Universal Opening this AM was great!

[MaryKatesMom]

We left our hotel room at PB a little after 6AM and walked to U. We went to the last turnstile on the right which was the only one free, every other one had people already there by 6:30.

By 7AM the the line was up to the ticket counter. At 7:30 they started letting guests into the park. This was exactly what happened yesterday up until this point.

Here is where it things get different and better. They stopped everyone for a couple of minutes to check room keys making it impossible to run around or push past. A CM in a scooter and a couple on the sides walked us to Gringotts. A few pushy people wormed past but once you got to Gringotts there was no chance to "catch up". Yesterday a few families sent runners past the front of the line than 3-5 people pushed past is to catch up with the one runner. Also, several parents themselves ran past sometimes dragging their kids.

It was definitely better today. We were among the first few carts out.

Today we knew not much opens before 9 so we stayed in Diagonal Alley exploring while it was practically empty. Some great photo's.

Although it was hard to do so, definitely worth getting up for. It may not be so bad after Sunday as the UK starts their term on Mon.

 

[macraven]

nice to read that the TMs have that system now.

 

[wicket2005]

English schools not back until early September, Scottish schools may be back on Monday though.

 

[MaryKatesMom]

I sat next to a woman that said marylebone went back. Sorry, it could be like the US a staggered schedule.

 

[wicket2005]

English schools break up in late July for six weeks returning in first week of September. There are some schools that are changing to a 4 week break but there are few of these. Scotland does break up in June and returns in August. The schools do not have a staggered return. So there will be a lot of U K people still in Florida until early September that have school age children.

 

[csmith041177]

Thank you for the update. That is great news.

 

[MaryKatesMom]

Thanks for the clarification. The Express pass has been invaluable.

 

[wicket2005]

You are very welcome . I am very much looking forward to returning.

 

[amystevekai&bump]

We are a family from the UK that are arriving for the last two weeks in August, hoping that most of the US schools have gone back!

Although I didn't realise that the last weekend in August will be a holiday weekend for you guys, so I guess we will probably find crowds during our four night stay at HRH - oh well, early starts for us!