Express Pass and Meal Plan-Worth it?

[missyek]

We are driving down to Orlando for our WDW trip in August and we decided to hit Universal for two days before our WDW trip. We are planning to go on the 20th and 21st of August and this will be our first family trip to Universal (hubby and I went way back in the mid '90s in August and we remember it being really packed then...). We were looking to plan a 3-night vacation with 2 days in the parks (1 day for each park). I was originally looking at staying at a partner hotel and just getting the base tickets, but then really started seriously looking into staying at the Royal Pacific Resort because of the unlimited express pass option. There is nothing worse than standing in lines for hours just to ride one ride and wasting most of your day away.

So my questions are, is it worth either getting the purchased express pass or staying at one of the resorts for the unlimited express pass at that time in the season (end of August)? If we decide to stay at one of the resorts rather than a partner hotel, that is a good $500 more that we will be paying. It won't be that much to buy just the express pass for the two days if we stay at a partner hotel, but it is still extra money that we were not originally planning for. If the crowds are still fairly decent at that time, then to me it is worth paying the extra, but I don't want to if I don't have to, ya know? I like the idea of the unlimited express pass when staying at one of the Universal Resorts, but not against (completely) the purchased express pass if we decide to stay at a partner hotel--even if it means that we only get one time around in the fast line for each ride.

Also, is the Meal Plan worth it? We do not mind amusement park food, but I guess I just don't know what the price comparisons are to just purchasing food in the parks overall.

Any insight on either the Express Pass and Meal Plan would be awesome.

Thanks!

 

[Metro West]

Staying onsite to get unlimited Express access is the way to go...if you can swing it. You won't be disappointed.

Express Plus pass you purchase: good for keeping the lines down but it's only good once through the line. I think late August will still be busy but you should wait until you arrive to purchase...after checking out the wait times.

Meal Deal: not really worth it considering it's standard theme park fare and since the parks will be closing early that time of year, you might be hungry for dinner at 5pm. There are better places to try like Finnegan's at the Studios and Mythos and Thunder Falls Terrace at IOA.

 

[mpostak]

Last year, my girlfriend and I decided to go to Universal before our trip to Disney the first week of August 2009. After great research, we decided to do 2-days at Universal and get a one night stay at Royal Pacific. The hotel will allow you to come in even before your room is ready. We stayed at the doubletree upon our drive into orlando. We went that evening to the CityWalk and went to Margaritaville for dinner and just soaked up the atmosphere. Then at 7 am the next morning, we went right to RP and checked in (much to our surprise the room was already available!) You are able to get room keys at that point and headed to Universal.

I cannot even begin to express how great the room key is. We were able to go on all rides at both parks on that first day (in fact, we went on most rides multiple times). We then stayed only ONE night at the RP, but had room keys to use for two days at the parks.

You will save yourself SOOOOOOO much time by getting a room at one of the three properties. We actually left for disney mid afternoon on the second day after hitting all of the rides again. Mummy 7 times, Hulk 3, spiderman 4, jurassic park 4, simpsons 5, MIB 7, jaws twice (once at night), etc. With the HP part opening in a month, I have feeling the park will have spike in attendence this summer and the hotel key we have been told will get you into park an hour early to get first dibs on the HP part.

We are heading there the last week of July for return trip and can't wait. If you have any questions, feel free to ask. I am no expert, but feel we did it the way it needs to be done!

 

[bubba's mom]

onsite hotel....absolutely no doubt worth it

Meal Deal...not so much imo. There are only certain participating places and they tend to get crowded and serve the same food.

Go w/ TS or to City Walk for a 'meal'. Stick to snacks/CS in parks.

 

[missyek]

Thank you all for the great responses! So, yeah, Meal Plan idea is nixed... LOL

I'm thoroughly convinced that staying at the resort IS the best way to go. Now just need to convince hubby... LOL

I cannot even begin to express how great the room key is. We were able to go on all rides at both parks on that first day (in fact, we went on most rides multiple times). We then stayed only ONE night at the RP, but had room keys to use for two days at the parks.

So, mpostak, when you had two days of tickets, but only one night at RP, did both days have the unlimited express pass option or just one day? Are are you able to park hop while staying at a resort, or is that still an extra that needs to be purchased?

 

[Metro West]

So, mpostak, when you had two days of tickets, but only one night at RP, did both days have the unlimited express pass option or just one day? Are are you able to park hop while staying at a resort, or is that still an extra that needs to be purchased?

One night will get you two days of unlimited Express and park hopping depends on the tickets you buy.

 

[heatherwillmom]

We always move to a Universal Hotel, either Hard Rock or Royal Pacific, for the last 2 -3 days of our Disney trips. We absolutely love the hotels! Being so close that you can walk to parks is great. The express pass with your room key is the best!! I think if you buy an Express Pass, it limits you to how many times you can use it on each ride. With the on-site one, you can get off a ride & get right back on which is what we do on several of the rides. Since we don't spend any time waiting in line, we can cover the parks much quicker.

 

[mpostak]

We purchased the park to park for better flexibility over our two days. The hotel key gave unlimited express pass access on both days. Like I said, I couldn't imagine doing the parks any other way than staying at the hotel (and no I am not getting a kickback from the resorts) It is expensive to stay there, but creates a more relaxing time enjoying the park.