Express Pass During Easter Week

[johnf0614]

We are large family going to US/IOA for only 1 day during Easter week. The Express pass is currently priced on their website at $89.99. I realize the park is going to packed to capacity. Is it worth paying the extra 90 bucks for the express. Will it even matter being its a peak time in the park? Just trying to decide if its worth paying the $90 extra per person or not.

 

[patster734]

It might be worth checking onsite hotel rates for 1 night and get unlimited express the day you check in and the day you check out. Although I doubt that you'll find a good rate, if you are an AP holder or AAA member, you might find a discounted rate for either one. Some rooms can accomodate up to 5 people. There is an additional charge for each adult in a room after the initial 2.

 

[johnf0614]

It might be worth checking onsite hotel rates for 1 night and get unlimited express the day you check in and the day you check out. Although I doubt that you'll find a good rate, if you are an AP holder or AAA member, you might find a discounted rate for either one. Some rooms can accomodate up to 5 people. There is an additional charge for each adult in a room after the initial 2.

I looked into that already. For the day I need, it would actually be $270 more by getting the hotel, as there are 12 in our party.

 

[RMulieri]

Yes it is worth it in peak crowds.It will cut down any wait times considerably.

 

[johnf0614]

Yes it is worth it in peak crowds.It will cut down any wait times considerably.

Wow, thats a hard pill to swallow. The rate today is $89.99. For a family of 5 nearing $500 just for express passes for 1 day. Yikes...

 

[RMulieri]

Wow, thats a hard pill to swallow. The rate today is $89.99. For a family of 5 nearing $500 just for express passes for 1 day. Yikes...

It isn't cheap, and the price can go up( and sometimes it does),express pass price goes up with projected crowds.which is why many of us say that you need to look at resort prices, sometimes for larger groups /families it is cheaper to get a room .One night at a universal deluxe resort ( not the new resort Cabana Bay) gives you 2 days of the unlimited express pass.The pass you purchase is only good for once per attraction.
Now if you are there for park opening and have a good plan, there is a decent chance you can get alot done without the passes.But as the day goes on ,waits can easily be 90+ mins in standby vs maybe 15 mins in express.

 

[johnnyf0614]

It isn't cheap, and the price can go up( and sometimes it does),express pass price goes up with projected crowds.which is why many of us say that you need to look at resort prices, sometimes for larger groups /families it is cheaper to get a room .One night at a universal deluxe resort ( not the new resort Cabana Bay) gives you 2 days of the unlimited express pass.The pass you purchase is only good for once per attraction.
Now if you are there for park opening and have a good plan, there is a decent chance you can get alot done without the passes.But as the day goes on ,waits can easily be 90+ mins in standby vs maybe 15 mins in express.

Yeah I hear what you are saying. Unfortunately I would need to book 3 rooms, as there is 12 of us altogether. The price of each room is $420. So unfortunately it would be worth it to me to book the room, only for the express pass privelege.

 

[mom2AidanAndEli]

Yeah I hear what you are saying. Unfortunately I would need to book 3 rooms, as there is 12 of us altogether. The price of each room is $420. So unfortunately it would be worth it to me to book the room, only for the express pass privelege.

But if you're paying $89.99 per person x 12 people, aren't you in the same ballpark as just paying for the room? And the room gets you unlimited access all day. The $89.99 pass is only good for one time per ride. At least I believe that's how it works!

 

[johnnyf0614]

But if you're paying $89.99 per person x 12 people, aren't you in the same ballpark as just paying for the room? And the room gets you unlimited access all day. The $89.99 pass is only good for one time per ride. At least I believe that's how it works!

It's about $200 more, so essentially I'm paying $105 for each person to have unlimited fast pass for the 1 day.

 

[martymcflyy85]

Exactly how bad will the lines be during Easter week? With express I mean. Are you still looking at 30 minute waits even with express?

 

[mom2febgirls]

Exactly how bad will the lines be during Easter week? With express I mean. Are you still looking at 30 minute waits even with express?

We were there last week (through Christmas day) and it was very busy. We had minimal waits on almost all the rides with express pass. We did wait 30-40 minutes (2x) for the Despicable Me ride (standby was 140 minutes), but my older daughter rode Rip Ride Rocket 4 times in a row while the standby line was long (express pass is only unlimited if you are staying onsite, otherwise you only get to use it once)

Early entry at WWoHP is also a benefit of staying onsite. We got in at 7:30 while the park didn't open until 9:00 for offsite guests.

 

[atricks]

It's about $200 more, so essentially I'm paying $105 for each person to have unlimited fast pass for the 1 day.

If you use the hotel express pass, you get it for 2 days (or, number of nights staying + 1)

 

[RMulieri]

Exactly how bad will the lines be during Easter week? With express I mean. Are you still looking at 30 minute waits even with express?

It varies..Standby lines though were 90-120 mins or more for quite a few of the headliner attractions.

 

[Metro West]

It varies..Standby lines though were 90-120 mins or more for quite a few of the headliner attractions.

Right...Spring Break/Easter season is another time I don't go to the parks due to the crowds.

 

[macraven]

i went once to the darkside during spring break and never again.


the lines at hhn compared to spring break were a piece of cake......


it's more than just the ride lines waits that keep me away from the parks at spring break times.
the waits for the restrooms, walking in the park, the food counters, the packed hotels, etc........

my trips to the darkside are more than just being in the parks.
all parts of UO are effected when it is totally crowded.

 

[aubriee]

How bad would March 21st-31st be? Our spring break here is the second week of March. Not sure about the rest of the country. Does spring break usually affect the very end of March?

 

[RMulieri]

How bad would March 21st-31st be? Our spring break here is the second week of March. Not sure about the rest of the country. Does spring break usually affect the very end of March?

Spring breaks are spread throughout march and usually thru whenever Easter falls.Crowds can peak and ebb each week, but in general march can be busier

 

[macraven]

yes, end of March can be really busy.

look at the dates and rates for the onsite hotels.
if they are higher than what you are used to paying, it could be a sign that is due to a high expectation of large crowds.
also look at the EP costs for your dates, another indicator.

 

[carriemd]

How many people do the family suites sleep? Did you look at booking two of those?

 

[glocon]

Or maybe look into a 2 day visit since if you booked rooms you would have express passes for 2 days.