Express pass question, please!

[sksjasams]

We are hopefully considering our first visit to US/IOA in mid January 2013.

We would be doing 4 disney days and 2 universal days. Staying offsite for the week with a rental car. It would be me, DH and DS(will be 14 by then).

If we bought the express pass for each of us, could we all go on some of the rides, but then on rides that DH and I do not want to go on, could DS use our express passes to ride 2 extra times?

Thanks for your help!

 

[Metro West]

We are hopefully considering our first visit to US/IOA in mid January 2013.

We would be doing 4 disney days and 2 universal days. Staying offsite for the week with a rental car. It would be me, DH and DS(will be 14 by then).

If we bought the express pass for each of us, could we all go on some of the rides, but then on rides that DH and I do not want to go on, could DS use our express passes to ride 2 extra times?

Thanks for your help!

EPs are not attached to a person so as long as you haven't used the EP more than once per attraction you should be fine. January isn't usually crowded so you may not need them. Wait until you arrive to see what the lines are like before spending the money.

 

[Maytrix]

I think you would be far better off staying onsite one night for the 2 days you are doing universal. Cost would probably be similar to staying offsite when you add in the cost of the express passes.

I honestly don't understand why anyone who needs a hotel wouldn't do this and would buy the passes. Don't compare dollar for dollar though - the Express pass you get with the room is far more valuable. And if you are visiting the park Sat and Sun, just stay onsite Saturday and you get the express for both days and its unlimited use. I stayed in 3 different hotels last trip - the express pass and savings were well worth the swapping of rooms.

You might even want to look at one annual pass. You'd get free parking (if you still decided to stay offsite), discounts on food and 15% savings on tickets purchased at the park. Plus hotel discounts. Worth looking into at least.

 

[sksjasams]

Thank you both for the advice! I am glad to hear DS could use our unwanted rides on the big thrillers. Staying onsite is not in our budget, but I'm sure that is a great way to go. We will wait to buy the EPs until we see how the crowds are.

Thanks again!!

 

[Maytrix]

Just be sure you do the math on the hotel.

You can sometimes get rates for $220 or somewhere around there (last trip for me was $300/night though).

If you look at 3 express passes, Depending on when you go it could cost between $35 and $70 per pass (2 park). So for 4 people, you could be looking at $140 and $280 or somewhere in between.

Add that to the room rate you are paying and you may find it will be more cost effective to stay onsite the one night. And when you factor express for 2 days, the value you get really adds up ($280 - $560 in value!). Remember, you just need 1 night onsite.

 

[damo]

Technically, you aren't supposed to transfer your purchased EP (that's what it says on the back of the ticket) but people do because there is no ID connected to them.


It is definitely often cheaper to stay for one night at an onsite hotel and get free UNLIMITED express passes, than to stay offsite and purchase it for the two days. Especially because you are planning to do two days there anyways. Staying onsite will also get you early admission. You can check in very early the first day and get your early admission for both days as well.