Do you need express pass

[crow11ad]

if you are going the last week of October? I am just trying to see if it will be busy and justify getting the express pass. We will be doing the 2 parks/1 day tickets. Let me know what you all think...Thank you...

 

[Kimberly815]

We will be doing Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure all in one day on October 17th and we invested in the Express Pass. I like not having to worry about waiting. That way if it is busy, we will still have our fun and know that we will hit all of the major rides in one day!

 

[crow11ad]

I am thinking the same. I would like to hear what others state...

 

[docsnort]

Last year we went on Oct 21 (Thurs). Lines early in the day weren't bad but later in the day got quite long! We had FOTL on our room key so we never waited long. Anticipating similar crowds this year so we invested in the Express Plus for our visit on the Oct 19. Just a little insurance against long lines.

 

[Slacking]

No, If you plan your day accordingly, there is no need to waste money on Express. Its overrated and just make lines worse for everyone.

 

[crow11ad]

Last year we went on Oct 21 (Thurs). Lines early in the day weren't bad but later in the day got quite long! We had FOTL on our room key so we never waited long. Anticipating similar crowds this year so we invested in the Express Plus for our visit on the Oct 19. Just a little insurance against long lines.

Thank you so much. We will probably end up doing this. Now is the express pass just like a fast pass where you have to wait for a time before you can do another or how does it work?

 

[phamton]

Now is the express pass just like a fast pass where you have to wait for a time before you can do another or how does it work?

There are no set times.

Copied from the Universal ticket order page:

Universal Studios Florida Express Plus Pass

* Allows you to bypass the regular lines by providing Express Access to most attractions at Universal Studios Florida theme park.
* Express Access is a separate line at each valid attraction with an average wait of only 15 minutes or less.


RESTRICTIONS:

* This pass is only valid for use on your selected date.
* Pass is valid for one (1) entry per accessible attraction.
* There are only a limited number of passes available for sale for each date.
* Universal Express Plus pass is not valid for admission to either theme park.
* This pass is only valid for express access in Universal Studios Florida theme park. A separate pass must be purchased for Universal’s Islands of Adventure theme park.
* Blackout dates may apply.

Islands of Adventure Express Plus Pass

* Allows you to bypass the regular lines by providing Express Access to most attractions at Universal’s Islands of Adventure theme park.
* Express Access is a separate line at each valid attraction with an average wait of only 15 minutes or less.


RESTRICTIONS:

* This pass is only valid for use on your selected date.
* Pass is valid for one (1) entry per accessible attraction.
* There are only a limited number of passes available for sale for each date.
* Universal Express Plus pass is not valid for admission to either theme park.
* This pass is only valid for express access in Universal’s Islands of Adventure theme park. A separate pass must be purchased for Universal Studios Florida theme park.
* Blackout dates may apply.

2-Park Combo Express Plus Pass

* Allows you to bypass the regular lines by providing Express Access to most attractions at both Universal Studios Florida & Islands of Adventure theme parks.
* Express Access is a separate line at each valid attraction with an average wait of only 15 minutes or less.



RESTRICTIONS:

* This pass is only valid for use on your selected date.
* Pass is valid for one (1) entry per accessible attraction.
* There are only a limited number of passes available for sale for each date.
* Universal Express Plus pass is not valid for admission to either theme park.
* Blackout dates may apply.

 

[crow11ad]

Thank you so much. Any idea how much the 2 park/1 day express pass is?

 

[phamton]

It depends on when you go. Right now the two park combo is $25 plus tax. It can be as high as $50 in peak season.

 

[crow11ad]

Were going on 10-24-05. SHould it still be around 25.00 + tax?

 

[phamton]

Right now it is $15 for one park or $25 for both parks. It is only good for one day of use. I would guess it would be about that price when you go but prices can always change. You could order it online, if you are sure of your date, to lock in the price.

 

[disneyfreakk]

This will be our third trip in a row to universal and we always go the last week of October. During the day the parks are almost empty, so dont waste your money on express passes. However, if you are planning on going to HHN get the express passes!! Its extreemly crowded at night.

