FOTL - Not Staying Onsite

[mobes_jk]

I'm wondering if anyone has any tips for our family to get front of the line access for UO/IOA. We wanted to stay on-site this trip, but we are going with family members who could not afford it. So, we are staying at a cheaper hotel a few minutes away. I had planned on getting the express passes, but they are 37.50 per person for the time we are there (according to the Universal ticketing site) June 12-13, which is nearly twice what our budget can allow. I thought these passes cost up to $20!! We were there last year around the same time, and wait times were pretty long, even if we picked up the free express passes and they ran out quickly. Does this just mean we will have to strategize our days there?

Thanks for any ideas you guys may have

 

[JESUSROCKS]

When you are in Orlando (or mabey they have them at you local target) find a kodak disposable camera that apparently (someone please confirm) gives you a coupon book with 10 free front of the line passes (five for each park). Also try to get to the park early and ride the big rides (hulk , spiderman, revenge of the mummy) also the cameras are like $8 so you could buy a few. Also you could use singles rider line if you dont mind being split up. They have front of the line machines in the park (where you wait about an hour to get it) so get them early (they are free). If you manage your time you should be fine.

Have fun

In CHRIST,

Gavin

 

[mobes_jk]

The camera thing sounds pretty good! I'll have to look for those. How many of the free express passes can you have at one time? Is it just for the one ride per ticket, and then you get another one once your time has expired? (I know that must be a pretty common question, but I can't recall.)

Thanks so much!

 

[JoniGirl]

Originally posted by JESUSROCKS
They have front of the line machines in the park (where you wait about an hour to get it) so get them early (they are free).

Where are these machines that give out free FOTL passes? I would like to head for these first...

 

[mobes_jk]

These are located near the attraction that offers the pass. The most popular attractions issue express passes. The only problem is that they run out of them during the day, so how fast this happens especially depends on how busy it is when you are there. I see you will be there around the time we will be there, so it will be busy during your trip. Universal is much better at offering express passes for a large variety of attractions, unlike most Disney parks, though.

 

[JoniGirl]

Originally posted by mobes_jk
These are located near the attraction that offers the pass. The most popular attractions issue express passes. The only problem is that they run out of them during the day, so how fast this happens especially depends on how busy it is when you are there. I see you will be there around the time we will be there, so it will be busy during your trip. Universal is much better at offering express passes for a large variety of attractions, unlike most Disney parks, though.

Thanks for the info! I misunderstood - I thought you were talking about FOTL passes. We really liked the Fast Pass @ Disney. The only time they were sold out was for Test Track @ Epcot. Maybe we will get lucky like that @ Universal!

 

[mobes_jk]

I hope I was of some help. Just a warning, though, you really should plan to get the express passes early for those rides you really want to do. I remember last year, the newer rides like Jimmy Neutron and Shrek sold out by the afternoon and people were not too happy! I'm sure things could be similar for attractions like Spiderman and other really popular things, but I could be wrong. Have fun on your trip!

 

[Luv2Roam]

Good to know a little inside info.
We have PAP's for US/IoA and WDW.
We do not go to US/IoA due to the high cost of FotL passes, and the long lines otherwise.
We have gone earlier this year when the crowds were not too heavy. But even then waited longer than we normally do or want to.
I figured we would wait until a slower season to go.

 

[RC Fan]

Get there before the park opens!

I went last Thursday and had all the major rides done in an hour and a half.

Can't wait to go back to IOA!!!

 

[robvia]

Originally posted by RC Fan
Get there before the park opens!

I went last Thursday and had all the major rides done in an hour and a half.

Exactly.
And you'd be surprised at how many people are waiting at the gate before the park opens.

 

[Regenia]

We were there last week...everyday before the gate opened. You must do Shrek first, that was the only time I saw less than a 15 minute wait. One day we did IOA early and then went over to US just to get an express pass for Shrek. It was 10:30 and they were handing out passes for 4:30. Which is what we wanted.

After Shrek head to the Mummy. It was me and my DS (10) so we didn't mind single rider. We never waited more than 10 minutes in the morning. Next MIB (single rider) and BTTF. We got so spoiled until when we went in the afternoon and saw a line for single riders (probably 30 min. wait) we would just turn around and go see a show or head back to the hotel.

IOA we hit Hulk first and actually got to ride that 2x, Spiderman 2x, then Dudley Do Ripsaw. Head to Juraissic Park and Dueling Dragons. You can cruise after that. But in the afternoon everything is crowded and it's HOT!

 

[mousefansmom]

We used the kodak passes over Christmas. I wouldn't have gone to the parks without them. It was absolutely packed. The ones we got were from the underwater disposable cameras. The passes expired at the end of February (but perhaps they have renewed this promotion). There weren't coupons for every ride, but for most of the major ones (not Shrek, though or Jimmy Neutron). Hope that helps, I will keep my eye out for them again. We will be going again next November!

Mousefansmom

 

[Patch'sD]

Why not head over to one of the hotels and ask someone checking out for their room keys. They would be good for that day.

 

[crazy_for_the_dis]

Personally, I would never give anyone my room key. Maybe it is just me, but it has a lot of info on it, including credit card info, address, etc.