Spring Break at Universal/IOA

[calena]

Just wondering how busy March 9-16 would be at Universal/IOA and if there is a better day of the week to go to either park for lower crowd levels. When we were there in Feb two years ago it was great - walking on almost everything. Thanks. Deb

 

[yaytezIOA]

Find out when school is out. I'm sure if you dont have school in the orlando area it will be busy.

 

[phamton]

March 9-16 is Spring Break for Orlando schools.

 

[damo]

We were at Universal last year for Ontario's March break which coincided with Orlando's March break. We stayed onsite at Universal and everything was just fine. We did venture over to Animal Kingdom for one day though and that was not a good idea.

 

[ReallyFunMom]

We were at Universal last year for Ontario's March break which coincided with Orlando's March break. We stayed onsite at Universal and everything was just fine. We did venture over to Animal Kingdom for one day though and that was not a good idea.

How bad was it for offsite guests? I'm considering March 17, a Sat, at IOA and staying offsite this time. I'm scared...... but more scared to attempt Disney.........

Neither Express pass or onsite is an option this stay.

 

[yaytezIOA]

It will be pretty busy. But get there early and you'll be fine.

 

[calena]

Thanks for the info! This might be a silly question but do they still have the tickets like Fastpass you can get for rides? Punch in your ticket and you get a piece of paper with the time to return? We used those in the past for the Mummy, Men in Black, ET etc.
Also, should we try for a particular day of the week that might be less busy?
Thanks all. Already getting excited about the trip! Deb

 

[damo]

Thanks for the info! This might be a silly question but do they still have the tickets like Fastpass you can get for rides? Punch in your ticket and you get a piece of paper with the time to return? We used those in the past for the Mummy, Men in Black, ET etc.
Also, should we try for a particular day of the week that might be less busy?
Thanks all. Already getting excited about the trip! Deb

The only way to get express tickets free is to stay onsite. Your other option is to purchase an express pass at the gates or online which will allow you one express ride access per ride. You do not have to book these times but just go to the ride when you like. http://www.universalorlando.com/tic_express.php

 

[calena]

Just bumping this up to see if anyone has any ideas. We will be in Orlando from March 8-March 16 and then off to the beach for a few days. We have non-expiry Disney tickets already, so I think we will do MK on Wed and then at Blizzard Beach on Monday, but I still am thinking of UO/IOA. We love those parks! They were less busy than Disney when we were there last time (in late Feb/early March) so I still have this idea in my head they would be less crowded this time too. Any more thoughts? Also on a better day of the week to go or not go? That is March break for college students in Orlando, because my nephew is going to college there and is planning on doing some stuff with us. Thanks all.
Deb

 

[Soprano]

Just bumping this up to see if anyone has any ideas. We will be in Orlando from March 8-March 16 and then off to the beach for a few days. We have non-expiry Disney tickets already, so I think we will do MK on Wed and then at Blizzard Beach on Monday, but I still am thinking of UO/IOA. We love those parks! They were less busy than Disney when we were there last time (in late Feb/early March) so I still have this idea in my head they would be less crowded this time too. Any more thoughts? Also on a better day of the week to go or not go? That is March break for college students in Orlando, because my nephew is going to college there and is planning on doing some stuff with us. Thanks all.
Deb

Okay, using last year as an example. We arrived all the way from the UK thinking is should be pretty quiet. It won't until AFTER booking I found out it was Spring Break season! I was a bit worried as I heard reports about massive crowds.

We stayed in Orlando Feb 27 - March 16. We has a great time. Thankfully, it was pretty quiet for the first couple of weeks. As time went by, we noticed an increase in crowds and by the last few days of our holiday, the parks got VERY busy. But we had already seen and done most everything we wanted to do. All rides and attractions done! Weather was Fab too!

US/IOA are always pretty quite compared to WDW, for some reason. I love US/IOA!! We didn't need to buy any Express passes or anything. Really annoys me they charge for these!! Even hot rides like The Mummy, were only a few minutes wait. Our kids are quite impatient, but they didn't have to wait too long for 'their' rides.

I would hit the parks early on your vacation. Early in the week and even getting up early and going to do/see what you want. As time goes by, it will become busier.

Personally, I'd leave Blizzard beach on the Monday and hit US/IOA instead. The way I figure, a busy theme park is a lot worse than a busy water park, so I'd go to BB when the crowds arrive.