Express Pass what?

[KapBoy77]

So after reading one of Josh's blogs about Universal he explained that if you purchase their Express Pass it is only good for one go around per ride? Unless you stay at one of their resorts you get an unlimited pass.

Am I alone here thinking that this is a rip off??!?? Seriously reconsidering getting express passes now. Maybe I'm not getting the logic?

 

[RMulieri]

I am not sure why it is a rip off.I guess if you are used to Disneys fast pass it seems that way.But Universal is different.Unlimited express is a perk offered to those staying at the onsite resorts..It can also be purchased for a premium price.There is no free version of it to non resort guests.It is designed this way to keep wait times minimal in the express pass lines.There aren't unlimited express passes sold either, they do sell out but usually only in the peak times( like Christmas week).When are you going? Many of us do not recommend buying it unless you are going at one of the peak times and even then it is best to wait and see if they are needed first since they are DATE SPECIFIC, PARK SPECIFIC and nonrefundable.

 

[aprilfoolwed]

I would never buy EP. However, after just returning from USO, I would seriously consider staying onsite to be able to take advantage of the EP. Some lines got long - even with the parks not being crowded. We could have done a lot more if we'd had EP.

But I agree, buying it is not worth it - especially since you can only use it once!

 

[schumigirl]

Sorry I only think something is a rip off if it is not clear what you are purchasing.

It clearly states what it is.

I do know people who have purchased them and were happy to do so. It filled their need, therefore worth it to them.

But you do have another option of staying onsite for unlimited Express Pass. It is a fantastic perk of staying onsite. If you stay one night you get 2 full days of Express Pass.

And all 3 hotels are beautiful. Win-Win all round

 

[damo]

If you do the headliners in the morning when you don't need your express pass, you can do them again in the afternoon with the express pass. Or, you can just do the less busy rides in the afternoon.

You can purchase an unlimited express pass also, it is just a lot more expensive.

With express pass, you can ride whatever, whenever. You don't have to come back at a certain time and plan your day around the times of the pass. You can just wander through the parks, using the pass as you get to a ride.

THere are a few rides that don't accept express passes of any kind. Those rides are Forbidden Journey, Pteranadon Flyers, Rip Ride Rockit and the Ollivanders show.

The express pass isn't a rip off. You have to remember that there are many hotels within walking distance of the parks. If the unlimited express pass wasn't a perk for onsite people, there would be no reason for people to stay onsite.

There used to be free express passes offered like fastpasses. However, they ran out so early in the morning, that it just created a lot of frustrated people. They really had to limit these to keep the express pass lines down for those who were staying onsite.

 

[DorianDonP]

When are you going to Universal, OP? You may not even need express.

 

[KapBoy77]

We are going sometime the first two weeks of December.

 

[damo]

We are going sometime the first two weeks of December.

You won't be needing any express passes at that time. It is slower than slow then.

 

[Metro West]

You won't be needing any express passes at that time. It is slower than slow then.

 

[KapBoy77]

Thanks for the responses everyone. I think we will skip the express passes. I appreciate the answers.

 

[Metro West]

Thanks for the responses everyone. I think we will skip the express passes. I appreciate the answers.

Just remember...you should never purchase EPs ahead of time until you've seen the actual lines. Sometimes its a complete waste of money but sometimes it will help out a lot.

 

[macraven]

do what Metro West suggested.



the EP's are non refundable, date related and park related.



if you find out you won't need them, you still have them to use......




buy them the day you are in the park if they are needed.

 

[AJ1983]

Question: Do you think we would need Express Pass if we are visiting on weekdays in early May?

 

[Metro West]

Question: Do you think we would need Express Pass if we are visiting on weekdays in early May?

No...that's not a busy time.

 

[macraven]

in the month of May, some schools do field trips to UO on fridays.

 

[micheletenor]

"Just remember...you should never purchase EPs ahead of time until you've seen the actual lines. Sometimes its a complete waste of money but sometimes it will help out a lot. "

wow - i had no idea, we are going june 10 and 11 and i was planning on buying the express pass ahead of time, thanks so much for this tip...i might even luck out and not have it be too busy from what i've read on this thread.

 

[macraven]

if you buy the ep in advance, be aware that when it rains/pours, crowds do thin out.

if you are prepared for rain, enjoy the parks with a poncho or whatever you normally use.


it would be a waste of money if you had the prepaid ep's and no long lines to stand in.

the ep's are park related, date related, non refundable.
you can not change them for a different date.

 

[ProudMommyof2]

If right now the 2park express pass is $45 is there a chance it could go up? (April 14-16th)

If you have 2park per day admission do you have to purchase that express pass or could you purchase just 1 park?

Thanks!

 

[Metro West]

If right now the 2park express pass is $45 is there a chance it could go up? (April 14-16th)

If you have 2park per day admission do you have to purchase that express pass or could you purchase just 1 park?

Thanks!

One of the down sides to waiting is that yes...EP could go up in price. The price right now indicates moderate crowds. But if you purchase now the price is locked in but you might find...when you arrive...you didn't need them. So it's definitely a gamble.

You can purchase just the one park EP if you desire. Since the EP is a separate ticket, it has nothing to do with your other park tickets.

 

[ProudMommyof2]

Thanks!