What are good shows/rides when it's crowded in afternoon?

[mareed]

We're taking our first Universal trip this weekend after many Disney trips. Can someone help provide a list of rides/shows/attractions at US and IOA that are good when crowds get bad? For those familiar with Disney, I'm thinking of things like Carousel of Progress, Hall of Presidents, and Tomorrowland Transit Authority at Magic Kingdom. Examples at Epcot would be Ellen's Energy Adventure, American Adventure show, China & Canada circlelvision movies, etc. These are things that are either shows with large audiences or continuous loading rides with large capacity so that there's not typically a big wait even when it's crowded. What are some things like this at Universal if we don't have Express Passes or FOTL with staying at the resort? We'll have 2 days where we're arriving at opening and will be staying until crowds get unbearable. We'll also have 2 other days with FOTL to do the rides over and over. Thanks for the help!

 

[minniemusician]

There are several shows that have large capacity theaters that are good to go when crowds are large. At IOA there is Sinbad which is a stunt show. There are more at USF including Animal Actors, Fear Factor and Beetlejuice. Also the Horror Make up show. Check the paark guides for show times. The parks will be more crowded this weekend with spring break and Easter coming up but they are also open longer. Are you stayig at one of the Universal Hotels that have Express Pass privileges? If so you wouldn't have to worry about crowds. Have fun and enjoy.

 

[nerdboyrockstar]

Unfortunately there's not as many people-eaters at Universal as there are at Disney.

In Islands, your best bets would be The Eighth Voyage of Sinbad Stunt Show (check showtimes), checking out the Jurassic Park Discovery Center, and if the wait is minimal, Poseidon's Fury. But even that can get long sometimes as you wait in betweeen shows. Also a nice sit-down meal at Mythos would be a good way to break up the middle of the day.

At Universal, there's more options. The lines shouldn't be too bad on Twister, get to the Universal Horror Make-Up Show early as it fills to capacity when the parks are busy as far as 15 minutes before showtime, Lucy - A Tribute is a nice way to kill 15 minutes, and Fear Factor Live and Animal Actors On Location have big capacities as well.

 

[goofie4goofy]

JMHO, but I have found that Universal does a great job at crowd disbursement/diversions. There are all kinds of shows and characters. Besides what is mentioned above...Lucy & Ricky Ricardo will put on a show, the Blues Bros, break dancers...you name it! In IOA it's the same, it seems that out of no where characters appear and interact, put on a song and dance thing and it draws people off the lines. I also found that people act differently at USO compared to WDW, I guess it's because they don't feel so rushed so there's no cut throat me first attitude as much.

Going back to your resort to enjoy the pool is another great idea. We have been to USO at all times, busy and slow, and by 3:00 we are done with the parks and it's cocktail/pool time! That's riding every ride as many times as we can take it too! So relax and enjoy, you will have plenty of time to do it all, especially since you are getting to the parks early...we don't get there till 10 ish.

Have a GREAT time!

 

[mareed]

Thanks for all the tips and suggestions. I've noted them on my trip spreadsheet! And we will have 2 days mid-trip with FOTL with a night at RPR, but we'll have 1 day early in trip and 1 day late in the trip where we won't have FOTL, and plan to spend at least thru lunch-time.