Express Pass - What is the real deal? [Archive] - The DIS Discussion Forums

jenniferm

01-06-2006, 09:20 AM

We went Dec 29 & 31 and the machines were shut down. A ride attendant told us that they have been shut off since September. Our only option was to purchase an Express Pass Plus for $35 a person. YIKES! They did tell us that if we had ordered the EPP when we bought our tickets online and used our MasterCard that we could have bought them for half off. DH doesn't remember seeing that option and we might not have done it anyway since we weren't expecting the regular express pass machines to be turned off.

Somebody here said that the express machines were going to be working at Spring Break but I don't know.

Taratink

01-07-2006, 08:54 AM

Where do I buy the Express pass and can you add it on to a 2 or 3 day ticket?
Tara

Laurabearz

01-07-2006, 10:09 AM

Where do I buy the Express pass and can you add it on to a 2 or 3 day ticket?
Tara
You can add it to any ticket for as many days as you want... meaning if you buy a 5 day ticket you could just buy 1 day of Express pass...

As to where to buy them... I scoured the US site last night looking to scope out prices for my June trip and I found a write up about them, but no link to buy them online. Hopefully someone else can direct you there as I came up empty last night!

Slacking

01-07-2006, 10:09 AM

I think they're a rip-off and not needed, but you can purchase Express tickets in person at the parks. (There may be an option online too, not positive on that, but just like LB above, I looked and couldn't find it, so maybe there isn't an online option.)

phamton

01-07-2006, 10:21 AM

Universal usually only sets the price based on the anticipated crowds so sometimes you can only purchase them a month in advance, so if your date is further than one month in the future, it might not show the express pass plus option when you purchase the tickets.

Go to: http://www.univacations.com/
Click on "tickets only" then enter your dates and number in party. Then
click search.

When it takes you to the next page. scroll down to where it says:

Departure Date: Nights:
Use the GO button to Book Your Tickets Now!

Enter the date and number of nights and click "Go." It should then take
you to a page that has the Universal and Islands of Adventure Express
plus pass along with tickets. That says: Option Price Guide
Universal Express Plus-Islands of Adventure $XX.xx (this will be the
price not x)
Universal Express Plus-Universal Studios Florida $XX.xx

Included features and/or taxes:
Handling Fee 2.00

Do NOT purchase express unless you know the exact date you need them as
they are dated and only good for the date on the pass. Also the express
pass is sold for each park. You can't use the Universal express pass
card at IOA. They do have one that includes both parks and is about $10 more.

Donnask8pro

01-09-2006, 02:01 PM

Is Express same price at the door? Can you purchase it online w/o buying park tickets through them also? Whats the cheapest way to go for only 1 day/2parks. I know you pm'd me 73.00 at the door. It is more $$ online than the door. But can you purchase at the gate and if so more money? Think we'll need them on Sat Feb 11th, 1st day of Mardi Gras? (obviously we decided to go) Phantom your the best. Thanks for being there when we all need you. Donna confused? I was after rereading it.. lol

A Mickeyfan

01-09-2006, 02:19 PM

If they are like $30 each (just for example) and you have 4 in your party..that is $120, for that price, you woud be better off trying to stay onsite & get all the rides all day long instead of just once each!?!? ;)

Donnask8pro

01-09-2006, 07:36 PM

30 BUCKS gets you 1 ride? OMG are they kidding me? I was there in Dec/Nov and stayed onsite, never had to think of express pass before. And obviously not again...

yaytezIOA

01-09-2006, 10:09 PM

Get there early! Thats the best way, besides staying onsite. Onsite is the way to go, your room keys are your express pass. Nothing extra to pay. If you dont plan on wasting your money on the express (i usually save it and waste it on the good drinks at the various places) get there early. Get there early. Did I mention get there early? And do the park starting with Hulk and Ending with Cat in the hat....for IOA.... Start with Shrek and end with T2 for USF.

