First time to Universal, opinions appreciated.

[angryduck71]

How old are your boys? My son at age 7 was just about done with Disney and wanted Universal. Superheroes and Harry Potter! This summer, now that he's 10, we're going to do a 6-day stay at Universal and do two days at Disney -- doing the Ultimate Thrill Tour (because he still loves the rollercoasters at Disney) one day and one day at EPCOT (mostly for mom and also because his favorite thing to do is the Agent P stuff there and he loves different cultures and Test Track/Mission to Mars). Anyway, I find the older they get, the more they like Universal....

 

[snoopboop]

I'm sorry to hijack this thread but I didn't want to start a new one since it is kind of related to what is being discussed. I'm considering buying my dd or myself an AP for the resort discount. The weekend I'm thinking of taking the kids is blacked-out for early admission. If we stay on-site will that matter, will I be able to use the early admission benefit for the resort or will they not let me because I have an AP not a regular ticket?

Just to be 100% sure.... You're looking at a Preferred Pass, correct? And ONLY the Early Admission is blacked out for those days?

Because if you're looking at a Seasonal Pass or a Power Pass, then actual ADMISSION is blacked out, which would be a different situation. If you're staying onsite but your AP is blacked out for admission on those days, you will NOT be able to enter the park at all, even during the Early Admission time. Hope that makes sense.

 

[Hikergirl]

Just to be 100% sure.... You're looking at a Preferred Pass, correct? And ONLY the Early Admission is blacked out for those days?

Because if you're looking at a Seasonal Pass or a Power Pass, then actual ADMISSION is blacked out, which would be a different situation. If you're staying onsite but your AP is blacked out for admission on those days, you will NOT be able to enter the park at all, even during the Early Admission time. Hope that makes sense.

I'm looking at the Seasonal and actual admission is not blacked out for the days we will be there, but early admission will be.
ETA Just looked, and the early admission is blocked out for the preferred and premier I guess. It is kind of confusing. Since my dates don't fall in a black out period, I'm good though.

 

[snoopboop]

I'm looking at the Seasonal and actual admission is not blacked out for the days we will be there, but early admission will be.

According to Universal's "Compare AP Benefits" page, the Seasonal and Power passes NEVER get Early Admission.
https://tickets2.universalorlando.com/information-modals/compare-passes.html

 

[macraven]

Deluxe hotel gives you the EE
Admission is by your AP


Sounds like you are good to go

 

[macraven]

According to Universal's "Compare AP Benefits" page, the Seasonal and Power passes NEVER get Early Admission.
https://tickets2.universalorlando.com/information-modals/compare-passes.html

The hotel allows the EE if at a deluxe
Show your hotel key air EE entry and use line for hotel guests

 

[snoopboop]

The hotel allows the EE if at a deluxe
Show your hotel key air EE entry and use line for hotel guests

Maybe I was just hung up on the "blocked out EE" thing, because that simply isn't a benefit of those passes at all.

But, YES, you're totally right... the hotel stay provides the EE for the length of stay, regardless of what ticket medium one uses.

 

[Hikergirl]

According to Universal's "Compare AP Benefits" page, the Seasonal and Power passes NEVER get Early Admission.
https://tickets2.universalorlando.com/information-modals/compare-passes.html

I went back and looked and under the Early admission black-outs it does say it applies to Premier and Preferred passes. I did not see that when I was first checking my dates. They were high-lighted for early admission black-out so since I didn't read the info I assumed it was for all passes.

Under the general black-out dates found in the link under seasonal pass, my dates are not high-lighted.

I'm a total newbie to Universal, need to spend more time on these forums I kept seeing EE and was thinking Expedition Everest LOL

 

[snoopboop]

I'm sure you'll love Universal!! And the EE benefit is one of the best things about staying onsite.... along with the Unlimited Express Pass (if you stay at one of the 3 hotels that offers it), and the easy access to the parks.....

 

[macraven]

Maybe I was just hung up on the "blocked out EE" thing, because that simply isn't a benefit of those passes at all.

But, YES, you're totally right... the hotel stay provides the EE for the length of stay, regardless of what ticket medium one uses.

Oh I was agreeing with you
If a person stays at the deluxe hotel they get EE
But the person would have to buy a park ticket if they have an AP and it is block out dates when they are there

 

[JJsmama]

Can't stress enough about having the EP!! Very convenient!! And so is having your hotel only minutes away when you wanna take a break back at the pool LOVE Royal Pacific

can you stack the Express Pass with the package that includes Early entry for HP? Totally Universal newbie here but interested in booking fro a couple days

 

[Mom3girls]

The express pass is linked to your hotel stay. Are you staying at either Royal Pacific, Hard Rock or Portifino Bay? Because if you are you receive the express pass with your hotel stay. If you are staying elsewhere you can purchase the express pass at the parks but I would wait until the day of once you are already in the park. You may find that the wait times are not too long so why waste the money on the passes ahead of time.