USF/IOA December 14 & 15

[sorry512]

Hello,

We will be starting our Orlando vacaction with 2 days in Universal and then it's all Disney for 6 days. We will be going to the Universal parks on Sunday Dec 14 and Monday Dec 16. Is there any reason why one of them (USF/IOA) would be better or less crowded than the other on Sunday? Or is it about the same thing? Hours are the same on both days, and according to Orlando Informer crowds should be about the same as well.

We are planning to start both days (at least the sunday for sure) at Wizarding World and then visit the rest of the attractions. Also I don't think we will be getting express passes, because while no lines is awesome, 150$ per day or so (3 adults) is much less awesome.

Any advice on any of this is greatly appreciated. Thanks everyone in advance.

 

[bumbershoot]

I take it you already have hotels booked, and you're not considering staying onsite? If you stay at one of the onsite deluxe resorts you get unlimited Express Pass included, along with early entry to one of the Wizarding World areas.

If you stay at the new Cabana Bay, you get early entrance (but no EP).


My personal rule of thumb is that the closer you get to the 25th, the more people will be off school and work. So I expect crowds to increase as the month goes on. But you're just talking about one day's difference, and I personally doubt I would tour any different between the two days.

In case you haven't looked, I like this site to check out onsite hotels.

 

[sorry512]

Yeah, no chance of staying on site, we will be staying the whole trip at Art Of Animation, since adding the Universal days was a last minute thing.

Thanks a lot for the info.

 

[gofordrew]

Sunday typically are the busiest park days. Most Travel on Saturday first park on Sunday.

 

[johde]

Dec. 14-15 probably won't be too bad. I'm guessing the crowds won't really kick in until the 19th-20th. Express pass prices are fairly cheap especially on the 15th. Orlando Informer has the crowds as "moderate" and Touring Plans has it as "light".

Given the fact Disney extended MK hours starting Dec 13th, I'd go with more moderate crowds.

I know your staying at AOA, but a "throwaway" room at Royal Pacific is $144 with an annual pass. If you upgraded one of your passes to a power pass, you could get that rate and you could get unlimited express passes for both days for all 3 of you. You wouldn't need to sleep in the room you could enjoy the room and pool for an afternoon break if you wanted. Or, you could spend the night (leaving the AOA room empty) so you could make EE easily.

 

[bumbershoot]

I know your staying at AOA, but a "throwaway" room at Royal Pacific is $144 with an annual pass. If you upgraded one of your passes to a power pass, you could get that rate and you could get unlimited express passes for both days for all 3 of you. You wouldn't need to sleep in the room you could enjoy the room and pool for an afternoon break if you wanted. Or, you could spend the night (leaving the AOA room empty) so you could make EE easily.

But when I check with 3 adults (vs 2) the APH rate goes up to $169 for the 15th. And you would need that 3rd adult registered in the room to get the EP.

2 day park to park (though right now on the UO site you can get a 3 day for the same cost) with tax is 187.43. Non-resident Power Pass, 228.97.

You're just missing the blockout dates on the PP.

Blockout Dates:
Universal Studios Florida:

December 19, 2014 - January 2, 2015
March 28 - April 10, 2015
June 13 - August 13, 2015
December 18 - 31, 2015

Islands of Adventure:

December 19, 2014 - January 2, 2015
March 28 - April 10, 2015
December 18 - 31, 2015

It's worth really thinking about. Check in to RPR early in the morning on the 15th, get access to early entrance and unlimited EP that day AND on the 15th for just that pass upgrade and the cost of one hotel night.

 

[sorry512]

Wow that's great info I'll look into it thanks a lot. The unlimited pass and EE for both days sounds good for that cost. Now let's see how the rest of the family feels. Thank you very much.