costanza

01-11-2006, 11:12 AM

I'm not sure about you people, but making myself go to bed early enough to be able to force myself to wake up at sunrise in order to get ready to go to an amusement park at opening is NOT what I call a vacation!
If the free express passes for off-ste guests is gone, then that will GREATLY impact any future plans to go back to USF (which we have gone to probably 10 times over the last 15 years). We ALWAYS try to go during the off-season, but often STILL have long lines to wait in. Waiting in long lines is NOT what I call a fun vacation either.

phamton

01-11-2006, 06:13 PM

If the free express passes for off-ste guests is gone, then that will GREATLY impact any future plans to go back to USF (which we have gone to probably 10 times over the last 15 years). We ALWAYS try to go during the off-season, but often STILL have long lines to wait in. Waiting in long lines is NOT what I call a fun vacation either.

Dave, I mean costanza, you can choose to go or not. I seriously doubt it will impact Universal crowds at all if they do away with express. If you truly go in the off-season then you should not have any lines. I went to IOA yesterday at 1:30 PM and rode everything as a walk on with 4 other people. Even Hulk and Spiderman was a walk on. Today I went to Universal with 4 people and we didn't arrive until 12:45 PM and once again everything was a walk on except for Mummy which had a 5 minute wait.

Edited to add: We went to Magic Kingdom and Epcot the day before yesterday (Monday). We arrived at 9:45 AM and there were already lines. We rode Pirates as a walk on at 10:00 AM but nothing else was a walk on at MK. Almost all the fastpass machines were covered. We wanted one for Haunted Mansion but they were covered all day and there were none for Pirates either. There were fastpasses for SpaceMountain, SplashMountain, and BTMRR which we did utilize as the lines were 30-50 minutes long. We went over to Epcot and both Mission Space and Spaceship Earth were walk ons but Soarin' was a 45 minute wait. We didn't get a fastpass for it as the return time would be to close to the time of Illuminations. Neither Universal nor IoA needed express pass this week but Disney did and many of their fastpass distribution kiosks were covered.

jmsvss

01-11-2006, 06:51 PM

I may be eating these words on Feb 22rd when I'm back home all snuggled in my bed (I'll be at Universal/IoA on 20-21) but I feel like biting the $15.98 bullet for an Express Pass so that I do not have to stand in a looonnngg line is a good gamble. I am not able to go as frequently as I would like - my last visit was 2002 so I have to maximize my time. I, unfortunately, am going at a somewhat busy time. I thought about moving from WDW to a Universal property but it was going to cost an extra $400.

I also know, as phamton pointed out, that I would have spent my 4 previous days the WDW lines. I don't expect it to be a no wait experience - I'm just buying an edge.

We'll see...

costanza

01-11-2006, 07:51 PM

Dave, I mean costanza, you can choose to go or not. I seriously doubt it will impact Universal crowds at all if they do away with express. If you truly go in the off-season then you should not have any lines.

First of all, who is "Dave"? Second, I realize I can CHOOSE to go or not. Third, I don't care what the general public does, as most of them at USF are probably first timers anyway and never enjoyed express pass. Lastly, it sounds as if for some odd reason you don't believe I go to the Orlando parks in the off-season. Not that it matters what you believe, but my wife and our daughters usually go to the Orlando parks in late Oct. - early Nov., and every year the "off-season crowds" get bigger and bigger, at least half of which seem European.

lindalinda

01-11-2006, 08:37 PM

jmsvss, let us know how it turns out. Bet you have a blast. :banana:

phamton

01-11-2006, 08:44 PM

Lastly, it sounds as if for some odd reason you don't believe I go to the Orlando parks in the off-season. Not that it matters what you believe, but my wife and our daughters usually go to the Orlando parks in late Oct. - early Nov., and every year the "off-season crowds" get bigger and bigger, at least half of which seem European.

No what I am saying is that the term "off-season" means there are low crowds. If the crowds are heavy in October and November then it isn't truly an "off-season" is it?

