Express Pass Questions

wareagle57

DIS Veteran
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Jan 14, 2014
Messages
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Is it possible to buy an Express pass for only ONE park, when you have a park to park ticket? I was hoping to stay onsite so we'd all have express but it was just going to be too expensive. I'm trying to determine what our best value would be for one day at both parks, but Universal makes buying their tickets and express options confusing, at least to me. Is Fast and Furious the only major ride not included at either parks?

I'm thinking a US express pass might be the best because it has more rides total, and we can just use single rider at FJ and rope drop the other big 3 (Kong, Hulk, Spider-Man) since we won't be staring at hour behind like we would be at US with the early entry. Though there is no way to know right now which park will be offering EE in March.

Does this seem like a good plan or should I try to get it for both parks? I've been several times, but I'll be leading a group and want try and get through most everything. I've done it on my own without express, but it was in early December when crowds were slow. We will be there on a Saturday in early March which I assume will be busy.
 
It would help to know the number of people in your party. If you have more than 2 people and are planning on the Express Pass, I find it hard to believe that staying at one of the Universal resorts that offer it for free for one night is not cheaper than any other accommodations.
 
To answer your first question, you can buy the express pass for one park or the P2P express pass

The ep would be date related
 
It would help to know the number of people in your party. If you have more than 2 people and are planning on the Express Pass, I find it hard to believe that staying at one of the Universal resorts that offer it for free for one night is not cheaper than any other accommodations.

There will be 7 of us. Getting a suite would have been more than getting 2 rooms, and I don't think people wanted to deal with doing a split stay. Instead of $500ish a night per room, we found an Air BnB close by for around $100 a night split 7 ways. If we did the split stay it might have worked out about the same. $1000 for the room (one night) including the Express Pass vs $100 for 1 night at Air BnB and $700ish for all our EPs. It only saved about $30 a person. I personally think it would have been worth it to stay there but it's hard to convince people to spend that kind of money on a hotel room.

Now I just need to decide if the EP will actually be worth it. We are going on a Saturday but undercover tourist says it will be a 6 crowd level. I'm skeptical though because Mardi Gras will be going on. What can I expect for lines on a typical Saturday in the standby vs express? Are express waits longer thand FP waits at Disney?
 

I think Express pass lines are generally the same as Disney ones, when it comes to waiting. Most of the time it's 15 or so minutes, or less. We experienced over an hour during Christmas, but hey, the standby for that line was 270 minutes.

Thing is, yes, you can buy one park, regardless of your ticket, but know that the express pass is date and park(s) specific, with no refunds. While it sometimes increases in price, due to more wanting it, you can always wait and see, and buy it in the parks. It is sold everywhere in the parks. Early entry is only for the Potter area, or areas if both parks. The only thing it will help you with is, that you can quickly go to the nearest non Potter ride, and most likely have a short line when the early entry hour is over.

We found, even at Christmas week, to ride the most popular was easiest in the first hour open. By lunchtime, the crowds come. Plus, it will be Mardi Gras, so there will be those that arrive around lunchtime on, to be in the Studios for the parade and concert.

Have fun, I've never been during Mardi Gras, but trying to make that this year, but maybe next year instead. I'll be visiting the parks next week, first time I've been in January.

I hope your group has lots of fun, whatever you decide. And lots of people stay off site that visit Universal, as cheaper most of the time. Just give time to park in the massive garages, and know you have to go through a sometimes very crowded security area, before you enter City Walk. From there, facing City Walk, right to the Studios and left to Islands. And Universal sometimes open earlier than stated.

Buying your tickets before you arrive, and having actual tickets, will let you go right to the gate, no waiting in a ticket line, or having to use a kiosk.
 
Oh, and Fast and Furious does accept express pass. that ride is a pain waiting, even with the express. The only ride I think is in Islands, it's the Flyers, but that's limited to kids, like not to exceed height, so unless you have a young kid in your group, you wouldn't be able to ride the Flyers anyway. Even the Potter train, and rides, have the express. Same with shows, they let express in first.
 
Cant get any fast pass. Website will not update the info. Anyone else? 1/2/19:yay::yay:
 
Cant get any fast pass. Website will not update the info. Anyone else? 1/2/19:yay::yay:

If are you trying to order Express Passes (as an add on to your tickets) for an upcoming vacation, you should be able to do that on the website. Unlike Disney World, you do not make fast pass reservations for the individual rides in advance. Hope this helps.
 












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