Deciding on Express Pass

[jollygreen]

I've been to Universal twice. Once in late May 2013 for 3 days, didn't have any express passes and did everything we wanted. I also went last year in early August for 3 days, had an express pass for 1 day and got a lot done.

So, now I'm planning another trip there, possibly this May 9-13 with 4 day hoppers. Playing around with different pricing options and I'm trying to decide if we'd really need express passes or not. I'm thinking no since it shouldn't be too busy, but I'd like to hear from other people. We'd be staying onsite and right now I'm looking at either RPR or CB. Obviously at RPR, we'd get unlimited EPs, but by staying at CB and not having them we'd save $200/person. Heck, if we did CB we could get 2 day regular EPs and still save money.

 

[Robo56]

With the addition of Diagon Alley since you were last there it has is gotten busier. I have always stayed onsite and had EP. Would not do Universal without it now. I usually take the grandchildren every May around the the 3rd week and it was really busy this May. Much more busy than year before. That is even at a time when most schools in US are not out yet.

Just from what I have observed in all the years I have been going to Universal it is becoming more popular and far more busy in May then before.

No matter what you decide have a great time on your vacation to Universal

 

[jollygreen]

With the addition of Diagon Alley since you were last there it has is gotten busier. I have always stayed onsite and had EP.

I was actually there last year about a month after Diagon Alley opened. Waited in line for Gringotts for 3-3.5 hours! It was insane (but a lot of fun).

Myself and the person I'm travelling with are pretty efficient tourers(??), we go from park open to park close. We're planning on devoting an entire day to Harry Potter stuff since we'll have 4 days there. This is what really got me thinking about it. And we'd still have the option of buying EPs later. Still need to think about it and discuss it with my friend.

Thanks for your response!! And I know we'll have a great time regardless of what we choose!

 

[damo]

If you can take advantage of the single rider's lines, I wouldn't bother with express.

 

[Minniesgal]

At me to the list of those who wouldn't do universal without Express Pass

 

[kohlby]

I wouldn't. You aren't going during a very busy time. You can always add on Express while you're there if you find you need it. Our last trip was the full week after Thanksgiving and we had express included due to our hotel for four of our six days there. We would have been fine without it. (Though it was nicer to have a shorter walk in some of the lines!) We won't have EP for our next trip in April, since we're doing CB.

That being said - since you're just two people and don't mention a child, it makes it super easy to do single rider line.

*SC schools are all still in session for those dates, as well as all the FL ones I've looked up. The three GA counties near me are also still in school during those dates. By the third week in May, many GA counties are out of school.

 

[dixonsontour]

I think you will be fine without. Touring plans has the parks those dates 2/3 or 4 out of 10. We have been fine last 2 Octobers similar crowds. You have multiple days. If universal open early do despicable me one day of early entry. We do like cabana bay, stayed twice.

 

[RMulieri]

You will likely be fine without it , but for me a Universal trip=express pass no matter the crowds

 

[jollygreen]

Thanks for all the responses! Talked it over and we decided to stay at CB and buy EPs based on crowds for a day or two if we need to.