Smart tips for beating queues

[MeeskaMooskaMickey]

We are visiting universal for the first time very soon and staying at Cabana Bay. We have maxed our budget to do this holiday so cannot consider upgrading hotels for express passes. The crowd calculator predicts our entire visit to be high crowd. Unfortunately I read some negative reviews and lots stated that they didn’t get on many rides in a day because the regular queue lines were so long and slow moving because of the express pass holders going ahead of them. This has worried me because we have saved so long for this dream holiday and I know we won’t enjoy constant queueing! As I understand it there is no Disney style fast passes you can pick up on the day without paying extra?
The good news is that we will have a 14 day pass so can dip in and out of the parks at the quieter times of day and we will also benefit from early opening. Are there any other tips for avoiding the long queues as much as possible?

 

[schumigirl]

If it’s going to be ultra busy and you don’t have EP then maybe some rides you will have to just wait for......

But, if possible use single rider if it’s suitable for you and your family. That can help.

Rides like Despicable Me always have a line from early in the morning........getting there early is a possible answer for that ride.

Sometimes the park will have lighter crowds later at nights, not sure of when you’re going and what hours are available to you then.

Usually we would suggest one night at a Deluxe for 2 full days of unlimited EP. That would make a massive difference, but if it’s not possible, stick to getting there early, single rider and later nights.

 

[klo1335]

We usually visit the parks over Thanksgiving week and always stay offsite and don't have Express Pass. Our last trip we did 4 days at Universal and 1 day at Magic Kingdom. MK was way more crowded then Universal the other 4 days we were there. We got there at park opening on all 4 days and chose the park that did not have early entry. We had no problem with the rides. The longest we waited was Escape from Gringotts was 45 min but being inside is so cool and lots to look at. Since you are going to be there for 14 days, I wouldn't really worry about it. Especially if you can get there early, take an afternoon break, and then return in the evening. Have fun!

 

[nkereina]

Have you purchased annual passes? If so, you could look into annual passholder rates for one night at a deluxe resort. As mentioned, that would get you two full days of EP and you could get all the headliner attractions done in those two days, using the rest of the time to hit the less popular attractions with shorter waits. Some people will even book the deluxe room as a "throwaway" room so they don't have to move resorts for the night.

Other than that, I would do Forbidden Journey, Gringott's, and Despicable Me first thing in the morning. Take advantage of early entry as well.

 

[macraven]

With 14 days, you will be able to do everything during that long time period

EE each morning will definitely cover what is open in the parks

If lines are packed during some time periods, explore your and other hotels and city walk

 

[danielocha30]

single riders lines are the best option to EP, it is free! and the rides that offer them are anyway somenthing you experience personally is not a group experience, you won’t enjoy them less because you are by yourself on it.

 

[MeeskaMooskaMickey]

Thanks for your comments. I have looked into moving to a deluxe for 1 night and it would be better value than buying one day express passes for us all. However upon reading your comments it sounds as though I was panicking unnecessarily! We’re not intending to go to the parks all day, every day so if we can go early and/or late and get on some rides without mega queues that will be fine. I can cope with 40min queues but not 3hr ones! We don’t really want the hassle of moving hotels if we don’t have to. It’s just a shame however that they don’t have a fast pass system like Disney where you can beat the queues for a few rides throughout the day.

 

[schumigirl]

Thanks for your comments. I have looked into moving to a deluxe for 1 night and it would be better value than buying one day express passes for us all. However upon reading your comments it sounds as though I was panicking unnecessarily! We’re not intending to go to the parks all day, every day so if we can go early and/or late and get on some rides without mega queues that will be fine. I can cope with 40min queues but not 3hr ones! We don’t really want the hassle of moving hotels if we don’t have to. It’s just a shame however that they don’t have a fast pass system like Disney where you can beat the queues for a few rides throughout the day.

Glad you’re all sorted now anyway.......I’m sure you’ll be fine.

We don’t spend all day every day at the parks, being so close is ideal for coming and going as you please.......

Most of us here though don’t want the Disney FP and much prefer the Unlimited EP a hotel stay gives you........unlimited rides all day with little to no queues.......that for us far outweighs any FP Disney offers........and no planning ahead........you can beat the queues all day, and not just with a few rides........

 

[macraven]

Thanks for your comments. I have looked into moving to a deluxe for 1 night and it would be better value than buying one day express passes for us all. However upon reading your comments it sounds as though I was panicking unnecessarily! We’re not intending to go to the parks all day, every day so if we can go early and/or late and get on some rides without mega queues that will be fine. I can cope with 40min queues but not 3hr ones! We don’t really want the hassle of moving hotels if we don’t have to. It’s just a shame however that they don’t have a fast pass system like Disney where you can beat the queues for a few rides throughout the day.

