being early @ park... About This Page:

[bohemian girl]

i live here in florida so i'm not gonna b staying @ any of the hotels, so, my question is if i get there early, will i b able to get in even if i'm not a hotel guest? in advance!!

[FanOfMickey]

If you mean for the extra magical hours then no, you have to be a resort guest to get in for those early hours.

[Colexis Mom]

They checked room IDs the last time we got in early for EMH

[bohemian girl]

bummer!! can anyone give me tips then as to what route we can take to get to the best rides (e.g: hulk, spiderman, dr doom, popeye, dudley, dragons, jurassic park) and not have to wait too long? start from back and move to the front? or maybe start on 1 of the areas and go in a circle? any advice appreciated.

[BarryH]

Originally Posted by bohemian girl

bummer!! can anyone give me tips then as to what route we can take to get to the best rides (e.g: hulk, spiderman, dr doom, popeye, dudley, dragons, jurassic park) and not have to wait too long? start from back and move to the front? or maybe start on 1 of the areas and go in a circle? any advice appreciated.

There hasn't been an official "early entry" in a while. However, the park can open up to 30 minutes earlier than park opening if everything is ready (particuarly if you're going during a busy time, like summer). If you're going during the summer, try to make it to the parking garage about 1 hour early so you have time to park, use the bathroom, and walk to the park to get in line. Once the gates open, I would do IOA in this manner if you're not using Express or staying on-site (I assume you're just going to IOA)...

Spider-Man (do it again if you want)
Hulk (again do it again if the lines are short)
Dr. Doom's Fearfall
One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish (if you really want to)
Cat in the Hat
Seuss Sky Trolley
Dueling Dragons (Fire and Ice)
Flying Unicorn
Jurassic Park River Adventure
Dudley Do-Right's Ripsaw Falls
Popeye and Bluto's Bildge Raft Barges

NOTE: If the day is very hot, the lines to Ripsaw Falls and Popeye will get long, very fast. You might want to do Ripsaw Falls' single rider line (if open) and wait in line for Popeye.

[Shell_of_the_South]

bohemian girl - Universal parks don't usually have early entry for hotel guests - I think some of the replies may have thought you were referring to Disney parks which have EMH for resort guests.

We've stayed offsite several times and arrived early at the Universal parks to find them open to anyone. Usually the gates opened about 8:30 when the official opening time was 9:00. Barry's advice was good, plan to arrive at the parking deck one hour prior to park opening. So yes - come early!!

And welcome to the Universal forum and the Passporter boards!

[bohemian girl]

yes, sorry guys, i was talking about IOA... and its good to know they may open early so we'll be able to do the best rides first and then enjoy walking all around the park till closing time. another ?, should we go to US another day or the same day we go to IOA? i remember as the best rides Shrek 4D and The Mummy. correct me if i'm wrong... r there any new other cool rides besides the obvious one, The Simpsons? and best route?

[Shell_of_the_South]

If your schedule allows, I'd spend one day at each Universal park. There's plenty to do at each one. Some of my faves at US are MIB, the Mummy, Shrek, Terminator, Jaws, ET, Horror Make Up Show, Disaster.

Universal has a great deal on tickets, $79.99 for up to 7 days unlimited. Florida residents get discounts as well:

Orlando Discount Tickets at Universal Orlando Resort

With a great deal like that, you can afford to spend 2 days to really enjoy both parks.

[Sue M.]

Spiderman is not to be missed. Awsome.