Surprise Christmas Trip! Lines with Express Pass?

[momof2lilboys]

My husband and I have decided to surprise our kids with a few days at universal for Christmas we have annual passes and have booked the Royal Pacific for Dec 20th-23rd. We just went in May over Memorial Day weekend and can't wait to go again. My question is are the lines manageable with express pass? I know it will be very crowded but I'm hoping with the express pass it won't be too bad. Thanks for your help!

 

[sharona]

I don't know about the crowds but just making sure you don't have Power Pass which has black out dates for that week.

• 
  Blockout Dates:
• Universal Studios Florida:
  • June 13 - August 13, 2015
  • December 18 - 31, 2015
• Islands of Adventure:
  • December 18 - 31, 2015

 

[Bluer101]

You will be fine. It gets crazy starting 23-25 thru new year.

 

[saskdw]

We did Christmas there in 2010 from Dec. 22nd-28th.

It didn't get over the top crazy until the 26th. The 22nd-24th and even Christmas day was manageable with Express Pass. We never waited more than 5-10 mins for a ride in the express lane. Starting on the 26th though waits of 15-20 mins were normal and up to 30 mins at peak hours, but thats alot better than 120+ mins.

Your dates should be ok. The HP areas will be crazy, but the rest of the park is doable.

 

[momof2lilboys]

Thank you! I do have power passes but I will upgrading them. We are very excited about this trop , the kids are going to flip out!

 

[choppee]

i am interested in knowing about the crowds as well. my family of 5 will be visiting universal during the christmas holidays and we are trying to decide whether or not to get unlimited express passes. we will have park to park txt and will most likely add on if the lines are too crazy...we won't be staying on site (will be at bonnet creek) and don't want our voyage to universal to be fraught with unnecessary waiting! looking to go 12/22 and 12/23....looks like we will be on the cusp of crazy. hmmmmm......not sure what to do. might just have to wait and see when we get there!

 

[saskdw]

i am interested in knowing about the crowds as well. my family of 5 will be visiting universal during the christmas holidays and we are trying to decide whether or not to get unlimited express passes. we will have park to park txt and will most likely add on if the lines are too crazy...we won't be staying on site (will be at bonnet creek) and don't want our voyage to universal to be fraught with unnecessary waiting! looking to go 12/22 and 12/23....looks like we will be on the cusp of crazy. hmmmmm......not sure what to do. might just have to wait and see when we get there!

If it fits into your budget I would go with the EP. It really lowers the stress level and adds to the enjoyment of your park time. Yes, you will be there before the all out chaos starts, but it will certainly be busy enough on those days to justify the EP cost.

 

[momof2lilboys]

i am interested in knowing about the crowds as well. my family of 5 will be visiting universal during the christmas holidays and we are trying to decide whether or not to get unlimited express passes. we will have park to park txt and will most likely add on if the lines are too crazy...we won't be staying on site (will be at bonnet creek) and don't want our voyage to universal to be fraught with unnecessary waiting! looking to go 12/22 and 12/23....looks like we will be on the cusp of crazy. hmmmmm......not sure what to do. might just have to wait and see when we get there!

It might be cheaper to book a room on site, even if you don't sleep there, just to get the express pass for two days. Also its nice to have somewhere close to take a break from the park mid day.

 

[kohlby]

It might be cheaper to book a room on site, even if you don't sleep there, just to get the express pass for two days. Also its nice to have somewhere close to take a break from the park mid day.

I agree - just one night at the hotel gets you two days of express pass. So, with 5 people, that's worth the cost of 10 express passes!

As for if I would deal with the crowds or use express pass, it depends on both budget and how often you'll come back. If I knew I was coming back at a less busy time, then I probably wouldn't spend the extra money and just deal with the crowds.

 

[Jose Guerrero]

How are the crowds on early December? We'll be visiting the parks on Dec. 11, 12 and 13 (Friday, Saturday and Sunday) and we're staying at Cabana Bay.. Should we get Express Passes/change resort or are the crowds normal?

 

[kohlby]

How are the crowds on early December? We'll be visiting the parks on Dec. 11, 12 and 13 (Friday, Saturday and Sunday) and we're staying at Cabana Bay.. Should we get Express Passes/change resort or are the crowds normal?

If a hotel with express pass is easily within your budget, then it's worth it. We love having express pass even when we barely need to use it. However, I totally get it not being in a budget either. (Our Nov/Dec trip has part on-site with express and part off. Our trip in April will be Cabana Bay. We have to get two rooms that trip so we can't afford the splurge for a hotel with express). If it were a busy time, it would be worth it for the splurge. I think you'll likely be okay.