This week is an off season. I waited no time at all on any ride at Universal and IoA. I did wait at Disney. Most of the fastpass kiosk were covered at Disney so we had to wait in line. Disney quietly covers their fastpass kiosks and not a word is said on this board. Universal does and there are at least 5 threads about it, and one thread that has recently been closed.

All Aboard

01-11-2006, 08:50 PM

Neither Universal nor IoA needed express pass this week but Disney did I understand your point. But, honestly, this statement is not good news for Universal. Attendance going in opposite directions.

DonaldHockeyDuck

01-11-2006, 09:24 PM

If you buy the express book, are you able to trade off any of the passess,
ie. trade a hulk for a one fish, as for trading I mean with someone who also bought the express book.........

phamton

01-11-2006, 09:31 PM

It's not a book. It is a pass that they mark or scan similar to a ticket. It lets the ride attendant know if you have ridden the ride already. You are certainly able to trade with your friends. Let them use your express for Hulk while you use theirs for One fish. The pass doesn't have your name on it.

macraven

01-12-2006, 08:22 AM

think of it this way.

you have a family of 4 and you want head of the line priviledges for the rides and attractions. stay on site in a value season and spend the $150 a night for a room. that $30 a person x 4 would equal $120 if you bought epp would be included in that room.

$120 epp + $30 room = $150...............

it's all in the math.

and the kicker is you get 2 days of fotl. when you check out the next morning, your fotl key is valid that day until the park closes.

the epp is good only for one ride/attraction only for the entire day.
fotl, no limit on rides /attractions.

macraven

01-12-2006, 08:27 AM

ksdave

01-12-2006, 12:16 PM

continuing from the above post, if the room is #129 at rph + tax you are still around the $150 mark or under for the room.

if the epp is 15.99 plus tax per person you might be looking at 18 making it $72. you are stil paying a lot less for the room........$78 for the night.

just by adjusting a lower cost for the epp during a value season, a person still comes out ahead.

PLUS, you get to stay at a UO resort, which are all awesome!

(I've heard that the National Parks Service is looking to get rid of its Fastpass system too. Guess we'll have to boycott them :rotfl: )

costanza

01-12-2006, 06:51 PM

No what I am saying is that the term "off-season" means there are low crowds. If the crowds are heavy in October and November then it isn't truly an "off-season" is it?

This week is an off season. I waited no time at all on any ride at Universal and IoA. I did wait at Disney. Most of the fastpass kiosk were covered at Disney so we had to wait in line. Disney quietly covers their fastpass kiosks and not a word is said on this board. Universal does and there are at least 5 threads about it, and one thread that has recently been closed.

Well, the charts I've seen show Oct. and early Nov. as traditionally "low crowd" times, which I would consider "off-season". That is why we went at those times. Since you seem to know so much, would you share the "off-season" dates for USF that people here could use to plan their vacation?
And would you PLEASE stop comparing USF and WDW wait times? I'm discussing my disappointment with USF's decision. I'll go to the WDW forum to voice my concerns with their policies, thank you very much :sad2:

As far as rationalizing the high on-site room rates, we spend so little time in our rooms, it makes no sense to pay $100/night over what we normally pay at a clean hotel, such as the Comfort Inn at Lake Buena Vista that we usually patronize. We don't go on vacation in Orlando to hang out in a fancy hotel room or swim in a quasi-public pool.

phamton

01-12-2006, 07:27 PM

Since you seem to know so much, would you share the "off-season" dates for USF that people here could use to plan their vacation?

Actually those who hangout here already know that I share that information quite freely.

And would you PLEASE stop comparing USF and WDW wait times?

I post what I am familiar with. Feel free to put me on "ignore."

