Universal Newbie Planning

[chris benton]

Starting to think about our 1st Universal trip this year. We're done with WDW, I'd say we are planning /touring vets at WDW, so the planning part of these trips - I get it. I put in the work. I research down to the very little deets.

1st question:
I'm worried bout spillover crowds from Galaxy's Edge to UOR. My target dates for UOR would be:
Plan A: Nov 6 - Nov 11th (Veteran's Day)
Plan B: Oct 10th - Oct 15th (Columbus Day)
My assumption is that for crowds, both are not IDEAL, but the kids' school calendar dictates that those are our best choices. For weather / days off / crowds. My assumption is that we don't want to be anywhere near Orlando for Spring Break / Bird Day/ Xmas. So with Galaxy's Edge this fall, and the new HP ride coming to UOR this summer - any opinions on crowd levels spiking to craziness and just skipping UOR altogether, and waiting for 2020?

If it matters, my initial thought would be Unlimited Universal Express Pass for all days, and we are Costco pkg ppl. We are VERY early risers, rope dropping is a non issue. We're pretty much:
Go to park early
Be in the pool during the hottest part of the day
Back to park early evening to leisurely see stuff at night

2nd question:
Are the UOR crowds the same craziness as WDW? Possibly SEAS of ppl with no idea where they are going - or is it a little more tame?

 

[PollyannaMom]

Plan A: Nov 6 - Nov 11th (Veteran's Day)
Plan B: Oct 10th - Oct 15th (Columbus Day)

Pick your dates based on whether you'd like to attend or avoid the Halloween Celebrations:

https://orlando.halloweenhorrornights.com/site/

 

[chris benton]

Thanks -
I usually try to avoid crowds, and my assumption is that Columbus Day + Halloween might be crazy.
Veteran's Day will probably not be light, but the added draw of other festivities is not there.
You think I'm overthinking crowd craziness?

 

[PollyannaMom]

You think I'm overthinking crowd craziness?

I'm not sure how things at Universal will be affected by Galaxy's Edge opening at WDW, but in general, I don't find the crowds as bad at Universal. With the parks so close together, it's very easy to hop to the other if one is too busy. Also, people tend to spread out into CityWalk around meal times, so that helps as well.

Plus, you're planning on Express Pass, and that's a whole different world compared to FP+. The first time we had it, we actually felt guilty because we were practically walking on things past long lines! (I'm sure it's more popular now, and not quite as much an advantage, but you should still be fine.)

 

[glocon]

If HHN is something you and your family would enjoy- it’s pretty scary, not disneyesque- I would do October. Otherwise I would do November for lower crowds and less hurricane chances.

 

[TommyJK]

Plus take into account that USF closes earlier on Halloween Horror Nights. So unless you plan on attending HHN I would pick November.

 

[skylock]

Universal can get quite crowded. I just don't think spill over from star wars land is going to have that much impact.

From your dates, I am assuming you would have 4 park days with express pass. You are set. Nothing else needs to be thought about really no matter what the crowds turn out to be.

If you are staying at an early entry hotel, which will probably give you the best cost for the express pass, you could go and enjoy the potter areas before they get full, other than that, when ever you get there in the morning with express pass will be fine.

Just think of it like doing disney with a fast pass for every ride when you walk into the gate, and unlike fast passes, express pass does not have to be scheduled months in advance and can be used for the same ride over and over.

See a ride you want to do, get in the express line, and unless there is a breakdown, your wait should be 20 min or under. We always assume 20 minutes although it is rarely that long and we go Thanksgiving week.

If you liked the ride, ride it again. Something that is almost impossible with disney FP. Pretty much one and done at disney. My group rode hulk 10 times in 2 days.

If you are staying at a universal hotel, I am guessing 20 minutes back to the hotel. We had a room at Royal Pacific and used the boats. Very nice and relaxing. You might be able to walk it in less time because it is basically just out of sight of the parks and you do have to wait for the boat to load and such.

As to when you should go. Doesn't matter if you will have express pass, just remember as others have said, the Studios side closes early for HHN in Oct. You can always hop over to IOA in that case and continue to use your express passes.

 

[chris benton]

LOL - so...
The differences in planning begins.
HHN will NOT be for us. "Not recommended for children under the age of 13."
Almost all Disney "warnings" seem over the top for the reality of it. HHN sounds REAL. We'll have a 10 yr old with us. November is looking a lil better.