Express Pass vs. Park to Park

[minerva78]

After several years I think I have finally convinced my husband to do a Disney trip! The one condition is that we also do Universal, that's what I offered for him to finally look forward to going. I got a great rate for a 5 night onsite stay in June through a travel agent, so I am thinking of adding two nights at a Universal resort to get some perks. But although I've been researching Disney for years I know very little about Universal.

After doing some pricing, we could swing either 2 nights at Cabana Bay with 2 day park to park tickets or 2 nights at the Pacific resort with 2 day base tickets. The deluxe resort and park to park tickets were a little more than what I wanted to pay, but if people can convince me they are both necessary I'll consider it.

So in this case, which do you think is more important to have: the express pass or park to park? We are all big Harry Potter fans, which is why DH has been wanting to go to Universal and doesn't care about Disney. I know you have to have park to park to ride the train, but is that worth it more than the express pass for two days? Just looking for opinions of those who have been. We'd be going to Universal parks June 24 and 25 and our girls will be 7 and 8 if that helps.

 

[wilma-bride]

Why not do just one night at RPR with 2 day park-to-park tickets. You'll still get two days of Express Pass but you will have the ability to ride the train which, to me, is well worth it.

 

[minerva78]

Why not do just one night at RPR with 2 day park-to-park tickets. You'll still get two days of Express Pass but you will have the ability to ride the train which, to me, is well worth it.

If I were to do that, should I add one day at the beginning of the Disney trip or one day at the end? We were planning to do Disney June 19 - 24, with 4 day tickets, but dates are flexible, just some time that week. Somehow I would need to add another day at Disney to make this work? June 19 - 25 and Universal 25 - 26? But could I even use the two day tickets on the 24th if I did that? Maybe I'm thinking about this wrong.

 

[damo]

Do it at the end because it spoils you for Disney where you have to wait in line.

 

[Hoodie]

If you are Potter fans, do the Park to Park. You cannot ride the Hogwarts express without the park to park tickets. Also, most of the Potter rides are not eligible for the Express Pass.

 

[minerva78]

If you are Potter fans, do the Park to Park. You cannot ride the Hogwarts express without the park to park tickets. Also, most of the Potter rides are not eligible for the Express Pass.

Yeah, when I asked DH about it, he said he only cared about riding the Hogwarts Express and he thought our girls would love that. He really doesn't even care about most of the other rides in the parks, just the HP stuff. Only my 8 year old is a thrill seeker, who might enjoy a roller coaster, but she's also very short for her age, so she may not be able to ride as much anyhow. I think park to park may make the most sense for us.

 

[minerva78]

Question: do I have to buy the resort and tickets as a package to get the early park entry or can I buy them separately?

 

[pcstang]

Separately is fine and generally recommended.