Express Pass Info please!!!

[wendypooh]

Ok, I've tried to read the post on here pertaining to this subject...... can someone clear it up for me. We are staying at the RP, and so I know we get hotl, all day every day of our stay. Got that. However, we are also AP holders. My ??? if we were NOT staying onsite, how does the pass system work??? On another post some are free, some you pay for??? It's all very confusing, so could someone clear it up for me!!!! Thanks a lot.

 

[the Dark Marauder]

Express can be very confusing...

As you already know RPR, HRH, and PBH room keys get unlimited all-day express with their room key.

If you're not on-site, express can be obtained in two ways:

(1)Free Express. This is the standard express pass. Anybody can get it, for all you need is your admission ticket/AP. You scan the mag stripe or barcode at the express machines and you choose what attraction (if more than one is available) and what time you want to return (if there are enough time slots). You'll then get a white, printed ticket with your return time. You can only get one pass per ticket, unless a special promotion is running. You can be up to 5 minutes early or as late as 30 minutes after the hour window. These express aren't always available at park open. Some dont open till 10. All express machines close when: (A)The maximum amount of tickets have been distributed for the day. (B)It's 2-3 hours before the park closes. (C) There's bad weather. With these express, you can get one every 1-2 hours.

(2)Paid Express.These express passes are purchased for a price (anywhere from $10-$25) and are VERY specific about their use/limitations. Each person in your party must have a pass. Passes are printed onto a ticket which looks exactly like a park ticket, but it says "ISLANDS EXPRESS" "STUDIO EXPRESS" or possibly "COMBO" on it. The "COMBO" one is the only one valid at both parks. Well, that and the "BONUS PLUS EXPRESS" which is also available. Each pass is good for ONE express admission per attraction per day. Each pass is dated. If you try to re-use it, the scanners will show that it's already been used. Plus many places mark that you've been there already, so they know they can't re-admit. It says in the fine print that the ticket is good only one per attraction and that it is only valid in the park it was issued for.

Funny story: Today, I was calmly explaining to this lady that her Disney Assitance pass isn't valid and she got all mad at me! I explained to her that the GKTW pin her daughter had was fine, but the Disney pass (I even pointed it out to her) was no good. I did laugh it off later.

 

[wendypooh]

YOU are GREAT!!! You actually explained it so I can understand it. WOW, Give this guy ( I'm guessing your a guy) or gal, a raise........ Thank You so much. We are going to the RP in aug. and DM and DDad, are coming for the day, so with us having fotl I wanted to make sure at some point we could all go together on the rides. This explained it all perfectly. I appreciate it. Do you work at disney, I'm guessing you do??? Anyway, the mouse would be proud!!!

Seriously, Thanks!!!

 

[the Dark Marauder]

I've worked at Universal for 4 years now. I've learned much and have made sure to acquire as much info on many things (IE express) as possible. I take pride in having so much info-more than your average employee, if I say so myself. I'm even fairly knowledgeable about the Citywalk restaurants and even a lot of the stuff on I-Drive. Someone once asked me about this wind tunnel attraction, and I was able to tell him exactly what he was looking for and how to get to it after he left IOA for the day.

And yes, I am a guy. A guy who knows his stuff!

 

[Scott2tune]

We are visiting both Universal & IA on one day Mon. Sept 29. We want to take in as much as possible.

Is the VIP tour an experience not be missed to see everything?

OR

Do you suggest simply getting the express pass for a 1 time front of line opportunity?

OR

Will both parks be quiet enough that we can see most everything in one day?

Thank-you all in advance.

 

[wendypooh]

Lucky for me you know your "stuff" and told me exactly what I needed to know. Not only do you know it, you know how to use it.............

I'm Joking....... see I'm getting way too giddy here, we need to hurry up and get there before I can't stand myself!!!!


Thanks again for your help, I appreciate it.

 

[the Dark Marauder]

Sept 29...Monday. Yes, both parks will be fairly slow. If you want to get all the main stuff in them, you can spring for the 1-day 2-park VIP tour. It's a bit expensive (I forget the price off-hand), and it can seem rushed (it depends, really), but it's an option. If you've got the budget for it, then take the tour. If not, the combo express (if available) will suffice.

And wendy, the help was no problem. I love giving out information and helping people.

