Strategy for 12/28-12/30

[glamdring269]

Hi all, we're going to be at WDW 12/21 - 12/28 and I'm considering heading to Universal for a couple of days. Problem is I noticed that the hotel prices are pretty outrageous so may opt to use some Hilton points for a couple of free nights. With that said, I need to understand what to expect as the only time we've visited was during October and we stayed on site at Portofino so had all of those perks.

How bad should we expect it to be if we stay off site and do not have early entry? I seem to remember that even with early entry, in October a couple of years ago, the newer HP ride would hit 60+ minute wait times pretty quickly and definitely before normal park opening hours.

Really couldn't care less about FOTL perks for many of the rides but my understanding is we can purchase a variant of that if we chose to do so.

Basically, I'm just trying to understand if the only good way to enjoy the park "efficiently" is by having access to those extra park hours in the AM. If that's the case we may opt for staying on site. Thanks!

 

[AmberK24]

I was there those exact dates last year and it was very crowded. Most of the major rides were in the upwards of 60-120 minute waits from an hour after opening to an hour before close, while even rides link Kang & Kodos were in the 25-30 minute range. You may be able to combat some of the lines by using single rider, however, since it's just for 2 nights stay, I would bite the bullet & stay on site for express.
Besides just the benefit of express, there were crowds of over an hour just to get through security in the hub, so the lines of 3 people in front of me in security at the water taxi was almost as beneficial as the in park perks.

 

[glamdring269]

Thanks Amber. We'll more than likely go with booking an on site hotel (either RPR or HRH since we did PFB before). Did you find prices to fluctuate at all? Basically just trying to decide if we should go ahead and book it now or if there is some expectation that prices may go down over next couple of months.

 

[Lynne G]

From the sea of people we saw in CityWalk last year, it will be very crowded those days. We too will be at Disney from 21 to 28 December. But since my kids want to also do Universal, paying twice as much as my room rate at the mouse, staying at RPR from 28 to 31 December. The use of the unlimited express pass from the hotel is worth the cost of the hotel, even more now that the Potter rides have express. I am excited to see the new parade and Potter Christmas decorations and light show.

Oh, and I would book as soon as you can. Prices do go up if selling well. I made my reservation months ago. And I made my October reservation almost a year ago, and never a lower price.

 

[Disney Ron]

Thanks Amber. We'll more than likely go with booking an on site hotel (either RPR or HRH since we did PFB before). Did you find prices to fluctuate at all? Basically just trying to decide if we should go ahead and book it now or if there is some expectation that prices may go down over next couple of months.

Prices fluctuate all the time. I've already changed our Sept. reservation 4 times, because better prices have become available. I check the UO site daily.

 

[glamdring269]

Lynne, I should have known to check this since we haven't been in 2 years. But wow, if the HP rides are Express now then it's a no brainer.

Ron, thanks for the heads up. I was going to ask if booking/rebooking would work and seems like that's a good plan.

 

[Disney Ron]

Lynne, I should have known to check this since we haven't been in 2 years. But wow, if the HP rides are Express now then it's a no brainer.

Ron, thanks for the heads up. I was going to ask if booking/rebooking would work and seems like that's a good plan.

glam, just to clarify, we have a room only reservation, because we are AP holders, so if you are booking a package check if their are any fees/restrictions on changes.

 

[Lynne G]

I agree, keep checking. And, oh, just checked, my December reservation just went up 30 dollars a night from when I booked in April. While I agree, prices can change, I'd be careful around the holidays, as demand may play into not any real savings. So far, I see standard available, but club level pretty much sold out, except for suites. For me, standard is fine. Don't really care about the view. Prefer Tower 1 or 3. Oh, and if you'd like to say hi, we'll be there as I said. I have an AP, but buying the kids tickets. And I like room only, because the cancellation at no cost is 5 days before, so no cost to cancel and change until a few days before.

Agree with Ron, packages are not always a savings, and have change fee and also a cancellation fee. Only in late August did I find a better price for a room only after I had booked, but usually have not around the holidays. I also find find the longer out, the better rates for more busy times, as well as more nights, bigger savings with the SMSM rate. Since we're only staying 3 nights, there's not much savings.

I hope you and your family have a great time on your holiday vacation.

 

[kohlby]

It was beyond awful crowds. I'm okay with crowds. I'm an experienced Universal go-er. I know how to work it usually. It did not work. I went solo figuring that would make crowds no big deal. It was beyond horrible when I was there on 12/30 this past year. I mean shuffling-feet-can't-see-ahead-due-to-people crowded. Single rider lines kept closing due to being too long. FJ had a 200 minute wait - and I was told single rider line was almost as long. Kong also had a 200 minute wait - and I was told single rider was 1.5 hours. I could walk much better on the US side than the IOA side, but some of that may have had to do with starting on US too - though I got over to IOA before too late. They had TM's funneling us in to the HP area there well outside the area as the people shuffle began far outside the HP area. I have done crowds before. I figured I'd just go with it. But was a so bad that I gave up. I ended up riding the boats to the different hotels and checking those out instead. (I did not have express btw. That's the only way I'd say it's worth it).


Stay on-site on one of those three hotels to get express. Make full use of the early hour. And bring a very large dose of patience with you.

Do book now. If prices go down, call them up and they will give you the lower price.

 

[AmberK24]

I always book through Hotels.com and never through UO or Lowes, as it has ALWAYS been cheaper when I looked, and once you rack up 10 nights you get a free night. Additionally, it's much easier to make a new reservation and cancel your old one through their site than UO if I do find a lower price.

 

[glamdring269]

We're now actually thinking about just doing 1 night at RPR and taking advantage of the 2 day Express Pass perk. I'm guessing this would be more than sufficient time for 2 adults to make the rounds but I'm also basing this on our trips a few years ago in October. What might one expect to see in terms of line waits with Express Pass during Christmas high season? My assumption is the biggest bottleneck is likely to be the mass of humanity slowing movement throughout the park and not so much the lines but just wanted to check. Only interested in Universal/IoA. Thanks!

(FYI, we would be there as soon as we could get there from Disney on day 1 so might miss RD but would hopefully be there pretty early still. Day 2 we would definitely be there for rope drop/early hours.)

 

[Lynne G]

The longest lines for Express Pass are around the holidays. And yes, if you think the mouse crowds are bad, all places are crowded. While you may not be able to do all, 2 days with Express Pass will give you a better chance to see most. I go in October, and the Express Pass lines are not very long. Only long ones for me were the minions and Kong. About 15 minutes each. I'm expecting the days we're there in December, Express Pass will be more like 20 to 30 minutes for the most popular rides. But be sure, the stand by line will be three or more times that. And, since the Potter ones now have Express Pass, seeing those rides should be shorter waits. I am assuming early entry for hotel guests, and with crowds, I'd definitely take advantage of that, even if for only one day.

I hope you both have a great time at Universal. Make sure you ride the train if you are Potter fans.

I'm excited to see the parks with Christmas decorations, the parade, and potter show.