Universal Orlando, Weekdays In Early December - Do I Still Need Express Pass?

[rastahomie]

I'm looking at spending a Thursday and Friday (either December 1 & 2 or December 8 & 9) at Universal Studios/IOA.

The last time I was at Universal/IOA was over ten years ago, on a weekday during late October. I literally walked on to every attraction.

However, I imagine those days are long gone.

Should I pay for the Express Pass, or are crowds likely to be small enough that I can get by without it?

Thanks!

 

[macraven]

those dates shouldn't be bad for crowds.
would think low to moderate if i remember correctly.

if you see that lines are long and crowds are there when you are in the park, then decide to buy the ep if needed.
they are date and park related and non refundable.

you could avoid some lines by using the SRL

 

[kohlby]

We were there from Nov 29th-Dec 6th this past year. The crowds were very low all day but one. We had express for half of our trip but didn't need it. Even Minions was a walk-on at 9:15am when we tried it! However, Dec 5th was moderate. It was the first day of Grinchmas. It was also a Saturday.

 

[tinydancer09]

I was there the second week in December last year and the first week in December the year before. I think we were there the weekend between the first and second week 3 or 4years ago.

Anyways, last year the crowds were very low. I stayed onsite and had EP so I don't remember all wait times. Gringotts we never waited more than 30 minutes. FJ I think we waited 30-40. Crowd levels seemed very low and we did not experience any trouble with waits at restaurants around the area.
-2014 I'm pretty sure we nearly walked on to everything... nearly meaning 10-15 minute waits. Gringotts had a 15 minute wait and I remember having to double check to make sure I was reading it correctly.
-2011 it was FLOODING! We walked on to everything! WALKED. We had one park passes and ended up getting the second. Finished both parks doing nearly everything in less than a day. We did skip some shows that year.

I say you'll probably be okay without express pass, but this year is going to be a bigger year than last because of Kong... and gas prices being so nice. If you find you don't like the wait times you can always purchase express passes when you get into the park. They have 1 time use and unlimited.

 

[rastahomie]

Wednesday, October whatever, 2005 (the last time I was there), IoA was empty. I was there at rope drop (or whatever they call it) and there were only a few dozen people at the gate. Went straight to Hulk, walked on. Went straight from there to One Fish/Two Fish, walked on. Then to Dueling Dragons, Jurassic Park, everything else. No wait for any attraction. I was done with everything in the whole park by noon. :O

 

[macraven]

hey
just noticed you are a cubbie fan....
i recently moved out of chicago for GA.

my first january ever without snow....
and feb and march and april.....

 

[tinydancer09]

Wednesday, October whatever, 2005 (the last time I was there), IoA was empty. I was there at rope drop (or whatever they call it) and there were only a few dozen people at the gate. Went straight to Hulk, walked on. Went straight from there to One Fish/Two Fish, walked on. Then to Dueling Dragons, Jurassic Park, everything else. No wait for any attraction. I was done with everything in the whole park by noon. :O

I don't think it will be quite that barren. Things have really taken off his the potter boy moved in. Universal does still have slower times though as apposed to the other place. They never seem to have a down time anymore. In October I feel it probably is quieter during the weeks because everyone floods in during the weekends with HHN is going on. IDK though I never go during that time just a thought.

If you are going to days at the start or end of your trip you might consider staying on site at UO. I highly recommend it. You'll get "Free" EP that way and usually some pretty awesome deals will come out for that time period. Last year I stayed 3 nights for $394 total. I did have a PIN number though. Sometimes it's cheaper to stay on site for a night and get the EP than to actually buy unlimited EP. If you wanted to do it the last night or first night the hotel will hold your bags all day while you're in the parks and if your room isn't ready-- same for if you're checking out. They'll hold them until the end of the night. Then, when you go back to the hotel all you have to do is get your room keys(if they weren't ready at check in) and call star services and get your bags sent up. One night will give you two nights of EP use check in and out day. If you do go ahead and book make sure you allow promotions and such to get sent to you. Like I said I got an e-mail with a pin last year with an amazing deal. Hope that happens again this year!

 

[rastahomie]

If you are going to days at the start or end of your trip you might consider staying on site at UO. I highly recommend it. You'll get "Free" EP that way and usually some pretty awesome deals will come out for that time period.

I'm staying on-site, two nights at the front of my trip. Cabana Bay doesn't off free EP - I'd have to buy it off-the-shelf. Would add $300 to the price of my trip and I don't want to spend that kind of money if the standby lines are going to be hella short.

FUNNY STORY: Saint Louis has a HUGE haunted house attraction every year, brings in tens of thousands of people. So I paid an extra $5 for an express ticket. When I got there (just after dark) the place was empty. Wasted $5. I'd hate to see the same problem writ large when I go to Universal, lol.

 

[tinydancer09]

I'm staying on-site, two nights at the front of my trip. Cabana Bay doesn't off free EP - I'd have to buy it off-the-shelf. Would add $300 to the price of my trip and I don't want to spend that kind of money if the standby lines are going to be hella short.

FUNNY STORY: Saint Louis has a HUGE haunted house attraction every year, brings in tens of thousands of people. So I paid an extra $5 for an express ticket. When I got there (just after dark) the place was empty. Wasted $5. I'd hate to see the same problem writ large when I go to Universal, lol.

Hahah wow! Yeah I keep forgetting to mention there are now some onsite hotels that don't offer it. Only the Deluxe ones. Keep your eyes peeled for deals. Last year it was only $75 more expensive for me to stay at RPR cover CB. Not $75 a night either- for the whole trip. I was shocked. I don't think I got that good of a rate until October though when they know better what their occupancy numbers are like and are trying to fill.

Sounds like you're lucky and don't get caught in lines. I'm not sure what your super power is, but I want it.

 

[macraven]

with October, hhn from the mid point of the month has hhn on wed, thurs, fri, sat, and sun

also mid month is hell week.
this is the time period teens have a school break for a few days and many hit the parks.

the slower time in october are mondays and tuesdays with the exception of columbus day monday
this year hhn's last night will be the 31st, which is a monday.

for the times i have been in the parks, i feel september first couple of weeks outside of labor day weekend, is less crowded.


same thing goes for some weeks in jan, feb, nov too.

tinyD, you should hit october for hhn.
it's fun and it is busy.

 

[tinydancer09]

with October, hhn from the mid point of the month has hhn on wed, thurs, fri, sat, and sun

also mid month is hell week.
this is the time period teens have a school break for a few days and many hit the parks.

the slower time in october are mondays and tuesdays with the exception of columbus day monday
this year hhn's last night will be the 31st, which is a monday.

for the times i have been in the parks, i feel september first couple of weeks outside of labor day weekend, is less crowded.


same thing goes for some weeks in jan, feb, nov too.

tinyD, you should hit october for hhn.
it's fun and it is busy.

Yeah... I'm pretty sure I'd punch someone if I went to HHN. I'm not a fan of being scared for fun.. It's not fun for me. Now...if you get some liquid courage in me it might be a different story, but I'm scared to run that science experiment. I just don't want to accidentally "over react" and you know.. have a fight response. I'm not one for flight. I LOVE LOVE LOVE Halloween... but I like to be the one in the mask.