Dec 16-18 without Express Pass

[Stitchiesmom]

Hi! Looking for some insight. We will have 6 of us staying at Windsor Hills and were planning on a throwaway room for 2 nights at Royal Pacific and then paying for express pass for one of us. I'm really having a hard time swallowing $1000 though for Express Pass. Do you think we could see everything once in 3 days time with 2 Park Parkhoppers without it from Dec 16-18? We really want to have the space a condo provides as we are also traveling with my father in law, who is great, but it's nice to have a little room. We'll have a couple of down days before and after as well.

 

[AJA]

Are you willing to split up and use the single rider lines? Can you get there and be inline before the parks open? Are you “ok” if you miss something, and how does every Feel about 60-90 minute lines, are those absolute deal breakers or is a few each day ok?

We are willing to do all the above and haven’t worried about Express Pass in a few years. It was great while my daughter was little but now that she is an older teen we like to have a suite (not in our budget at the Luxury hotels with free express) and we really find we don’t “need” them especially knowing we have to give up doing something else around Orlando with that money.

 

[AJA]

Could you do the throw away room for 1 night, then you would have express for 2 days and you could spend the 3rd day catching the shows, HP area, etc, things express doesn’t help with anyway.

 

[Pooh's World]

It's sad that express pass has become something only for the wealthy elite. I remember when it was only $59. I thought that was alot but it seemed reasonable for those who wanted it.

When Disney goes to an Express Pass it's going to be the same thing. Start off at maybe $100 and then skyrocket so that only the wealthy elite can afford it.

 

[Stitchiesmom]

Are you willing to split up and use the single rider lines? Can you get there and be inline before the parks open? Are you “ok” if you miss something, and how does every Feel about 60-90 minute lines, are those absolute deal breakers or is a few each day ok?

We are willing to do all the above and haven’t worried about Express Pass in a few years. It was great while my daughter was little but now that she is an older teen we like to have a suite (not in our budget at the Luxury hotels with free express) and we really find we don’t “need” them especially knowing we have to give up doing something else around Orlando with that money.

Thank you for your thoughts! Yes, I figure we will have a few longer waits and the teens can do single rider line for some things. I have considered doing one night like you suggested.I was just hopeful we could see most of everything in three days without it because even two days of Express for six of us is still kind of crazy.

 

[Stitchiesmom]

It's sad that express pass has become something only for the wealthy elite. I remember when it was only $59. I thought that was alot but it seemed reasonable for those who wanted it.

When Disney goes to an Express Pass it's going to be the same thing. Start off at maybe $100 and then skyrocket so that only the wealthy elite can afford it.

I wonder about the same thing. I saw this week Express Pass was in the $200s per person. I just can’t justify that.

 

[AJA]

Thank you for your thoughts! Yes, I figure we will have a few longer waits and the teens can do single rider line for some things. I have considered doing one night like you suggested.I was just hopeful we could see most of everything in three days without it because even two days of Express for six of us is still kind of crazy.

If you had asked the exact same question in 2019 (visiting the full week before Christmas break starts) I would have said 3 days is enough to experience almost everything without express. As long as you get there early and have a plan.

This year though? It really is up in the air as to just how CROWDED everything will be even at historically medium crowd times.

If it were me I think I would go ahead and book the one night. You have until the week before (I think it's 5 full days) to cancel and get a full refund. That would give you time to see just how crowded it is going to be.
The wild card is that you need that 6th person to have express. I have not checked the express cost for December but I do know buying it ASAP seems to be the way to go. It gets more expensive the closer you get to needing it and very well could be over $300 each or more! by the Holidays. Is anyone a non rider of the roller coasters and simulators? If so could that person possibly be without express even if the rest of the group has it?

 

[Stitchiesmom]

If you had asked the exact same question in 2019 (visiting the full week before Christmas break starts) I would have said 3 days is enough to experience almost everything without express. As long as you get there early and have a plan.

This year though? It really is up in the air as to just how CROWDED everything will be even at historically medium crowd times.

If it were me I think I would go ahead and book the one night. You have until the week before (I think it's 5 full days) to cancel and get a full refund. That would give you time to see just how crowded it is going to be.
The wild card is that you need that 6th person to have express. I have not checked the express cost for December but I do know buying it ASAP seems to be the way to go. It gets more expensive the closer you get to needing it and very well could be over $300 each or more! by the Holidays. Is anyone a non rider of the roller coasters and simulators? If so could that person possibly be without express even if the rest of the group has it?

That’s great advice! I won’t be able to ride simulators and coasters so that’s. A great idea! We can wait in line for the less crazy rides and not go broke. I didn’t know express pass goes up in price the closer you get either. Thanks so much for all your help!

 

[AJA]

That’s great advice! I won’t be able to ride simulators and coasters so that’s. A great idea! We can wait in line for the less crazy rides and not go broke. I didn’t know express pass goes up in price the closer you get either. Thanks so much for all your help!

My family would personally go that route. Pick a few of the rides you know everyone wants to experience riding together. Do those early (or late?) then the rest of the "want to ride everything crew" will either have express or can do single rider lines, not every ride has them and a few months ago I would have said they all may not be open, but it seems everything is getting back to normal and hopefully by December all the single rider lines will be open. -My daughter really missed them on our last visit.

As an example, the three of us each received a paper fast pass because we were on Spiderman and it broke down for a few minutes. My husband and daughter took their passes and went to ride Flying Journey, it was after lunch and I cannot ride FJ with anything on my stomach so I just waited for them, later in the week my daughter used "my" remaining fast pass ticket to ride Rip Ride Rocket alone.

 

[Stitchiesmom]

My family would personally go that route. Pick a few of the rides you know everyone wants to experience riding together. Do those early (or late?) then the rest of the "want to ride everything crew" will either have express or can do single rider lines, not every ride has them and a few months ago I would have said they all may not be open, but it seems everything is getting back to normal and hopefully by December all the single rider lines will be open. -My daughter really missed them on our last visit.

As an example, the three of us each received a paper fast pass because we were on Spiderman and it broke down for a few minutes. My husband and daughter took their passes and went to ride Flying Journey, it was after lunch and I cannot ride FJ with anything on my stomach so I just waited for them, later in the week my daughter used "my" remaining fast pass ticket to ride Rip Ride Rocket alone.

Awesome! We'll go ahead and book that Friday as I figure Friday and Saturday will be busier. That really was a great idea and still saves a ton of money.