Universal/IOA in late July?

[I-4Bound]

I would like to take my kids to UO/IOA at the end of July, but the Touring Plans Crowd calendar is listing the level as a 9 out of 10. Am I crazy to even consider it?? We would be staying offsite and not purchasing ExpressPass.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

 

[RMulieri]

it is going to be extremely busy. It is peak summer crowds + opening of KONG + reopening of Hulk.. I wouldn't do it without express pass ..No express pass and no onsite ????? I wouldnt do it . I would take a look into a stay a one of the deluxe onsite resorts. you get the express pass included and it is good for check in day and checkout day...Express passes will otherwise not be cheap .The price of those goes up with the projected crowds , for a 9 /10 day they are going to be pricey . It may be cheaper to stay onsite at least for one night..If you are absolutely set on staying offsite, I would take a look at what each park has to offer and make a list of what is important vs what you are willing to skip if need be

 

[snoopboop]

Late July with no EP? I'd never do it. No way. Crowds will be crazy, and it's ridiculously hot to boot..... I shudder just to think about it.

 

[pa. dad]

We had to go to Orlando over New years as that was then my sons were off from school and I think the crowd level was at least 11 out of 10. The Express passes cost $159 those days.
Everything else will be crowded then too as it is a very popular vacation time. Sometimes we can't do the ideal timing.

 

[snoopboop]

We had to go to Orlando over New years as that was then my sons were off from school and I think the crowd level was at least 11 out of 10. The Express passes cost $159 those days.
Everything else will be crowded then too as it is a very popular vacation time. Sometimes we can't do the ideal timing.

I'd rather not go at all than go in late July with no EP. I'd wait until I could afford the EP. Seriously.

YMMV... I know that some people apparently don't mind waiting in line. I do mind... a whole lot. If I'm paying big bucks to spend my day in the park, then my time there is super valuable, and I don't want to waste a good portion of it standing in line. Just my opinion!!!

 

[pa. dad]

I'd rather not go at all than go in late July with no EP. I'd wait until I could afford the EP. Seriously.

YMMV... I know that some people apparently don't mind waiting in line. I do mind... a whole lot. If I'm paying big bucks to spend my day in the park, then my time there is super valuable, and I don't want to waste a good portion of it standing in line. Just my opinion!!!

We did the single rider lines at several attractions. For the Minions, we did the front row which was stationary and didn't move but we saw the film. We made a reservation for dinner. So we made the adjusments as best we could and still had a good time considering.
We missed Shrek but we had seen that before a few times at least. So we avoided that line simply by not getting in it. I've missed a few attractions on previous visits because the parks close early on less busy days too.

 

[I-4Bound]

Thank you so much, everyone, for your responses. I think I am scrapping that idea and moving on! Our school district has the entire week of Thanksgiving off, so maybe the weekend before Thanksgiving would be a better option.