Express pass or book a room?

[drag n' fly]

We moved our June trip to next March. It is during our spring break but a month before Easter. There is 7 of us going and we are staying offsite. Is it cheaper to book 2 rooms or get the express pass (I am assuming we will need them) for everyone? (not sure of cost thx)?

 

[eeyorefanuk]

In our case, we are going in August, and priced up two day's worth of express passes for 8 of us, and it was dearer than staying at the universal hotel with the passes included for one night. I think also if you stay there you can get into the parks an hour early

Guess what we are doing

 

[MTMom]

Also, if you stay at a Universal hotel, you get unlimited rides with their express passes and you get two days worth (day you check in, and day you check out). We are booking a room, it works out much cheaper for us.

 

[JenNel85]

I was in the same predicament. We're traveling as a group of three adults (one of whom is a crazed Harry Potter fan ), and I wanted to add the Express Plus Passes to the tickets for our trip this August so that we could see and do the most we could during our limited time at the Universal parks.

Turns out that two days of passes for three adults in IOA and US in mid-August came out to $255.

One night at the Royal Pacific Resort, without AAA or any other discounts, came out to $275.

For $20 more, we opted to take the night in a nice resort, unlimited FOTL access for most of the rides/attractions, and one hour early entry into WWoHP.

 

[A Mickeyfan]

I would do onsite.. not only will you get the FOTL but you get it as many times as you want. You can get to the parks much easier than walking from that God awful parking lot, you at times also get early entry.. so if your choices are purchase express pass or stay onsite for FOTL.. I would go with onsite hands down

 

[divawife]

We were going for the same idea-cheaper to get a room than buy the passes but...we have never been to either Universal or Islands. I understand that you miss a whole lot of the ride's theme if you don't wait in the regular line. That the passes let you bypass the whole que entertainment or background story. We will be there for 2 days 1 park per day. So know I don't what do do. We are going in Feb and the prices aren't out yet anyway.
Is it true about the lines? Do you lose something if you don't go on them?