Time needed to cover Universal Studios and IOA?

[uday029]

Is it possible to know if a particular weekend is going to be slow/busy? We are a group of 6 adults planning to visit Universal Studios and IOA for 2 days on Feb 15th and 16th (Friday and Saturday). Do we need to buy express pass for both days? How much crowd can we expect on Friday? We don't mind spending the money for a two day express pass but we would rather save that money for something else if we don't need it on Friday.

Also, we are in Orlando only for the weekend and after doing some research we decided that we would need 1.5 to 2 days to cover both Universal Studios and IOA. Are we correct in estimating this time frame? Can we finish both in one day (so that we can hot some other park on the second day)?

Any advice/suggestions are highly appreciated.

Thanks.

 

[Tink575]

While I can't answer all your questions, this is how we approximate how busy US or IOA will be: go to the Universal website and check the price of the express pass, it varies. The more expensive the pass, the more crowded Universal must expect it to be. If it is the lowest price, we assume express passes are not needed at all, we do not go on all the big rides however.

How long you need to see both parks depends both upon crowd level and how many rides/attractions/shows you want to fit in.

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[macraven]

6 adults in your group?

use the single rider lines as much as possible.
less wait in the regular lines usually.

be at the front gate of the park 30 minutes prior to opening.
chances are you will be let in up to 10 minutes earlier if (ioa) parry hotter is not packed by the early entry homies.

if the park gets crowded and line waits are over 30 minutes, buy the express pass then.
you can buy it at some of the stores in the park or at guest services.

those ep's are valid one time only per ride/show.

if mardi gras is happening on that saturday, leave the studios when the crowds start rolling in and hop to ioa.
if you don't have park to park tickets, then that won't work...

 

[Metro West]

You're visiting during President's Day weekend so the parks will busy that whole weekend. Plus, there will be a Mardi Gras concert on Saturday night at the Studios and possibly on Sunday night depending on if there is a concert that night. The Studios will be crowded to jammed depending on who's performing but only after 4pm or so. I would wait until Universal releases the concert schedule to make your decision on which park to do which day. You definitely should take in the parade and concert since they are included with park admission.