Has removal of free Express pass affected lines?

[wilma-bride]

Anyone who's been recently noticed any difference in wait times now that the free Exress pass has gone?

We normally visit in September and have never used the Express anyway (haven't needed to) but will be going in October this year and wondered whether lines would be longer.

 

[Sylvester McBean]

I haven't been there the last two weeks due to spring break and the abscence of the free EP's. either the attendance at the parks is soaring this year, ot it's affecting wait times. IOA has been worse than US in my experiences. at first I thought they were inflating standby times to sell more EPP's, but when the Spiderman queue is outside, it's 45-60 minutes. this was the first February I've ever seen JPRA at over a 60 minute standby.

 

[Jason71]

Waits were horrific yesterday. However, (i) it's Spring Break, (ii) Big & Rich, arguably the biggest concert of the season, was last night, and (iii) a lot of rides were shut down unexpectedly (Hulk and Mummy were closed for hours, I had friends caught on Cat in the Hat for 20 minutes).

The real test will be this Summer.

 

[Fan2CSkr]

Waits were horrific yesterday. However, (i) it's Spring Break, (ii) Big & Rich, arguably the biggest concert of the season, was last night, and (iii) a lot of rides were shut down unexpectedly (Hulk and Mummy were closed for hours, I had friends caught on Cat in the Hat for 20 minutes).

The real test will be this Summer.

Did you see the concert? What did ya think?

 

[Sylvester McBean]

Waits were horrific yesterday. However, (i) it's Spring Break, (ii) Big & Rich, arguably the biggest concert of the season, was last night, and (iii) a lot of rides were shut down unexpectedly (Hulk and Mummy were closed for hours, I had friends caught on Cat in the Hat for 20 minutes).

The real test will be this Summer.

weekends in the summer were bearable with the EP, not now. I'll take chances with BG or SW, maybe even WDW, or hit the beach or gulf. now that UO is pulling up the EP machines, I'm done. it's a bullcrap move on Universal's part.

 

[Fan2CSkr]

Double Post

 

[damo]

Waits were under a half an hour when we were there two weeks ago. Waits at Disney's AK were all over an hour (except EE which seemed to move through in about half an hour)

 

[Jason71]

Did you see the concert? What did ya think?

Really good show. You could tell they were having fun on stage, and it carried over into the crowd.

 

[robvia]

This would be interesting to know, whether wait times are shorter or not for those in the standby line.
The thing is, many people are traveling again, and the parks seem to have a rise in attendance.
As far as October, the crowds are light in the morning, then build just before HHN. You'll be fine if you show up early.

 

[phamton]

Right now it is crowded. Saturday was unbelievably busy so it is hard to judge. But technically it should cut down on standby lines because when a person is waiting in one line, he isn't riding two other rides with express passes.

 

[Gonz Of Lancashire]

Went to IOA & US in february and the express plus ruined it big time. We were unaware of the changes. Although the parks were relatively quiet, there were long queues at most rides. We got the free kids passes and both my wife & I agreed that they are hoping that the money you save on admission will be spent on the new passes. Whilst waiting for One Fish, Two Fish, both me and the people I was queing with counted they were letting the pass line in at a rate of four to one. When we pointed this out to the girl admitting the lines she said it was being let in fifty-fifty. Tensions were getting a bit raised and personally I think they've shot themselves in the foot as I won't be going back next year, which is a shame as we all enjoy the parks.

 

[SRRN]

Why did they do away with the express pass? Was there some specific reason?

 

[wilma-bride]

This would be interesting to know, whether wait times are shorter or not for those in the standby line.
The thing is, many people are traveling again, and the parks seem to have a rise in attendance.
As far as October, the crowds are light in the morning, then build just before HHN. You'll be fine if you show up early.

We always arrive early anyway and, certainly at IOA, have always managed to ride everything we wanted by lunchtime/early afternoon (some rides at least twice). We will continue to arrive early and just hope that the lines won't be that bad.

 

[pixie57]

Does this mean that the multi-day pass that I bought last year will no longer have the benefit of Express Pass? When did free EP disappear?

