Visiting over MLK weekend

[sdteacher]

We are going to be in Florida for a week over MLK weekend. We would like to take one day and hit Universal Studios. I have several questions about this. First, anyone experienced crowds over this weekend in the past and can say how bad it will be? ARe there crowd predictor websites to check out the levels? And since it is a holiday weekend should we buy the express passes to use while there? Thanks.

 

[Metro West]

We are going to be in Florida for a week over MLK weekend. We would like to take one day and hit Universal Studios. I have several questions about this. First, anyone experienced crowds over this weekend in the past and can say how bad it will be? ARe there crowd predictor websites to check out the levels? And since it is a holiday weekend should we buy the express passes to use while there? Thanks.

Anytime there is a holiday weekend, the crowds will definately increase. I wouldn't purchase the Express passes until you get to the parks and see the lines for yourself. If you get there at opening and head for the bigger attractions, you shouldn't have much of a wait. Then...if the lines start to get too long for you, purchase the Express pass at either park.

 

[Purseval]

Metro West has it nailed. The only thing I would add is that you get there early, around 8am for a 9am opening, because they tend to open before the official opening time. Unlike WDW, when they open early you go into the rides, you don't play rope-a-dope until 9am.

 

[rwdavis2]

We did both parks this past January on the Saturday before MLK. It was crowded but we got to IOA and did everything we wanted to there. We went to US about 1pm and the only thing that had too big of a line to wait for was Disaster, about 50 minutes. We waited about 30 for Jaws and 20 for MIB. eveything else was not bad bit it did get crowded.
Bob

 

[macraven]

true what purseval said but i would like to add to that comment.

the studios side has less open than IOA does when they let you in at 8:30 in the morning. official opening time is at 9:00.

hulk, storm trooper, dr doom, spidey, dragons, etc are opened when the park opens early to guests.
the rest open by 9

at the studios side, jaws, disaster open at 10 sometimes at 11.
T2 opens at 11:00.
some other rides/attractions have a later start in regular season.

since you are going on a holiday time, perhaps that won't be the case of some rides opening later.