[arby]

We are looking at taking our first trip to Universal Studios in mid October. I know they have set some record numbers since Harry Potter opened. For those of you familiar with the park, do you think that may be one of the better times to go? I know it's going to be busy regardless.

Also, I welcome any suggestions that anybody has so that we get the most from this trip. We only plan on spending 3 days at the park.

[coasterdave]

You do know that you will be going during Halloween Horror Nights? If you go on a night that HHN is taken place that the Studios will be shutting down at 5 pm and reopening at 7 for HHN. Islands will be closing right before Studios reopening for HHN.

I mean if you are there during Halloween Horror Nights then you might as well go. It is just the best Halloween Event at a theme park period.

[arby]

I didn't know that, but I knew US was closing at 5 and IOA was closing at 7 during the time we were looking at.

Thanks for the info. In light of that, we're making other plans instead. I have to take a business trip down there next summer anyway so might as well let them pay me milage there and back as well as accomodations.

[coasterdave]

There really is no offseason there now due to Potter. The best time would be the days through the week that Horror Night is going on since the mob for HHN does not start getting in the till say around 3 pm. It has always been that way in the past and feel that would be the case this year also to some extent.

[coasterbruh]

you dont like halloween events? Once you go your life will never be the same. You'll be saying scarowinds what?? lol

[arby]

Thank you for the assistance, coasterdave. We're pretty sure we're not going to go, now, because there's not an off season. We wanted to go to a park and relax but that's hard to do when a park is crowded.

Coasterbruh, we've never been to a park Halloween event because of our situation. This will be our first year going to Scarowinds so it will be novel to us.

We only had a four day window, so we're looking at two other scenarios that will be more cost effective. We'll have 10 days down there next summer when I'm there for a conference so we'll get the Orlando flex pass and hit all the non Disney parks including BGT.

[coasterbruh]

So you'd pass up going to a park during its least busiest time and rather go during the summer...when EVERYONE is vacationing? Im gonna put it like this, I always go in the sept oct time because I like walking on rides, I like being the only person on mummy, I like not having to leave my seat on hulk. Its true there is no "off season" persay and no matter how many people are in IOA, wizarding world will ALWAYS look crowded lol but you would have a better chance of enjoying your self in october than you would any month in the summer.

[arby]

Yeah, I've thought of that and am still taking that into consideration. We haven't made our mind up 100% yet since it is Oct. We're not worried about not being able to get accommodations or tickets because of the time of year.

When I keep looking at it from a $$$ perspective, it makes sense to wait until next summer and do KI and Holiday World this Oct.

We did Disney during spring break a few years ago and it wasn't too bad. While the parks did get very busy, like most people on here, we know how to work around the crowds a bit to improve the user experience. (Go in the mornings until the park gets busy - leave in the afternoons to get food elsewhere for a lot less $$$, go back in the evening and stay until park closing - by that time lots of people have left the park)

I will relay your advice to my boss (wife), though.