Universal Parks Early Entry?

[c3h3a3r]

Hi, we are planning to do the Universal parks on our upcoming 14 night trip. 1st/2nd Aug and 8th/9th Aug. We are staying off site but want to know when resort guests have early entry, so we can avoid that park and visit the other. Any idea when/where this is published? Also, is 2 days per park enough time to do it all? TIA

 

[schumigirl]

https://www.universalorlando.com/Resort-Information/Theme-Park-Hours-Early.aspx


You are going at a busy time. Without having EP it will be tough to do everything, but with two days for each park it's not so bad........have a look at the Universal website.......the link I gave you covers everything, and look at the park layout and decide what your priorities are. I didn't check the calendar for your dates, but at times both parks have EE for resort guests.

Despicable Me queues get horrendous.......we saw waits of over 100 minutes during the day in September. If that's something you want to do get there first stop one of your mornings.

Potter will have queues........you could opt to leave the ride till later in the day, it does quieten down later in the day as parks near closing time.

Kong will be open then too, that should add extra crowds too. That's in IOA.

You can choose to buy EP in the parks if you feel you need it.

 

[c3h3a3r]

Thanks so much for all that info. Will take a look. I know it'll be busy but I can't take the kids out of school we can't really afford to pay for EP so guess we'll have to just plan our must do's and see what happens. Thanks again

 

[c3h3a3r]

Both parks have EE on all 4 of the days I've planned we'll have to be take our chances. Will try to get there as early as possible. Go straight to Harry Potter - do one of the big rides, then tour the rest of the park. Return to Harry Potter in the last couple of hours. Does this sound ok?

 

[schumigirl]

Get there before gates open to general public......they do sometimes let you in a bit earlier.........

If Potter is your main aim then yes, go straight to Potter........with 4 days you should be ok to do the things really want to do.

Both Potter areas are gorgeous when it gets dark.....so it`s always a good idea to do it later for that alone

 

[macraven]

Since both parks have EE during your visit, be in line 30 minutes prior to park opening time

If a weekend is in your plans, go earlier for the line wait

 

[JWG]

The back half of August, IOA has no EE days at all? It's ony Universal everyday. Intresting.

 

[macraven]

It could change depending on need
Very end of August can have low hotel attendance and park crowds

 

[JWG]

It could change depending on need
Very end of August can have low hotel attendance and park crowds

That makes sense, what doesn't is that they have EE everyday, but it's at Universal only. Not IOA. They know their crowd patterns, but just interesting they're willing to do it everyday for nearly 3 weeks, but only at one park.

 

[macraven]

that happens to me sometimes for the dates i stay.
only the studios having ee.

but a few times, both parks opened early.
was advised of that at the hotel the night prior.

 

[damo]

That makes sense, what doesn't is that they have EE everyday, but it's at Universal only. Not IOA. They know their crowd patterns, but just interesting they're willing to do it everyday for nearly 3 weeks, but only at one park.

On non peak times, it is everyday but only at one park and that park doesn't alternate day to day. That's the way they've been doing it.

 

[c3h3a3r]

The dates I looked for it was both parks on all 4 days unless I'm reading it wrong??

 

[damo]

The dates I looked for it was both parks on all 4 days unless I'm reading it wrong??

It is open for both parks for your dates.

 

[SA mom]

One advantage to going during early August is that the parks stay open later. You can get a little more done that way and it is neat to see the parks at night.

 

[c3h3a3r]

Agreed. Cannot wait