Express Pass Hot Take: You don't need them, even when it's busy.

[sandam1]

I have never been in an EP line that has been longer than the regular line, that would be annoying, but as I said, never experienced that in all our visits.

Just to clarify (so it doesn't get lost), my experience in January was switching from the EP line to the single rider line.

Probably a large part of my perspective is that we use single rider lines a lot. Other than going through the regular line of Forbidden Journey and Gringotts once per trip for the experience, we use them almost exclusively. Don't get me wrong, I really enjoy spending time with my travel companions (that's why I travel with them), but we're 100% okay with splitting up for 3-5 minutes to ride separately if it means less waiting in line.

 

[schumigirl]

Just to clarify (so it doesn't get lost), my experience in January was switching from the EP line to the single rider line.

Probably a large part of my perspective is that we use single rider lines a lot. Other than going through the regular line of Forbidden Journey and Gringotts once per trip for the experience, we use them almost exclusively. Don't get me wrong, I really enjoy spending time with my travel companions (that's why I travel with them), but we're 100% okay with splitting up for 3-5 minutes to ride separately if it means less waiting in line.

Completely get what you mean.

We however have no interest in using single rider as we do always like to ride together, but for those who don`t have EP single rider is certainly a good option.

 

[sandam1]

For me, park-to-park is a necessity. It's not just riding the Hogwarts Express (although that is probably my favorite HP ride as it feels the most magical/authentic), but having the freedom to do whatever I want whenever I want.

If a park gets crowded or we've done what we want to on one side, hop over to the other. If I want a snack that's in the other park, let's do it. The wait time for a big ride (usually Hagrid's) is unusually low, let's go for it. We treat Universal as one big park and move between them freely and often.

 

[DoryGirl1963]

Very well put sandam1! Agree with OP, too.

It's only me & the hubs & we're pretty patient folks with lines. We don't generally reride any rides in one day - HagrId's is the exception because it' sthe best ride EVER to me - and we're local AP holders, so lots of flexibility. We booked Hard Rock at Christmas thinking we'd need the EPs due to crowds, but although we did use them a few times because hey, we paid a fortune to stay at a Premier instead of CBBR or SF which is where we really like, so gotta use 'em - they were nice a couple times, we really didn't need them - we always stay for multiple days on site & have plenty of time. I'd rather stay where I want to stay without them

Having said that, totally get their desirability for short 1-2 day trips and if you like to ride rides over and over again or have folks in your party for which waiting in line is problematic

 

[schumigirl]

For me, park-to-park is a necessity. It's not just riding the Hogwarts Express (although that is probably my favorite HP ride as it feels the most magical/authentic), but having the freedom to do whatever I want whenever I want.

If a park gets crowded or we've done what we want to on one side, hop over to the other. If I want a snack that's in the other park, let's do it. The wait time for a big ride (usually Hagrid's) is unusually low, let's go for it. We treat Universal as one big park and move between them freely and often.

Before we got an AP many years ago, our UK 14 day park ticket was always park to park, so I completely agree.

We treat the parks as one big park and like to go between the two on any given day, well before the Hogwarts Express.

We do regularly re-ride several rides over again too which adds to the advantage for us with the EP.

But, again, it`s nice there is a choice for all tastes and budgets.....

 

[RamblingMad]

Just to clarify (so it doesn't get lost), my experience in January was switching from the EP line to the single rider line.

Probably a large part of my perspective is that we use single rider lines a lot. Other than going through the regular line of Forbidden Journey and Gringotts once per trip for the experience, we use them almost exclusively. Don't get me wrong, I really enjoy spending time with my travel companions (that's why I travel with them), but we're 100% okay with splitting up for 3-5 minutes to ride separately if it means less waiting in line.

Same.

And we usually end up on the same vehicle ride too. We're just not next to each other. No big deal.

 

[PezRuth]

And the Hogwarts Express is pretty much a walk on at lunch too, so that's a good time to switch parks.

That was definitely not the case last week for a couple of days. We went to King's Cross at 1 and the wait was around 60 minutes without express and that was at 12:30. It was like that on Thursday but most of the rest of our week.

 

[SPJoeG]

@sandam1 we are very much on the same page. Your post was a good reminder that I wanted to dedicate more time to letting my son use his wand. Another fun thing that doesn't require EPs.

You might have made my point better than I did. To boil it down... Don't let a lack of EPs stop you from coming to the Parks!

 

[sandam1]

Hagrod's is the exception because it' sthe best ride EVER to me

Sing it, sister! I 100% agree on this! Hagrid's is the one ride that I will grab anytime that it is under 60 minutes and if single rider is open. I know that single rider is sometimes just as long (or longer) than the regular line, but I'm uncomfortable in the closed in spaces of the regular line (particular since COVID) and like being able to lean against the wall (or sit on the steps) and play on my phone to pass the time.

Now when Hagrid's finally gets Express Pass, that might tip the scale for me on the EP. (Think of it, two days of all Hagrid's all the time!)

 

[schumigirl]

Don't let a lack of EPs stop you from coming to the Parks!

I don`t think that would put folks off going to the parks.

Most know ahead of time where they are staying and whether they`ll have EP or not.

 

[RamblingMad]

That was definitely not the case last week for a couple of days. We went to King's Cross at 1 and the wait was around 60 minutes without express and that was at 12:30. It was like that on Thursday but most of the rest of our week.

You're going during spring break. I tend to hit theme parks for Halloween stuff, so I go in Q4.

