worried about crowds

[ptmmg]

Let me start by saying I feel like a Disney PRO but Universal not at all! We have always done Disney the last week in August and have stayed on site no lines or crowds!! I really had to talk DH into this kind of last minute trip next month 4/13-4/20 he is actually going down the day before me with our kids because the airfare is so much cheaper and I cant get the time off from work! Staying at Cabana Bay so no front of the line thinking of getting a dummy room at RPR for one night just for that pass we wouldn't stay in in it because dh would think it was too much of a pain to move all our things for 1 night then back again. I kind of agree. RPR is booked our last night. I have looked at crowd calendars but they are confusing! do we really need to book this room to get the front of the line pass??

 

[kohlby]

We'll be at CB from 4/18-4/23. I've checked crowd calendars and they mainly say moderate. There might have even been a couple lows in the week before our trip, during some of the days that you will be there. (Moderate was the second lowest on all caledars I looked at, with there being 4-5 categories).

How many days will you have in the parks? Crowds should be manageable but if you only have a day in the parks, then I'd keep your RPR room for EP as even saving small amounts of time will be worth it. But if you have several days, I wouldn't worry about it, as you can always go back the next day if something is more crowded than you had hoped. Also, don't forget that CB does have early entry. That can be very helpful.

 

[Serena {LivingByDisney}]

In my opinion, you don't need the room. Universal just doesn't have the crowd levels Disney has, plus you're going at a moderate crowd level time. The only situation where I'd say you need it, is if you are trying to cover absolutely everything in one or two days. Then maybe. But if you have some time you won't need it. We have been at higher crowd levels with no resort perks and still cover everything we want in two days with no trouble.

 

[macraven]

If you go regularly to universal, you'll notice the larger crowds are happening more and more.

Different events each month lure more to the parks.

With some events, parks close early which shortens your time there.

If you have a limited time for the parks, go early, be familiar with the park layout, eat at off times and have a plan.

 

[ptmmg]

plan on doing 3 days

 

[macraven]

plan on doing 3 days

Use early entry and single rider lines when available

Eat at off times to avoid meal rush times

Check the wait time boards in the park so you know present line wait times
You can change the order of what rides to do if some have short waits

You'll be fine
Go and have a blast! To

 

[ptmmg]

I ended up booking PB from for 1 night (RP Booked) would have done 2 but its booked the second night so DH doesn't even want to move from CB we will just check in to get EP (is it worth it for $375 and the pain of going to check in for the EP???

 

[macraven]

if you will be in the parks as you listed above (april 13-20) studios will close early.
grad bash will happen on friday april 15.

grad bash is for seniors in high school and their tickets cover both parks from 7 pm to 2 am for the private event.

go to the park early that day (15) and spend the evening at the hotel pool, city walk, bowling at cbay , movies or mini golf in city walk.

 

[DisneyTravelers2008]

"Use early entry and single rider lines when available

Eat at off times to avoid meal rush times

Check the wait time boards in the park so you know present line wait times
You can change the order of what rides to do if some have short waits"

This is good advice! Also, be sure to check the park hours so you can use your EP on the 2 days when the parks have the best hours. And id plan to do the Harry Potter stuff on days when you don't have the EP since most HP rides arent included in EP.

We went to Universal 3 times last year with our annual passes and it was really crowded each time ...even in the "off season"....we didnt have EP but we always arrived early to take advantage of early entry and used a wait times app...which helped a lot

 

[disneynan]

Let me start by saying I feel like a Disney PRO but Universal not at all! We have always done Disney the last week in August and have stayed on site no lines or crowds!! I really had to talk DH into this kind of last minute trip next month 4/13-4/20 he is actually going down the day before me with our kids because the airfare is so much cheaper and I cant get the time off from work! Staying at Cabana Bay so no front of the line thinking of getting a dummy room at RPR for one night just for that pass we wouldn't stay in in it because dh would think it was too much of a pain to move all our things for 1 night then back again. I kind of agree. RPR is booked our last night. I have looked at crowd calendars but they are confusing! do we really need to book this room to get the front of the line pass??

We are there for the same weekend as you! I am also going down late due to work. Rest of family will be doing the Star Wars 5K on Friday, but I couldn't get the time off either; figure you work in a school too? We are also WDW veterans who have never visited Universal before. I am an uber-planner and am finding it a challenge to plan this trip.

 

[Allison93]

Universal crowds are never as bad as Disney in my opinion. I think you'll be fine. I am heading there over Easter and was able to get a Mythos reservation (there were plenty available.)

 

[ptmmg]

We are there for the same weekend as you! I am also going down late due to work. Rest of family will be doing the Star Wars 5K on Friday, but I couldn't get the time off either; figure you work in a school too? We are also WDW veterans who have never visited Universal before. I am an uber-planner and am finding it a challenge to plan this trip.

Yes I work in a school!!

What is your plan? are you just doing Universal?? we are planning
on DC and SeaWorld also!

 

[disneynan]

Yes I work in a school!!

What is your plan? are you just doing Universal?? we are planning
on DC and SeaWorld also!

School nurse here.

This is the plan: DH and kids fly down on Wed evening, register for Marathon on Thurs and then visit ocean. Marathon on Friday. I arrive Friday night at 11pm. We are renting my boss's condo but will stay at Royal Pacific Sat night to get the front of the line pass. Sat and Sun at Universal. Monday we drive to Ft Lauderdale for a Royal Caribbean cruise till Sat; meeting up with some extended family. Back to Orlando on Sat, use our free 3rd day Universal pass for a few hours and fly home.

Trip is funded by a sweepstakes win from a local grocery store.

 

[Hunterr]

April is still better than may/june when the schools let out for vacation. I think you'll be ok.

 

[keishashadow]

We are there for the same weekend as you! I am also going down late due to work. Rest of family will be doing the Star Wars 5K on Friday, but I couldn't get the time off either; figure you work in a school too? We are also WDW veterans who have never visited Universal before. I am an uber-planner and am finding it a challenge to plan this trip.

one of the best things about Universal and staying onsite with FOTL perc is there is no need to commando plan things.

a very good thing imo! I more than get my fill of that at the other parks, so nice to relax and enjoy the ride.

 

[disneynan]

Thanks for all the good advice. I think we will stick to the original plans then.......so looking forward to not having to "go commando" as usual!