Donnask8pro

01-12-2006, 07:51 PM

You go Girl....

lindalinda

01-12-2006, 07:56 PM

The most pertinent and reliable information posted comes from phamton. I am so glad I have checked this board out. I truly feel like i am prepared for just about anything now. Thanks phamtom, and everyone else that has been helpful! :sunny:

macraven

01-12-2006, 08:49 PM

Well, the charts I've seen show Oct. and early Nov. as traditionally "low crowd" times, which I would consider "off-season". That is why we went at those times. Since you seem to know so much, would you share the "off-season" dates for USF that people here could use to plan their vacation?

the 3 on site hotels have a value season. i know september is one of them.
during the value or low season the hotel rates are the lowest you will ever find them. the rates drop in order to entice people to book them.
you can get rooms for $129 in some of them.

when hotel bookings are down, you can be sure that the crowds will be low and limited at the 2 universal parks.

early october some years ago were an ideal time to go as less crowds.
as hhn has picked up in great popularity, the hotels for the first 2 weekends are totally booked for 2 of them. the crowds the first two weeks in october are low in the daytime until about 3:30 on the dates hhn happens. mid october has larger crowds on about 4-5 days a week as more dates are added to hhn. if you want crowd free times at universal in october, go on non hhn days or if you attend on hhn days, go early and leave around 3:30.

once november comes around and well before thanksgiving, crowds slack off.
what you need to do is go on line and check the on site hotels and check out their costs. when the costs drop, that is the time to go if you want a crowd free day.

therefore, you can find dates in oct and nov to please you without the high packed crowds.

universal has many events throughout the year and with those special events or hard ticket venues, it can be packed.

kelly m has a book out, is that the book you are using to find low crowd periods? he usually is good on those things. i last read one of his books some years ago as i rely on what i see and from people on the dis.

do you need more 411 on this?

just think of it as low crowds usually happen when the hotels are not at high occupancy.

macraven

01-12-2006, 09:05 PM

As far as rationalizing the high on-site room rates, we spend so little time in our rooms, it makes no sense to pay $100/night over what we normally pay at a clean hotel, such as the Comfort Inn at Lake Buena Vista that we usually patronize. We don't go on vacation in Orlando to hang out in a fancy hotel room or swim in a quasi-public pool.

there are a lot of us here that only use the room to sleep in.

i have never used the pools at the hotels at disney or universal. swimming and water are just not my thing.

i don't eat in the on site hotels.
i spend my days and nights in the park and do eat what i find there. use the AAA for 10% discount on food, soda, water, merchandise.

for snacks in my room or to take with me to the parks, i bring my own in and my bottled water and coke.

for the last 3 trips, i don't rent a car so staying off site is not an option for me.

i don't pay the high price for the room as some do.
i use the discounts that are available and also use the promos that universal offers such as tickets. 5 day pass for $99.

years ago i used to stay off site with my kids and quality inn or days inn would run me $99/night depending on season. when i was able to get an on site room for $125/night, i took it.

what do you pay a night at comfort inn?

macraven

01-12-2006, 09:14 PM

hey silly me...........sorry i got carried away, i thought the question was about low crowds here ...........then i looked at the top and saw the op was asking about the express passes........

here i am just trying to help out a newbie with the question of high/low crowds didn't mean to take the question away from the original poster.
sorry

to keep on track of the theme here, express passes free and the plus ones.
the only thing i know is that universal has stated it hasn't been pulled, other than that, no official word has come out yet.

if you want express passes and they are not available you can still see the park by starting early, do lunch early away from when the regular crowd does and go opposite of the main flow.

