Universal's Express Passes

[Foxxie52]

Am I right it thinking these are fast passes that you pay for?

We are going to Florida in early April and I'm expecting it to be pretty busy. As I will be pregnant, I don't really intend to go on anything. I'd miss both parks completely but my DH loves roller coasters and wants to go. Do you think it's worth buying him an express pass so I won't be waiting too long for him to ride? Are there any exceptions to which rides you can express pass? How much are the passes? Also, does anyone else feel a bit awkward paying to bypass the lines? Everyone in the parks has paid to get in, it doesn't seem fair that you can buy a better service. Is it just me?

 

[TTUCaric]

The Universal Express Passes are good for one "fastpass" on most rides on a specific day. Certain rides (such as Harry Potter) are excluded. They also have an option that is considerably more expensive to get unlimited "fastpass" access. More information is available at the Universal Website (I'm apparently still too newbie to post the link) and you can see whether it would be worth it for you. Whether or not you feel awkward is harder to answer, but I think that while everyone paid to be in the parks, everyone also had the option to purchase the express passes, and those to whom it was worth it did so. If in your situation the time is more valuable than the cost of the pass, why would you feel bad about that?

 

[damo]

That might be a great option for you. However, you can wait until you get into the parks and check out the lines before you decide to purchase one. There are signs all over the parks advertising where you can get them.

There are a few rides that don't accept them. They are Forbidden Journey, RIp Rid Rockit and Pteranadon Flyers.

What I would probably do is have him do single riders instead or you can both wait in the line and then you can take the chicken exit right before he gets on the ride. That way you won't be waiting by yourself.

Not all rides have single rider lines but all rides have chicken exits.

The prices of the express passes vary depending on the business of the park. You can check prices here... http://www.universalorlando.com/Theme-Park-Tickets/Universal-Express/Express-Passes.aspx Enter your dates to find the prices.

 

[Metro West]

Also, does anyone else feel a bit awkward paying to bypass the lines? Everyone in the parks has paid to get in, it doesn't seem fair that you can buy a better service. Is it just me?

Well...you know Disney is thinking of doing something similar with their FastPass + and allowing more FPs to be used if you stay at one of their deluxe hotels? Not really the same thing but if you spend more to stay at a nicer hotel, then you will benefit. So if this comes to fruition...and I think it will...you will pay for better service at Disney too. It's just a rumor right now but get ready...I think it's coming sooner than later.

 

[damo]

You could just stay onsite for one night and then you get free unlimited fastpasses for two days and early admission for two days.

People pay more for updated services all the time...I don't see it as a big deal at all. Everyone can get the same service if they want. It isn't exclusive.

Universal used to have free express passes at the park as well as free express passes if you stayed onsite. It became a real problem because they had to seriously limit the number of free passes given out at the parks to keep the lines low for those staying onsite. There used to be a ton of complaints when the free express passes ran out. It was one of the biggest complaints we used to get here on the Universal forum.

 

[Orreed]

As said, for the more intense attractions you are not interested in he could use the single rider line. It is very quick lines and many attractions have them. Literally on Revenge of the Mummy one time at about three (a more crowded time, although I did visit in January) and I saw nobody in front of me and when I got to the loading platform they sent me to a number almost automatically. I do not think I waited over five minutes ever for the single rider line. I think Universal Express is also a great choice, but with so many useful Single Rider lines, I would just use Single Rider. Even Harry Potter has a Single Rider, although you will miss the incredible line. You have to pick what's more important to you on that attraction.

 

[schumigirl]

That might be a great option for you. However, you can wait until you get into the parks and check out the lines before you decide to purchase one. There are signs all over the parks advertising where you can get them.

There are a few rides that don't accept them. They are Forbidden Journey, RIp Rid Rockit and Pteranadon Flyers.

What I would probably do is have him do single riders instead or you can both wait in the line and then you can take the chicken exit right before he gets on the ride. That way you won't be waiting by yourself.

Not all rides have single rider lines but all rides have chicken exits.

The prices of the express passes vary depending on the business of the park. You can check prices here... http://www.universalorlando.com/Theme-Park-Tickets/Universal-Express/Express-Passes.aspx Enter your dates to find the prices.

Fantastic advice

People pay more for updated services all the time...I don't see it as a big deal at all. Everyone can get the same service if they want. It isn't exclusive.

Absolutely!!!

I never feel awkward at all using the Hotel Express Pass which is unlimited. We can sometimes pass the same people a couple of times if we choose to repeat ride. We had someone ask us last year at Dr Doom how we could keep going on again and again. They were waiting for a family member who was in the regular queue......they didn`t know about the hotel EP as it was their first visit.


You pay more at Disney at to get EMH...... a perk of paying more to stay onsite........so no.....don`t feel bad.

Hope you have a great trip and enjoy the atmosphere and everything US/IOA has to offer

 

[ky07]

I use to feel awkward about having the unlimited express pass when staying onsite but after staying offsite for the past few years I am no longer feeling like that and if staying onsite just to get this perk then why feel that way cause after all you are paying for it

 

[RMulieri]

They are worth every penny to stay onsite..I don't feel bad about it either, I budget things like this into my vacation budget.Most themeparks around the country here offer some sort of pay-for -fastpass these days...Disney would have done this a long time ago if they could have found a way to make it work sooner..and they are definitely headed that way now