express pass questions?

[jenseib]

We are going to Universal Mar 26-30. We will only have 3 actual days in the parks. I have a 3 day prk to park ticket. I am assuming it's going to be a busy week and now I am wondering if i should add the express plus pass to at least 1 day, maybe 2?

What rides actually take this. I am sure it will reduce wait times, and I figured in the 1 or 2 days we have it we could ride all those rides first, then tackle ones that don't have it. I haven't been to Universal since 1999 and never ti IoA, and this is such a last minute trip, that I am scrambling to learn all I can.
We are staying off site as my husband didn't want to spend another $1000-$1200 more to stay onsite, since we are only going if we could make it cheap. But he has worries about the parks since he has never been there. (He thinks he will be bored ) and I am thinking he may really enjoy having the express pass to cut out some of the waits and do more things.

Any thoughts are greatly appreciated.

 

[RMulieri]

t can definitely help in high crowds. Be aware that the price of it goes up as the projected crowd levels do.It is also PARK AND DATE specific.So don't buy it unless you are POSITIVE you need it.There are no exchanges or refunds.It is only good for ONE ride per attraction.It is accepted at all shows and atttractions EXCEPT
Forbidden Journey and Ollivanders wand show( both in Harry Potter) Pteranodon Flyers at IOA
Rip Ride Rocket at the Studios.

 

[glocon]

Most people here would tell you not to buy an express pass until you get to the parks and see if the crowds warrant one.

Another option would be to get a room onsite for ONE night only- you get unlimited express for two days that way (check in and check out days). The same rides are excluded as mentioned above. Then you would only have one day without express passes, and it might even SAVE you money (vs. buying the one time use ep from park). Do the math and you might be pleasantly surprised. I'll keep my fingers crossed for you!

 

[brianjb]

Most people here would tell you not to buy an express pass until you get to the parks and see if the crowds warrant one.

Another option would be to get a room onsite for ONE night only- you get unlimited express for two days that way (check in and check out days). The same rides are excluded as mentioned above. Then you would only have one day without express passes, and it might even SAVE you money (vs. buying the one time use ep from park). Do the math and you might be pleasantly surprised. I'll keep my fingers crossed for you!

We are staying offsite as well. We are going there with another couple, and have been batting around the idea of renting an onsite room for one night so that we can get two days of express passes. How many passes will they give us? Is it possible to rent a room, and get the passes for 6 people (4 adults and two kids)? That way, we can just split the cost of the room.

 

[pixeegrl]

Nope sorry, only 5 allowed in a room. The names and ages of each person would be printed on your Room key/Express Pass.

 

[brianjb]

Nope sorry, only 5 allowed in a room. The names and ages of each person would be printed on your Room key/Express Pass.

Thanks a lot. I noticed that when I tried to book the room that it only allowed 5 people. I will talk it over with them. I guess we can also think of getting the room and then buying one express pass.

Do the people at the rides look real close at your room key? If we have 5 on the room key, and there are six will they turn us away?

 

[Metro West]

Do the people at the rides look real close at your room key? If we have 5 on the room key, and there are six will they turn us away?

Each person will have their name on their own room key. Each name will be registered when you make the room reservation for this purpose.

 

[jenseib]

Thanks for all the info and ideas. I was thinking 2 day park to park express passes, but staying 1 night would run about the same price. Obvious choice there, so I let DH know....he didn't understand it at all. I don't know why he didn't but he kept thinking it would cost $1000 more still.
Then he said he didn't care if we waited an hour in line (I know he would though), but if we need it, he said we'll just get it then....whatever...if thats what he wants to do, then thats fine.
But then he threw in "why aren't we going to Disney".. Um because he said he didn't want to go and we only have 3 days to play. So now he wants to take that money that he would spend to upgrad and just by 1 day tickets for the 3 of us to Disney and do a half day there as well. He's a little crazy, but I guess thats the plan for now.

 

[RMulieri]

Thanks a lot. I noticed that when I tried to book the room that it only allowed 5 people. I will talk it over with them. I guess we can also think of getting the room and then buying one express pass.

Do the people at the rides look real close at your room key? If we have 5 on the room key, and there are six will they turn us away?

Each ride attedant scans each persons room key(express pass) so everyone MUST have one.Also the resort version of express pass is good for unlimited rides.If you buy the express pass it is limited to one ride per attraction.

 

[damo]

Get to the parks before opening and get as much done as possible before the big crowds arrive.