kind of a moot subject until universal puts the word out on the future of ep
none of us know what;s happening with it officially

costanza

01-13-2006, 08:06 AM

Macraven, thanks SO much for not attacking/questioning everything I have to say. I LOVE your "I now alot, but don't flaunt it" attitude :)
Anyway, we usually pay about $50/night at the Comfort Inn at Lake Beuna Vista, after taxes, etc. I think they advertise it as $39/night. We have been spoiled by the very low room rates we got from various hotels through "Room saver" coupon books over the last 13 years or so. The MOST we ever paid was $80/night for a suite at the brand new (at that time) Amerisuite on Int'l Blvd. That room had a full kitchen, and separate bedroom. I think we paid a similar amount at a "nice" hotel on Hotel Plaza in Lake Buena Vista once as well. When we were young, we would actually not even book a room until we got there. We wouold spend an hour or so stopping at the various hotels in the coupon book until we found one that had a room and would accept the coupon.
There are a couple of charts I ran across doing a Google search for "low crowds disney" that shows crowds on a bargraph. That is what I used to decide on times to visit. Along with the ideas that crowds were high during summer-break, spring-break and holidays. We try to avoid all of these. My wife and I went one year in late Feb/early March and, believe it or not, nearly FROZE because it was so unseasonably cold in Orlando and we hadn't packed clothes for it!!!

costanza

01-13-2006, 08:13 AM

Oh, and getting back to the topic of this thread, the way USF's website describes "Universal Express" as only applying to on-site guests and "Universal Express Plus" as an additional cost to any guest, I have a hard time believing they will make it FREE again :(
It really sucks too, because when it was free, if you ENJOY waiting in long lines, you could ignore the pass and wait in the normal line. Or if you had stong feelings against the express pass policy, as some here have shown, you could go on "low crowd" days, but if like me, you LOVED the passes, you could still enjoy them at no additional cost year-round. Isn't choice a wonderful thing? :teeth: :banana:

phamton

01-13-2006, 08:55 AM

Just as a privately owned board such as the DisBoard has the right to ban anyone (their rules, their board), a business such as universal has the right to discontinue the free express. Your choice is to take your business elsewhere or learn to tour the parks without express. Your choice in posting to a private board is to obey the rules and, if banned, not to re-register.

pjfnme

01-14-2006, 11:05 AM

We're going the first two weeks of May. It is "considered" off season but, WDW is usually pretty crowded during that time. It is our first time to Universal/IOA and after reading the various guide books...including Unofficial...I am a bit concerned about the lines. Can someone who has gone recently during this time give me an idea about what we have to look forward to?? We are taking our soon to be 6 year old and I don't think she will tolerate the long lines. I am seriously thinking about purchasing the Express Plus Pass although I agree it is a ridiculous expenditure for 1 express per ride. We do not plan on riding the Dueling Dragons, Dr. Doom, or anything else that has height restriction of 52 inches or over....but, I'm sure we will ride everything else. My daughter loves thrill rides but, she is only 50 inches right now.

I have already purchased my stay & play tickets on line...what do you think..doees the express plus sound necessary for us????? :confused:

Laurabearz

01-14-2006, 11:54 AM

IMO you will not need EPP for your trip in May. Arrive early, hit some of the bigger attractions in your height range, and then enjoy the rest of the day seeing everything else. You may have some 10=20 minute waits for a couple of attractions, but I doubt it.

The key.... arrive early. No later than 10am.

My theroy... most park goers are teens, and you cant get teens up early at home let alone on vacation. So hit the parks early and avoid the late afternoon teen crowd. (example... if you want a picture of an empty Main Street over at MK you need a 7 am Charater breakfast scheduled, but to take a picture of Hollywood Blvd with no one but your family in it, you have until 10ish.... or least that is how it was at US/IOA December 16th and 17th, a Saturday and Sunday.Peak time) :cool1:

pjfnme

01-14-2006, 11:59 AM

That's wonderful. You have taken a load off of my mind. I expected there to be a crowd but, I really wasnt looking forward to standing in line for hours at a time!!! We plan on getting there about 30 mins before the parks open. I love the touring plans in the Unoffiicial guide and plan to follow them for the rides that we will be riding..after that we will just wander!! Thanks again!

