US/IOA late August crowds

[Darcy03231]

What are they like? We're staying offsite and are a party of 6. We'll be in Orlando for 10 days which means 8 park days and are only going to US/IOA and SeaWorld.

Last trip was in early August 2013 and there was only two of us. We still stayed off-site and managed to do everything we wanted in 2 days at US/IOA (we were there from open to early evening). It was me (51 at the time) and my mom (77 at the time) so we weren't interested in the big coasters. We spent most of our 1st day in IOA at HP. We've also been to US/IOA multiple times and knew we'd be back so we didn't feel that we had to cram everything in the two days that we had.

This trip we have four young adults (24, 24, 21, 21) who love thrill rides. Our plan is to get to the parks at opening each day, leave around 1 pm to go back to our house and then come back at night around 5:00 until park close.

I'm toying with the idea of renting a room on-site for one night to get the express pass for two days for the kids, but if we can get everything done without it I really hate the spend the extra money. I'd rather take it and get tickets to Blue Man Group. I'm planning on two to two and a half days for SeaWorld and the rest of the time at US/IOA.

We'll be there the last week of August.

 

[Lynne G]

Not sure what this end of August will be, but we have been going at the end of August for years. Last year, was the most crowded I have ever seen since we have been going. Think DA has alot to do with it, plus, more people may be interested in USO. As far as I know, the hotel guests get early entry only into IOA. And, the Studios has been opening a half hour earlier than posted. So, I think your plan is a good one. Also, I'd start at the Studios first, DM and DA, as well as the coasters first thing. Then take the train over, and do IOA. Most of the time, IOA is open later than the Studios, so take that in considering too.

Do the math, with the on site hotels, you'd have to pay for more than 2 adults in the room. Kids 17 and under are no extra cost, and roll aways, if available, are a cost too. To see if an annual pass holder rate is available, use APH in the code box on the hotel's website. If you get a power pass, even by only one person, you use it to get the APH discount on the hotel rooms. Check the black out dates for the power pass, but I don't think the end of August is blocked out. Also, there is a travel agency that by magic has some great prices on the USO hotels. You can also check Cheap Tickets or other to see if you can get a discount on the rooms. It is lower season, but most schools in the North are still not open, but the locals will be. So, consider that too, with week-ends being maybe more crowded.

We love that time of year, the camps have ended, the college students are back in school, and it's so hot, the pools and water rides are part of the fun.

Have a great time. For the first time in many years, we are not vacationing at the end of August. High School sports have taken that spot.

 

[Darcy03231]

Thank you. We plan on getting annual passes. I'm going to get the preferred pass to get the free parking and discounts on food and merchandise and get power passes for everyone else. We may do another trip in the spring of 2016 so that way we'll get two trips out of them.

 

[Gr8t Fan]

The parks aren't open very late in August (usually close between 6-8), so you may want to shorten your mid-day break.

 

[RMulieri]

We went Late August last year..it was quite busy.We were grateful for the express passes and the close proximity of the resort to the parks.