Thinking of Spring Break 2013

[HarMinnie]

We are planning a short trip for spring break 2013. Friday March 29 and maybe Saturday March 30 (Sunday the 31st is Easter, so it is early next year).

My question is: Do you think we can do all the major attractions/rides in IoA on Friday if we stay offsite and no Express Pass, if we arrive one hour before opening?

Is Friday a potential Mardi Gras night? Does that mean that IoA would close early?

New to Universal.
Any advice is appreciated.

 

[macraven]

spring break/Easter are crowded times in the parks.

crowds and long lines will be encountered.

i'm sure you will be able to hit highlights since you are doing only one park for 2 days.

Mardi Gras would be at the Studio park not IOA

 

[lake queen]

We went in 2011 on during spring break time, it was more the middle of the month. Potter had just opened.

On Friday, We had very long waits, but were able to do almost everything. We did skip the water rides ( we did do jurassic) because it was kind of chilly. We spent the whole first day at IOA.

Sat. we went to US, which was empty, because every one was at HP. We did everything there, multiple times, and watched the Mardi parade which was great.

On Sunday we spent doing our fave rides at both parks. By Sunday night HP was way slower than it had been all weekend. We went in all the shops with no wait ( there had been an hour wait all weekend for Honeydukes), and ate at Three Broomsticks with no wait!

 

[torquelover]

We're thinking of going last week in March this year, and are concerned with the crowds/lines. Thinking maybe a good idea to stay at RPR for the FOTL unless it's so crowded the express lines will not be that much faster.

So, stay at our timeshare and brave the crowds/lines or stay at the RPR?