disneyjunkie

01-14-2006, 12:04 PM

pjfnme

01-14-2006, 06:54 PM

A Mickeyfan

01-14-2006, 06:55 PM

First of all, who is "Dave"? Second, I realize I can CHOOSE to go or not. Third, I don't care what the general public does, as most of them at USF are probably first timers anyway and never enjoyed express pass. Lastly, it sounds as if for some odd reason you don't believe I go to the Orlando parks in the off-season. Not that it matters what you believe, but my wife and our daughters usually go to the Orlando parks in late Oct. - early Nov., and every year the "off-season crowds" get bigger and bigger, at least half of which seem European.
If you have only gone about 10 times in the last 15 years, then you really haven't used the express pass system much...it wasn't around that long. There is no reason to jump on anyone. Phantom was trying to help. Also, just to let you in on a secret... late Oct is no longer "off season" hasn't been for a few years now. Did you not realize that when you saw how each year you saw more crowds? True parks aren't as crowded as in the summer, but it is not considered off season anymore.... As far as not offering the express pass for free, I am not a big fan of it. I am a passholder & go more than 10 times in 1 year. I choose not to use them. If I am not staying onsite (which I do at least twice a year when funds allow it) I get there early. This past Dec 18 & 19th, we were the first into the parks. By 11 am we did everything we wanted to. When the parks get super crowded, we do single riders. So to me it is not big deal. And if you choose not to go anymore...that is one less person in front of me.. thank you. ::yes::

A Mickeyfan

01-14-2006, 07:18 PM

I don't think we'll ever get to US/IOA. :sad1:

Since we only vacation during peak seasons (our next trip is during Easter) :crowded: :crowded: ,the onsite hotels are out for us.

I checked the price for the express pass for our date (April 18) and it's over $50.00 per person for both parks. :scared1: :scared1: That doesn't include the cost of park admission, round trip transportation from WDW, meals for the day... :scared: :eek:

I was hoping to purchase express passes for one park, and use the regular express pass for the other. Since that isn't an option now, it looks we'll just have to spend all our time at WDW. :tongue:
If you get there early enough you will be ok. I for one would never pay for the express pass anyway & $50 is just nuts :crazy2: I have gone over Easter break & not stayed onsite...we got there early & as I have said in other posts, we do single riders when it gets too crowded. To be very honest, this past Christmas break (12/17-23rd) we did Universal & Disney. I thought Disney was way too crowded & all the fast pass were out anyway. They do not have many rides with single rider options so we didn't get on much once the crowds came. We actually did more attractions at Universal. I plan on going to Universal over Easter this year. I am a seasonal passholder for Disney and annual for Universal. My pass is on a black out at Disney for that week, so Universal here I come.. maybe will run into you?? If you decide to brave it ;)

lindalinda

01-14-2006, 07:31 PM

We went at easter 2 years ago, disney and universal. While we were standing in line for about an hour for peter pan, both kids said....can we please go back to Universal? We had to buy more tickets as we had already done our 2 days, but we went back for a third and enjoyed it immensely (did I spell that right?), its still less crowded than disney, with or without express passes.

twin43

01-14-2006, 07:43 PM

Just want to put my 2 cents in. We have 4 children and have "survived" twins. Three of my children are teens. We are going PEAK in Feb over vacation. What I have learned is that to splurge on the RPR we can cut cost other places. We will have a room full of food and beverages that our children can conveniently access. Also FOTL for 6 people is amazing. We are staying 5 days and the pass would add up. We paid $279.00 per night but we ended up with 4 free 5 day passes with that price and the time we are going even the cheap hotels cost more.I am a bargain hunter believe me. I will gladly be hanging out at the pool while our teens walk back and forth to the parks. It's worth every penny. I know every situation is different but certainly for us I feel I have the best deal.

phamton

01-14-2006, 08:49 PM

I read on another site something about purchasing an express pass "book" ...is this the same as the express plus? Kind of like a coupon book or something? Also..what website did you go to to find out the price for the express plus on a particular day??

Thanks! :rotfl: :banana:

It used to be a booklet a couple of years ago but now it is just a card, the size of your ticket.

