Early entry/express pass worth it?

[KatieCharlotte]

We're probably heading to Florida on the first Wednesday in April. Easter is not until April 20 and the Harry Potter expansion won't be open yet, but it is spring break season, so I'm expecting moderate crowds.

We want to spend one day at IoA on either Thursday, Friday, or Saturday. We have two Harry Potter fanatics and one younger child who will be interested in Dr. Seuss and play areas. We will be riding FJ but skipping all big coasters and no one wants to get picked at Olivanders. We expect to return to IoA/US for a longer visit after the HP expansion. I have only visited US on a cold day in early December when we walked on everything, so I really have no experience to judge what the crowds will be like.

I'm trying to find ways to save money because just flying five people across the country is $$$. The new US hotel that gives only early entry is about $250/night and the other hotels offering express passes would be over $300. We could find an off site hotel for much less. We'd only need one night at US, but we're also spending two days at Disney before heading to another part of the state, and it might be easier just to pick one hotel and not move. We will have a rental car because we need one for the rest of the trip.

We will arrive before the park opens, regardless. Is it really worth it to get in an hour early? I'm pretty sure I can't justify the expense of the express-pass hotels. Any opinions?

 

[crostorfer]

Yes.

Yes, yes, yes, 1000 times, yes. It's worth every penny to stay on site for the perks.

 

[Marknem]

We found Wizarding World much more pleasant during that early admission hour than at any other time of day. And Express Pass is fantastic.

 

[snoopboop]

I will never again stay off-site. Ever.

Seriously, staying on-site is SO, so worth it. Not only do you get Unlimited Express, but it is so convenient to be right there, and to have the water taxis and/or beautiful walking paths and/or rickshaws to get to the parks and back, and to be able to have packages from the gift shops sent back to the room... The list is pretty long, LOL!

Really, though, on a busy summer day, I think you may regret not having the Unlimited Express.

 

[RMulieri]

It is 100% worth it and many schools don't tie spring break to Easter , so it is going to be busy.

 

[crostorfer]

I will never again stay off-site. Ever.

Seriously, staying on-site is SO, so worth it. Not only do you get Unlimited Express, but it is so convenient to be right there, and to have the water taxis and/or beautiful walking paths and/or rickshaws to get to the parks and back, and to be able to have packages from the gift shops sent back to the room... The list is pretty long, LOL!

Really, though, on a busy summer day, I think you may regret not having the Unlimited Express.

After we stayed at the RPR last August my daughter and I said the same thing, after staying on-site you'll never want to go without staying on-site again. It's the only way to go.

 

[Tinachichi]

Yes, yes, yes. We stayed the first year off site. Never again. Once you have that early pass and express pass it's never the same. The rewards are worth the money. This year we went to the "other side" and spent one day at the Magic Kingdom. Do not like their fast pass routine. US & IOA have it down pat. The express pass is worth every dollar. The extra hour is the best reward. Got thru the castle three times before they opened to the regulars.