary either, IMHO.

Marquibiri

 

[Belle & Ariel]

Can anyone tell what wait times would be on say Men in Black or Hulk midmorning or late afternoon for the regular line in September?

 

[Marquibiri]

Can anyone tell what wait times would be on say Men in Black or Hulk midmorning or late afternoon for the regular line in September?

It should be about 20 min at most...

Marquibiri

 

[mesaboy2]

Can anyone tell what wait times would be on say Men in Black or Hulk midmorning or late afternoon for the regular line in September?

And both often have their single-rider queues open, which would be even quicker.

 

[Lou Holtz]

MIB can be a 40 minute wait in the afternoon even in the most uncrowded times because they only run one side of the ride. Hulk should never be more than a five minute wait at any time of the day during that period.