Are Express Passes really needed the week after Christmas?

[dandemom]

We are going to Universal for the first time the week after Christmas. We are staying offsite. The plan is to get 4 or 5 day park-to-park tickets. Will we be super sorry if we don't book a room at the Royal to get the express passes? It's $500 a night per room that week.
I have a subscription to the Universal touring plans so my plan is to create a good touring plan and we can update as we go.
Will we have enough time to see everything in 4 or 5 days if we are standing in stand by lines? We do plan to utilize single rider lines where available.
4 adults, 1 15YO, 2 13YO, 2 10YO so it's better to just book the rooms if we need the express passes. I already did the calculation. But hoping we can save that $1000 for 1 night (2 rooms) - since that's what the rental house cost us for the entire week!

Thanks!

 

[Disxuni]

I'm sorry to be a Debbie Downer, but it's the New Year so it's going to be just as busy as it will be Christmas time.

You should have the ability to do everything and you can have an amazing time, but it will just be a mad house and you'll be using a lot of time standing in line. Also, travel time will add up, so if you plan on getting there at the rope drop you should leave extra early, as even if a hotel is a few miles away from the park, it can take about 15-20 minutes to get there, not including traffic and/or if it's at different exit. So, I wouldn't know how long it would take to get to the park from your rental house.

You can either deal with the crowds the whole time, or perhaps, if you want to keep trying to save, but spend a little more, depending exactly what days you plan on going, you might want to do stay at an EP hotel for a few days during the peak days of when it'll be especially busy. That way you can at least cut your wait time in half, because EP will still be a wait since it's peak season, but it'll be half the way, rather than the full wait time.

 

[TommyJK]

What days specifically? Are you talking about right after Christmas through New Years?

If so then that is one of the absolute busiest times at Universal and I'd strongly recommend the Express Pass.

This past year, the 27th through Jan 3rd were 8-10 on the crowd levels.

 

[Disxuni]

Also, another thing to think about is that while it's $500 a day (and you'll be spending a lot more than if you go with a rental house), you have a family of 9 and the value of unlimited EP is $99 per person for both parks.

 

[TommyJK]

Also, another thing to think about is that while it's $500 a day (and you'll be spending a lot more than if you go with a rental house), you have a family of 9 and the value of unlimited EP is $99 per person for both parks.

It will be more than $99 per person. If you want Unlimited Express, for both parks, at the busiest time of year it's $159/person

 

[dandemom]

We're staying in Kissimmee, so a good half hour away.

Days are still up in the air. We can go anywhere from 12/28 until 1/2 and we're planning to just add the 5th day since it's only about $9 more per ticket and that gives us some more flexibility.

Right now crowd levels are a 10 everyday except 12/31 and 1/1. We will probably keep an eye on these and adjust as necessary.
Since we don't have all the craziness of WDW ADRs and FP+ scheduling, we can even change days on the fly if the weather will impact crowds. BTW, DOES the weather impact? We're not afraid of cold/snow/rain or whatever else mother nature will throw at us.

I am going into this with wide open eyes regarding the crowds.

How early for rope drop should we be there?

 

[dandemom]

It will be more than $99 per person. If you want Unlimited Express, for both parks, at the busiest time of year it's $159/person

Yes, this is why the room is the better deal. 1 night = 2 days, $111 per person average instead of $318. But still an extra $111 that'd I'd prefer not to spend.

 

[SG131]

YES get express pass. 100% will be worth it that week. Even the single rider lines may have long waits.

 

[Disxuni]

It will be more than $99 per person. If you want Unlimited Express, for both parks, at the busiest time of year it's $159/person

Woo, man, that's a lot! It's definitely a steal then.

 

[Disxuni]

YES get express pass. 100% will be worth it that week. Even the single rider lines may have long waits.

They'll probably shut down the SR lines at certain times. It's been a couple of years since I been to Universal, but it seemed like Gringotts would always get that line closed at least once a day, no matter what day, due to people taking advantage of the SR line.

Even if there's only 15-20 people in line you're going to be waiting, forget even beyond that, you'll be standing for ages.

 

[macraven]

You need to leave early and arrive at the UO parking garage before it opens

The line for the garage will start early for the week you plan to go to the parks

Better to wait for the garage to open in that line than to wait and go half an hour before garage opens

Parks will be full during your time period
Know the layout of the parks and where the rides are located that you plan on

This will help save you time with the crowds

 

[dandemom]

OK, I think you've all convinced me to book 1 night at the Royal for the UL express passes....

So then in order to take advantage of check in day, I need to get checked in (even though room is not yet ready) how early? Is it worth it for the extra hour in the morning? Or just let it go for that hour since I have the express pass? And then catch the hour the next morning.

Looks like parks open at 8 with early admission at 7. That would be a REALLY early morning with a half hour ride, plus check in so in your opinion is that worth it for that hour?

