Express Pass worth it the first week in December?

[trisha2766]

We will be getting the 2 park/1 day tickets on one day of the first week of december. There are a lot of things we want to ride and do there in one day. So I'm wondering if it would be worth it or not to get the express passes also? They cost less that week and even if it saves enough time to get 3-5 more rides in that day it might be worth it. What do you think?

 

[kellymonaghan]

Given your explanation, the obvious answer would seem to be "Go for it."

You also might want to look into staying onsite for one night, which can give you almost two full days of FOTL access in the parks.

Here's how I'd do the calculation:

Cost of onsite hotel - (Price of Express Pass x # in your party) - Cost of regular hotel = X

If X is a minus number, it's a no brainer. If it's not, then you have to figure out if the extra cost is worth the convenience and the experience of staying in one of those cool hotels.

 

[Jaycey'smom]

US/IOA is usually REALLY slow the first week of December. I think the longest we have waited was maybe 10 min, so I would say save your $$$$!!!

 

[AlexandNessa]

If you get to the parks early, I doubt you will need Express.

The good news is that you don't have to buy the Express passes until you get there. If you arrive at the parks and you see that the rides have long waits, you can always pop into any of the stores inside the park and buy them. My advice is 1) to arrive early and 2) wait till you get inside the park to see if you need them at all.

 

[bekkiz]

We went to IOA on Dec. 5th or so last year (it was a weekday). We arrived at 11 am, and were done at 3 pm. And by done, I mean, my DH had ridden DD about 16 times, hulk 5 or 6, Dr. Doom 5, Spiderman 3, plus assorted other rides one time each and eaten lunch at Confisico's Grill. (I rode along too, just not quite as many times).

The whole place felt like a ghost town. It was kind of weird. The pet. flyers ride had a 45 minute wait, everything else was litarally a walk on. We had planned to leave around 5 pm, but just ran out of things to do!

 

[trisha2766]

Wow! I thought it would be busier! That's good news then. Thanks!

 

[Portugal1000]

I bought express passes for our trip last year (3 weeks from 7th December). I think we went to the Universal parks between 15th and 19th and we didn't use the passes once, so a complete waste of money. There literally was not a queue for anything. we went on Spiderman around 2pm and were the only ones in the car. Stayed on the Popeye water ride for 3 straight goes without getting off. So I will definitely not be buying them this year for our trip during the same time.