trying to decide to book onsite hotel or not

[mamabearof4]

We will be in Orlando April 2-8. We have a time share for the week, but after comments on this board, considered booking 1 night at Universal Hotel for EP privilidges. we have adult and teenages who are thrill seekers and will definitly want to ride all the major rides

I know April 2 is scheduled for Mardi Gras and figure it will probably be busier than other days, but by looking at the express pass price list to get an idea of attendance (2 park EP $59.99) it looks like it's expected to be as busy that day as in the middle of the summer !? I thought that was a little weird since April 3-8 as EP $31.99.

I guess I'm wondering if we should go on April 2 at all for Mardi Gras. Don't really want to be standing in line all day and be packed like sardines in the park.

Hoping to get some help with these questions--

Should we just skip that Sat/Mardi Gras and go rest of week?

If we book Universal room for EP would it be worth it to go on Sat? (Also wondering if the $299 cost of room is worth it-we have 1 adult & 3 kids ages 11-17)

Would we be better to book Universal room for Sun April 3 to get Sun/Mon EP when it looks like parks might be slower

Would we likely need the EP during week of April 3-8?

If we don't get the EP would we be better all going in single rider lines to shorten waiting?

thanks in advance for any info, trying to make the most of our vacation without breaking the bank! LOL (but also willing to look at options to splurge if it would be worth it)

 

[bumbershoot]

Maybe if I reply others will jump in.

"we have adult and teenages who are thrill seekers and will definitly want to ride all the major rides"...

That says to me that you'll want to have express pass for at least part of the time. My heart, the one that fell madly in love with the onsite privileges, wants to ask you if you can cancel the timeshare and just stay onsite the whole time...your countdown says it's a Universal vacation so I just WANT you to have the most awesome time ever, and having that pass (during spring break) will help with that!

Then again, you have time enough, it's not like you're just there for a day, so the time allotted should give you the opportunity to ride everything.

I definitely would take one night at a resort, to get TWO days worth of extra-awesome express pass. Just know that if you have more Universal days after, it'll feel bad! Like when we went back to WDW post-Universal and despised the sad fastpass system...

Have you looked to see if there's an AP rate at the hotel? When you look at the loews hotels website, use APH as a code, and if there's a rate you will be able to see it. If there is, check to see what happens to the total cost to you(upgrade someone to an AP vs savings on the room) to see if it's worth it.

Best of luck!

 

[mamabearof4]

thanks for the info so far. Can't affort to stay on site the whole time...trying to stay somewhat with a budget I'm really leaning toward getting the 1 night though. I have the wait time app on my phone and been checking the lines

so if we get the on site room for 1 nite, would we be better off booking Sat for Sat/Sun EP or for Sun nite for Sun/Mon EP to avoid the huge crowds predicted for that Sat? part of me hates to miss the Mardi Gras stuff, but wondering if the mardi gras stuff is worth the extra crowds.

will look into calculating costs for the AP option. Thanks for the tip

 

[damo]

Sunday crowds are usually the lowest of the week. I would book Sunday night but arrive to check in at about 7 am to take advantage of early entry both days.

 

[dottybean]

We were there last weekend, fri through monday, and monday was THE busiest day I have ever seen at universal. There was a constant stream of people coming over the bridge into IOA untill at least 1030am.

Friday was nice, not too busy but there were still lines to the butterbeer stands and to the Harry Potter stores. Saturday was busier but still OK untill later in the evening when everyone was in line for the mardi gras concert. Sunday was busier again, but we were still able to ride rip ride rocket with only a 15min wait (no FOTL pass for that ride) But monday was CRAZY. We went into IOA at the start of early entry JUST to get into the Potter stores before there was a line, we managed that and managed to nip into olivanders with a 5 min wait, but when we came out of there, the line for FJ was right back to the hogwarts express and when we went to leave the area a TM advised us not to because they were about to start giving out return time tickets!

We went and ate breakfast outside the crescent moon and were totally blown away by the crowd levels! I mentioned it later to a TM in universal studios and she said mondays are always crazy. So if you get a choice try to avoid the monday.

Just my 2 cents!

 

[mamabearof4]

well I went ahead and booked the 1 night for Sun so we will get the 2 days worth of early entry and EP's

 

[Ohiodislover]

I have the wait time app on my phone and been checking the lines

I've been doing the same thing Kinda scary isn't it. The lines seem to get longer by the day. I am scared to see them when we go (week before Easter).

Have a great trip