Help me decide--Univ Express Pass or Not?

LeeLee'sMom

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Hello everyone. We will be going to WDW & Universal last week of August. We did pretty much the same trip in 2012. We stayed onsite at WDW the entire week and midweek rented a car for 2 days and drove over to US & IOA 2 days. Lines at Universal were pretty minimal except maybe a couple of half hour waits but really not that bad at all that I recall.

I am now wondering with the expansion of the Harry Potter World if the crowd levels will be ridiculous? any thoughts? So now I am debating staying at WDW for the first 5 days and then staying at Royal Pacific for the 3 remaining days because of the express pass. We get the military discount at WDW so the rooms are about 100 or so cheaper vs. staying at Royal Pacific. Does anyone think Express pass will be almost a necessity in August?? My DD8 is tall so she can ride just about every ride except for I think the Hulk and we wouldn't be spending much or any time in Dr. Seuss land this year..maybe a quick walk through but nothing major. Just can't decide ..:confused3
 
You could wait it out and go with your first plan and add the regular (once per ride) Express Pass when you get to the park. But, there's nothing quite like an unlimited Express Pass, even on moderate days.

The Potter expansion will doubtless add to the crowds, so it may be best to err on the side of caution.
 
I agree-rather be safe than sorry..plus have not stayed at any of the Univ Hotels ever, so I think it will be a nice experience, plus I believe you can pool hop also. I think we will play it safe or will we..:lmao:
 
Keep checking for discounts for the hotels. They do have military discounts, contact the hotel directly for the rate. Also, they do have a stay more, save more rate, and sometimes an AP rate. Finally, there is a travel agency that has a great rate for that time of year (we'll be there then too) that you may want to check out. We'll be at the Portofino, as we love that unlimited pass and the closeness of the parks. Plus, the hotel is really nice, and the rooms big, big bathrooms. My kids are ride junkies, so we enjoy US. I have an AP, just for the hotel discount if I can get it, had in the past years, and discounts at the parks. It's been a good deal.

Have a great vacation!
 

I'd stay onsite for sure. Being able to walk back to the hotel for a pool break in the middle of the hot, humid day is really worth it.
 
I'd stay onsite because staying onsite at Universal is awesome for more reasons than the Express Pass. But the Express Pass makes it extra awesome. :)
 
I compared the price of purchasing the EP option the day we arrive, and at $89 per person, for one time per ride, was nearly $360. To get a one night stay at RPR was $270... we got the room, UNLIMITED express pass use, the luxury of having the option of returning midday for a cool swim and rest in the room, and then returning in the evening when the sun is going down. Plus... we get to park in the resort's lot, not the garage, and can use the water taxi if we choose.

Win-Win!!
 
I compared the price of purchasing the EP option the day we arrive, and at $89 per person, for one time per ride, was nearly $360. To get a one night stay at RPR was $270... we got the room, UNLIMITED express pass use, the luxury of having the option of returning midday for a cool swim and rest in the room, and then returning in the evening when the sun is going down. Plus... we get to park in the resort's lot, not the garage, and can use the water taxi if we choose.

Win-Win!!

Great decision, it's an amazing hotel, I'm sure you'll love it. And yes it's a win-win :thumbsup2
 
I compared the price of purchasing the EP option the day we arrive, and at $89 per person, for one time per ride, was nearly $360. To get a one night stay at RPR was $270... we got the room, UNLIMITED express pass use, the luxury of having the option of returning midday for a cool swim and rest in the room, and then returning in the evening when the sun is going down. Plus... we get to park in the resort's lot, not the garage, and can use the water taxi if we choose.

Win-Win!!

And unlimited EP for TWO days with just one night's stay.
 
*****This is not a cliché*****"Once you stay onsite, you will never want to stay offsite again."

Truly. The actual perks of staying onsite at UO are much greater than the perks of staying onsite at WDW.

I'm not saying that you will love the UO resorts more than WDW resorts (even though they are deluxe by Disney standards and very beautiful) but that the perks are better. Well the perk of unlimited express pass anyway.

Your plan of 5 days at WDW than 3 at the Darkside sounds perfect! Would be very worth it and for sure enhance your vacation.

Early entry, unlimited ep, close walk to parks, and beautiful grounds- what's not to love?
 
