Went to Universal yesterday

[phorsenuf]

We had never been before because when we had vacation time it was always Disney for us. But now that we live down here we decided to check it out.

I couldn't believe how dead it was! We got there about 10 and the boys walked onto Hulk. From there pretty much everything else was a walk on at Island of Adventure, even dueling Dragons.
After we did pretty much everything at IOA we headed to Universal Studios. I did like that park better. Again, it was pretty dead and hardly waited for anything. The longest wait we had was maybe 20 minutes at Simpsons. Men in Black, Jaws, Disaster, Mummy.....all walk ons. I was quite surprised.
It was nice of course because we could blow through both parks in the day. Besides the lack of crowds what seemed off to me was their hours. Universal Studios closed at 6 and Islands of Adventure at 7. Do they always close so early?

We didn't hit some of the shows because the timing was off but I got a 2 day ticket so we'll go back and check those out.
All in all we had a nice day and my husband and son had fun on the big rides (I can't ride them).
I'll make sure to bring a change of clothes next time for the water rides. We got soaked!!!! They were a lot of fun though. The Jurassic park ride was closed so we'll do that one next time.
It was a nice change of pace and It'll be fun to go back again to check out the rest.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I am going to strongly guess that folks are waiting for Harry Potter to open in June.

 

[Christine]

I guess it's just not peak season there. When my kids were younger we always went to Disney/Orlando-area in May and just about walked on to everything. I miss going then.

I was at Universal last July. OMG--it was awful. I had to pay $40 extra per ticket for front-of-the-line access and we STILL had 15-20 minute waits with that. I will never go in the summer AGAIN. Universal was especially bad. Worse than Disney for waits, crowds, comfort, etc.

 

[MarilIncredible]

I think the parks always close that early except for Xmas, spring break (maybe) and summer. I've been in September, early December, and January and they always closed at 6 or 7 those times of the year.

I am surprised it was so dead since it was a Sunday. I'd expect it to be dead during the week, but I would have guessed the locals at least come out on the weekends, at least later in the day.

The Jurassic Park ride is awesome! And I love the Mosnter Make-Up Show.

 

[Planogirl]

I think that people are holding off until HP opens too and then you'll see something quite different.

We go during busy times and don't buy FOL passes. We also haven't been able to afford the onsite hotels to get free FOL. We plan a certain way and manage to avoid most of the lines. I don't know what the situation will be once HP opens though...

 

[phorsenuf]

I'm sure it does get very busy in the summer. Looking at their que lines they sure plan for it! LOL

Our ticket is good for the end of May so I'm going to keep my eyes peeled for a soft opening of HP and maybe try to beebop over then.

Guess we just expected it to be busier since it's still spring break season. Not complaining though. It made things so easier, especially for me since I had to wait for the boys to do the roller coasters.

 

[Metro West]

Besides the lack of crowds what seemed off to me was their hours. Universal Studios closed at 6 and Islands of Adventure at 7. Do they always close so early?

I was at IOA yesterday too but wasn't all that surprised by the lines. There is usually always a lull between Spring Break and Memorial Day weekend so it's a nice time to go. I mainly went to take pictures of WWoHP...what I could anyway...and to have my favorite theme park lunch...A chicken tortilla wrap from Thunder Falls Terrace!

The normal park hours have always been a sore spot for me since the parks should be able to stay open until at least 8pm most of the year. But I think the main reason they close so early is because of the neighborhoods directly around the parks and since Universal is located within Orlando city limits, there are noise restrictions to consider. WDW is in the middle of nowhere so they can stay open however long they want. The parks will start staying open until 10pm in June for the summer but could be open a little longer if the crowds for WWoHP warrant longer hours.

 

[Robinrs]

Yes, it is DEFINITELY off season in all of Orlando, I wish I was there!!

 

[PollyannaMom]

We just got back from Florida yesterday, and were surprised as well. We were at Universal from the 16th through the 18th, and really got to do a lot! The 16th (at IOA) wasn't busy at all in the morning. - We stayed on site, so we did have the passes, but really didn't use them until the afternoon. The 17th (Saturday, at US) was a little busier, but still not bad. It rained some on Sunday, so that was light, too. (We did a bit of time at each park, and lunch at CityWalk - with no wait there, either!)

I do agree that a lot of people are probably waiting for Harry Potter (the construction so far looks great!) and we also figured crowds were low due to European flights not getting here. (Our hotel was definitely not crowded.) But we also did Aquatica on the 23rd, and found surprisingly short lines there as well. I was really happy!

 

[scrapquitler]

and we also figured crowds were low due to European flights not getting here. (Our hotel was definitely not crowded.) But we also did Aquatica on the 23rd, and found surprisingly short lines there as well. I was really happy!

A very good point, that I would not have thought of...

 

[goofy!]

I am going to strongly guess that folks are waiting for Harry Potter to open in June.

Exactly. We are annual pass holders and go often. We are waiting for Harry Potter for our next trip.

 

[OhMari]

I was there last year, the Thursday after Easter and the place was dead. I think the day was April 17. I went because I had a free ticket from the Superbowl giveaway. Since I had the free ticket, I bought the front of the line pass for $35. I totally didn't need it. Every ride was a walk on.
Like someone said, I'm sure attendance will pick up when the section for Harry Potter opens.

 

[Feralpeg]

OP, you hit the right time to visit Orlando theme parks. You are in between the Easter/Spring Break crowd and the summer crowds.

The WDW parks have been a little busier this past week due to Grad Nights and a world dance competition. Other than that, not too crowded at all!