Express Questions

[disneydreamgirl]

I've done my research and am trying to determine whether the Express Pass would be much of a value for us; I decided not to opt for on-site stay as we will arrive around 6 p.m. and I just can't justify $265-ish for on-site hotel when we are paying only $100/night at an off-site closer to WDW where we will spend the rest of our trip...

...so I'm looking for opinions from the experts on whether the Express Pass is for us, considering the following:

- we are planning to visit only IoA and on May 17, by several accounts a slow Thursday.
- DH and DS are not extreme ride fans in the least and I can take or leave them, so Doctor Doom, Incredible Hulk, Duelling Dragons, Storm Force Accelatron are not going to be on our 'to do' list, not sure about Ripsaw Falls.
- we will visit HP first thing and likely starting at Ollivander's, do FJ once, maybe twice and soak up the atmosphere...I may ride the HP coasters if lines are low and I feel up to it.
- in the rest of the park we figure that Spiderman is a must-do and the Sindbad and Poseidon shows are must-sees (how many are seated in the shows...is Express even necessary?)
- DS is 13, so some of the kids rides would definitely be out or not heartbreaking to miss.
- we will spend time in the shops, have a meal and soak up the atmosphere at the rest of the park.

What do you think? Would we be fine without Express? TIA!

 

[mesaboy2]

Based on what you've said yeah, I think you'll be fine without it. You could always get it once there if there's some unforeseen crowd spike, but I doubt it.

 

[disneydreamgirl]

Thanks for confirming my thinking...Universal is so new to us, so I wasn't too sure if my thinking was valid. I'm having a hard time even picturing much there (the maps are good but until I get there I don't think it will compute)...a few trip reports have really helped me get a better sense of the park. As for the shows, do they seat a good deal of people?

 

[mesaboy2]

I don't know much about the shows, but I'm sure it depends. Someone else will know more....

 

[zack123]

 

[macraven]

Thanks for confirming my thinking...Universal is so new to us, so I wasn't too sure if my thinking was valid. I'm having a hard time even picturing much there (the maps are good but until I get there I don't think it will compute)...a few trip reports have really helped me get a better sense of the park. As for the shows, do they seat a good deal of people?

i went to universal for 6 years before i took in the Sinbad show.
(been going annually there since 1993)

i thought it was awesome and a can't miss each year i go now.

it is an acrobatic, action type of show.

it has express entrance but don't fret about that.
the area is large.

sit by the middle stage that is in the seating arena.
when you come in, sit on the first side of that plank platform you see.
be at eye level or above.

you'll see all the action that is performed in that part.
you will also get a decent view of the action on the front stage.

i always root for the BAD guys in that show.......


do stop and watch Mystic Fountain that is out front when the show is over.

i like posiden and never had to sit on the floor during that one.
you go thru different sections and have a different type of show in each one.

 

[RMulieri]

Sindbad has seats.They seat all the express pass people first before letting in the rest.There are still plenty of seats though some are in the "splash zone" and you can get wet.But express isn't neccessary.As for Poseiden, it is a walk thru show,They take quite a few people.IT is dark and hard to see or hear, and honestly we HATED this show, and we weren't the only ones either.Express pass really wasn't all that neccessary.The only thing we liked was the outside .They could really do so much more with this.

 

[CinderellaDreamer]

Don't spend the money on the express pass. It will not be worth it for you.

The lines will be just like they are at Disney without a fastpass. Very doable. We did one day at Universal with the passes and one without. It was nice, but not necessary.

Sinbad is in a theater just like Beauty and the Beast. Plenty of seating if you get there at a reasonable time. (We were there the weekend before Thanksgiving and got there about 15 minutes before the show).

Poseidon is like the Great Movie Ride, but with you walking through instead of on a car. And its whether you get there right as the show is starting or not for the wait. (kind of like Little Mermaid at HS)

Spiderman can have a long line, but its worth the wait for it.

FJ doesn't have the front of the line privilege, so it doesn't matter about that. Get there early for HP and you will be good. That's what we did. Its crazy by lunch time, but not bad early in the morning.

Strategize just as you would for Disney. IOA is large and busy, just like Disney. Universal is not as crazy, so go there for a break from the crowds. HP is the main draw, and will be the busiest.

We liked the shows more than the intense rides too. Be sure to do the animal show at Universal. Very fun and cute.

Have a great trip!