 

[macraven]

Most times you can check in between 6-6:30 at the hotel

All in your party will receive a hotel room key which reflects you are allowed the unlimited express lines

You can keep your luggage in your car or use valet baggage holding and have luggage placed in your room when it is assigned
All rooms will be available by 4 pm

Yes
Early entry is worth it even with the ep
You can cover a lot in that time period

 

[EmJ]

OK, I think you've all convinced me to book 1 night at the Royal for the UL express passes....

So then in order to take advantage of check in day, I need to get checked in (even though room is not yet ready) how early? Is it worth it for the extra hour in the morning? Or just let it go for that hour since I have the express pass? And then catch the hour the next morning.

Looks like parks open at 8 with early admission at 7. That would be a REALLY early morning with a half hour ride, plus check in so in your opinion is that worth it for that hour?

I would absolutely, yes. You can check in as early as 6 am. Someone on here was recently complaining that they still had to wait 30-45 minutes with the Express Pass, and was reminded by many posters that the Express Pass is not a walk on pass, or even an almost-walk-on pass. It's just a reduced wait, and the amount of time being reduced will vary with crowd levels. I also saw the recommendation (which I thought was a very good one) to get into the parks during early entry and then loiter at the entrance to the Express Pass line of Forbidden Journey or Gringotts about 10-15 minutes before the park officially opens. Express Pass lines don't operate during early entry is my understanding, but by doing this, you might be close enough to the front of the Express Pass line to actually walk on once and save yourselves an hour. At the peak of the peak season, I'd be looking for every spare hour I could find

 

[Disxuni]

OK, I think you've all convinced me to book 1 night at the Royal for the UL express passes....

So then in order to take advantage of check in day, I need to get checked in (even though room is not yet ready) how early? Is it worth it for the extra hour in the morning? Or just let it go for that hour since I have the express pass? And then catch the hour the next morning.

Looks like parks open at 8 with early admission at 7. That would be a REALLY early morning with a half hour ride, plus check in so in your opinion is that worth it for that hour?

Yes, take advantage of all it's perks, get there early so you can check in, leave your luggage in your vehicle, be at the gate for the rope drop for EE. While EP is lesser wait times due to it being peak season it's going to be more of half the wait time rather than the usual 5-10 minute wait. So, the earlier you get and take advantage you'll wait less.

Also, you'll be able to enjoy EP the day of and the day of check out, so at least with reserving one day you'll get EP for at least two days.

 

[AngiTN]

I'm shocked you are even questioning it.
You are going the busiest week of the year. Period.
There is no question whatsoever that you can benefit from the pass

 

[bumbershoot]

We're not afraid of cold/snow/rain or whatever else mother nature will throw at us.

I am going into this with wide open eyes regarding the crowds.

I see you're from Ny, and I respect that you know winter weather.

I do, however, recommend respecting Florida when it freezes. And it can indeed freeze. One of our first days at universal was 28 degrees. It was disgustingly cold. The water *everywhere* plus cold wind is vile.

I’ve read Canadians (and not just vancouverites) who felt the same way.

Plus, there’s a reason places that normally get winter weather don’t have theme parks that are open during that time. It’s just unpleasant.

Is it likely? Nah. Especially if I’m not going during that time lol. Can it happen? Yeppers.

 

[Monykalyn]

OK, I think you've all convinced me to book 1 night at the Royal for the UL express passes....

So then in order to take advantage of check in day, I need to get checked in (even though room is not yet ready) how early? Is it worth it for the extra hour in the morning? Or just let it go for that hour since I have the express pass? And then catch the hour the next morning.

Looks like parks open at 8 with early admission at 7. That would be a REALLY early morning with a half hour ride, plus check in so in your opinion is that worth it for that hour?

My family and I were there Dec 26-Dec 30th this past year. BUSY doesn't begin to describe it. We stayed off site at the new Hyatt Place across the street from UNiversal-we have the premiere passes that have one time through the line EP after 4 pm. No way would I have attempted to go that time of year without EP.
I do also highly recommend at least one day of the Early Entry too-my DD and I only did one morning as we wanted to get into the Wizarding world and shop without crowds. Even with EP some waits were 40 minutes (Kong, Gringotts), and I think Spiderman and Hulk both got to over an hour with EP line. But like Disney-go early, break in afternoon-you have the room so might as well use it-and go back in evening.

We also did the dessert party with parade and night time show viewing areas and it was really nice to have spots away from the crowds. It does get pricey with families though.

Have fun! Even though it was very busy it was sooo much fun and I'd love to do it again this year (if I can convince the hubs...LOVED being in warmer weather and away from ice and snow and cold!)

 

[J'aime Paris]

We have been spoiled by EP. I'd rather skip Universal than to visit without the EP, any month of the year. It's just that good!

And you couldn't pay me to visit Universal (even with EP) or WDW for the week of Xmas/New Years! But I have the flexibility to visit at other times.