Jan 15th to the 18th

[mkraus28]

Is it realistic to assume a family of 4 can get everything done in 2 1/2 days on this weekend in 2016. Our flight lands at 10:00am. We are staying on site and will have the express passes. I'm shooting for parks around 1 on Friday and all day Saturday and Sunday. Last time I was at Universal was between Hurricanes in 2004 and it was deserted and there were no wait times longer than 10 minutes for any ride.

 

[JoeCamel]

Should be the perfect amount of time to do everything you want a couple of times. Good time of year and with express and EPA you will have a great time.

 

[BrianV]

Where are you staying on site?

2.5 days with express pass is a lot. You'll have plenty of time to relax at the pool and other stuff. They have swim up movies at the rpr and probably elsewhere. We find the hotel amazing and the easy "commute" to the parks means we find mid day hotel visits super relaxing.

We'll be there a week later. We chose to avoid mlk weekend, but I don't think with EP you'll notice much difference.

 

[EngineJoe]

Is it realistic to assume a family of 4 can get everything done in 2 1/2 days on this weekend in 2016. Our flight lands at 10:00am. We are staying on site and will have the express passes. I'm shooting for parks around 1 on Friday and all day Saturday and Sunday. Last time I was at Universal was between Hurricanes in 2004 and it was deserted and there were no wait times longer than 10 minutes for any ride.

You are hitting the heart of Brazilian Tour Group season. A lot has changed since 2004, Brazilians are the #1 visiting nation overtaking England and Dec till Feb is their summer vacation.

Jan used to be off peak time but that is a thing of the past with the Brazilian Tour Groups overrunning disneyworld and universal. Just google Brazilan Tour Group Disney and be prepared.

The key is to find out which park the Brazilian Tour Group will be at and go to the other park. I was at Universal last February and had the park hopper. Universal was somewhat crowded but then when I went over to islands of adventures it was packed because the Brazilan Tour Groups were all at that park.

The best times to go now are in October and maybe may. Dec-feb and July are times you do not want to go because it coincides with their summer and winter vacations.

And in general weekends are worse because of more locals and americans flying down just for the weekend.

I would try to get as much done on Friday as possible cause wait times will be longer on weekends.

just be prepared for the parks to be very crowded compared to 2004.

 

[EngineJoe]

Also universal is a lot more popular now than 2004 because of the Harry Potter areas. The parks used to be empty during the week and you could just get the half day ticket and see everything,

 

[mkraus28]

We are staying at the Hard Rock. We normally would have not chosen a holiday weekend but we book a cruise that leaves on the 18th so universal was an add-on to the trip.

Where are you staying on site?

2.5 days with express pass is a lot. You'll have plenty of time to relax at the pool and other stuff. They have swim up movies at the rpr and probably elsewhere. We find the hotel amazing and the easy "commute" to the parks means we find mid day hotel visits super relaxing.

We'll be there a week later. We chose to avoid mlk weekend, but I don't think with EP you'll notice much difference.

 

[mkraus28]

Now i'm a bit worried. I Have heard horror stories about these tour groups but never experienced one first hand. Our last visit was literally between two hurricanes and I know that Universal was empty because of it. We did almost every ride in both parks in one day. I actually have pictures of the main street in the Dr.Suess part of the park completely empty right around lunch time. We are staying on-site and will have the express passes so I assume this will help.

You are hitting the heart of Brazilian Tour Group season. A lot has changed since 2004, Brazilians are the #1 visiting nation overtaking England and Dec till Feb is their summer vacation.

Jan used to be off peak time but that is a thing of the past with the Brazilian Tour Groups overrunning disneyworld and universal. Just google Brazilan Tour Group Disney and be prepared.

The key is to find out which park the Brazilian Tour Group will be at and go to the other park. I was at Universal last February and had the park hopper. Universal was somewhat crowded but then when I went over to islands of adventures it was packed because the Brazilan Tour Groups were all at that park.

The best times to go now are in October and maybe may. Dec-feb and July are times you do not want to go because it coincides with their summer and winter vacations.

And in general weekends are worse because of more locals and americans flying down just for the weekend.

I would try to get as much done on Friday as possible cause wait times will be longer on weekends.

just be prepared for the parks to be very crowded compared to 2004.

 

[Jwhee]

With express passes you'll be fine, just try to do Potter lands in the morning.

 

[BrianV]

Now i'm a bit worried. I Have heard horror stories about these tour groups but never experienced one first hand. Our last visit was literally between two hurricanes and I know that Universal was empty because of it. We did almost every ride in both parks in one day. I actually have pictures of the main street in the Dr.Suess part of the park completely empty right around lunch time. We are staying on-site and will have the express passes so I assume this will help.

Will be totally fine. Seen the tour groups. To me, they are a non issue.

Really, the holiday weekend is more of an issue. But with express pass it too will not be an issue.

Have fun!!

 

[BrianV]

We are staying at the Hard Rock. We normally would have not chosen a holiday weekend but we book a cruise that leaves on the 18th so universal was an add-on to the trip.

Great location. You can come an go as you please. I've never actually stayed in the hotel, however, but very one loves it.

 

[Disneyhead'71]

Now i'm a bit worried. I Have heard horror stories about these tour groups but never experienced one first hand. Our last visit was literally between two hurricanes and I know that Universal was empty because of it. We did almost every ride in both parks in one day. I actually have pictures of the main street in the Dr.Suess part of the park completely empty right around lunch time. We are staying on-site and will have the express passes so I assume this will help.

You'll be fine. The tour groups will keep the place from being a ghost town, and the crowds will be larger than 2004, but at that time of year the crowds are still on the light to moderate level.

 

[danpam1024]

We are staying at the Hard Rock. We normally would have not chosen a holiday weekend but we book a cruise that leaves on the 18th so universal was an add-on to the trip.

You will ADORE HRH- it is our home away from home. Don't be put off by the Zillions of Bazillions- I have noticed that they are considerably tamer than they used to be- and they don't have express pass