Our next trip will be at the end of June. Any recommendations for what day is best at US? After going there last April, I will never go on a Saturday again!

 

[Foladar]

Went to IOA & US in february and the express plus ruined it big time. We were unaware of the changes. Although the parks were relatively quiet, there were long queues at most rides. We got the free kids passes and both my wife & I agreed that they are hoping that the money you save on admission will be spent on the new passes. Whilst waiting for One Fish, Two Fish, both me and the people I was queing with counted they were letting the pass line in at a rate of four to one. When we pointed this out to the girl admitting the lines she said it was being let in fifty-fifty. Tensions were getting a bit raised and personally I think they've shot themselves in the foot as I won't be going back next year, which is a shame as we all enjoy the parks.

Was there ever Express Passes in Feb? I thought those were the "off peak times" so express passes (free atleast) wasn't there, atleast when I went in 2005 they weren't. And to the other poster just above, all free express pass machines were removed, you can only get express pass via FOTL (onsite hotel) or paid express.

 

[MsDisney]

Why did they do away with the express pass? Was there some specific reason?

I think the unofficial reason they did away with it was to tick off Sylvester McBean...

Karen / MsDis

 

[Sylvester McBean]

I think the unofficial reason they did away with it was to tick off Sylvester McBean...

Karen / MsDis

officially they did it for the money. unofficially they have totally, completely, and without remorse or apology completed their objective. I've shared my views with guest services repeatedly, but to no avail.

 

[Gonz Of Lancashire]

Was there ever Express Passes in Feb? I thought those were the "off peak times" so express passes (free atleast) wasn't there, atleast when I went in 2005 they weren't. And to the other poster just above, all free express pass machines were removed, you can only get express pass via FOTL (onsite hotel) or paid express.

Been in January and February and used Express Pass. Whilst in the queue now, you feel like its all turned to survival of the richest, "ah sir, I see you've got the money, just walk past the rabble to the front of the queue". I can understand resort guests getting preferrential treatment, but judging by the amount of people in stand-by lines not everyone can afford the extra dollars to go on top of an already expensive trip. Surprised not to get turned upside down and shaken by the ankles on the way out. An idea for a new ride there perhaps................?

 

[damo]

officially they did it for the money. unofficially they have totally, completely, and without remorse or apology completed their objective. I've shared my views with guest services repeatedly, but to no avail.

As long as people are buying it, I assume they will sell it. It must be popular. As long as the number of purchasers far outweighs the number of complaints, it will be sold.

I guess when you consider the price. It is a pretty good deal.

If you look at a family of four, they can buy 5 days tickets for $200 total. Even if you add $35 each for a couple of days, it is pretty cheap. We had friends go down right after Christmas and they spent $99/ticket for the 5 days (4 adults). They were thrilled to be able to buy that express pass plus tickets for a few of those days and thought it was a way better system than Disney. They actually only bought the express pass once since they found the lines to be very manageable.

If they had gone to Disney, the 5 days of tickets would be $796 and then you aren't even guaranteed a fastpass.

 

[vellamint]

Been in January and February and used Express Pass. Whilst in the queue now, you feel like its all turned to survival of the richest, "ah sir, I see you've got the money, just walk past the rabble to the front of the queue". I can understand resort guests getting preferrential treatment, but judging by the amount of people in stand-by lines not everyone can afford the extra dollars to go on top of an already expensive trip. Surprised not to get turned upside down and shaken by the ankles on the way out. An idea for a new ride there perhaps................?

I totally agree with this...if I did not have an unused day from our last trip we would not be visiting Universal Orlando.

And as for those pay $99 come for 5 days.....sorry - I would lose my mind going to Universal/IOA for 5 days. Been too many times, seen it all, not much has changed since 2003...not enough anyway to justify the extra days. And they are getting extra money from those people through their restaurants, parking fees and souveniers. (Not to mention the hope that these tourists will stay for Citiwalk.) I see that promotion and feel that they are ..... nevermind ....lets just say that it is a very good business move on their parts.