Front of the line passes...

[LaurenLC]

Can someone tell me a little about these? Are they worth it? What is the difference between the ones you buy and the ones you get by staying at one of their resorts? My husband and I are considering going to Universal for a day before heading to Disney and these peaked my interest. Any information would be GREATLY appreciated!
Thanks!

 

[Metro West]

Can someone tell me a little about these? Are they worth it? What is the difference between the ones you buy and the ones you get by staying at one of their resorts? My husband and I are considering going to Universal for a day before heading to Disney and these peaked my interest. Any information would be GREATLY appreciated!
Thanks!

The Express Plus passes available for purchase are for one time through the Express line per participating attraction and the EP available for onsite guests is unlimited access...that's the only real difference. Depending on when you're going, you may or not not need the EP's. If you aren't staying onsite, I would recommend waiting until you arrive to make the decision to purchase the EP's.

 

[DisneyFairytale]

We bought them for our one day visit, it was worth every penny. We managed to do every single ride there because of the lack of line ups(even managed the simpsons ride 3 times).
I think coming from so far to get to those parks, if you have the chance to pay a little more to get ahead, why not.

We did, I'm glad we did and will do it again next week when I head back out there.

 

[familygirlsc]

how much are they?

 

[ToodlesRN]

Were going in the middle of September to those who have gone during that time is it worth it to get them there $19.99 or do you think the lines shouldn't be that long since school will be back in session?

 

[inkkognito]

Actually you can probably get by without them in mid-Sept. if you get to the parks at opening and do some power riding. Buy 'em later if it gets crowded.

 

[Metro West]

Were going in the middle of September to those who have gone during that time is it worth it to get them there $19.99 or do you think the lines shouldn't be that long since school will be back in session?

Unless you're going at Christmas or Spring Break, I would wait until you arrive to purchase any Express passes. September usually isn't to busy so I wouldn't buy them ahead of time as you probably won't need them.

how much are they?

They range from $19.99 per person to $59.99 per person (one park EP) depending on the anticipated crowd level for that day. You would have to check the website to find out what the price is for the day you're going.

 

[hmhs]

We are staying at the RPR in July.... is the Express Pass the same thing as the FOTL pass that we get for staying on site? Do I need to be looking at getting something else? We really want to be able to bypass standby lines... which is part of the reason we booked at a Universal hotel. Thanks for any info!

 

[Metro West]

We are staying at the RPR in July.... is the Express Pass the same thing as the FOTL pass that we get for staying on site? Do I need to be looking at getting something else? We really want to be able to bypass standby lines... which is part of the reason we booked at a Universal hotel. Thanks for any info!

Let me clarify for you...there is no such thing as a true front of the line pass (except for the VIP tour). Express Plus passes are the passes you will be getting by staying onsite...the difference is...yours will be for unlimited use of the Express line as opposed to the Express Plus pass anyone can purchase...which is only once through the EP line. FOTL is only a term used on the DIS.

Does that make sense?

 

[hmhs]

Gotcha... thanks! Just making sure I didn't need to buy anything else!

 

[Metro West]

Gotcha... thanks! Just making sure I didn't need to buy anything else!

You're welcome. I just wouldn't want someone going for the first time and asking where the FOTL line was...you might get a strange look from the TM.

 

[holcomb-mania]

Already planning a summer 2011 trip for our first onsite stay just to get my hands on these puppies! Even looking at restaurants already! Suggestions?

 

[mickey's cook]

Hello! Is it possible to do both parks in one day with EP? We are four adults and only have one day to squeeze it in during our Disney trip. We want to experience as much as we can, and would do it all if we could! Probably going on Fri. 7/3/09 or Sun. 7/5/09.

 

[Metro West]

Already planning a summer 2011 trip for our first onsite stay just to get my hands on these puppies! Even looking at restaurants already! Suggestions?

My favorites are:

Citywalk: Margaritaville and HRC

IOA: Thunder Falls Terrace and Mythos

Studios: Louie's and Finnegan's

Hello! Is it possible to do both parks in one day with EP? We are four adults and only have one day to squeeze it in during our Disney trip. We want to experience as much as we can, and would do it all if we could! Probably going on Fri. 7/3/09 or Sun. 7/5/09.

It's a good bet you could do most everything with the EP...you still might feel rushed especially on a holiday weekend.

 

[hellokitty86]

I'm glad I found this post; I was just going to ask this very same question! I'm confused about the different prices on the Universal Orlando website. We were thinking of going the 4th of July weekend (are we totally insane??)

We are thinking of 2 options-
#1 stay in a cheap hotel right outside Universal for the first night, check in Royal Pacific the second night for FOTL access for Saturday and Sunday (it's just too expensive for this last minute trip to stay at RP for 2 nights)

or #2-
Stay in cheap hotel for both nights and just buy an express pass. What do you guys recommend?

We've stayed at Royal Pacific before and absolutely LOVED it- but this is a last minute budget trip so we are trying to make the best decision! The holiday weekend thing is scaring me alittle!

 

[Metro West]

We are thinking of 2 options-
#1 stay in a cheap hotel right outside Universal for the first night, check in Royal Pacific the second night for FOTL access for Saturday and Sunday (it's just too expensive for this last minute trip to stay at RP for 2 nights)

We've stayed at Royal Pacific before and absolutely LOVED it- but this is a last minute budget trip so we are trying to make the best decision! The holiday weekend thing is scaring me alittle!

If you can swing it, stay onsite for the two days of unlimited Express access...especially on a holiday weekend.

 

[holcomb-mania]

My favorites are:

Citywalk: Margaritaville and HRC

IOA: Thunder Falls Terrace and Mythos

Studios: Louie's and Finnegan's

Thanks, Metro. Can't get started too early, I guess. I can't wait to hit the parks and it's 2 yrs away.

 

[hellokitty86]

If you can swing it, stay onsite for the two days of unlimited Express access...especially on a holiday weekend.

We would be checking into the Royal Pacific on Saturday morning, going to Universal that day and Islands of Adventure Sunday after we check out. Isn't the unlimited Express access good for both days? I thought it was good on the day of check out. We aren't going to a park on Friday night.

 

[Metro West]

We would be checking into the Royal Pacific on Saturday morning, going to Universal that day and Islands of Adventure Sunday after we check out. Isn't the unlimited Express access good for both days? I thought it was good on the day of check out. We aren't going to a park on Friday night.

Yes...one night is good for two days...that's what I said in the post.

 

[mickey's cook]

It's a good bet you could do most everything with the EP...you still might feel rushed especially on a holiday weekend.

Awesome thanks!! Any recommendations for which park to do first? Planning on getting there before opening then I was thinking IOA first since it's mostly quick rides and probably gets more crowded..?