I usually eat lunch around 11:30a, so I'm getting on the train around 11a. Try eating an earlier lunch.

 

[PrincessWithABlaster]

Do I NEED it, no. Do I want it, yes.

As a family of 5 we’re unlikely to ever buy it but staying premier ends up being a great value. The cost of EPs for the family is always more than the cost of the room. It’s like buy one, get one free for us.

Having EP allows me to be flexible and not plan. The lines are going to be reasonable - I just need to figure out when to do VC and Hagrid’s. Otherwise I’d be trying to figure out how to minimize waiting in line by ordering the rides. With the cost of flights and food and tickets, it would be hard for me not to try to maximize my time. EP lets me relax more which is really, really nice.

 

[Skywalker3]

We are actually going to experiment with this concept next week. Haven't really done Universal w/o Express/on site Premier since maybe 2010ish. Often, on arrival night, we go over just go get tickets activated, while staying at a non premier, and do a couple rides. But never have tried whole days or a whole trip w/o Express.....Well....we are attempting this next week. We have 1 night at endless summer ,and 2 nights at Aventura. no express. Kinda pessimistic about the rides/waits, but still looking VERY forward to this getaway and enjoying all the other things; mardi gras, food, drinks, HP stuff, etc. Son wants rides though. We totally plan to rope drop/do early entry , and at least do VC, Hagrids, and maybe a couple rides, before the crowds swell. This is a new concept for us....

 

[Westerner]

That was definitely not the case last week for a couple of days. We went to King's Cross at 1 and the wait was around 60 minutes without express and that was at 12:30. It was like that on Thursday but most of the rest of our week.

Second this. Had a couple 30+ minute waits for HWEx in express lane in mid afternoon this week.

 

[wdwrule]

We are actually going to experiment with this concept next week. Haven't really done Universal w/o Express/on site Premier since maybe 2010ish. Often, on arrival night, we go over just go get tickets activated, while staying at a non premier, and do a couple rides. But never have tried whole days or a whole trip w/o Express.....Well....we are attempting this next week. We have 1 night at endless summer ,and 2 nights at Aventura. no express. Kinda pessimistic about the rides/waits, but still looking VERY forward to this getaway and enjoying all the other things; mardi gras, food, drinks, HP stuff, etc. Son wants rides though. We totally plan to rope drop/do early entry , and at least do VC, Hagrids, and maybe a couple rides, before the crowds swell. This is a new concept for us....

We have done both… premiere resorts and non-premiere. Experiencing different hotels for various stays are part of the fun for us. I think you have a great plan with early morning, especially during a busy time. If you’re comfortable with single rider lines and it sounds like you’re a seasoned UO guest, SR lines can end up being your best friend. We accomplish soooo many things at the parks during short weekend stays utilizing SR line and early morning. It’s nice to have those options when you’d like to use them. SR lines aren’t always open though, but we find it’s rare when they’re not (or there’s already a super short standby wait). Hagrid’s is typically the longest wait in general, but there’s no express for that anyways as of yet. Another possible option if you visit frequently is to upgrade an AP to premiere level where you have limited EP after 4:00 daily.

 

[PezRuth]

Second this. Had a couple 30+ minute waits for HWEx in express lane in mid afternoon this week.
[/QUOTET
Thanks. Also I apologize if I misunderstood the person's original comment on lunch time but in my mind lunch time is around 12-1 which is when it was busy.

 

[DisneyMom93]

Personally, I would not want to do Universal without EPs even though we tend to go when it's considered less crowded.
As a family of four we don't find Single Rider lines the way to go to cut down the ride line wait. We enjoy riding the rides together. (When I was reading that one particular post about not needing EP I was like Wait... What? How do they get a shorter wait than EP line??? And then I saw the Single Rider explanation and I was like Oh... Okay... Yeah, no.)

We do stay at the Premier resorts though to get the EPs included. Of course the hotel rates make a difference. We find the rate we pay per night for all four of us to be worth it.

Hoping when the AP rates come out that we can pay even less this year. We bought APs this year for the first time... hoping we can make another trip within the AP year to make the trip an even better value.

 

[thevolcanogod]

Have done Universal with and without EP - usually during the same trip as we usually book a day in the Hard Rock to use EP for 2/5 days.

For trips during summer and spring break during “peak” times - I never felt EP was needed. Its nice to have and lets us just do what we want so it adds to relaxation. But it’s not even close to required imo. If you plan and arrive early/stay late - you can do 90% without much wait and the times you wait aren’t more than 30-45 mins.

Definitely agree that it’s not like Disney. Use your smarts to plan things. Of course Despicable Me is going to be huge lines when the park opens - it’s like the first ride you see - so bust to the back of the park and ride things with practically no wait - Gringotts - MIB - hardly any wait while people congregate at the front. Just one example but it doesn’t take too much planning.

 

[Jrb1979]

I almost always buy EP but then again I buy skip the line passes at all parks I go to. Partially due to hate waiting in lines and I like to re-ride things a lot. Last time at Universal I rode the Mummy 12 times in 2 days.

I'm surprised at the love for Hagrids when the best coaster in the park now is Velicoaster.

 

[Squirlz]

We started going in 2012 when there were only the 3 hotels, all with EP. We love RPR and wouldn't want to stay in a non-Premier. One thing we do every day is ride Men in Black over and over for a couple hours, trying to get that max-out. EP makes that easy.