Express pass if don't care about HP?

[thearn]

Will just be my 14yr old son and I in July. We plan to do both parks in one day. We love roller coasters so they are our main objective. Do we need to purchase Express passes? We could easily skip HP. Hoping most of the crowds will be there....lol.

Also, on the Universal site, I could not tell what the difference is in the 19.99,24.99...etc, express passes were.

Any advice is appreciated.

 

[mysparky]

The variation in price has to do with the day you go. For instance, at the end of August and through most of Sept & Oct (excluding weekends) the 1 day/2 park express pass is $25.99. Unfortunately, July is peak season and peak pricing which means the 1 day/2 park express pass is $55.99 each (wow!).

The thing you should also know about the express pass is that it only provides you with 1 express pass per ride. In other words, you'd only be able to use it once on Hulk, once on mummy, etc. In addition, as of right now, the Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit coaster (RRR) doesn't have an express line setup yet.

IMHO, If the express pass was less expensive, then maybe it would worthwhile, but at $112 (plus tax) for the two of you, it hardly seems worthwhile. To make the most of your day, you should absolutely plan on being there at opening (or even a little before)and hit the big coasters first. That will be your best bet for shortest lines on the coasters. Think of it this way, many will be at HP first thing but as they finish up, those same crowds will move over to the thrillers and the wait times will increase dramatically.

I'd also suggest that you look through the boards for suggested touring plans for the coasters.

 

[abooch]

I have a question about express too...I'm going the end of August for two days...staying offsite...I want to get express pass for at least one day...Should I wait until i get to the park to purchase?

 

[hpfan100]

use single rider lines instead of express and go early to the busiest rides that do not have single rides then visit other rides and shows after that

single ride lines at IofA
Spiderman, Dr. Doom, Hulk, Jurassic Park River, Dudley Do Right

single ride lines at US
Mummy, MIB, Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit

less popular/busy rides at IofA
poseidon's Fury, Sinbad show, rat Barges, dudley do right, storm force

less popular/busy rides at US
ET, Jaws, twister, disater, fear factor, horror makeup

shows/rides that hold many riders and are easy to get into
horror make up, terminator 2, animal actors, barney, beetlejuice, jaws, twister, jimmy neutron, shrek, disaster, poseidon fury, sinbad

Simpsons will have a wait and is worth it if start on US side then do there first. If you start on IofA I would start with spidey and then hulk etc.
Wednesday I rode spidey, hulk, cat in hat, suess trolley, Jp, dudley all by 9:45 since most people were in line for HP.

 

[hpfan100]

I have a question about express too...I'm going the end of August for two days...staying offsite...I want to get express pass for at least one day...Should I wait until i get to the park to purchase?

either way works the price is the same

 

[Metro West]

I have a question about express too...I'm going the end of August for two days...staying offsite...I want to get express pass for at least one day...Should I wait until i get to the park to purchase?

Yes...you should wait to see what the lines are like before spending the money. EPs are non-refundable and date specific. EPs can be purchased at several locations in each park.

Will just be my 14yr old son and I in July. We plan to do both parks in one day. We love roller coasters so they are our main objective. Do we need to purchase Express passes? We could easily skip HP. Hoping most of the crowds will be there....lol.

Also, on the Universal site, I could not tell what the difference is in the 19.99,24.99...etc, express passes were.

Any advice is appreciated.

Express Plus passes are priced based on the anticipated crowd levels for that particular day...the higher the crowd level...the more expensive the EP is. If you're looking to do mainly the coasters, you should be fine w/o the EP but you should arrive at opening so you can get a jump on the crowds. The only coaster you'll have a problem with is Dragon Challenge since that's located in WWoHP where the crowds will be. You shouldn't have an issue at the Studios. Again...I would wait until you arrive to purchase since you may not need them if you aren't concerned about WWoHP.

 

[MadeToLove]

Skip Dueling Dragons until after dark. You can't get near WWoHp without waiting in long lines just to enter until early evening, then you can generally just walk right in.

And if you see a large group of teens wearing matching shirts heading in one direction, you should go the other way. I saw lots of school groups this week (as well as the annual Brazilian student groups), and as long as you weren't where they were, the lines moved pretty quickly, but these groups like to ride things together and clog up the lines.