express pass cost? is it a good choice?

[Babsy]

How much does an express pass cost? Is it a good idea to purchase one and, if so, where is the best place to buy it? Are they only available for a single day or can they be purchased for multiple days?

Thanks!!

 

[Robo56]

You can go to the Universal Orlando site and it will show you the cost of the express pass. If you are staying onsite at Portofino Bay, Hard Rock or Royal Pacific the express pass is included. When you factor in hotel cost, ticket cost and express pass. You save more by staying onsite. You can purchase the express pass from Universal Orlando website or at ticket booth in the park. Hope this helps. Have a great trip.

 

[Babsy]

Thanks Robo56!!!! that was very helpful!

 

[Robo56]

There are two different kinds of express passes now also the Express Pass and the Express Pass Unlimited. The Express Pass will allow you one express ride per ride. The Express Unlimited allows you unlimited express rides per ride. There are some rides that that are exempt from the express pass and those are noted on the Universal site also.

 

[hpriamson]

Also, you can go to the park and purchase the Express Pass after you've entered, if you feel it would be necessary. There are tons of stores that sell it - I think it's impossible to be out of sight of a "Buy Express Pass Here!" sign.

The price will depend on the crowd levels of that day.

 

[7KLucky]

Everywhere I look says the Harry Potter rides are excluded. Is this true?

 

[Babsy]

Everywhere I look says the Harry Potter rides are excluded. Is this true?

From what I read on the Universal website, YES.

Thank you everyone for the great tips!

 

[hpriamson]

The HP rides that are excluded are Forbidden Journey, Escape From Gringotts, and Hogwarts Express. The other two HP rides, Flight of the Hippogriff (small coaster) and Dragon Challenge (big, awesome coaster) are included in Express Pass.

 

[canadiankim]

We priced out the EP for when we are going in August. It was $70 p/p for one day. The unlimited EP was $129 for one day. For 4 of us the cheapest it would be was $280 and for $304 we got a hotel room for one night with 2 days of unlimited FP! It was a no brainier for us.

Counting down the days! I can hardly wait.

 

[7KLucky]

We priced out the EP for when we are going in August. It was $70 p/p for one day. The unlimited EP was $129 for one day. For 4 of us the cheapest it would be was $280 and for $304 we got a hotel room for one night with 2 days of unlimited FP! It was a no brainier for us.

Counting down the days! I can hardly wait.

One night hotel gets you TWO days unlimited FP?

 

[canadiankim]

Yep! The day you check in which can be as early as 7:30 am (although your room won't be ready!) up until midnight the day you check out! So you get both days covered by the express pass, plus if you check in early enough you also get the early entry into the park for Harry Potter. It's a total bargain!!!

 

[Minniesgal]

We have done Universal many times and frankly I wouldn't do Universal without it. We buy the passes bundled with entrance from the Website as we have Dvc points so wouldn't stay at the hotel.

 

[7KLucky]

O.k. I just looked for the cheapest hotel and for a one night stay....planning to do the 2 days in the park-park it is an extra $268.71 over just purchasing 2day park to park. All that gets me is early entry to HP for both days. Is that really worth it? I honestly want your opinion as we've never done this portion of the trip.
We wouldn't even stay in the hotel room but just check in....

 

[HM]

O.k. I just looked for the cheapest hotel and for a one night stay....planning to do the 2 days in the park-park it is an extra $268.71 over just purchasing 2day park to park. All that gets me is early entry to HP for both days. Is that really worth it? I honestly want your opinion as we've never done this portion of the trip.
We wouldn't even stay in the hotel room but just check in....

When is your planned trip?
The quote you got was for 1 night at Cabana Bay for $268.91? That seems steep. Is it for a Family Suite?

The other onsite hotels will give your Express Passes for the day of check in and day of check out and paying a bit more may very well be worth it.

 

[7KLucky]

No, this was for the RAMADA! We have to book two rooms because there are 8 of us. If I just buy two day Park to park TICKETS it is $1,549.92. If I book Ramada for one night with two day park to park it is $1818.63.
So my difference is $268.71 just to get in the park early two days........

 

[HM]

What are your other hotel options? Were you looking at something less expensive for that night elswhere? If you have another hotel that you want to stay at that cost significantly less, then it may not be the deal you want.

 

[Jarmo]

O.k. I just looked for the cheapest hotel and for a one night stay....planning to do the 2 days in the park-park it is an extra $268.71 over just purchasing 2day park to park. All that gets me is early entry to HP for both days. Is that really worth it? I honestly want your opinion as we've never done this portion of the trip.
We wouldn't even stay in the hotel room but just check in....

It will probably come down to how many people you have in your party. One night in Royal Pacific, Hardrock, or Portofino bay would get you unlimited express passes for 2 days, and for up to 4 people (maybe 5, I'm not sure about their occupancy rules). Seems like the room would be cheaper for 3-4 people than buying the passes separately, but there might be cases with 2 people
where buying separate express passes are cheaper.

 

[Jarmo]

No, this was for the RAMADA! We have to book two rooms because there are 8 of us. If I just buy two day Park to park TICKETS it is $1,549.92. If I book Ramada for one night with two day park to park it is $1818.63.
So my difference is $268.71 just to get in the park early two days........

I think you might be confused... park tickets you'll have to buy separately no matter what. It's not worth paying extra for a hotel you won't use just for the early admission.

If you were thinking about buying Unlimited Express Passes (to skip the lines), it may be cheaper to book one night at one of the 3 deluxe Universal studios hotels since that will include express passes for 2 days.

 

[7KLucky]

We have 13 days booked at Fort Wilderness. We have a rented RV there.

 

[HM]

No, not worth spending money on a hotel where you won't be staying.

Just drive back and forth from Ft Wilderness and get there before the park's opening time and you'll likely find they'll open earlier than scheduled to everyone (15-20 minutes early). Don't forget that there are parking fees too.