Universal studio's advice

[jonkatony]

What is the best day of the week to go?
Have bought the tickets with transportation, what time should we be picked up from SSR?
It is just me and my son going with two day passes, my friend said we would be better off going single rider than buying the fast pass. I am happy to pay for a fast pass if that is better?
Thanks in advance for any help

 

[wilma-bride]

When are you visiting (what time of year)? And which park are you going to? Or are you doing both? Unless it was a really busy time of year (Easter/Christmas/Summer), I would not bother with buying the Express Pass. You can use single rider lines, which will save you some time if the parks are busy.

From what I know, Islands of Adventure is usually slightly less busy on Wednesdays and Sundays. Friday is supposed to be a good day for Universal. Personally, I would aim for the middle of the week and avoid weekends (particularly Saturday).

 

[jonkatony]

Sorry, early August

 

[wilma-bride]

Sorry, early August

Early August you are probably better off buying Express Passes. Yes, you can utilise single rider but not all rides have them. Are you doing both parks? That will be a hefty cost. As far as what time to be picked up from SSR, if the park opens to the general public at 9, I would suggest being picked up no later than 8.15 as they will often open the gates a little early if the crowds start to build up.

 

[Minniesgal]

I would absolutely buy express pass. We were there in July last year and waited a whole morning just to get on Spider-Man. In the heat it is hard to be in lines that long.

 

[jonkatony]

We have not been since all Harry Potter stuff. We as a family prefer Disney:
We really just want to do the Harry Potter attractions, the new transformers
Ride and the Simpson new food areas. We have two days and happy to go on other stuff but not desperate as we would have gone on them in the past.
Might just aim to get there early and queue.
Any idea how long it will be?

 

[scoobydooby]

We have not been since all Harry Potter stuff. We as a family prefer Disney:
We really just want to do the Harry Potter attractions, the new transformers
Ride and the Simpson new food areas. We have two days and happy to go on other stuff but not desperate as we would have gone on them in the past.
Might just aim to get there early and queue.
Any idea how long it will be?

The Christmas after the HP stuff launched we went the week after Christmas. Arrived 30 minutes before rope drop and still queued an hour for Forbidden Journey. By the time we got off that Olivanders was also an hour but the other rides in that area were okay. I would suggest you splash out for preferred parking at Universal. The lot is a long way from the front of the parks.

 

[chmurf]

It will be busy.

I saw a trip report where a poster actually mentionned a 1 hours line, just to get into WWoHP (the HP land) ... I think it was around Christmas time.
August won't be this crazy busy, but I would get express passes.

note that express passes are valid for one front of the line access per ride.
if you want unlimited passes, buy unlimited express (but hefty price) or stay at a Universal resort hotel (unlimited express is included from your checking day to your checkout day, granted that you have park tickets you also have unlimited express)
onsite also gets you 1 hour earlier than the general public, into WWoHP in the morning

But with august crowds, I wouldn't want to spend my day in lines. I'd do rope drop, one standby ride, then use express pass.

If you want to know how busy it's going to be, go to universal website, on the ticket purchase section
then choose the "add-on" pages. And select the unlimited pass express. You'll be required to select a date. On the calendar, you'll see the dates with different prices and color. The higher the price for that day, the busier it's expected to be. There is also a color code to indicate the crowd level)

 

[wilma-bride]

I would suggest you splash out for preferred parking at Universal. The lot is a long way from the front of the parks.

They are being dropped off, the OP mentions that they have transport provided from SSR. OP, the drop-off point is closer than the parking lot, you will be OK on that front.

 

[torsie24]

Also note that (unless its changed) the pass won't let you skip the line for the Forbidden Journey.

We left that until as late in the day as possible as loyal of people rush there in the morning.

Was still a long line but we had the passes so it was the only line we waited in all day.

 

[scoobydooby]

They are being dropped off, the OP mentions that they have transport provided from SSR. OP, the drop-off point is closer than the parking lot, you will be OK on that front.

Sorry didn't read it carefully enough.

For the OP. We got FOL passes. Very expensive but meant we saw all of IAO easily and painlessly in a day. Didn't stop us having to queue for Forbidden Journey though! Also you can buy the FOL pass on the day in the parks so you can go without them, set the cash aside and if its mobbed get them while you're there. Or stay overnight for 2 nights at a Universal hotel then you get early entry and all day FOL passes. That might not work out much more expensive if you haven't already booked your accommodation, or if you can change it, especially if you're paying for transport.