When to get to Universal's Islands of Adventure on a busy day if you're staying at a Universal hotel?

When to get to Universal’s Islands of Adventure on a busy day if you’re staying at a Universal hotel?

Dan,

Great site, new subscriber.

I’ve seen plenty of questions about when to get there for “regular” entry when IOA opens at 9am, but very little about the early entry at 8am for someone staying at the Royal Pacific.

I found a post about the water taxis beginning a half-hour before early entry, so I’m assuming that if we wish to get a water taxi (even though one can walk there quicker), we should get the 7:30am taxi? Is that early enough to do Harry with a reasonable wait time? Based on what I’ve read, doing both FJ & Ollivanders without a significant wait is… problematic at best on a busy day? If so, which one should be done first? (I’m guessing Ollivanders?)

We’re staying there April 6-9, going to IOA on the 7th, Universal Studios on the 8th (avoid the Mardi Gras nonsense.)

What is Potterville like from 8am-9am? Do they ever open before 8am on “very busy” days? Will they let the 9am people in before 9am on “very busy” days, thus killing the 8am advantage?

Also, how “express” are the “express” lines for hotel denizens on “very busy” days? Is it really “front-of-the-line”? Are there ever waits longer than say 10-15 minutes for “express”? If so, which rides?

Many thanks for any clarifications you can give. Basically, we need a post geared towards the 8am hotel denizens. If there already is a post addressing this in detail, simply send me the link.

Again, great site.

This post was submitted by Edward.