 

[crow11ad]

I would love to go to HHN, but DW would not. We went to a local Halloween store and there was this room and it was not that very big. There was nothing really scary in there, but she wouldn't go in.

Oh well, that's why I love her. I sent you a pm. Hope to hear from you soon.

 

[mulchpuppy]

This will be our third trip in a row to universal and we always go the last week of October. During the day the parks are almost empty, so dont waste your money on express passes. However, if you are planning on going to HHN get the express passes!! Its extreemly crowded at night.

I dunno...I would have certainly liked to have had an Express Plus on Sunday. The lines got exceedingly bad at Islands by mid afternoon (of course, the first three hours were a breeze and we tore through the Studios in no time flat).

I'm a little peeved at Universal over this "experiment" with getting rid of standard Express. No matter what justification they provide, I maintain that it's nothing more than an excuse to make more money off the EPs. We rarely need to use the standard Express, but it's nice to know that it's there as a safety net just in case a particular line gets out of hand.

Luckily we had the HHN Express tickets, so we were able to pick up what we missed later that evening (wow, Jurassic Park River Adventure is WAY better at night).

 

[phamton]

I dunno...I would have certainly liked to have had an Express Plus on Sunday. The lines got exceedingly bad at Islands by mid afternoon (of course, the first three hours were a breeze and we tore through the Studios in no time flat).

Sunday was crowded because it was Columbus Day weekend. Also the crowds picked up at IoA in the afternoon as people were arriving early for Stay and Scream at HHN.

I disagree with your accessment that universal is doing it to sell express pass. Disneyland doesn't sell express and many of their express passes machines are closed during the non-peak season and WDW does the same for a few rides.

 

[mulchpuppy]

Sunday was crowded because it was Columbus Day weekend. Also the crowds picked up at IoA in the afternoon as people were arriving early for Stay and Scream at HHN.

I disagree with your accessment that universal is doing it to sell express pass. Disneyland doesn't sell express and many of their express passes machines are closed during the non-peak season and WDW does the same for a few rides.

yes, but as you said, it was Columbus Day weekend. That's not "Peak" season by total definition, but October is a jumping month for the parks. Maybe this is a borderline situation, but I have to wonder what the sliding definition is that they're using to indicate what is and what isn't a "peak" season. Should I just go off the "hey, is Jaws open?" logic?

Again, I never really used Express enough to the point where not having it ruined my day, but if TPTB have decided that the crowds aren't big enough to necessitate using regular old Express, what's the logic that they will allow the upcharge benefit (since the lines, by their insinuation, aren't going to be there)? That's really nothing more than money in the bank. They're a business, and that's absolutely their prerogative, but I won't believe for a moment that there isn't a financial motiation involved here.

The thing about using Express was that anyone could do it. By setting up pay structures to allow its exclusive use (pay more for the Plus, pay a ton more and have onsite access), I fear that they're going to create a negative attitude amongst the folks who don't utilize it (ever seen a fight break out at Six Flags over someone who used a Q-Bot? It happens...).

I'm certainly not cancelling my AP over it or anything - I just hope the bad attitudes don't start springing up in the line for Shrek (even I'm a little guilty of that, admittedly - we got stuck for an extra 15 minutes in line because we had just missed the cutoff after all the Express Plus folks got in. Hey, Universal - MORE FANS in the line for the back theatre, please).

I really hope it doesn't sound like I'm trying to start a rumpus here, Pham.

 

[phamton]

I do understand. I wish they would do away with all express except onsite hotel FOTL. Most of the conversations I've heard from employees when someone has wanted to buy express during the non-busy time is "check the lines first before buying as you probably won't need it." Maybe I'm just missing those employees who are trying to push buying the passes.

 

[Cookie Princess]

We plan to do the 2 parks/1 day. We did this last year and it required quite a bit of hustling which was fine. However, we did use the standard express passes in the afternoon at US for MIB, Mummy, etc. We breezed through IoA in the morning. We are going during Jersey Week/Veteran's week (2nd week in Nov). Should I spend the extra $75 to purchase the Express Plus? Can you purchase this at the entrance or do I need to order ahead of time? If I miss out on Mummy, I will be one cranky Mummy!