Express Pass cost as crowd gauge?

[allicat1214]

I found Universal's Express Pass order site for IAH:

https://secure.universalstudios.com/webstore/shop/ViewItems.aspx?CG=UO&C=IUEP

I was looking at either Sat or Sun June 4th or 5th for a single day at IoA/WWoHP, following 5 days at WDW. We will be leaving WDW Dolphin and checking into RPR on Sat., June 4th...

The express pass chart shows $39.99 for a Sat add-on and only $26.99 for the Sunday add-on. So I'm thinking they are expecting fewer people on Sunday???

I originally was going to leave super early and go to WWoHP on Saturday, but now I'm thinking we would be better off to go early Sunday. Doing it this way would allow us to take our time leaving Dolphin and arriving at RPR on Saturday, maybe checking out CityWalk Saturday night, then doing WWoHP early Sunday.

Does this make sense to you US/IoA experts??

We've never been to Universal before and my kids ONLY want to see WWoHP... we haven't been to WDW as a family in over 4 years so we want to spend as much time there as we can.

TIA!

 

[Metro West]

If you're staying onsite at the RPR you won't need to purchase Express passes...you get unlimited Express access during the duration of your stay. I think you would find it better to check into the RPR on Saturday and do WWoHP on Sunday morning.

 

[allicat1214]

I realize now that you don't need Express Pass if staying on site.

I was trying to figure out the cheapest way to see WWoHP/IoA and get in early AND get in front of lines, so thought I could stay at a partner hotel and get express pass. But to get the early entry at a partner hotel, you have to book it as a vacation package with insurance cost built in and you can't cancel.

That's how I found the express pass page. But then once I figured out it's cheaper (and easier to cancel if something comes up) just to book a room only onsite, then I started thinking if the express pass costs differences indicated Universal's crowd estimates.

I think we're going to do check in Sat afternoon/evening and get up early Sunday for HP.

Thanks much for all of your info on Universal that you post on this forum!!

 

[francie57]

Just a reminder, there is no express entry for the new HP ride, even for on-site guests. You do, however, get early entrance into IOA so that helps. There is also no express for the RRR rollercoaster.

 

[JudyS]

I just checked, and US has 5 levels of Express Pass pricing, ranging from $19.99 to $59.99 per day, depending on expected demand for that day. Like the OP, I was thinking about using the price of the Express pass to predict how bad the crowds will be, even if I didn't plan to actually buy an Express Pass. However, now I'm thinking that Universal is having trouble predicting crowd levels.

Here is the link to the prices of the IOA Express Pass:
https://secure.universalstudios.com/webstore/shop/ViewItems.aspx?CG=UO&C=IUEP

IOA was charging only $25.99 for the pass on January 3, 2011, which is the next-to-lowest level, but reports here were that the crowds were "insane" at WWoHP that day. So, maybe even Universal can't predict the crowds?