Express Pass for One Day?

[SoKatriotic]

I'll be going to Universal for one day in August and I plan on getting a park-to-park ticket. I know that Express Pass is not valid for Harry Potter rides, but do you think it is worth getting for the day? I have a limited repertoire for rides that I will ride so I usually find a ride I like and then ride that ride multiple times. I've never been before to Universal before but based on reviews, I will probably ride Men in Black, Despicable Me, Spider-Man, Transformers, and then the other easyish rides in the two parks. I plan to be at Universal from open to almost close. Thoughts on getting Express Pass for the day?

 

[macraven]

If you want rerides you need to buy the unlimited
standard ep is good for one time only on rides

 

[SoKatriotic]

I will definitely buy the unlimited version. Overall, is it worth the investment for Express Pass for one day at Universal or am I better off just riding what I can ride using standby lines and hoping for the best (but also saving a significant amount of money)? I am happy to spend the extra money if it is worth it!

 

[thegajone]

Given your specific situation, it sounds to me like it'd be worth it -- especially if you are going in early to mid August opposed to late August. EP will save you quite a bit of time on those rides you specifically named, at least in my experience.

 

[mkwj]

Somebody else can clarify but don't most of the rides have a single rider line? I haven't used them so I am not sure. Also when in August are you going? If it is the last week lines may not be that bad.

 

[kohlby]

Agree that the week in August makes a huge difference. Southeast schools are back in session by the end. I'm in SC and most of the state goes back the third Monday of August. I'm on the border and everyone I know in GA has always gone back well before then. I looked up FL schools once and their start dates were close to SC.

You can buy Express Pass when in the parks too. Many rides have single rider - but those lines aren't always open. You'll know better what the crowds are like and how well you can use single rider when you're actually in the park.

 

[Minniesgal]

In August I wouldn't even think about going without express pass. Especially if you only have 1 day

 

[thegajone]

To give you an idea, I went last month on a day where the "crowd calendars" said the crowds would be a 5/10 -- not unlike you might see in late August (though you could very well see lighter crowds than that). We did the single-use EP and rode everything in both parks with a little time to spare, without getting there at rope-drop or staying until close. If we hadn't purchased EP we certainly wouldn't have been able to do that. Many of the rides actually didn't save any time -- we entered the queue past the point where the EP and standard lines merge -- but some rides it saved us up to 45 minutes compared to the posted wait time. The rides where the most time was saved were Spider-Man and Transformers -- 2 of the rides you listed that you'd want to ride more than once.

 

[schumigirl]

We wouldn't do anytime without EP.......even at quiet times the queues can be horrendous......

Despicable Me reached 60-90 minutes by 9.30am on supposed quiet days in Spetember last year........we have never experienced regular queues taking longer or not having an advantage by using EP. With EP longest we have waited for that ride was under 10 minutes when the regular queue was over 110 minutes.

You have one day, absolutely no question........get the EP! It will make such a difference.......

Kong will be open then, so definitely no guarantees late August will be quieter anyway. It will bring in more crowds.

 

[johde]

Instead of deciding now, you can always wait and decide once you get to the parks. If the lines aren't bad, you saved money. The down side is if more people buy express passes the price could go up.