Universal at Thanksgiving. How bad?

[roliepolieoliefan]

We are thinking of visiting Universal During Thanksgiving week. Wednesday to Sunday

We will stay onsite to get the express pass. Is it beyond crazy or doable?

 

[macraven]

Some have posted that their thanksgiving period trip had decent crowds and no major issues of long waits

It might work out for you later this year

Use the search button to pull up some of the threads where you can read of others experiences in November

Hopefully those that did go during that holiday period will post here to relieve your fears of bad crowds

Staying onsite helps you tremendously
You get early entry, express line usage and a quick return to your hotel if you need a break during the day

 

[dsmom]

We have done it several times and found it was not bad, much better than Christmas crowds. The Wednesday before Thanksgiving was actually pretty light and Thanksgiving day was not bad either. Crowds picked up on Friday and Saturday was usually the busiest day.

 

[RMulieri]

Friday and the weekend after is usually a lot busier than the days leading up to and including Thanksgiving

 

[kohlby]

I can only comment on Sunday since we were in the parks this past Sunday after Thanksgiving. We did not have express pass that day since we were doing a split stay. We didn't need express pass at all. It was not crowded. However- I do think having express pass for the other days will help you out quite a bit! We were at Disney Springs on Saturday and that was mobbed - so I'd expect the crowds to still be high in the parks on that day. (We did Kennedy Space Center on the Friday after thanksgiving so those crowds really don't say much about Universal).

 

[schumigirl]

Even if it is busy you'll have EP........worth it's weight in gold for us.....even if it's not so busy.

 

[janicept]

If you have multiple people it really pays to get an onsite room for all day express passes. I agree with others that it makes it more fun even if the park is not busy. I usually go by myself or just me and my husband so the room cost is not worth it. Plus I have a premier AP so I get free express after 4 pm but can only be used once per ride.

It's also convenient for the transportation back to your room - especially since it allows you to have a few drinks. It's been years since I stayed onsite but last time they had ridiculous charges for resort fees, internet, and parking.

 

[macraven]

they still have the parking prices and it has gone up probably since you last stayed onsite.
free wifi now but don't recall resort fees except for in room dining delivered