I compared the price of purchasing the EP option the day we arrive, and at $89 per person, for one time per ride, was nearly $360. To get a one night stay at RPR was $270... we got the room, UNLIMITED express pass use, the luxury of having the option of returning midday for a cool swim and rest in the room, and then returning in the evening when the sun is going down. Plus... we get to park in the resort's lot, not the garage, and can use the water taxi if we choose.

Win-Win!!

I'm new to the Universal scene. (Been a long time WDW visitor but next March we are taking a non-Disney trip and a day at US is included in our plans.) I'm still trying to figure out Universal Express.

To me, it seemed like a good deal, even if you're staying off site, to get the regular (one time per ride) pass. But the above makes no sense to me. I thought it was $20 at US and $30 at IOA for this perk. I thought the $89 was for unlimited. Could someone please set me straight? I was totally planning to add it but not for $89. (Note: We aren't the type of people to ride attractions more than once a day so unlimited is really not necessary for us.)
 
The price is dependent on the date. I'm sorry, I should have specified that.

It's my understanding it's based on supply and demand. The busier the anticipated date, the more it will cost. We are going the 2nd week in June, thus the higher price.

You are right though. When you are on the Add-On page, you type in how many EP's you want, then you type in your dates, and you will see a calendar pop up, each day will show the various prices.
 
I'm new to the Universal scene.

(Note: We aren't the type of people to ride attractions more than once a day so unlimited is really not necessary for us.)


You might want to keep an open mind when it comes to this! We were that way for the most part at Disney, but there were rides at Universal we went on 15 or more times over 3 days! I find there are more rides with very high "replay value" than at Disney. We could have ridden Mummy 50 times in a row if we'd had time! Likewise, Spiderman, Hulk, Dr. Doom, Jurassic Park, and Dragon Challenge are all WAY TOO MUCH FUN to ride only once!
 
The price is dependent on the date. I'm sorry, I should have specified that.

It's my understanding it's based on supply and demand. The busier the anticipated date, the more it will cost. We are going the 2nd week in June, thus the higher price.

You are right though. When you are on the Add-On page, you type in how many EP's you want, then you type in your dates, and you will see a calendar pop up, each day will show the various prices.

Oh dear. I had no idea the price could get that high! (And that's for one park for one day?) I guess I won't be getting it then unless it's in the range listed on the site right now.
 
You might want to keep an open mind when it comes to this! We were that way for the most part at Disney, but there were rides at Universal we went on 15 or more times over 3 days! I find there are more rides with very high "replay value" than at Disney. We could have ridden Mummy 50 times in a row if we'd had time! Likewise, Spiderman, Hulk, Dr. Doom, Jurassic Park, and Dragon Challenge are all WAY TOO MUCH FUN to ride only once!

The rides you are listing are thrill rides that I probably won't even ride once. I guess it just depends on what you are into.
 
Thank you all for your help. I did not realize Univ does military discounts too :cool1: When looking at it in the big scheme of things $$$ it would be better to stay onsite. The resorts look great and going back to the hotel would be a nice break in the "daunting August" Florida humidity. The rides at Univ/IOA are much more thrilling than WDW. My DD8 is a thrill junkie just like us :cool1: But we still love :lovestruc the Disney atmosphere too. Thanks for helping me make the decision or convince me staying onsite is the BEST choice for us..:thumbsup2
 
The rides you are listing are thrill rides that I probably won't even ride once. I guess it just depends on what you are into.

But it goes for ANY ride there. (apart from Pteranodon Flyers, Ollivander's attraction, Forbidden Journey, and whatever else they don't use EP on when Diagon Alley opens). You want to ride the "high in the sky trolley" 4 times in a row? It's much easier with unlimited EP.


Spend some time on the Universalorlando website, look at the various options, really see what's available for your dates, before making solid decisions.
 
But it goes for ANY ride there. (apart from Pteranodon Flyers, Ollivander's attraction, Forbidden Journey, and whatever else they don't use EP on when Diagon Alley opens). You want to ride the "high in the sky trolley" 4 times in a row? It's much easier with unlimited EP.

Yes, I realize that the unlimited EP is for mostly all the rides. I was just saying that I typically don't ride the same ride over and over again.
 





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