- Joined
- Jun 6, 2005
- Messages
- 29,245
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- Location
- The Centennial State
- Resorts Owned
- Wyndham Founder's level. RCI, WorldMark pts. Disney OKW & SSR; Marriott's Willow Ridge,Shadow Ridge,Grand Chateau;Val Chatelle (7); Hono Koa OF (3); SBP(many, SDO a few; Grand Palms (selling). WKORV-OF (2),Westin Desert Willow.
We went to Universal Studios on 10/15, and I was surprised at the crowd levels. We usually go on weekdays, but this trip we went on a Saturday, because we were close to Universal for our first two nights (stayed at Rosen Shingle Creek through Hotwire, which we LOVED). Rick called Universal to see if a Saturday was a bad day to go, and the Universal staff said it's about the same number of people as a weekday. Wrong. 
The parks were crowded, and many of the visitors were very obnoxious compared to our usual weekday visits. I heard more swear words, saw more people smoking just walking around, and encountered more rude people than usual. Butting in line in large numbers was common, even at ET. There was a group of about 30 people who literally pushed their way into the line to supposedly join others already there. It was bad.
Lines were very long at the new ride all day (90 minutes, even though the sign said 60), and the roller coasters actually had 30-40 minute waits, but the signs said 15-20. When we went in January, we had no wait at the new ride and rode it twice within about 30 minutes of walking through the maze and the building. There was no wait at any roller coasters back in January.
Universal crowds tend to be different from Disney crowds, but this fact was more pronounced this trip.
We are very glad we renewed our preferred annual passes because we did have a great time at Universal and got to at least ride things we wanted at least once this time, and MIB about five times. Rick broke his record on MIB.
We enjoyed fajitas at Hard Rock Cafe, which were great, but kind of high at $18 per person. I would get those again next time.
We are going again in two weeks, lucky us, with the grandkids. The little ones will have very few things to do at the parks, unfortunately.
The parks were crowded, and many of the visitors were very obnoxious compared to our usual weekday visits. I heard more swear words, saw more people smoking just walking around, and encountered more rude people than usual. Butting in line in large numbers was common, even at ET. There was a group of about 30 people who literally pushed their way into the line to supposedly join others already there. It was bad.
Lines were very long at the new ride all day (90 minutes, even though the sign said 60), and the roller coasters actually had 30-40 minute waits, but the signs said 15-20. When we went in January, we had no wait at the new ride and rode it twice within about 30 minutes of walking through the maze and the building. There was no wait at any roller coasters back in January.
Universal crowds tend to be different from Disney crowds, but this fact was more pronounced this trip.
We are very glad we renewed our preferred annual passes because we did have a great time at Universal and got to at least ride things we wanted at least once this time, and MIB about five times. Rick broke his record on MIB.
We enjoyed fajitas at Hard Rock Cafe, which were great, but kind of high at $18 per person. I would get those again next time.
We are going again in two weeks, lucky us, with the grandkids. The little ones will have very few things to do at the parks, unfortunately.