If the hotels are booked, then Universal is going to be really busy. I highly doubt the prices of the passes will drop. If anything, they will go up. Keeping checking for hotels (both online, and by calling. If you have not called, do it. You might get lucky) because things come up and people have to cancel. The rate might be high (250-300 a night) but well worth it if the hotels are that booked and express pass rates are that high. Hope you can get a room!