US/IOA Newbie needs some help!!!

[Feckless]

Hi all,

I was planning a 10 day Disney holiday when my kids said NO WAY are we skipping Universal! We are coming from a very long way and i dont know when we'll get back so we've agreed. So, budget be damned we are doing a Dark Side day!

In doing my Disney ADRs I took some advice I read somewhere to plan US for a Sunday, as it is a travel day for most. Now some crowd calculators show that the Monday of our trip looks way better crowd wise. It all appears to be moderate (5/10) and the EP price is lower for the day I chose (Sunday, May 7). Should I chill out and leave it alone or switch to a less crowded day on the crowd calculators?

Tickets plus EP is $650 for us all on the Universal site. Can you buy tickets with EP cheaper anywhere else? With only one day, I'm thinking that the EP would be worth it for us. It's about another $120 for the day. The cost is making me

We are planning on being there for opening and heading right to FJ. No need for Olivanders but definitely butterbeer and gift shops.After that, I have no plan but will have to work one out...are there plans on the TP site for US/IOA? I know we won't get everything done, but we would just like to see as much as possible while still having fun.

TIA...

 

[accumax]

First, what is they size and ages of your family? Second, May 7th is on a monday. Now this part is JMHO, I would NOT buy EP considering your dates, either on Sunday(6th) or Monday(7th) as the crowds at this time are on the low side. I would put that money towards a 2 day visit for both Sunday and Monday and buy my tickets and Undercover Tourist . I have been a couple of time in May and those 2 days are fine without EP. As far as park plans after the HP section, I don't think you need one. If you did the 2 day, you will get eveything done you want, somethings more than once and it will be a nice relaxing pace. No need to over think and plan it like Disney.

 

[Feckless]

The kids are DD aged 11 and DS aged 9. Both like roller coasters but not scary rides (things jumping out at you is a no-no). They are both very tall and can ride any ride height wise.

And yes, we are going on the 6th! Did the math wrong in my head, pre-coffee. Thanks.

I was thinking about the 2 day pass, but there is also wasting more of our 10 days of Disney tickets that we've bought! LOL. Plus I don't want to deal with paying for transportation for two trips either. I thought the EP was a good compromise to maximize our time but I'm looking for all viewpoints since I've never been!!

Thanks!

 

[damo]

Don't buy express in advance. Get to the park very early and if the lines seem to warrant it, you can purchase express inside the park. Early May on a Sunday should be great for crowds though.

 

[RMulieri]

Just a little FYI- Express pass is not discounted ever.The price is set by projected crowd levels.The higher the crowds, the more expensive the pass.It also can increase in price if they decide the crowds are greater than they thought.I would NOT buy it ahead of time unless you know for sure it is going to be crazy-busy..It is ONLY good for the date of purchase and the park it is purchased for.You can generally get to the park and see what it looks like before you decide whether or not to buy .But for $650 I would book a night onsite and get the resort express pass for the 2 days( you get it on both checkin and checkout day).Resort express pass is also unlimited to the number of times you can ride an attraction.The purchased EP is only good for ONE ride per attraction

 

[accumax]

I can't help on trasportation advice as we always drive to Orlando. Others here are great in that area. 2 day BASE tickets (1 day/1 park) would cost you 489.90 TOTAL at udercover tourist web site. Considering you guys have not been before, and (this is a big one) your kids ages are perfect for Universal I really think ya'll will love a 2 day visit to the dark side. Many posters would agree with this next statement. Do your plan in reverse if not staying on site. Visit and tour IOA first and then do the HP section late in the day after the onsite guest and others who headed their first have cleared out.

 

[Metro West]

Many posters would agree with this next statement. Do your plan in reverse if not staying on site. Visit and tour IOA first and then do the HP section late in the day after the onsite guest and others who headed their first have cleared out.

I agree...I think doing WWoHP first thing is crazy...unless you're staying onsite for early entry. There are too many people running to get there which leaves the rest of the park empty. If you wait and do WWoHP later in the day, you can pretty walk on any other attraction since the majority of people will be over at HP. But by going to HP first thing, you will have long lines on everything by the time you're finished.

Just something to think about.

 

[mesaboy2]

I agree...I think doing WWoHP first thing is crazy...unless you're staying onsite for early entry. There are too many people running to get there which leaves the rest of the park empty. If you wait and do WWoHP later in the day, you can pretty walk on any other attraction since the majority of people will be over at HP. But by going to HP first thing, you will have long lines on everything by the time you're finished.

Just something to think about.

Agree completely. You can zig while everyone else zags.

 

[macraven]

you received the best advice from the others.


only thing i can say is to repeat the biggie.....

don't buy the epp in advance.
buy them in the park if they are truly needed.

use the single rider lines when possible as it will cut down wait time in lines.


epp is date and park related.
they are nonrefundable.
you buy them, no exchange or refunds.

if it rains on the day you are at the park, crowds thin out quickly.

 

[Feckless]

Thanks so much for all the advice, everyone! I am afraid about waiting until later for WWHP in case the kids are exhausted by the end of the day. But I imagine that would work really well!

 

[schumigirl]

You can zig while everyone else zags.

So true........we always zag when everyone is zigging

Works for us