 

[DisneyBoodawg]

According to Themeparks.com, if you have a multiple day pass, they you can get up to 3 express tickets at once. I will be down there in September. I only have one day left on the ticket (darn!) and was still hoping I could get up to 3 express tickets as soon as I entered the park. Does anyone know if this is still true?

Would love to come back for a second day. But, time will not allow. Hopefully, September is slow and I should be able to see most of the attractions. Having 3 express tickets would help my cause.

 

[the Dark Marauder]

No. The 3 express for multi-day ticket holders was introduced at the start of the express program. Now it's limited to one pass every 1-2 hours. The machines will even tell you when you can get your next pass.

 

[adrick]

The free express will be harder to get now that they have cut the amount of tickets that are given out by 65%. The express for Hulk and Spider-man run out around 11 in the morning now. River, Ripsaw, and Bluto's runs out around 1 in the afternoon. The amount was cut back because of the Express Plus that they are selling for $25. You have to get your express from the machines early before they run out

 

[Letsbgoofy]

I have friends who just got back from Universal. They were told (or at least they understood) that the only Express now is through the passes you buy. They tried their tickets at several booths and they could not get a pass. Any ideas on why this would be? They did see some people getting the free passes, but thought they had a "special" ticket as theirs didn't work in any of the machines.

I had to run and get on the boards as soon as I heard this to get the real story!!

 

[damo]

They probably couldn't get tickets from the kiosk because the express passes alloted for that day were all given out.

 

[the Dark Marauder]

Sometimes some tickets just wont scan in the machines. This is most common if the tickets are wet, bent/have a crease, or are the 14-Day flex tickets. Or if a ticket was acquired as a replacement, but they didnt go through the front gate, that can also cause problems. In any of those cases, they should see either a ride/show attendant, or an express attendant for assistance.

 

[adrick]

If they buy the express plus ticket they don't have to get a ticket from the express machines. They only have to present their ticket to the greeter at the attraction and they will be admitted to the express line. This is not explained that well by the people that are selling the tickets. The express plus ticket takes the place of the express ticket that they get from the machines. The best part of the express plus is that they can go to the attraction when they want. They can go to any attraction that has express once, but if they watch and if they don't scan their ticket they can go again.

 

[vellamint]

Is this like fastpass where you have to go to the attraction itself or can you go to any kiosk and request which ride you want?

Thanks.

 

[gschmerl]

Each attraction has it's own Express machines, like Fast Pass.They are located near the attraction.

 

[cheesewhizzy]

Dear Dark, With the express plus, what happens when you are ready to do the dueling dragon coasters. Does the express cover fire and ice ? Also, do you know anything about the kodak camera deal, does the ticket inside cover the same attractions as the express plus? Ok ..Dark..just one more,..where can you purchase the express combo and can you hop from park to park (I understand that you can only do one attraction a day) Now ..enlighten me Dark!

 

[BarryHom]

Originally posted by cheesewhizzy
Dear Dark, With the express plus, what happens when you are ready to do the dueling dragon coasters. Does the express cover fire and ice ? Also, do you know anything about the kodak camera deal, does the ticket inside cover the same attractions as the express plus? Ok ..Dark..just one more,..where can you purchase the express combo and can you hop from park to park (I understand that you can only do one attraction a day) Now ..enlighten me Dark!

The Express is just for Dueling Dragons. You enter the queue line at a point before the line breaks off to Fire and Ice. Then you choose which way you want to go.

I think the Kokak camera deal is like the Express Plus, but you can only use if at one park. for park hopping, you need to purchase a pass that allows park hopping.

BTW, it's not Dark, but Mr. Marauder.

 

[the Dark Marauder]

The express combo must be purchased wherever express plus is sold. However, I doubt you can find it online, so you'd have to check at the park. With it, you'd need a 2-park pass, then you'd be able to hop.

 

[Katies Dad]

We are leaving for the parks in 11 days, are getting the Annual Power Passes (2 adults and 1 child) would we be better waiting until we get to the US or IOA to see if we want to get these Express Plus Passes? Also I`m confused after reading all these threads, I thought it was 1 pass that each person needed and you could go on each ride once and go in the quick queue only on the day ypu buy the express plus pass. Am I right in understanding that there are other passes some booklets with blank passes and you can just buy a book and use them on the rides you want? are there books that have a lifespan of longer than one day (ie 2 -3 weeks), and are there books that can be used at both parks.

In theory they sould a good idea, but could work our pretty expensive if we have to buy three books each time we visit a park.

Can you help with my confusion.

Thanks