Early Entry Advise Needed

[Posterchild]

Hello,

Going to Universal for a couple days and staying on site. We have the express pass things and early entries. I figure I will drive up and try and be at the hotels at 7ish to check-in, drop bags, and pickup passes and head to the parks for EE on day 1. Day two, who knows?

Should I used EE and rush to Transformers early, and then Dispicable thing? We will be there two days and want to make the most of it and the EE privileges.

I am a noobie at Universal, having spent more time at WDW. If anyone familiar with the current system and rides can offer advice it would be appreciated.

Thanks, Posterchild

[MizMissy]

We just missed Transformers, so I cannot speak to it, but I know Despicable Me was very busy from the beginning. However, "very busy" means you stand in line for 15-20 minutes (at the very most instead of walk on) with Express Pass.

If you are interested at all in riding Forbidden Journey or seeing the wand show at Olivander's (a waste of time in my opinion, but many people like it, obviously), I would still suggest you use early entry for Harry Potter area since neither of those attractions take express pass.

I think every attraction at US has express pass.

[NJGIRL]

Early Entry is only at IOA in order to ride Harry Potter FJ, because that ride does not take Express Pass.

Transformers & DM are at the Studio and does not have Early Entry. I thought I read that Transformers was taking Express Pass. Either way, Transformers is the newest so I think that will be more crowded. We did DM last Oct with Express Pass and only waited about 10 mins.

I am going to look into everything, just in case everything has changed and I am wrong. Will be back to either confirmation or make corrections.

[NJGIRL]

You didn't mention when you are going but I did check into it.

Early Entry to the Studio will only be from
July 1st to Sept 2 for Transformers and DM. Since it is only 1 hour before opening I would def do Transformers first. You may have time to go back to DM, but if not just use your Express Pass later.

[DizneyFreak2002]

Posterchild, when are you going?

I have been hearing Transformers has been a constant 75 minute wait time during the day, and there are days DM pulls 90 minute wait times...

Transformers does accept Express Pass... And I believe single rider as well...

[Mfarquar]

I have family leaving for their honeymoon tomorrow and this is very helpful!

Is it safe to say that next week/weekend that they can use their on-site hotel Express Pass privileges AND also take advantage of the early entry since it is prior to Sept. 2?

It's been awhile since I've been on these boards, but am glad to be back!

[MizMissy]

Posterchild, when are you going?

I have been hearing Transformers has been a constant 75 minute wait time during the day, and there are days DM pulls 90 minute wait times...

Transformers does accept Express Pass... And I believe single rider as well...

But these wait times are regular, not express pass. Correct??

[NJGIRL]

I have family leaving for their honeymoon tomorrow and this is very helpful!

Is it safe to say that next week/weekend that they can use their on-site hotel Express Pass privileges AND also take advantage of the early entry since it is prior to Sept. 2?

It's been awhile since I've been on these boards, but am glad to be back!

Yes, 1 hour early entry and Express Pass will be accepted. Just remember, from what I read, Transformers & DM will be the only attractions opened so don't expect to walk on either one. You probably will only have time for one attraction. I would do Transformers since it is so new. We did DM in Oct with Express Pass and only waited about 10 mins in line.

[NJGIRL]

But these wait times are regular, not express pass. Correct??

I can't say for Transformers, but yes for DM, at least from my experience.

[Mfarquar]

Cool! Thanks! It's good to know they'll have a couple of options for Transformers

[DizneyFreak2002]

But these wait times are regular, not express pass. Correct??

yes, for stand by lines... Stand by lines have been around 75 minutes for Transformers and 90 minutes for DM...

Not sure what the wait times have been averaging for Express Pass for either of those attractions...

[Posterchild]

Wow, this thread really took off while I was away.
Actually I will be going Aug 18th for a couple nights. Looks like right then is when the kids go back to school.

We will probably do Transformers and wait out DM, I dunno depends on the teens wishes. Sometimes even my planning does not pan out the way I think!

[DizneyFreak2002]

Read on a few sites that DM was over 100 minutes wait the last two days and Transformers hit 200 minutes, with a 60 minute Express Pass wait time... In fact, Universal stopped selling Express Passes the other day because the people buying them were overloading the Transformers queue...

[NJGIRL]

This is why I am saying that the hour early entry is probably only going to get you on one ride not both.

Transformers will be crowded all day, no matter express pass or not. My guess is that your express pass will be more useful at DM later in the day.......

[Mfarquar]

This is why I am saying that the hour early entry is probably only going to get you on one ride not both.

Transformers will be crowded all day, no matter express pass or not. My guess is that your express pass will be more useful at DM later in the day.......

Agreed!

I can't wait to see what our cousins have to report.

I can't believe how the release of the 2nd Despicable Me movie has affected the line so greatly! When we were at the Studios last September when it was still pretty new and it was popular especially on weekend dates, but we did not see any lines like this! I know it's the summer, but wow - it's holding its own with Transformers (a very heavily anticipated, more "thrill" ride)!