Does Universal/Islands have a free Speedpass?

[paper1225]

I know I can find disney attendance levels at a couple of disney sites, does anyone know if I can do the same for UO? We have not booked our hotel yet, and if I know the parks will be heavy enough to add the Express, then we should just stay onsite........another question - we have not ever been to UO or Islands, will we really want to go for 5 days? I will be travleing with my DH37, dd12, dd11, and ds5. I do not know the size of these parks compared with disney and if they are just as great(yes, a major disney fan, but disney cannot get us tickets for the same price!). Are the parks closer to a MK or an AK? thanks guys-all of you are great help for a newbie!!!

 

[Sylvester McBean]

what time of year are you planning on going? UO pretty much follows the same attendance trends as WDW, but is a smaller resort so it doesn't get the same crowd levels. but it does get very busy. it's hard to compare the parks size in regard to WDW. WDW's are 'spoke and hub' designed where UO's are essentialy large circles (IOA especially) 5 days could be a stretch, especially if you're staying onsite.

 

[paper1225]

we are going to arrive 5/27 and then leave on 6/3 for home. Our tickets are only for 5 days, so the other day may have to be a Disney day, so I can fulfill my disney need We would like to have a beach day in there though.

 

[Sylvester McBean]

late May, early June...the parks don't normally kick in to late night mode (10:00 closing) until late June. they should still be open until 8:00 during that time. and with the departure of the free EP's, I'm don't know if the availabilty of the EPP's will be limited anymore. Phamton may know more about that. so it's time to a little number crunching. what's an onsite room going for at that time of year vs. the cost of the EPP's for your family. weekdays will be busier during that time, but still negotiable.

 

[Sylvester McBean]

One word: Planning. Many people on here have devised routes/plans that can allow you to maximize your experience without needing Express.

Consequently, regular lines will actually be SHORTER without free Express. Free Express + Express Plus + Hotel Guests = long Express line = more Express guests being loaded vs stand-by guests = longer regular line. By cutting the free Express, it shortens the Express line, which, if you follow my formula, will result in more regular line guests being loaded and shorter wait times.

I disagree. fastpass, express pass and FOTL have trained people you don't need to wait in line anymore. the FOTL program has spoiled people, especially as orlando is seeing a return to pre-September 11th numbers. the UO resorts will continue to fill, and EPP's purchases are going to rise. people are willing to pay to avoid lines and have a more streamlined vacation. the EP lines will remain stagnant, while the standby lines increase. just my opinion.

 

[Robinrs]

Amy, the week you're coming will be the week Georgia schools close for the summer AND Memorial day weekend and YES it will be reflected in Florida's crowds. If you do the math you would probably come out better by staying onsite than to get 35 times the # of people in your family times the number of days. Besides, the convenience, the ambience and the FOTL is well worth the expense. I've done UO approx 30 times since 1999, stayed onsite in all 3 hotels and offsite all of the other times and there is NO comparison.

And I'm the world's CHEAPEST human being! AND close to the least patient, too!

 

[lindalinda]

Amy, also remember if you are going to do a disney day and a beach day, that the 5 day tickets are consecutive, you cant split them up, so do the others at the beginning and end.

 

[Sylvester McBean]

the average waits today in IOA were 45 minutes by 10:30. JPRA hit one hour on a bleak, cold, mid-60's day. express pass plus is advertised everywhere throughout the parks now, including the maps. especially on the main e-boards that list the attraction wait times. Flying Unicorn...60 minutes (screen flips)

WANT TO AVOID THE REGULAR LINES? BUY YOUR EXPRESS PASS PLUS NOW !!!

great job, UO.

 

[maps]

I just returned and the lines at both parks were huge. Granted it was Pres Week but I've gone the last 4 yrs and this has been the absolute busiest I have ever seen.

I agree that the regular lines were made even longer because of the express passes and FOTL.

 

[yaytezIOA]

I went Sat. the 18th to UO.....there were 5 of us, we all did EVERYTHING at both parks by 4 o'clock, without express, without FOTL, and without killing people. How'd we do it? The biggest secret I'm keeping...I dont want you to know it, then it'd be ruined for me......
But the one I will tell you is that have your tickets when you go. You eliminate any where from 15 mins to an hour just waiting to purchase tickets. Travel light, no bags mean no bag checks, no time waiting for lockers and no time lugging the bags around. Do the most popular rides as soon as you get there and work your way around the whole park....remember time waits for no man woman child or camera....take pics later. Single rider lines cut times greatly for a lot of rides like Hulk Spiderman Doom and JP...also Mummy and MIB at the other park....and if you do the single rider lines, dont go with about 8 people....you will be split up boneheads...so dont complain that you dont get to ride with your little cutey or your kid....you want to ride together then wait. Example...we all waited about 30 mins for MIB on sat. My son and I wanted to ride again....we waited 10 mins in single riders line...same car even, it just worked out like that. Most of all, dont get ticked that lines are long.....after all what else are you there to do? You disney folks especially....you should be used to waiting in lines at least an hour long on day thats not even that busy for rides that stink like Pooh or Peter pan...so a 30 min wait for mummy or spiderman shouldnt be so bad. Remember you were the ones that bought the tickets and went when you did, so make the best of it and just have fun!

 

[BrknAngel]

I'm taking my sister out there for a couple days when I have my break off from work (I took March 14th-18th off) and I'm actually gonna give in to the EPP. Mind you, I've always been annoyed by this (I honestly hate selling it lol. Mainly just bcause of remarks I get from certain people).

If you look at it, if you wanna experience every single thing that you couldn't because of larger crowds, it's really not that bad of a deal. It's every single ride 1 time and you don't have to go back at a certain time.. You can go whenever you'd like!

Prices:

Taken from Universal's site...

1-Day/1-Park Express Plus

$15 -

1/2 - 2/10​

2/13 - 2/17​

2/20 - 2/23​

2/26 - 3/10​

3/20 - 3/24​

4/24 - 5/18​

8/28 - 9/1​

9/4 - 11/21​

11/26 - 12/20/2006​

$20 -

2/11​

2/12​

2/19​

2/24​

2/25​

3/11 - 3/19​

3/25 - 3/30​

4/3 - 4/7​

4/23​

5/19 - 5/26​

8/14 - 8/27​

9/2​

9/3​

11/22​

11/23/2006​

$35 -

2/18​

3/31 - 4/2​

4/8 - 4/22​

5/27 - 8/13​

11/24​

11/25​

12/21 - 12/31/2006​

1-Day/2-Park Express Plus

$25 -

1/2 - 2/10​

2/13 - 2/17​

2/20 - 2/23​

2/26 - 3/10​

3/20 - 3/24​

4/24 - 5/18​

8/28 - 9/1​

9/4 - 11/21​

11/26 - 12/20/2006​

$35 -

2/11​

2/12​

2/19​

2/24​

2/25​

3/11 - 3/19​

3/25 - 3/30​

4/3 - 4/7​

4/23​

5/19 - 5/26​

8/14 - 8/27​

9/2​

9/3​

11/22​

11/23/2006​

$50 -

2/18​

3/31 - 4/2​

4/8 - 4/22​

5/27 - 8/13​

11/24​

11/25​

12/21 - 12/31/2006​