Express Passes

[aryfairy]

We were thinking about doing 2 day 2 park passes but after reading the posts on wait times just to get into the WOHP I am considering either adding a day or doing the express passes. Has anyone had experience with the express passes? It seems a bit pricy and being used to the free fast passes at Disney I'm not sure if its worth it. I do want to be able to do all the rides. Are the wait times much shorter with the express pass or would it be better to just add on the extra day? We are going to be there the week of July 4th so I'm thinking large crowds. What do you think would be the best way to go?

 

[Badge]

Well, the Express pass are a LOT better than Fastpass at Disney. You do not have to wait for a return time or anything like that. The TM at the front of each ride will scan the pass and you will be on the ride in roughly 5-10 minutes. The problem with the express pass that you purchase, is that you can only ride each ride ONCE per pass.

So, that leads me to what I would do in your case. You did not mention how many people are traveling, and what hotels are like, so I can help you more when/if you share that information. However, onsite hotel guests at Universal get UNLIMITED express ride access. Just show your room key at each ride, and your on. You can ride the same ride over and over if you like. Also, since you want to do two days at Universal, you can spend ONE night at the hotel, and get TWO days of express.

So, I did some quick pricing for you to give you an idea. Express passes are 55.99 per person, per day. So, I am going to assume it is a family of four. So, for TWO days of express, it will cost you $447.92 before tax. Now, for a hotel, it will only cost $269.00 before tax. This will give your family the same TWO days of express, plus the extra benefit of getting into the HP area an hour before normal guests in the morning, and will also save you gas/time from driving from your current hotel to the parks each day. You will save $178.00 by staying at the hotel. This price was from 7/7-7/8.

Now, if it was just two adults visiting, the price of express would be $224 and the hotel price does not change. So, you save $45 not staying at the hotel this way. However, I would still stay at the hotel becuase of the easy travel back to the hotel, the early entry, and the UNLIMITED express...not to mention the hotels are AMAZING.

Hope this helps and your right, the week of July 4 will be busy and express will be well worth it!

 

[rpbert1]

The express passes do not work for WWHP, if its to crowded they apparently will give you a time to come back , but think this might only be crowded that badly during July4th break, although buying the express passes only allow you once through the express line. Depending on how many there are you might consider 1 nights accom on site

 

[Badge]

I forgot to mention that no matter what, express passes will not allow you to get into the Harry Potter area quicker nor will it allow you to skip the line at the new Harry Potter ride. This applies to both the passes you purchase and your room key if you stay onsite.

If Harry Potter is the main reason for your travel, then I REALLY suggest doing the onsite room. The fact that you can get into the park an hour before everybody else is a huge perk becuase once you get into the area, you do not have to leave until you are ready to. Just make sure you see everything that you want, becuase during the afternoon, there will be a line to get into that area of the park.

I also suggest seeing the area at night! It looks even more amazing with the lighting effects all around the area at night.

 

[cinabug]

So, that leads me to what I would do in your case. You did not mention how many people are traveling, and what hotels are like, so I can help you more when/if you share that information. However, onsite hotel guests at Universal get UNLIMITED express ride access. Just show your room key at each ride, and your on. You can ride the same ride over and over if you like. Also, since you want to do two days at Universal, you can spend ONE night at the hotel, and get TWO days of express.

We are going the week before you and this is what we are doing. I've actually already paid for my "regular" hotel for that night, but the hotel perks seemed worth it. We have five people, so one night of hotel was a bargain for two days of better than express pass. Our vacation is short. We don't go every year or two. I don't want to spend our time waiting in lines more than necessary. Instead we'll check out those hotel pools.

 

[mesaboy2]

The express passes do not work for WWHP, if its to crowded they apparently will give you a time to come back , but think this might only be crowded that badly during July4th break, although buying the express passes only allow you once through the express line. Depending on how many there are you might consider 1 nights accom on site

To clarify:

WWoHP is the entire land of Harry Potter. When busy, you may have to get a return ticket, similar to a FastPass at Disney, to get in. This will probably be the case most summer days, not just July 4.

Once inside, Express passes can be used on Flight of the Hippogriff and Dragon Challenge. Express passes are not accepted at Forbidden Journey, the signature HP ride.

 

[Metro West]

To clarify:

WWoHP is the entire land of Harry Potter. When busy, you may have to get a return ticket, similar to a FastPass at Disney, to get in. This will probably be the case most summer days, not just July 4.

Once inside, Express passes can be used on Flight of the Hippogriff and Dragon Challenge. Express passes are not accepted at Forbidden Journey, the signature HP ride.

 

[aryfairy]

Thanks everyone.