Universal usually only sets the price based on the anticipated crowds so sometimes you can only purchase them a month in advance, so if your date is further than one month in the future, it might not show the express pass plus option when you purchase the tickets.

Go to: http://www.univacations.com/
Click on "tickets only" then enter your dates and number in party. Then
click search.

When it takes you to the next page. scroll down to where it says:

Departure Date: Nights:
Use the GO button to Book Your Tickets Now!

Enter the date and number of nights and click "Go." It should then take
you to a page that has the Universal and Islands of Adventure Express
plus pass along with tickets. That says: Option Price Guide
Universal Express Plus-Islands of Adventure $XX.xx (this will be the
price not x)
Universal Express Plus-Universal Studios Florida $XX.xx

Included features and/or taxes:
Handling Fee 2.00

Do NOT purchase express unless you know the exact date you need them as
they are dated and only good for the date on the pass. Also the express
pass is sold for each park. You can't use the Universal express pass
card at IOA. They do have one that includes both parks and is about $10 more and is called a Combo.

disneyjunkie

01-15-2006, 11:17 AM

If you get there early enough you will be ok. I for one would never pay for the express pass anyway & $50 is just nuts :crazy2: I have gone over Easter break & not stayed onsite...we got there early & as I have said in other posts, we do single riders when it gets too crowded. To be very honest, this past Christmas break (12/17-23rd) we did Universal & Disney. I thought Disney was way too crowded & all the fast pass were out anyway. They do not have many rides with single rider options so we didn't get on much once the crowds came. We actually did more attractions at Universal. I plan on going to Universal over Easter this year. I am a seasonal passholder for Disney and annual for Universal. My pass is on a black out at Disney for that week, so Universal here I come.. maybe will run into you?? If you decide to brave it ;)

Thanks for posting. This gives something to think about.

Maybe I can just purchase express pass for one park (IOA) and get to US at opening. That should allow us to stay ahead of the crowds at US and avoid long lines at IOA. At least I hope it does. :wizard:

OK, time to do more research on IOA/US. :flower2:

A Mickeyfan

01-15-2006, 02:27 PM

Thanks for posting. This gives something to think about.

Maybe I can just purchase express pass for one park (IOA) and get to US at opening. That should allow us to stay ahead of the crowds at US and avoid long lines at IOA. At least I hope it does. :wizard:

OK, time to do more research on IOA/US. :flower2:
If you plan on only going for one day, then that would be the wise move. If you were going 2 or more days (which is what we did), we did each park once first thing in the morning. Do not let the crowds scare you away if you really want to go. As I said, Disney was way more crowded than Universal. Yeah, the fast pass at Disney is still free, but what good is it when it is so crowded that they are all used up by mid afternoon :confused3 If you do any theme park at holiday time, just be ready & get a plan together on how to do it... We knew just were we wanted to go & in what order. Within the first hour at US we did, Mummy 3 times in a row, MIB, ET, the next hour we did Jimmy Neutron, Shrek & Twister. The next morning we went to IOA, withing the first 2 hours we did Hulk, DD's (each side 2 times), Spidy 2 times in a row, Dr Doom, Cat in the Hat, Flying Unicorn & still managed to have pic's taken with the Grinch (Christmas pic's). Just sit with your kids, decide what rides are what you want first, go in somewhat of an order or the park so you aren't racing back to front then back again. As I said, once it gets crowed we went to single only lines... that was after our first 2 hours in each park doing everything together.

disneygal55

01-15-2006, 07:14 PM

Has anyone heard why they took away the free express passes? Being from out of state (Massachusetts) we always tried to spend one day doing a two park hopper visit, usually once a year.We stay at WDW as we are vacation club members so drive down to Universal once a trip. We start at IOA and are able to usually ride everything we enjoy by lunch. It was usually at Universal in the afternoon that we needed fast passes. I don't think that it is right for them to take away something that the general public enjoyed. Sure , making the passes available to their hotel guests makes wonderful financial sense to them...fills up their onsite rooms! But for those who stay elsewhere or can't visit regularly {during low attendence times} it makes it difficult to do it all. I will not pay for something that was complimentary for many years!

phamton

01-15-2006, 07:27 PM

I will not pay for something that was complimentary for many years!

