Express pass cost question

[Shacka1]

Hello Everyone!

I am a bit confused on what I'm looking at online and just looking for some clarity

I will need a 3 day base ticket for:
Universal studios
IOA
Volcano Bay

Now when looking at the 2 park express pass (not unlimited) its $229 is this for one day......I was thinking there is no way this is possible but I'm worried it is.........

So if I add 3 of them, there are 3 of us, total is $689.97 so do I need to do this x2 for both parks or is this for 2 days, one to use each day

 

[coronationday]

2 park means that you can use the express pass at both IOA and US the same day. You would need to buy a second set of express passes for the other day.

What people usually do is book a night at one of these resorts: Royal Pacific, Hard Rock or Portofino Bay. These hotels include in their price unlimited express pass for everyone in the room from check-in day to check out. So it could maybe be more cost effective to book a night in one of these hotels and get two day of express pas instead of paying them individually.

 

[Nabas]

Hello Everyone!

I am a bit confused on what I'm looking at online and just looking for some clarity

I will need a 3 day base ticket for:
Universal studios
IOA
Volcano Bay

Now when looking at the 2 park express pass (not unlimited) its $229 is this for one day......I was thinking there is no way this is possible but I'm worried it is.........

So if I add 3 of them, there are 3 of us, total is $689.97 so do I need to do this x2 for both parks or is this for 2 days, one to use each day

Probably the cheapest thing to do is to book one night at the Royal Pacific, which automatically includes Express Pass Unlimited for the day you check-in and the day you check-out.

I've explained this in more detail here:

https://www.disboards.com/threads/new-to-universal.3877206/page-2#post-63879952

 

[Shacka1]

2 park means that you can use the express pass at both IOA and US the same day. You would need to buy a second set of express passes for the other day.

What people usually do is book a night at one of these resorts: Royal Pacific, Hard Rock or Portofino Bay. These hotels include in their price unlimited express pass for everyone in the room from check-in day to check out. So it could maybe be more cost effective to book a night in one of these hotels and get two day of express pas instead of paying them individually.

Oh no! So it's not 2 days it's like a park hopper type of thing.....ugh there is no way I can afford this, it's more than the park ticket. I'll have to price out the premier resorts to see if it's worth it. Thanks so much

 

[coronationday]

You are welcome, I hope everything works out and you can have an excellent trip!

 

[Shacka1]

$1709 in express passes, ONLY express passes so yes the premier resort will have to be the way to go! The express passes are double in June for some reason

I'm a Disney girl so I'm all new to this and still learning, I really appreciate you helping me!

 

[CAPSLOCK]

You have base tickets, meaning 1 park per day? The EP for one park is cheaper than the 2 park version. Although I agree 1 night at a premier hotel is the way to go if you want EP.

 

[Shacka1]

You have base tickets, meaning 1 park per day? The EP for one park is cheaper than the 2 park version. Although I agree 1 night at a premier hotel is the way to go if you want EP.

Thank you! It's only saves me $300 for the dates for June. So still out of my budget. I'll have to go another time

I appreciate everyone's help!

 

[Shacka1]

I think I'd have to have a bigger party to save money w a premier resort. It's coming in almost apples to apples no matter which dates I do

 

[Skippyboo]

OP, when you thinking about going. You may not actually need express passes. I know if you really need them for the water park. If you only do 1 park a day that probably cuts your need for express passes. You can rope drop do as much as you can, go back to hotel if you are onsite and come back later in the day. Park to Park is very helpful at Universal since the 2 parks are next to each other unlike Disney.

 

[Shacka1]

OP, when you thinking about going. You may not actually need express passes. I know if you really need them for the water park. If you only do 1 park a day that probably cuts your need for express passes. You can rope drop do as much as you can, go back to hotel if you are onsite and come back later in the day. Park to Park is very helpful at Universal since the 2 parks are next to each other unlike Disney.

Unfortunately I don't know anything about universal since we always do Disney which makes this more difficult! I was trying to make it Halloween week but rates were too high if I push it to the next week I found 307 a night at Royal Pacific, which is really good! I just want the kids to have a great time so I just wanted to make sure I was doing what was best for them as far as having the passes since I really don't know where I'm going or what I'm doing

 

[Skippyboo]

Unfortunately I don't know anything about universal since we always do Disney which makes this more difficult! I was trying to make it Halloween week but rates were too high if I push it to the next week I found 307 a night at Royal Pacific, which is really good! I just want the kids to have a great time so I just wanted to make sure I was doing what was best for them as far as having the passes since I really don't know where I'm going or what I'm doing

Try the middle part of September or late August. Halloween Horror Nights is big deal at Universal so it will be hard to find rooms around Halloween. Weekdays would be less crowded than weekends.

What’s the age range of your kids? Are they going to want to do the big coasters that Universal has or they are on the younger end where coasters aren’t really a big deal?

 

[Shacka1]

Try the middle part of September or late August. Halloween Horror Nights is big deal at Universal so it will be hard to find rooms around Halloween. Weekdays would be less crowded than weekends.

What’s the age range of your kids? Are they going to want to do the big coasters that Universal has or they are on the younger end where coasters aren’t really a big deal?

 

[Shacka1]

Thank you so much! Do you happen to know if we'll be able to do volcano Bay that time of year, it will be the first week in November.

Also do I have to make a park reservation like Disney or do we just buy tickets and we can decide what parks you want to do once we're there

 

[Skippyboo]

Thank you so much! Do you happen to know if we'll be able to do volcano Bay that time of year, it will be the first week in November.

Also do I have to make a park reservation like Disney or do we just buy tickets and we can decide what parks you want to do once we're there

No park reservations are needed. I don’t about Volcano Bay being open in November. Never been there. I would think you could buy the water park tickets when you are down there.

 

[Shacka1]

No park reservations are needed. I don’t about Volcano Bay being open in November. Never been there. I would think you could buy the water park tickets when you are down there.

Great! Thank you so much, you have been beyond helpful

 

[Skippyboo]

There is really less planning for a universal trip. No park reservations, dining reservations you can make while you are there except for a handful of restaurants. The security screening is before you get to the parks. Everything is closer together so it’s not such a hassle getting around.

 

[georgina]

Thank you so much! Do you happen to know if we'll be able to do volcano Bay that time of year, it will be the first week in November.

Also do I have to make a park reservation like Disney or do we just buy tickets and we can decide what parks you want to do once we're there

We did VB over Thanksgiving weekend. It is definitely open in November, can be a little cool in the morning but if it is sunny the afternoon will be nice. Probably less crowded in Nov also.

 

[coronationday]

Volcano Bay is open year round but during the winter months the park opens later and closes earlier and if Universal doesn't like the climate they may not open some days. I went for a week in July of last year without express and was able to do everything I wanted in two days. If your kids are a bit older you can take advantage of single rider (Hulk, Mummy, Gringotts, Men In Black, and some other rides). Also, if you are staying onsite take advantage of early park admission you can do a lot in that first hour. For example we did Minions, Gringotts and Mummy before the park officially opened.

 

[Shacka1]

There is really less planning for a universal trip. No park reservations, dining reservations you can make while you are there except for a handful of restaurants. The security screening is before you get to the parks. Everything is closer together so it’s not such a hassle getting around.

Yes! I keep feeling like I'm missing something or forgetting something, it's SO much easier!