express pass

[texteach]

Please help!! My family will be at Islands of Adventure and Universal August 3rd. We will only have one day. Should we only do IOF or try to do both parks? What is the difference in an express pass and front of the line pass? Can you buy them without staying on property? Can you buy discount tickets in advance and add the express at the gate or does it come with the ticket.

 

[damo]

You will not be able to do to parks in one day during the busy summer months. I would recommend buying the express pass booklet (1 pass per ride) if you don't want to wait in line. It is the same as getting a fast-pass for each ride (no time restrictions though). FOTL is still what we call it for hotel guests. That would be an unlimited front of the line pass for just about every ride.

The express pass booklet is sold separately and in limited quantities.

 

[ChisJo]

Is the express booklet the same as the pass? (purchased the pass months ago for my upcoming trip).

 

[BoboThePenguin]

I would like to know what the cheapest expresspass- solution for my family (going in less than a day)

 

[damo]

Cheapest express is the free ones in the machines but you have to get them early.

Second best way is to stay on site.

The express pass can be bought online (and is what you've got Chisjo) and varies in price depending on when you are there.

 

[BoboThePenguin]

where can I buy them online?

 

[d4est]

bobo, here's what I found on park-tickets.com---I don't know how accurate it is, but...

Universal Express Plus Pass
You can purchase a Universal Express Plus Pass at the theme park on the day you are there. This pass gives you express entry to all the attractions in the park with a single pass - like having an Express Pass for every ride in the theme park! There is a limit of one time per attraction at the Universal Express line and the back of your pass will be initialled each time you use it so the staff know you have used the pass on that attraction.

The pass is available for purchase at the ticket booths at the entrance to both Universal Studios and Islands Of Adventure and at selected locations in each of these theme parks - consult the park guide maps for location details. There are a few restrictions with this pass, although we think they represent great value and make it very easy to do all your favourite rides and attractions even when the theme parks are at their busiest:

Quantities of this pass are strictly limited.
The passes go on sale one hour after the park opens and can only be bought in the park i.e. you cannot buy them in advance.
They are only valid on the day purchased.
You can buy an Express Plus pass for either Universal Studios or Islands Of Adventure or get a Combo Express Plus pass which covers both theme parks for the same day.

**decided to add that I have searched high & low for a link to buy this--because some sites mentioned buying them in advance (because it is cheaper & they run out fast) BUT, I couldn't find any place on the universalorlando site to purchase them. If anyone knows...PLEASE POST!

 

[d4est]

you do an advanced purchase for the express plus at:
http://www.univacations.com/

from there click "tickets only" on the upper left

then put in the date you want them for and the # of adults and age(s) of children. I put in (just for fun) 7/08/04 for two adults and one child (7yrs). Hit enter. Next your date will come up--hit, click "go."

Next you will get a page where you select what tickets you want. I already purchased 3 of the 2 for 5 days tickets, so I ONLY selected the express plus for IOA and USF. Then I scrolled to the bottom and hit "price vacation."

This is what I got:

IOA, 2 adults==74.56
IOA, 1 child===37.28
USF, 2 adults==74.56
USF, 1 child===37.28
TOTAL======225.68

That is A LOT of $$ for one express ride for each at each park! Definitely pays to stay onsite!!

HTH