Express passes worth it??

[3Mousketeers]

We'll be in Orlando for a few days starting 6/25 to do Universal and Seaworld (then down South to see relatives). We just can't swing the rates at the Universal hotels. I know the only way to get FOTL passes is to stay on site but what do you all think of the express passes you can buy as an add on to your ticket. Are they worth the money? Otherwise, I guess you're just stuck with the regular express passes. I'm worried b/c I know June will be busy and we have 2 boys (7 and 5) but staying on site is not an option. Any info on the passes would be appreciated? Thanks.

 

[Metro West]

We'll be in Orlando for a few days starting 6/25 to do Universal and Seaworld (then down South to see relatives). We just can't swing the rates at the Universal hotels. I know the only way to get FOTL passes is to stay on site but what do you all think of the express passes you can buy as an add on to your ticket. Are they worth the money? Otherwise, I guess you're just stuck with the regular express passes. I'm worried b/c I know June will be busy and we have 2 boys (7 and 5) but staying on site is not an option. Any info on the passes would be appreciated? Thanks.

Well...the basic EP's are free..just like the FP's at Disney. Universal has the EP Plus which is $37 (or something along that line). Personally, I wouldn't waste $$$ on that but take advantage of the EP's when you can...it could save you a lot of time.

 

[Lewisc]

Well...the basic EP's are free..just like the FP's at Disney. Universal has the EP Plus which is $37 (or something along that line). Personally, I wouldn't waste $$$ on that but take advantage of the EP's when you can...it could save you a lot of time.

Between the hotel guests and the EP Plus the supply of free EP's is gone by noon on crowded days.

 

[Antonia]

If we're there in June, are we limited to one ride per day during certain hours with FOTL even if we are hotel guests. I am trying to decide whether to just stay at WDW and take my chances with FOTL. We have APs that we want to get a little more use out of.

 

[gschmerl]

If we're there in June, are we limited to one ride per day during certain hours with FOTL even if we are hotel guests. I am trying to decide whether to just stay at WDW and take my chances with FOTL. We have APs that we want to get a little more use out of.

That depends. We were there last July and were told there was limited FOTL until 3:00 and then we could use it to ride over and over. It really wasn't enforced much at all. The only ride they enforced it was the Mummy and they didn't always do it either. I wouldn't worry about that at all. Even if they do limit it, you ride each ride once with it, stop for lunch or enjoy the hotel pool---then it's after 3:00 and you have unlimited FOTL.

 

[hannahouse]

but what do you all think of the express passes you can buy as an add on to your ticket. Are they worth the money?

It's a great option - you get one fotl for each ride, but with the cost ( I think around $35 per person) would it really be cheaper than staying onsite?

 

[new kid at heart]

We went last year and got Express Pass Plus for our family of four, which was expensive, but worth it (rode everything we wanted at Universal and Islands in one day. 3 and 5 year old cost the same as adults). After I found out you got them for "free" if you stayed at The Hard Rock (and 2 other hotels), I would never go again without staying there. It's about $250 a night at the Hard Rock, and the Express Passes ran over $100 (can't remember exactly, seems like about $140), which makes a one night stay at the Hard Rock around $110 with other bonuses. Hard Rock even gives "free" admission to both parks with hotel stay at certain times of the year--it's at least worth looking into, even though you were saying on-site was off limits. You might actually be able to save. Never know!