FOL pass questions

[mlggator]

We're CA residents, but will be making our way to Orlando in February for my daughter's gymnastics meet. We plan to stay about 5 days at WDW, then we want to do some days at US.

I'm not familiar with lines and how the passes work at US. Is it worth it to stay at the deluxe US hotels to get the FOL pass? How does the FOL work? Is it like a fast pass at Disney?

If we don't do the FOL pass, what will wait times be like? Can you use the FOL pass on the same ride multiple times in a day?

thanks for any help.

 

[RMulieri]

If you can afford to stay onsite at a deluxe that offers express pass, it is a WONDERFUL perk...Unlike FP , Express pass is good at all rides and shows except..Forbidden Journey, Gringotts, Hogwarts express, Pteranodon flyers, and Ollivanders wand show.There are no times.Waits are advertised as less than 15-20 mins, but very often walk on or less.You simply enter the express line with your express pass, have the TM scan it and off you go. If you stay onsite you get the unlimited version which is good for as many times as you want to ride each eligible attraction.It is also available for purchase and comes in 2 types.Express pass , which is only good for ONE ride per attraction and Unlimited express pass, same as the onsite guest version..Cost is dependent on projected crowds, the higher the crowds, the higher the cost.The unlimited version costs about $20 more pp than the single-ride version

 

[pixeegrl]

Just wanted to add that by staying at one of the Deluxe resorts you get the EP from the time you check in until the time the park closes the day you check out. So if you stay one night onsite you get 2 days of unlimited EP. 2 nights get's you 3 days etc....you can check in as early as you want and bell services will hold your luggage until your room is ready. You will take your room key (even though your room is not ready) and scan it at a kiosk in the hotel where you will get your picture made (make a silly face
) and it will print out your EP good for the duration of your stay.

 

[mlggator]

Thanks.

If we are going on Tuesday through Thursday in February will crowds be large enough to warrant the express pass and a stay at the deluxe resort?

It's the week after President's Day if that makes a difference.

 

[lazer]

I don't know about crowds then, but we loved the Universal Hotels. We could walk or take a quick boat ride to the parks. It was nice to head back for an afternoon break and not really waste time on transportation (which I feel like happened on Disney trips). The Express Pass was great, too. But, the hotels were worth it for the convenience (and great restaurants and pools) alone.

 

[bumbershoot]

How does the FOL work? Is it like a fast pass at Disney?

.... Can you use the FOL pass on the same ride multiple times in a day?

Best to think of it as Express Pass, not front of the line. If there's a line of people with Express Passes in front of you, you don't get to cut in front of them, after all.

It's way way way way better than FP is.

If you stay at a deluxe onsite resort OR buy the Unlimited Express Pass (that comes with the onsite stay), then you can use it multiple times on the rides.

We've been to Universal several times since 2010 (we've had APs for 3 years now!), and just today I mentioned staying at Cabana Bay. We've mainly been during slow times and plan to go during another slow time. And DH outright rejected the idea of staying somewhere where we won't get unlimited EP. We love the EP.

We also love the deluxe resorts; Portofino is our fave and Royal is second fave.