Trip that coincides with Rock the Universe

[cc-atl]

We'll be visiting Universal on 9/11 - 9/13 which happens to coincide with the Rock the Universe event. I would prefer not to visit during this event but it is our only option from a timing standpoint.

Current plan is to stay two nights at Royal Pacific (9/11 & 9/12) and attend the parks Friday afternoon, Saturday, and Sunday morning through mid-afternoon. It certainly looks to me like the Rock the Universe Weekend Park to Park tickets are the way to go. They are $161 a piece and allow access to US during the Rock the Universe event at night. Normal 3 day park to park tickets are $193 a piece on UT and would not give access to US during the Rock the Universe event at night.

Seems like a no brainer, right?

Also, any thoughts, suggestions, strategies from people that have visited the parks during Rock the Universe or a similar event would be appreciated.

 

[johde]

First of all, I would not worry too much about the crowds. Rock the Universe (and Nights of Joy at Disney) is this weekend because it's an slow weekend. For the most part, Friday during the day will be very minimally impacted because the local youth will be in school. The couple of years I've been there that weekend, IOA is maybe a little more crowded during the day on Saturday but you're still looking at a September crowd. Sunday morning won't be impacted that much because many of the youth will be in church but it could get slightly busier in the afternoon.

With all of this, you're looking at groups that purchased the tickets you're looking at and not just concert tickets.

As far as the $161 "Rock Your Weekend" tickets go, they are a no brainer with a couple of caveats. The big one is they are dated tickets. They are only good Friday, Saturday and Sunday 9/11-9/13. If your plans change, you could be out the money, where with regular tickets you could use them later. The other caveat is I'm not sure how those tickets would work towards upgrade to an annual pass or power pass.

The advantage of those tickets is you could go back over to USF after IOA closes during the concerts and ride rides until 1 a.m even if you're not interested in the concerts. Just realize you're not looking at your normal theme park crowd. Your looking at groups of lightly supervised High School and Junior high students primarily. I've been to Universal twice and stayed for the RTU concerts twice, on my own and not part of a youth group. and didn't have any trouble but I have heard stories of rowdy teens during the concert hours (not during the day). Crowds around the concert stages really grow late in the evenings when it comes time for "headliners" So, from a rides perspective, that may be a good time to hit rides away from the stages like MIB, Simpsons, and Diagon Alley.

 

[cc-atl]

Great info. - thanks!

 

[kelleybean]

We went during this time last year and it was wonderful. Minimal crowds. We didn't even know there was an event going on until we happened to meet a participant by the pool. I wouldn't worry!

 

[johde]

I probably should add, I went many years ago (pre WWOHP in 2006) when they had the all day dining. Where I noticed it most was at the CS places that were part of the plan at the time. Just like the great deals the have now on admission and concert tickets, they had a great deal on admission, concert tickets and all day dining. It was great for the youth groups and parents, you prepaid the meals so you knew they would eat and not blow all their money on other stuff. But, it overtaxed a couple of the restaurants a little. That meal plan isn't around anymore.