universal opening and lines

[adznyfan]

hi all

so going to universal for the first time without front of the line passes - what time should we arrive to minimize wait times? we're going this sat and the park opens at 9

thanks for any help!!

 

[WTFetus]

At least by 8:30. Sometimes they let the crowd in half-an-hour early for some rides.

To minimize wait times. Order of rides that you should do:
1. Straight to Despicable Me
2. The Simpsons
3. Transformers
4. The Mummy
5. Jurassic Park

Then you can eat, watch some shows, and get in line for re-rides. Save the Studio Tour for the late afternoon where wait-times are significantly shorter. (4ish. Be sure to check when the last departure is though so you don't completely miss it).

Consider Single riders too for Transformers and Despicable Me (maybe later in the day for re-rides?). Saves a ton of time!

 

[adznyfan]

thanks so much!!!! great info!

 

[SarafinaPink]

I went Saturday August 9th for the first time and here was how my family did it:

-Arrived 20 min before opening so we were at the gate basically when it opened
-Went straight to the lower lot and was able to ride Transformers, Mummy, and Jurassic park in the first hour
-Tram Ride
-Simpsons
-Pet Show
-Shrek
-Lunch
-Waterworld Show
-Sounds Dangerous

We were out of the park by 2 and happy to hit all the things we wanted to do with minimal wait. We did not care for Despicable Me, so we missed that, but it was a very successful trip. I highly recommend hitting the lower lot asap in the morning.

 

[adznyfan]

thanks for the advice!! does anyone know what time the the parking lot opens??

thanks!!!

 

[WTFetus]

I highly recommend hitting the lower lot asap in the morning.

That was the old strategy before Despicable Me opened. That is usually the ride of the park with the longest waits. You should definitely do that first, and then The Simpsons since it's on the way to the lower-lot and those have really long lines throughout the day (and no single riders unlike Transformers if needed). Then do the lower lot.

The rides with the 30+ waits are Despicable Me, Simpsons, and Transformers. It just always seemed like a waste of time/walking going to Despicable Me - Transformers (long wait) - The Simpsons (slightly longer wait later), when you could do DM - Simpsons (long wait) - Transformers (slightly longer wait), without back-tracking.
Jurassic Park has very minimal waits throughout the day, and the Mummy isn't too long either. I just recommend those after Transformers since you're already down there and you rode everything else already (besides the Tour)

I highly recommend the Studio Tour for late afternoon. Every time I'm there, wait times are 5-10 minutes, vs 30+ throughout the rest of the day.

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

Moving to the So Cal theme park board.

 

[adznyfan]

hi

where is the so cal theme park board located? couldn't find it

 

[WTFetus]

hi

where is the so cal theme park board located? couldn't find it

You're in it right now.
You can either click the "Southern California Theme Parks" hotlink on the page you are currently on when you see this post (left side of the banner up-top. Right above "User CP").

Or, when you're in the Disneyland forum, there is another banner up-top that says "Sub-Forums" and you'll see a hotlink called "Southern California Theme Parks".

 

[StageTek]

hi

where is the so cal theme park board located? couldn't find it

http://www.disboards.com/forumdisplay.php?f=5