What time for early entry?

[chewbacca]

We are planning on rope dropping for US and IOA and we will be staying at a universal resort. What time should we arrive? My husband says at least an hour early. Is this correct?

 

[soniam]

He's right. Otherwise, you will be behind the pack. When are you going? This month, both parks have EE, so that helps slightly, but most people will still hit IOA first.

 

[cschaaf]

I’d also agree with him. 45 to 60 minutes early. Particularly if you are headed to IOA where the bigger crowd will be.

When we went in October, they were opening the gate 15 minutes before the early entry time (only IOA had EPA at that time).

We were told the boats from the river hotels start 1 hour before EPA. The boats start near Royal Pacific, so RP and Sapphire get a slight jump on HRH and PBH.

 

[Cuchman]

I think it depends somewhat on when you are going. We normally go the last week of August and while an hour early isn't a bad idea, we still had a decent advantage even being half an hour early. It wasn't that crowded overall, though, so if you are there at a busier time, I say shoot for the full hour.