1 day with Express Pass or staying at a Universal resort

[Brandis]

At the end of our Disney vacation next March I would like to add a day at Islands of Adventure. That would be Tue, March 13. Would an Express Pass make sense? Looking at the price, it would be $25.99, which seems to indicate that the park would be busier than normal (not the lowest EP price).

Another option would be to stay a day less at WDW, go to Universal already on Monday March 12, staying at a resort hotel overnight and visit both parks. That way we would get the "free" EP perk, but the lowest price I have found for a stay at those dates is around $289 for the Royal Pacific hotel, which seems rather expensive.

Is it worth it or do you think I could find a lower price somewhere for that date?

 

[MrsMud]

At the end of our Disney vacation next March I would like to add a day at Islands of Adventure. That would be Tue, March 13. Would an Express Pass make sense? Looking at the price, it would be $25.99, which seems to indicate that the park would be busier than normal (not the lowest EP price).

Another option would be to stay a day less at WDW, go to Universal already on Monday March 12, staying at a resort hotel overnight and visit both parks. That way we would get the "free" EP perk, but the lowest price I have found for a stay at those dates is around $289 for the Royal Pacific hotel, which seems rather expensive.

Is it worth it or do you think I could find a lower price somewhere for that date?

Here's the way I look at it: How many are in your party? If you have 4, for instance, you would pay $104 for express passes for ONE DAY (plus tax? I'm not sure). So if you deduct that, your RP one night stay comes down to $185, AND you are now getting 2 days of express benefits! AND you are getting the priceless benefit of being able to walk or take a boat to the parks in minutes, AND staying in an awesome resort as well! So to me, yes it would be worth it.
Also, the price may come down before your trip; I would always recommend to book as soon as you plan the trip, then you can get a price adjustment if the price comes down.

 

[mesaboy2]

Here's the way I look at it: How many are in your party? If you have 4, for instance, you would pay $104 for express passes for ONE DAY (plus tax? I'm not sure). So if you deduct that, your RP one night stay comes down to $185, AND you are now getting 2 days of express benefits! AND you are getting the priceless benefit of being able to walk or take a boat to the parks in minutes, AND staying in an awesome resort as well! So to me, yes it would be worth it.
Also, the price may come down before your trip; I would always recommend to book as soon as you plan the trip, then you can get a price adjustment if the price comes down.

Also, know that the express passes that come with the resort are unlimited use, whilst the purchased ones are good only once per attraction.

Been a while since I worked "whilst" into a sentence.

 

[Mart66]

I have a stupid question regarding the Express pass with an onsite stay How can you get 2 days of express pass with one night? Do you need to check-in very early the first morning you get there to get that day plus the day after your night? I might also consider doing that if it works this way!

 

[Brandis]

It's only 2 of us.

Yes, you get unlimited Express Pass usage for all days of your stay, including arrival and departure day.

 

[Metro West]

Yes, you get unlimited Express Pass usage for all days of your stay, including arrival and departure day.

 

[damo]

I have a stupid question regarding the Express pass with an onsite stay How can you get 2 days of express pass with one night? Do you need to check-in very early the first morning you get there to get that day plus the day after your night? I might also consider doing that if it works this way!

We've checked in as early as 7 am to get our express access.

 

[Mart66]

We've checked in as early as 7 am to get our express access.

That's what I plan to do

Only thing I noticed...in the fine print it says the early park admission is until December 31, 2011. My reservation is for January 4, 2012 so do you think they will renew that promotion as I'm a bit stressed!

 

[nytimez]

That's what I plan to do

Only thing I noticed...in the fine print it says the early park admission is until December 31, 2011. My reservation is for January 4, 2012 so do you think they will renew that promotion as I'm a bit stressed!

Probably, but don't stress it. Unless I'm missing something, I don't think the park will be very crowded on Jan. 4.

Also, to OP, personally I'd spend a night on site and have the unlimited EP for two days... it's worth the extra money. I believe that's a peak week you picked, so the Express Pass should come in handy (on the other hand, that's why the hotel ain't exactly cheap).

 

[kohlby]

I'd stay at RPR for the reasons others have mentioned. Also, keep checking the website. If the price changes in your favor, call up and ask if they can honor it. It happened to us twice and they did change it. I've never gone in March so that price sounds high to me. It was quite easy to get it for under $200 in both Dec and Jan on our last trips.

 

[lvdis]

That's what I plan to do

Only thing I noticed...in the fine print it says the early park admission is until December 31, 2011. My reservation is for January 4, 2012 so do you think they will renew that promotion as I'm a bit stressed!

I just checked and the good through date is actually 12/31/2012. I was a little concerned since we are doing this January 7th. So I think we're both OK!

Here's what I copied from the Universal fine print (Terms and Conditions) -
Early Park Admission begins one hour prior to Universal’s Islands of Adventure® regular opening hour for On-site Hotel guests and is valid 7 days a week for travel 6/19/10 – 12/31/12, valid only at Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey™, Flight of the Hippogriff™ and Dragon Challenge™.

 

[Mart66]

I just checked and the good through date is actually 12/31/2012. I was a little concerned since we are doing this January 7th. So I think we're both OK!

Here's what I copied from the Universal fine print (Terms and Conditions) -
Early Park Admission begins one hour prior to Universal’s Islands of Adventure® regular opening hour for On-site Hotel guests and is valid 7 days a week for travel 6/19/10 – 12/31/12, valid only at Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey™, Flight of the Hippogriff™ and Dragon Challenge™.

Wow, this is good news! But I can't find it their web site, anyhow I'll take your words and take easy !

Thanks for sharing that info.

 

[Bluer101]

Wow, this is good news! But I can't find it their web site, anyhow I'll take your words and take easy !

Thanks for sharing that info.

Go here:http://www.universalorlando.com/Theme-Park-Tickets/universal-express.aspx

Then at the bottom click, View terms and conditions. It's towards the bottom.

 

[spacecanada]

I called Universal about the early entry in 2012 as the lady was very confident in telling me that early entry and Express benefits would apply in 2012 as well.

 

[damo]

I called Universal about the early entry in 2012 as the lady was very confident in telling me that early entry and Express benefits would apply in 2012 as well.

Ya, I can't see it changing any time soon.