Anything like Fast Pass?

[Colestat]

We are planning to go to Universal and IOA during our Easter week trip. I know that Universal offers FOTL for its on site guests and offers an express pass that can be purchased, but is there anything like fastpass that can you used with your ticket to avoid standing in lines?

Thank you.

 

[Ub_Iwerks]

Universal has the Express Pass. You either need to stay on site at one their 3 hotels, or buy an Express Pass. We're going for Christmas Week and the Express Passes are $50 per day for both parks. Even though the resorts are expensive, it's actually cheaper for us to stay at the resort for $300/per night. That way you get two days worth of Express Passes.

 

[damo]

No there are no other passes. To minimize your time in line, get to the parks before opening and do the major rides immediately, saving all lesser rides and shows for the busy time.

 

[stapply]

We were there Thanksgiving week and we paid the extra money for FOTL and it was worth it. It's better than Fastpass because you can use it whenever you like and don't have to wait for a specific time like you do at Disney.

 

[macraven]

i think all the above posters gave you excellent advice.

if you go during easter/spring break, it will be crowded. if you decide to stay off site and do want to purchase the express pass, buy it in advance.
if you wait until the day you arrive at the park, they might be sold out. only so many express pass tickets are sold per day.

like damo said, have a touring plan in mind.

go BEFORE the park opens. lines are let in for entrance before park openings on crowded days or when the line is forever long.
i have been at UO when this has happened many times. i get in the line at 8:20 and have entered UO at 8:30 even when the park opens at 9.

if that happens, not all rides will be open at 8:30

go to the main rides first. ride twice if you desire/get out go back in line/
go opposite of the crowds. eat lunch at 11 and you will not have long lines for that or getting a seat if you do counter service.

i stay on site as what i would be paying for the ep, i just apply that amount towards what i pay for my room.
if you stay one night on site, you get the room key card as your ticket to the fotl for the day you check into the hotel and the day you check out of the hotel. that is 2 days, 2 parks fotl privledges. if you have 3 in your group and the ep could be $50 each at holiday time, that's $300 you have not spent as it was a perk for staying on night on site.

 

[goofy!]

Universal has the Express Pass. You either need to stay on site at one their 3 hotels, or buy an Express Pass. We're going for Christmas Week and the Express Passes are $50 per day for both parks. Even though the resorts are expensive, it's actually cheaper for us to stay at the resort for $300/per night. That way you get two days worth of Express Passes.

If you buy just one annual pass, you can buy express passes during their holiday promotion for only $5.00 each.

 

[macraven]

If you buy just one annual pass, you can buy express passes during their holiday promotion for only $5.00 each.

so right goofy...

i saw that thread and checked out UO website with the 411 on it.

great point to make here !

 

[Colestat]

I want to confirm - if I buy 1 annual pass, I will be able to purchase ep's for my family of 4 for $5.00 each?

 

[kenban]

I want to confirm - if I buy 1 annual pass, I will be able to purchase ep's for my family of 4 for $5.00 each?

I doubt it. The $5 express passes are a holiday deal which I expect to end at the end of the month. Also if I read it right they are only available 1 hour after the park opens which means you would be trying to get them after all the regular park guests so you can only get whats left since the park only sells a limited number of them each day.

 

[damo]

The $5 express pass deal is only good until Dec. 21 and since it is not available for the Christmas holiday season, it is unlikely that it will be good for the Easter holiday season.

 

[vacation dreamer]

We were there Thanksgiving week and we paid the extra money for FOTL and it was worth it. It's better than Fastpass because you can use it whenever you like and don't have to wait for a specific time like you do at Disney.

We were there too last week and the lines were under 20 minutes and the Express lines were longer for most of the rides we went on. They were charging $15.00 for a 1 day pass for one park or $25.00 for both.

 

[spatenfloot]

If the people in your group are old enough to ride by themselves, you should use the single rider lines. I use it for Men in Black, Mummy, and Spiderman all the time. Sometimes it is available for other rides too. On a crowded day, I can ride 4 or 5 times before someone in the regular line even gets through once.