annual pass advantages (economical, express etc)

[rockin_rep]

Hope the experts can help me....

Been reading tons of posts and sites and am soo confused.....

What makes more *economical* sense and has the most advantages:

1) Staying on site (altho its more than we'd like to spend)

2) Getting a good deal off-site (doubletree) and buying annual passes. Do annual passes include EXPRESS....
OR if we had to buy the added EXPRESS with the annual pass, would it make more sense than staying on-site?

This is probably a no-brainer (??) but MY brain is fried and i'd appreciate any and all help!

Thanks soo much!

 

[tinaluis]

What time of year are you planning to visit? We always visit during the off-season and have taken advantage of the free express passes, but we have never paid extra for the booklet of express passes. We are able to do all of the rides we want (and we've done them all) with a little bit of planning. If you are going during peak season, then you have to figure the cost of the onsite hotel vs. buying individual booklets of express passes for all in your party. We have APs and usually visit at least 2x a year, which makes them a GREAT deal for us. We have one Preferred AP (for free parking, discounts on food and merchandise, etc.) and four Power Passes (which have black out dates which don't affect us beause we visit in the off-season). Hope this helped. Have fun planning!

 

[rockin_rep]

Thanks for the quick reply!

We're going the end of the week after Easter (april 19-23, weds-sunday) so that's peak, right?

I guess i don't really understand how the EXPRESS passes work. I thought you always had to buy them, where as if you stay on site, you get FOTL free.....??? So, having annual passes doesn't include EXPRESS? It's unlikely we'd get to go more than once in the year, but thought if the passes included EXPRESS they'd be worth it... but maybe not?

 

[Metro West]

I guess i don't really understand how the EXPRESS passes work. I thought you always had to buy them, where as if you stay on site, you get FOTL free.....??? So, having annual passes doesn't include EXPRESS? It's unlikely we'd get to go more than once in the year, but thought if the passes included EXPRESS they'd be worth it... but maybe not?

Universal's Express works like Disney's FastPass. The regular express passes are free and have two different times in which to return to the attraction. The Express Pass Plus costs anywhere from $20-$50 depending on the time of year and it's a ADDITION to the park ticket. Guests staying at on-site resorts get Front Of The Line access and it's free.

I don't know of any annual passes that include Express.

 

[rockin_rep]

Universal's Express works like Disney's FastPass. The regular express passes are free and have two different times in which to return to the attraction. The Express Pass Plus costs anywhere from $20-$50 depending on the time of year and it's a ADDITION to the park ticket. Guests staying at on-site resorts get Front Of The Line access and it's free.

I don't know of any annual passes that include Express.

THANK you Metro West!

We swear by Disney Fast Pass but are clueless about all things universal (except in LA) so i appreciate your help!

So....do you think buying the express pass plus would be enough if we stay off site? I realize there's NOTHING like FOTL, but we just can't swing staying on site at Universal (as much as we'd like to!) We have two teens and after being at WDW, i would hope Express would be enough? Does it usually work well, with good planning?

 

[Metro West]

THANK you Metro West!

We swear by Disney Fast Pass but are clueless about all things universal (except in LA) so i appreciate your help!

So....do you think buying the express pass plus would be enough if we stay off site? I realize there's NOTHING like FOTL, but we just can't swing staying on site at Universal (as much as we'd like to!) We have two teens and after being at WDW, i would hope Express would be enough? Does it usually work well, with good planning?

I think buying the Express Pass will be good enough. I don't remember what the crowds are like during that time but I DO know it's pretty busy. If you decide to get the EP, you shouldn't have a problem. I would recommend checking the lines and if they aren't too long, go ahead and wait in line the first time...then come back and use the EP later in the day.

 

[Maria395712]

what is the price difference for the room you can stay 1 night at RPR and get 2 days of FOTL access get an AAA rate how many in your family for express for 1 day I would have to stay at least 1 night and get 2 days of FOTK
maria