Universal in summer

[englishteacha]

We're thinking of going to UO/IOA in June. We've never been, so please enlighten me!

Are there places to escape the heat at UO/IOA? Shows, rides with AC, etc? We've been to WDW in June twice and were able to get out of the heat pretty often by seeing a show, stopping in a shop, or riding one of the many AC'd rides. My DH and I hit 100º days in Ohio on vacation to theme parks there. There was no respite from the heat and we were miserable.

Also, how bad are crowds in June? I really don't think we can afford to stay onsite, so we'd be toughing it out in the regular lines. Would August be a better choice than June, crowd or heat-wise? We could do either. I'd love to go in cooler weather but as a teacher, I have to plan around school vacations. Airfare is so much higher during vacation weeks that we've pretty much resigned ourselves to summer travel.

Thanks for any advice you can give!

 

[damo]

Can you go the end of August? It is much less crowded then.

 

[Metro West]

Are there places to escape the heat at UO/IOA? Shows, rides with AC, etc? We've been to WDW in June twice and were able to get out of the heat pretty often by seeing a show, stopping in a shop, or riding one of the many AC'd rides. My DH and I hit 100º days in Ohio on vacation to theme parks there. There was no respite from the heat and we were miserable.

Since all of the attractions at the Studios are indoors (except Jaws and the kiddie area) you can stay cool a lot better than most parks. There are several great places to shop and chill out for a while...the Lucy Tribute is a great one...nice and cold! But if you have kids, they will LOVE the Curious George area..you get soaked!

 

[calgarygary]

Wear light weight quick drying clothes especially when you visit IOA. Their water rides will get you soaked & cooled down.

 

[gopherit]

We went in August and stayed on-site. The parks are small and readily do-able, and with plenty of respite along the way. Most of the MIB line, for example, winds inside. I can recall getting a bit toasted waiting once for BTTF as that line had its cattle cues outside. The comment about quick-drying clothes is a MUST - in fact, perhaps bring a change of clothes and get a locker, because IOA is nearly like a water-park - the rides that get you wet will GET YOU WET. LIke, Sponge-Bob dripping wet. And while that may cool you down, it isn't too comfy to then go into a restaurant with A/C later.

If you have any means possible of staying on site, it is WONDERFUL. I can't tell you what a joy it was having FOTL privys everywhere we went. Even DH (who normally scoffs at hotel prices) thought it was moolah well-spent just to have that privilege. The lines for SPidey were 70 mins long, and yet we just sailed right on! We rode everything we wanted to ride and then some - DH and DS10 rode "Hulk" 11 times! And having the hotel and pool so nearby was wonderful. We are not normally folks who go back to the hotel mid-day - at Disney, we are DVC owners and always stay onsite but hardly EVER go back to the resort, LOL, because we feel like we would "miss too much". At US/IOA, we felt totally at ease to walk back to HRH, take a swim, and then mosey back to the parks an hour or two later!

If you can't stay on-site and want to at least be assured of getting through the attractions 1X each and not having to spend too much time in a cattle cue, just follow the sage advice of others posted here, and perhaps buy the FOTL 1-per-ride option (can't recall if this has a name?) I would also suggest planning your trip for when Disney has free dining, LOL! US/IOA seemed empty the week we were there, but when we got to WDW - whoa Nellie - it was PACKED! It was free dining over there... brought 'em into WDW like rats on cheese (so to speak, and no offense to Mickey ).

 

[Flyin2MCO]

June: it's hot, it's crowed, but it's still better than being at home. Drink plenty of fluids and pace yourself.

 

[mark2311]

A lot of the rides have the main part of their queue indoors, IOA: Hulk, Dr Doom, Spiderman, Ripsaw Falls, part of Popeye,Duelling Dragons, Poseidons Fury. US: most are indoor rides or shows. So it possible to get out the heat pretty easily.
I've been in june before and founds the queues to be fine. Just don't leave it late to get there

 

[OctoberNinth]

If it is still there in the summer, you could cool off at the the iVillage Live Show. You have to be there by 11:15, show starts at 12:00, and ends at 1:00. That's plenty of time to 'rest' or 'cool off' after walking around the park the first 2 1/2-3 hours.

 

[CivilTwilight]

My first and most valuable suggestion is to get there AS SOON AS THE PARK OPENS. It is usually cooler in the morning so it won't be overwhelming with heat yet. And the parks get extremely crowded as it starts to approach noon. Plan in advance which rides to go to first (like the roller coasters, Spiderman and MIB) and then take frequent breaks. Sit down, drink a cold beverage.

Blue Man Group is opening in June also, it costs more money on top of your park ticket, but it would be a great place to hang out in the air conditioning and see a great show!