Express Pass

[KellyN1017]

Are express passes worth purchasing?

 

[macraven]

If you are going on a holiday or high attendance time period, the ep is worth it in my opinion

Sometimes it works out better financially if you stay at one of the 3 premier hotels onsite to get the ep free for all in your party

 

[shawthorne44]

At crowd Level of 8+

 

[schumigirl]

If you are going on a holiday or high attendance time period, the ep is worth it in my opinion

Sometimes it works out better financially if you stay at one of the 3 premier hotels onsite to get the ep free for all in your party

Completely agree.

It depends on your tolerance levels too. For us, we always have EP regardless of the length of our trips. We’ve seen very long lines at so called quiet times and we have no desire to stand in those lines.

Don‘t buy them ahead of time, they are date specific and non refundable. If you choose not to stay at one of the hotels with EP you can buy on the day if you need them. The busier the day, the more expensive they’ll be.

It really does behoove one to have a one night stay at any of the EP hotels, that gives you and all registered in the room 2 full days of EP in the parks from early hours on your check in day, till park close the second day.

 

[J'aime Paris]

yes

 

[Bees2979]

What site is the most accurate crowd predictor?

 

[schumigirl]

What site is the most accurate crowd predictor?

Look to see the cost of the EP on the UOR website.....the more expensive it is, the busier it`ll be.

 

[KellyN1017]

Completely agree.

It depends on your tolerance levels too. For us, we always have EP regardless of the length of our trips. We’ve seen very long lines at so called quiet times and we have no desire to stand in those lines.

Don‘t buy them ahead of time, they are date specific and non refundable. If you choose not to stay at one of the hotels with EP you can buy on the day if you need them. The busier the day, the more expensive they’ll be.

It really does behoove one to have a one night stay at any of the EP hotels, that gives you and all registered in the room 2 full days of EP in the parks from early hours on your check in day, till park close the second day.

I was considering the booking one night. Do you then just have to buy tickets for those days and you get the express pass automatically or do you need to buy a package?

 

[DoryGirl1963]

Tickets are a separate purchase. The express passes come with the hotel ressie.

 

[macraven]

Express is at no additional cost if you stay at one of the premier hotels onsite

 

[puffkin]

I would never NOT get express pass. Staying at a premiere is worth every penny.

 

[bchbetha]

Don’t book a package. Book a room and buy your tickets separately. Just don’t buy Express Passes. You get them automatically in one of the 3 hotels.
I agree that the best crowd predictor is the price of EPs on their website.

 

[BostonEd]

I'm considering staying at one of the early-entry but no express pass hotels. We would be going on a Monday and Tuesday in mid-June. Do I really need an express pass then? I've heard two days is generally more than enough.

 

[shawthorne44]

I'm considering staying at one of the early-entry but no express pass hotels. We would be going on a Monday and Tuesday in mid-June. Do I really need an express pass then? I've heard two days is generally more than enough.

General advice is crowd levels 8+.

I personally think it is more required now. Pre-lockdown, we could do single rider for the super thrill rides that had a long line. So, we felt zero need for them. In fact, we were gifted a couple of one-use express passes, and we didn't use them until the last day just to use them. But, no single rider lines now.

Also, if a ride has both Virtual Line and Express Passes, the express passes trumps VL. So, you only need to worry about getting VL for Hagrid's and Velicoaster if it is open for you. A ride goes to virtual if its social distanced queue can't handle the line. Although, if they apply the new 3' thing, that might change.

 

[bchbetha]

I'm considering staying at one of the early-entry but no express pass hotels. We would be going on a Monday and Tuesday in mid-June. Do I really need an express pass then? I've heard two days is generally more than enough.

“More than enough” tells me that the person giving you advice probably had Express Passes.
If you can afford to stay in one of the hotels that includes EPs they will be very nice to have. Necessary? Judgement calls are personal on that. It’ll be hot and you might want to breeze through rides and enjoy your pool during the heat of the day. No EPs will probably mean no breaks like that.

 

[Vacation_Commander]

Are express passes worth purchasing?

They are worth more than their weight in gold!!!

 

[hhoope01]

They are worth more than their weight in gold!!!

And the hotter the weather, the more the worth.

 

[Gatrcruzer]

On the days that the fast passes are most valuable, they are also the most expensive. It kind of depends on your budget and your tolerance for line waiting. Your trip will be more relaxing and enjoyable if you spring for the premier properties with the fast pass. Summer is high season for UO because kids are out of school, so it will be busy. And I agree that during the hot, rainy summers it is even more important. That said, if your budget doesn't allow it, then go and just be patient and enjoy yourself.

 

[Kit Jackson]

Yes. They are worth it. Consider staying in one of the three hotels that include Express Pass with your stay. It is worth the extra money if you can afford it.

 

[ClapYourHands]

I'm considering staying at one of the early-entry but no express pass hotels. We would be going on a Monday and Tuesday in mid-June. Do I really need an express pass then? I've heard two days is generally more than enough.

Two days is “more than enough” time if you have EP.

Two days is enough without EP if you have a plan, are willing to wait in a few lines, and/or have specific things you want to do rather than “everything.”

We were there Mon-Thurs last week. Monday and Tuesday were without EP; Wednesday and Thursday were with EP. Obviously, the days with EP we could get more done. But we knocked off all our must-dos on Monday and Tuesday without EP, including riding Hagrid’s three times. We could have done more, but we took a few hours out for afternoon rest/pool breaks at Cabana Bay.

Overall, “worth” is subjective. As you can see from this thread, some people think EPs are always worthwhile, others never get them, and still others vary their responses based on the situation. IMO, they are always nice to have, if your budget allows it, but are usually not necessary to have a good time.