US/IOA in July

[GlendaO]

Hi All,

Hubs wants to go for a short trip 7/5 through 7/8. We'll be staying at RPR. Typically, we go in September, late April or early May and occasionally in December.

With Express, how bad will it be? He thinks the crowds will be heavy but it won't affect ride times too much other than Gringott's.

Thoughts and opinions appreciated!

 

[lborne]

There is an on-line crowd calendar, and another good way to tell how crowded it will be is to see how much the express pass costs for those days. It will be busy and wait times will be longer - even with express pass.

 

[GlendaO]

Thanks. We're staying at RPR so no additional cost for Express. I've looked at crowd calendars and most show 8/10.

 

[lborne]

I was there this weekend and stayed at RPR. The crowd calendar showed 7/10 for both days, but Saturday was very busy. All of IOA and US were not too bad except the Harry Potter sections in both parks were difficult. Having done it at off peak times, I just can't stand it when it is above a 5 in those areas.

 

[RMulieri]

It will be very busy. You may wait even with express pass( but only like 15-20 mins).Keep in mind that things like dining, walking and using restrooms also will be a lot busier and it will take extra time to do

 

[pcstang]

Thanks. We're staying at RPR so no additional cost for Express. I've looked at crowd calendars and most show 8/10.

What was meant by the PP is that looking at the price of express for your days is a good indication of how busy it will be.

 

[lborne]

Go here https://tickets.universalorlando.com/Ticket-Store/PurchaseTickets.aspx?ExpressPlus - choose the dates to see the calendar and see what the cost for Express pass is when you will be there. It ranges from 89.99 to $139.99. Not a perfect indicator, but a good bet that the higher the price, the more busy the park.

 

[GlendaO]

Thanks - got it.
I checked the link and prices are $69.99 & $99.99. So, it looks busy, I think.
But it looks like we are going to have to learn to deal with crowds a bit. We won't have another chance to go until December this year.
I'll keep my fingers crossed and hope for the best.
The one ride I'm most concerned with it DC since the metal screener is throwing a 10 minute wait to 25. That one ride is probably going to be 90 minutes - with EE!

 

[frank808]

On the july 5th the price is $99.99 but it gradually increases to $139.99 by july 8. Leads me to believe that mid week will be busier than the july 4th weekend.

 

[hpfan100]

Hi All,

Hubs wants to go for a short trip 7/5 through 7/8. We'll be staying at RPR. Typically, we go in September, late April or early May and occasionally in December.

With Express, how bad will it be? He thinks the crowds will be heavy but it won't affect ride times too much other than Gringott's.

Thoughts and opinions appreciated!

it will be busy! However, the express pass and being bale to walk back to your room whenever you need helps considerably. Last July we stayed at portofino and never waited more than 5 minutes in the express line except in late afternoon at mummy and rip rock it. Lines for gringotts were huge but that's too be expected. We used the early entry twice and were able to ride all the stuff in potter with minimal waits. My husband was very spoiled with the express and has no plans to return again without it. We had the most fun putting on our suits and sandals and just riding waters rides over and over with the express.

 

[andreajanowiak]

We stayed at Royal Pacific from July 1st to the 4th last summer, and the crowds were heavy, but with Express it was almost like you couldn't tell. We didn't wait longer than 10 minutes for a ride, except for the one time we rode the Hogwart's Express as a soft opening.