Then don't pay for it. I never have and I would bet 95% of the people who post here haven't either, except for possibly HHN. I seldom wait in lines. During busy times, arrive early and hit the more popular rides first.

disneygal55

01-15-2006, 08:32 PM

But really, with all due respect, your address shows that you are a local. Chances are that you can visit a lot more during slower times. Most visitors can come once a year...if we're lucky. It just doesn't seem right to take this "service" away. I really love Universal and am just dissapointed...that's all.

phamton

01-15-2006, 08:44 PM

I understand that you are disappointed but really it is quite doable without express. Slacking went on New Years Eve which is one of the most crowded day of the year. He did all this without express.
This was what Slacking rode on NYE without express pass:

Doom
Spiderman
Hulk
Cat in the Hat
1 Fish
Dragons Fire
Dragons Ice
Flying Unicorn
JPRA
Popeye
Poseidon
Mummy (x2)
Jaws (x2)
MIB (x2)
Fear factor
Earthquake
Barney
BTTF
ET
T-2
Horror Makeup
Jimmy Neutron
Shrek
Twister"

He rode 27 rides on New Years Eve. It can be done if you arrive early and go against the crowds.

macraven

01-15-2006, 08:55 PM

when i first started going to universal, there were no express pass machines.
i took three sons all under the age of 9 the first time. many trips after that also.

once express pass machines were functioning, we didn't use them.
we always started early. we would get to the gate 30-45 minutes before opening time. quite often universal opened the gates early if there was a long line waiting.

we went opposite of the crowds.
we ate early, 11:00, did dinner also at an off time.
we hit every big attraction and some repeats.

there were lines sometimes but no longer than you would find at disney, sea world, six flags.........
if it was a repeat ride that had the line, we stood in it. we had already experienced it and decided any line of 20 minutes was well worth it.

some years back we started to stay at the on site hotels. yes the fotl is fabulous but on mib, spidey we choose to use the single line riders. that is much faster than the other two.

just letting you know, it can be done without the express passes.

Twin's-Mom

01-15-2006, 09:35 PM

I will not pay for something that was complimentary for many years!

"...a business such as universal has the right to discontinue the free express. Your choice is to take your business elsewhere or learn to tour the parks without express."

-phamtom

lindalinda

01-15-2006, 10:17 PM

how rude. :(

jayster

01-15-2006, 10:17 PM

I went to USF in May 2003-2004 and 2005. It has generally gotten a little more crowded in the last year or so, but it is not that bad. I went for the extra money last year and booked Royal Pacific (onsite resort) it was a mid-season rate and I signed up for a "Lowes Club" membership which gave us a tremendous room upgrade and many perks. The reason I did it was to get the express pass free as an onsite guest( your room key is the pass), plus they gave us length of stay tix for both parks and one day at sea world. When you add it up, it is pretty much the same money I would have paid if I stayed in an off-site hotel and booked everything al-a-carte. As far as the express pass goes (your original question) you can go to the park and decide the day of your visit. There were kiosks that had the pass available for purchase as well as customer service booths in both parks to get them. Quite honestly, I walked onto many of the rides and they didnt even check my express pass (my room key) I bypassed lines at eight or so rides. While USF was crowded early one morning, IOA was empty when we arrived.

jayster

01-15-2006, 10:22 PM

Ahhhh a true veteran of the USF! You tips are great for alot of the newbies on the site. You are 110% right in saying that all you have to do is make a couple of minor switches off of the normal routine, and you can have a great time. I stayed in the resort onsite (mid and low season) because when you add up everything, you pay pretty much the same as if you purchase all of your tickets and rooms seperate off-site.