September Crowds?? Express pass??

[The Second Star]

Total newbie to Universal and I have no idea where to start. We're visiting Universal September 9th and 10th. Any idea on what can I expect crowds to be like? And would an Express pass be needed for the Saturday I'm there (I'm staying off site)? Any tips at all would help me greatly!

 

[tinydancer09]

Total newbie to Universal and I have no idea where to start. We're visiting Universal September 9th and 10th. Any idea on what can I expect crowds to be like? And would an Express pass be needed for the Saturday I'm there (I'm staying off site)? Any tips at all would help me greatly!

That's rock the universe weekend and universal will be closing early for that event(6pm I think.) if I'm not mistaken that's a very popular event and I would recommend an express pass. Depending how many people are in your party you might come out ahead booking an onsite hotel depending on rates.

 

[mhbuxfan]

As Tinydancer mentioned weekends are busier and if it's in your budget I would definitely go for the EP's. We will be there September 11-17th at RPR. If not already booked try getting a room at onsite Hotel that offers free express pass. Often times it is cheaper than budget motel off-site plus EP for every family member. Not to mention early entrance and free transportation from on-site resort.

 

[johde]

I went that weekend but it was pre-Harry Potter. The Crowds weren't that bad. Most of the groups seemed to get just concert tickets so attendance during the day was still very manageable. IOA was maybe a little bit more busy during the day of Saturday but not too much. I would not buy Express Passes until you get there.

 

[slbgnb]

That's rock the universe weekend and universal will be closing early for that event(6pm I think.) if I'm not mistaken that's a very popular event and I would recommend an express pass. Depending how many people are in your party you might come out ahead booking an onsite hotel depending on rates.

Couple questions. What is Rock the Universe? Was this just added? Originally, on 9/10, Universal was open til 8:30....it's on my spreadsheet that I created for my trip. I was doing IofA 9/8 and UO 9/10. Maybe I should switch and now do UO 9/8 and IofA 9/10? Or does it happen at both parks?

Thanks!

 

[squirrel]

Couple questions. What is Rock the Universe? Was this just added? Originally, on 9/10, Universal was open til 8:30....it's on my spreadsheet that I created for my trip. I was doing IofA 9/8 and UO 9/10. Maybe I should switch and now do UO 9/8 and IofA 9/10? Or does it happen at both parks?

Thanks!

I'm also there at the same time as you and found out about Rock the Universe last week. It's only at US. Not sure of the prices for the event, I don't think they are available yet to purchase.

 

[macraven]

This is an annual event Rock the Universe

It is Christian praise music

Check out the website to get info on the tickets

Believe the park closes at 6 at the studios

There is an active thread on this subject
Do a search for it
I listed the entertainment and ticket info on it recently

 

[tinydancer09]

Couple questions. What is Rock the Universe? Was this just added? Originally, on 9/10, Universal was open til 8:30....it's on my spreadsheet that I created for my trip. I was doing IofA 9/8 and UO 9/10. Maybe I should switch and now do UO 9/8 and IofA 9/10? Or does it happen at both parks?

Thanks!

Check it again. My app is now stating 6PM.
I always check my times when I book and once a month several months prior. They change.
Here's the link to RTU. It happens every year. The dates were announced back in... April? So if you booked before then they probably did not have the correct closing time up.
https://www.universalorlando.com/Events/Rock-The-Universe/Event-Info.aspx

Only happens at one park and yes that sounds like a good plan. That's what I do when HHN is going on. Or I go to USF int he AM and switch to IOA in the afternoon.

 

[slbgnb]

Check it again. My app is now stating 6PM.
I always check my times when I book and once a month several months prior. They change.
Here's the link to RTU. It happens every year. The dates were announced back in... April? So if you booked before then they probably did not have the correct closing time up.
https://www.universalorlando.com/Events/Rock-The-Universe/Event-Info.aspx

Only happens at one park and yes that sounds like a good plan. That's what I do when HHN is going on. Or I go to USF int he AM and switch to IOA in the afternoon.

Yes - I went right to the web site once I saw the message and saw they did indeed change the hours. Just hadn't realized it until then. I will definitely switch my days since it doesn't take place at IofA - which closes at 7 anyway, so not much better....but it's a little better.

 

[tinydancer09]

Yes - I went right to the web site once I saw the message and saw they did indeed change the hours. Just hadn't realized it until then. I will definitely switch my days since it doesn't take place at IofA - which closes at 7 anyway, so not much better....but it's a little better.

Thankfully universal has a lot of OTHER stuff to do. I never find I mind ghe earlier closings. I push dinner time after park closing (because why eat when you can ride more rides?!) after an early closing we go to the hotel, take a shower, and then head to city walk for dinner. There's also a movie theater, really fun mini golf course, and lots of stores and other things to do! Blue man group is also a very fun activity and I recommend everyone do it at least once!
Mini golf has two different courses and if you do the scavenger hunt you get scratch off tickets that will give you a discount on something. I've been lucky to get BOGO golf so I end up doing the other course.

Pool hopping is also a great thing to do in the evenings. My nephews often want to do the pools more than the parks. If you're staying in site you can visit all of the pools. Not sure if you have little ones or not but they do a "dive in" movie at the pools in the evenings... Or most evenings? Idk I never partake.

 

[slbgnb]

Thankfully universal has a lot of OTHER stuff to do. I never find I mind ghe earlier closings. I push dinner time after park closing (because why eat when you can ride more rides?!) after an early closing we go to the hotel, take a shower, and then head to city walk for dinner. There's also a movie theater, really fun mini golf course, and lots of stores and other things to do! Blue man group is also a very fun activity and I recommend everyone do it at least once!
Mini golf has two different courses and if you do the scavenger hunt you get scratch off tickets that will give you a discount on something. I've been lucky to get BOGO golf so I end up doing the other course.

Pool hopping is also a great thing to do in the evenings. My nephews often want to do the pools more than the parks. If you're staying in site you can visit all of the pools. Not sure if you have little ones or not but they do a "dive in" movie at the pools in the evenings... Or most evenings? Idk I never partake.

Thanks! I actually did just make a dinner reservation for Sat night now since it's our last night and IofA closes at 7. Having the dinner that night frees up Wed. night to maybe stay longer in a Disney park - or relax by the pool or something. Glad I checked out this post!

 

[The Second Star]

I'm so glad I asked- I wouldn't have had any idea about Rock the Universe or to even check if the parks were closing early! Considering an Express Pass for Saturday now.