Express Pass for a Tues Mid-May at IOA/Universal

[okienick]

Trying to decide if I will need the express pass if we are trying to do both parks in one day. We are only planning on going for one day but haven't bought tix yet. What will crowds be like on a Tues? We won't do any water rides or shows, maybe 1 or 2 "kid rides", mainly HP and the other thrill rides in both parks. Will do Shrek, Despicable Me and Simpsons, prob MIB & ET too. I've done this before and been able to do most everything. Just wondering if I need to spend the money for the Express Pass. Also wondering if maybe I should do the unlimited express pass ticket option on the universal website. Can you add an unlimited express pass to a ticket you don't buy from universal? I will probably buy a military ticket. Thanks in advance!

 

[Lynne G]

Never been in May, but most of us say to wait and buy in the park if you think you need it after seeing the crowds. Express pass has nothing to do with your ticket. Also, if you buy, remember, park specfic, day specific and NO refunds.

Most of us look at the price of the express pass. Generally around $50 or less, I'd say USO isn't thinking the crowds are coming. Beware though, I have seen the price change, as USO does sometimes change its expectation of the crowds.

Note: I have used military tickets. Found them to be slightly cheaper than even Undercovertourist.com

Have a great time. We enjoy the parks, and are so looking forward to what they are building.

 

[Orreed]

May might be more crowded than January, but we avoided long lines. The only two long ones where Harry Simpsons, which where only about 30 minutes. Everything else was under 15 minutes or I used single rider. Single Rider is great if you don't mind sitting alone. It really cuts down the lines. I got to ride Mummy 3 times with virtually no wait. I arrived ten minutes on a Thursday before opening and left at 4:30, doing all the headliners excluding water rides.

 

[Metro West]

Trying to decide if I will need the express pass if we are trying to do both parks in one day. We are only planning on going for one day but haven't bought tix yet. What will crowds be like on a Tues? We won't do any water rides or shows, maybe 1 or 2 "kid rides", mainly HP and the other thrill rides in both parks. Will do Shrek, Despicable Me and Simpsons, prob MIB & ET too. I've done this before and been able to do most everything. Just wondering if I need to spend the money for the Express Pass. Also wondering if maybe I should do the unlimited express pass ticket option on the universal website. Can you add an unlimited express pass to a ticket you don't buy from universal? I will probably buy a military ticket. Thanks in advance!

May generally isn't busy...just stay away from Memorial Day weekend. Since EPs and tickets are completely separate, you can purchase an EP for any ticket but wait until you arrive to purchase...you might not need them.

 

[okienick]

May generally isn't busy...just stay away from Memorial Day weekend. Since EPs and tickets are completely separate, you can purchase an EP for any ticket but wait until you arrive to purchase...you might not need them.

Thanks Metro West! I'm wondering if we should hit Harry first or the end of the day. I read some trip reports and one suggested waiting until the end of the day instead of first thing. We have to leave by 530 or so since we have a 730 dinner reservation at Disney. My basic plan is this in this order, maybe riding more than once if lines are short or if we get express pass:

Harry Potter
Dueling Dragons
Spiderman
Hulk
Cat in the Hat (maybe, depending on time)
Lunch at Mythos
Poseidon's Fury (maybe, depending on time)
Rip-Ride Rocket
Despicable Me
Shrek
Mummy
Disaster?
MIB
Simpsons
ET
Twister?

I'm thinking about getting express pass anyway just to ensure we can ride some things a couple of times. Can you buy the unlimited express pass online? I'm thinking we might just do the regular one for sure. If we wait to get it there, how long will the lines be to get an express pass? Also, should we get a locker at the entrance to Islands of A instead of opting for the ones at Harry Potter?

 

[macraven]

i've gone in mid May and found it very enjoyable.

stay away from weekends and fridays.




weekends bring in more peeps.
fridays bring in the school field trips to the parks.

usually, T,W,Th are great days in the parks if you had to zero in on specific days.