Are we crazy WITHOUT express pass this summer??

[timandlesley]

So, the debate in our house while number crunching is should we stay on property and do the express pass which will almost break the bank or stay off and not have it. Is it worth it for only two days in the park without it in the middle of June, will we wait FOREVER for everything and have miserable kids? I'm so spoiled by the Disney Fast Pass, I'm just confused, any help??
Lesley

 

[francie57]

The lines may be extremely long all summer since Harry Potter is opening and it will be the first summer for it. You could always stay off property and get the express at the park. It is good for one ride on each ride that offers express pass (which is just about everything). If you think fast pass is great you would be really spoiled with unlimited express pass if staying on-site. It leaves fast pass in the dust. If you decide to stay on-site for one night you would have two days of express pass since it is good from check-in through the end of the day you check out. If you are a member of AAA you can get a discount on the hotels on-site and it also gives you a 10% discount at most of the restaurants/shops/snack carts in both parks and the restaurants in City Walk (with a few exceptions - Emeril is one). If you can make it work, it is so worth staying on-site, even for one night.

 

[timandlesley]

It sounds awesome. So, it may be worth joining AAA to get the discount then? Do you only get the front of the line deal if you book a package with them for both the room AND the tickets, or could we stay one night, then we'd have two days worth of the front of the line passes and buy our tickets elsewhere?
Lesley

 

[arthursiew]

It sounds awesome. So, it may be worth joining AAA to get the discount then? Do you only get the front of the line deal if you book a package with them for both the room AND the tickets, or could we stay one night, then we'd have two days worth of the front of the line passes and buy our tickets elsewhere?
Lesley

We will be going on June 18 and checking out on June 19. We will be paying $229 plus tax after AAA discount compared to the standard rate of $269 plus date. As long as you're a hotel guest, you will get the Express Pass benefit at the parks. You don't have to buy a package with Universal. It is cheaper to book them separately because you need to stay two nights to get a two day pass. However, you will still get the Express Day for two days (the day you check in and out). Right now, there's a 14 day pass for $118. Check that out here. Hope this helps!

 

[francie57]

We do a room only reservation (cheaper than the package) - use our AAA discount for the rooms (we actually get two rooms). We got our tickets at our local AAA office since they offer a discount on them.

 

[FINFAN]

If your budget allows, get AAA, (usually 50-60 for a year membership)If I remember right, you may get AAA discounts at some food places at both parks and citywalk, but you may want to search that out. Anyway, eat breakfast on your room, pack lunch to save yourself 50 + on the day..and stay at RPR. As others have said, you get 2 full days of FOTL/EXPRESS...however I know WWOHP allows only 1 daily express ride on their main ride...but still, it is awesome to have FOTL. The pool at RPR is great, grounds are beautiful, room is about 335 sq ft and has 2 Q beds. I am not sure if a fridge is included, was not on our last stay but we had a cooler.
You can either take the boat to the parks or walk, and while I love me some WDW bus transportation, it does add time to your day to be at the stop, waiting etc. You are on your way if you walk, and even at a liesurley pace 15 minutes maybe? I see you have little ones so maybe the boat will be better, but the point is you can allow less travel time than at WDW. That is also the beauty of FOTL, you d oget thru the parks a bit faster allowing down time at the play lands etc or back to resort for the great pool I mentioned. RPR has a fort type area with squirt guns, water cannons, no slide. The lifeguards used to arrange water games for the kids at one point in the day, and the poolside snack bar is yummy! I woudl seriously cut elsewhere if I could for on site stay. With WWOHP opening, it is going to be crowded for sure this summer, and next! Mid June will be when all schools are out so you will be competing with that as well. Are you combining this with WDW or as a USO trip alone?I know getting tix for both parks is brutal...maybe go for the 14 day tix and drive back and forthi f staying at WDW..if you have a lot ofdays you would do everything without FOTL, or you could buy the Individual express passes, I think they run 35 each...but yo only get 1 turn at each ride, and really, at 140, you could put that toward the on site budget.
Have fun, we plan to hit USO this summer ourselves and have booked RPR again!

 

[francie57]

PP wasn't sure about AAA discounts in the parks. We use our AAA card in the park every year. You will get 10% off at all restaurants/snack carts/stores in both parks. Most of the restaurants in City Walk offer the 10% off also, only the few really expensives places don't (Emerils is one that does not). If you can manage a night stay, you will be surprised at how much time you will have to do both parks and enjoy the pool/resort. The one new big ride in the castle of HPW is going to be one express pass per resort guest per day but all the others are unlimited. Also, it has been reported that resort guests are going to be able to get in Islands of Adventure an hour before regular opening. As PP said, if you are able to bring some snacks and quick breakfast times you will be able to save money. Most of the quick service restaurants in both parks are really reasonable.

 

[bubba's mom]

Is it worth it for only two days in the park without it in the middle of June, will we wait FOREVER for everything and have miserable kids?

For the middle of June, with the new Harry Potter opening.... I would NOT stay OFFsite.

You WILL wait and I highly recommend you stay onsite. It will be worth 'breaking the bank'.

 

[JenSop]

subscribing...

 

[Metro West]

For the middle of June, with the new Harry Potter opening.... I would NOT stay OFFsite.

You WILL wait and I highly recommend you stay onsite. It will be worth 'breaking the bank'.