Stay one night at one of the three deluxe hotels and receive two days of free ep

Day you check in and day you check out, your hotel key card is valid for the ep lines

I do Disney and know their fast pass system

Happy that the darkside is not using it
I prefer laid back back park prep and touring

Do not want to spend months out planning specific dates and times in order to do 3 rides in a day

My preference is having express lines I can use

 

[TommyJK]

One thing I haven't seen mentioned is around the app.

This will be your best friend in the parks. The parks always see ebbs and flows of crowd levels/wait times throughout the day.

Check the app constantly on ride wait times. You'll notice that rides in one area of the park(s) have huge wait times while other areas are much lower, then swing to vice-versa later on.

So use this to your advantage to steer where to go. Things change constantly so if you can stay ahead of the way crowds look to be moving you'll save a lot of time.

 

[TommyJK]

Thanks for your comments. I have looked into moving to a deluxe for 1 night and it would be better value than buying one day express passes for us all. However upon reading your comments it sounds as though I was panicking unnecessarily! We’re not intending to go to the parks all day, every day so if we can go early and/or late and get on some rides without mega queues that will be fine. I can cope with 40min queues but not 3hr ones! We don’t really want the hassle of moving hotels if we don’t have to. It’s just a shame however that they don’t have a fast pass system like Disney where you can beat the queues for a few rides throughout the day.

This is a great plan to set. With that long of a period there you should be fine IMO.

I would plan to do Early Entry until about noon, head back to CB to enjoy the actual resort for the busiest (and hottest) part of the afternoon, then head back to the park around dinner time when crowds get lighter.

It's what we always do and get the best of both parts of the vacation. The parks AND the resort!

 

[bumbershoot]

With 14 days, you will be able to do everything during that long time period

EE each morning will definitely cover what is open in the parks

If lines are packed during some time periods, explore your and other hotels and city walk

I agree completely. Having a long stay with early entry plus that awesome not-available-in-US ticket is terrific.

Stay one night at one of the three deluxe hotels and receive two days of free ep

Day you check in and day you check out, your hotel key card is valid for the ep lines

And they could price it out as an add on, not a replacement for a night. Stay at CB but also have the deluxe night and have the two days of EP.

But like you said earlier, with 14 possible park days, that’s not needed.

 

[GoldmanTrust]

1. Get the Universal app and stay flexible. Start now looking at wait times and try to get a feel for the parks.

2. Use the Early entry. Come right at opening and do the rides you really want to do.

3. If your favorite ride isn’t a part of EE, be strategic and try to be close to it when the park opens.

4. Be alert. Sometimes they open non early entry rides before park opening. Dont be afraid to ask.

5. I would recommend doing the first few hours of the day and then head back to the hotel. Come back during the later part of the day. On the way to the parks look at the app to see which ones of your favorite rides have a short waiting time.

6. Dont sleep on Volcano bay. If you have a 2 week pass it’s probably a 3 park explorer pass right? VB is a great park. Probably my family’s favorite. Can’t wait to get back there. Also a short walk from CBBR.

This should help you cover everything at Universal.

 

[MeeskaMooskaMickey]

1. Get the Universal app and stay flexible. Start now looking at wait times and try to get a feel for the parks.

2. Use the Early entry. Come right at opening and do the rides you really want to do.

3. If your favorite ride isn’t a part of EE, be strategic and try to be close to it when the park opens.

4. Be alert. Sometimes they open non early entry rides before park opening. Dont be afraid to ask.

5. I would recommend doing the first few hours of the day and then head back to the hotel. Come back during the later part of the day. On the way to the parks look at the app to see which ones of your favorite rides have a short waiting time.

6. Dont sleep on Volcano bay. If you have a 2 week pass it’s probably a 3 park explorer pass right? VB is a great park. Probably my family’s favorite. Can’t wait to get back there. Also a short walk from CBBR.

This should help you cover everything at Universal.

Great tips there, thank you! Particularly like the idea of downloading the app - definitely going to do that now.

 

[MouseOfCards]

Yep, lots of great info here. Thanks for sharing!

 

[MouseOfCards]

By the way, how old should the kiddies be to enjoy Universal?

 

[Kivara]

There are things for all ages, from amazing play areas, Barney's show, Animal Actors show, Seuss rides up to extreme roller coasters.

 

[ilovetotravel1977]

We stayed at CB last week and we were at US and IOA last Friday and Saturday (respectively). The Friday morning we took the bus to IOA to use the extra morning hour at HP. We did both HP parks and rides that morning before they became a zoo. We finished our Friday US and did every ride without EP. We never waited more than 40 minutes for a ride.

On the Saturday, we did the same thing. Use Extra morning hour at IOA and then stayed in that park. Again, no EP and we rode everything and some things twice if doing single rider. I will say not to do the HP rides in the afternoons. Get those done in the morning and get out of there!

We had our 5 YO niece with us and she did all the rides that her height would allow for. There are only a few that are for over 48" tall.

Edit to add: Yes! Use the App! We got to ride Kong at the end of Saturday night as it was down for an hour, but added the alert to let us know when it would be opening again. Very helpful!