Express pass during Thanksgiving

[bnts1993]

We are going to go to Universal 11/23-11/24 if we book at offsite we can not get express pass until the 25th which is the day we check into Disney. I have never been to Universal so my questions are:

1. are the hotels that include EP blacked out for the holiday too?
2. are the EP waits going to be short even if it is busy due to the holiday?
3. is it worth paying so much more to stay onsite just for the EP?

My husband and I are not line waiters, we would much rather not go if it will be busy so I wanted to know from someone who has been to Universal.

 

[Metro West]

The holiday itself isn't too bad but starting Friday...madhouse all weekend. Having unlimited Express access will definitely come in handy those days but you will still have some lines. I can't tell you how long the waits will be but expect 15 minutes at a minimum for most attractions...even with Express.

 

[the Dark Marauder]

We are going to go to Universal 11/23-11/24 if we book at offsite we can not get express pass until the 25th which is the day we check into Disney. I have never been to Universal so my questions are:

1. are the hotels that include EP blacked out for the holiday too?
2. are the EP waits going to be short even if it is busy due to the holiday?
3. is it worth paying so much more to stay onsite just for the EP?

My husband and I are not line waiters, we would much rather not go if it will be busy so I wanted to know from someone who has been to Universal.

1) Hotel express is never blacked out during normal park hours/situations. It's Not Honored at three rides: Forbidden Journey, Rockit, and P-Flyers. It is Not Valid for HHN or RTU, as those are separately ticketed events.

2) Thanksgiving Day itself is a great day to go to the parks. Express lines and regular lines won't be too long (15 or less for Express, 30-60 for regular lines). The Fri/Sat after Expect regular lines to be 60-90+ minutes and Express lines to be 15-30 minutes. 25,000-30,000+ people go each park on that weekend.

3) Yes. Especially since you'll have no restrictions, and you can take a mid-day nap (recommended) when the crowds are at their peak (12-5).