FOTL question

[dpayne1969]

okay i have a question on this subject.If i purchase this fotl pass
do i get my tickets from a machine or do they just give me passes?I dont want to pay for something and it be useless.
Thanks for your time.

 

[the Dark Marauder 2]

If you buy the Express Plus Pass, they will give you the ticket at the time of purchase. It is good for one express entrance at every attraction and show (that permits express.) Also, this ticket is separate from your park ticket.

 

[dpayne1969]

can you buy these in advance like you do your regular admission?
thanks for your help.We are going to Universal Nov.25,26 and was wondering if i should purchase these for my kids.My son is 11 and i am sure he would like to have this special access.I know the park this access for free but i have read that the machines run out of tickets very quickly.

 

[the Dark Marauder 2]

I think your talking about the free fotl. This is called Universal Express and you can get these by swipping your park ticket in the kiask in front of the respective attraction. The drawback, they do limit the number the give out. Also, you can only get one every two hours or until the time for the express is up. I hope I do not sound too confusing.

matt

 

[dpayne1969]

can i buy the express plus pass in advance?I am not confused lol at least not yet.I am leaning on buying this express pass because i heard the free passes in the park go very quickly.But if i buy this express pass thing i get 5 tickets to US and 5 to IOA right?for a total of 10 passes.I understand he only gets to use the pass 1 time but for an 11 year old i think he will enjoy it.I was going to stay onsite but is too pricey for this trip.We are staying at the Holiday Inn for 50.00 a nite and i believe we are close to Universal and Disney.Do you happen to know what the weather and lines are like in Nov?We will be at Universal Nov.25,26.
Thanks for your help i do appreciate you helping me out!

 

[damo]

The express passes are $25 each/day. If you are buying them for four people that's $100 to add onto the $50/night you are paying at the Holiday Inn. You are much much better off to get a good rate at one of the hotels. You can get RPR for $99/night if one of you purchases an annual pass (available for $119 and sometimes as low as $99).

If you book RPR for the night of Nov. 25, that will give you two days of unlimited FOTL. The FOTL passes(that you purchase for $25) only give you one pass per ride.

Check the website www.loewshotels.com and enter the codes APH(for annual passholders), or AAA. There are some awesome deals to be had!

 

[the Dark Marauder]

You're going on Thanksgiving weekend! The 25th will be "not-so-busy" (average of 30 minute wait or less), but the 26th will be ultrabusy (45-60+ minute average).

Weather is usually great (70+).

As for getting the express plus online, I believe it is possible, but I foget where they can be ordered, if at all. Predominantly they can only be gotten at the park(s). And yes, the express plus can run out.

The free express can also run out and WILL run out on popular attractions (Mummy, Spider-Man, Hulk, Shrek) on the 26th.

And as damo said, you would probably be better off trying to stay onsite. Each person needs their own express plus pass each day, so the cost can add up to a night at the RPR. And the "5 at US/5 at IOA" no longer exists. They had that express as part of a Kodak deal, and those tickets expire at the end of this month. Express plus is park specific, so you'd be paying the extra $25/person both days...

 

[dpayne1969]

thanks for your help guys.I will look into staying at least 1 nite onsite to get the pass that way.Thanks again!

 

[dpayne1969]

i know Thanksgiving weekend lol.This is because i have 2 little ones in school and we have to work around their schedule.
To buy the annual pass dont i have to live in Florida????

 

[damo]

No. I live in Ontario and we each have one. It is a very economical way to do the park. Check the site www.uescape.com and check tickets to learn about the various types. AAA South is offering a great deal if you are a AAA member. You should check their website as well. Good luck and have fun!

 

[dpayne1969]

ok so if i stay at Royal Pacific i can get the pass thing for the whole time i am there?We are staying Nov.25-28.I have already made reservations with expedia and am thinking of cancelling them to do the Royal hotel deal.I believe expedia will charge me 25.00 for cancelling early.I think it is worth it to stay onsite since we are going during a busy time.Any suggestions?I will probably buy the annual pass deal cause it is the same price as a 5 day so what the heck.Also i believe i can get a discount at Royal by using the code APH.

 

[dpayne1969]

also does the annual pass have a blackout date for Nov.25-28?
I see a blackout for spring/summer and winter but not for Nov.
Thanks again.

 

[damo]

I don't see a Thanksgiving blackout either with the power pass, so I think you are good to go! Use the code APH to get a rate. You should also go to www.loewshotels.com and into Loews first to get yourself registered for their frequest stay program. This entitles you to a free welcome gift and once you get enough stays, there are some nice perks. Registration is free.

 

[damo]

You might want to check the rates for HRH (hard rock) as well. Often, there is more occupancy at Hard Rock and the rates are lower.

 

[CHARLADIZ]

I purchases the express plus passes thru the Universal Website. They were 15.68 each for the time we are going (May 28) They are date specific. They are one time for each ride in the park and you purchase them for the park you are going to Universal or IOA. I can't remember exactly where on the website it is I would have to go back and look. It's not under tickets but under where you book vacation packages and you just check the tickets only box and put in your dates. It then shows you a list of tickets and you choose what you want.

 

[dpayne1969]

the more i think about it the more i think i am going to cancel my hotel with expedia and stay onsite.We are going to Universal and IOA so i think it would be worth it to stay onsite.I read on a board somewhere and it said if you stay onsite you still have regulations with the express pass key.

 

[damo]

What regulations did they mention? You get unlimited express if your name is on the room key.

 

[dpayne1969]

someone said you can only use your room pass 1 time per hour?
I called Royal and the man said you can use the pass all day long as many times as you want.
Which hotel would be best to stay at onsite??????

 

[AllieKat]

The gentleman you spoke to at Royal Pacific is correct. I stayed at Hard Rock last year and really got some good use out of my room key. It was wonderful! In my opinion, it was worth every cent.

I've only stayed at Hard Rock but all 3 of the hotels are beautiful. From my experience, Portofino is the most expensive, Royal is the least and Hard Rock is somewhere inbetween.

The rates for Royal Pacific (www.loewshotels.com) for November 25th are as follows:

$146 APH (Annual Pass Holder)
$157 FAN (Fan Club)
$167 AAA

Also, you can call 1-800-BEASTAR to see if they have any rooms available for entertainment rate. If they do, and you book it you'll of course have to purchase an entertainment book at www.entertainment.com.

Good luck with everything!

 

[the Dark Marauder]

There are no limits on room key express. Just make sure everyone has their key at all times, or make someone a designated key holder.