What time to arrive in the morning?

[melbiel]

Hi,

I was just wondering... if IOA opens up at 9am, what time do they start letting people into the parking lot? We'd like to get there as early as possible so we can head right to WWOHP, which is my 8 year old daughter's biggest excitement about the trip. I know the park opens at 9am the day we're going, but I'm not sure what time to actually plan to arrive at the parking lot. Any info would be great. Thanks!

 

[mesaboy2]

Hi,

I was just wondering... if IOA opens up at 9am, what time do they start letting people into the parking lot? We'd like to get there as early as possible so we can head right to WWOHP, which is my 8 year old daughter's biggest excitement about the trip. I know the park opens at 9am the day we're going, but I'm not sure what time to actually plan to arrive at the parking lot. Any info would be great. Thanks!

Let this be my attempt to start over.

I would plan to arrive at the Universal parking garages around 8:15. It probably opens earlier, but that should get you to the IoA turnstiles by 8:30-8:35. Unless you need to purchase tickets or something, that should give you more than enough time to be in a good place for the opening at 9. It is a longish walk from the garages to the gates, but Universal helps a bit by having some moving walkways.

Once inside the park, head right at the lake towards Seussland, and just inside the entrance to it you will see Green Eggs and Ham on the left. If it is not closed, there is a shortcut path to the other side of Seussland on the left of GEaH. The main path through Seuss is longer.

Best basic tips IMHO for touring WWoHP is in this thread: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2663104

You may already be aware, but onsite guests get access to WWoHP an hour earlier, so don't expect it to be empty no matter when you arrive. Still, this first hour or two, along with the last hour or two of the park's operating hours, are the best times to get what you want accomplished. The rest of the day is usually pretty crowded.

Have fun!

 

[macraven]

i haven't stayed off site in over 14? years now.

but, when i did, i always arrived at least one and a half hours before park opening.
i was about second or third in line for the parking garage.

it is quick to enter when you are that far up front when they open.
add about 10-15 minutes at that point before you reach the gates of the park.
i found it helped to wait in line to park rather than arrive when the garage opened and was behind 25 cars at that point.


it used to be that the parking garage opened one hour prior to the park openings.

i do not know if that same rule still applies.

possible guest services would know the opening time.

 

[homie wanna liv]

Arrive at 8am and when the park open make a b-line to TWWOHP then enjoy the rest of your days line free except if traveling within the next two weeks or on the weekends themselves. Although Sunday mornings are normally slow because of parties the night before(parks are open later on Saturdays) and church(might be surprising but that is my theory of why it is so empty).

 

[melbiel]

Let this be my attempt to start over.

I would plan to arrive at the Universal parking garages around 8:15. It probably opens earlier, but that should get you to the IoA turnstiles by 8:30-8:35. Unless you need to purchase tickets or something, that should give you more than enough time to be in a good place for the opening at 9. It is a longish walk from the garages to the gates, but Universal helps a bit by having some moving walkways.

Once inside the park, head right at the lake towards Seussland, and just inside the entrance to it you will see Green Eggs and Ham on the left. If it is not closed, there is a shortcut path to the other side of Seussland on the left of GEaH. The main path through Seuss is longer.

Best basic tips IMHO for touring WWoHP is in this thread: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2663104

You may already be aware, but onsite guests get access to WWoHP an hour earlier, so don't expect it to be empty no matter when you arrive. Still, this first hour or two, along with the last hour or two of the park's operating hours, are the best times to get what you want accomplished. The rest of the day is usually pretty crowded.

Have fun!

No worries. I appreciate the information!

It looks like I will be dragging everyone out of bed when we go to IOA - just hoping they are so excited that it won't be torture (for me, that is!)

I'm going to try to arrive by 8am, which, knowing us, will be more like 8:15. I appreciate the help. I don't want to feel so crushed and rushed at WWOHP, especially because my daughter is going crazy about it. Thankfully, we went in May the last time, and I have to say that IOA was unbelievably uncrowded. I'm sure Harry Potter is going to increase the crowds this year, but maybe it will still be bearable!

Anyway, thanks everyone. Have a good night! m