Help!

[brooklindaddy]

We are planning on going to Universal Studios/IofA on a Tues Aug 22 OR Wed Aug 23. We are travelling with a 17yr old and a 13 yr old. Realistically, how much would we get done in one day with/without a fastpass. We are not staying on site. Just want to know if we should purchase the fastpass express ticket for the extra $$. If we stuck to just one of the two parks, which is better suited for them? Thanks in advance.

 

[Metro West]

We are planning on going to Universal Studios/IofA on a Tues Aug 22 OR Wed Aug 23. We are travelling with a 17yr old and a 13 yr old. Realistically, how much would we get done in one day with/without a fastpass. We are not staying on site. Just want to know if we should purchase the fastpass express ticket for the extra $$. If we stuck to just one of the two parks, which is better suited for them? Thanks in advance.

It shouldn't make any difference in crowds so go whichever day suits you. Crowds should be thinning out since a lot of schools start back that week. Get there early and see what the lines are like before you purchase Express Plus passes. You should check the website to see which park suits your kids.

www.universalorlando.com

You might want to purchase the park tickets ahead of time so you won't have to stand in the ticket lines at the park. It's a little cheaper buying them online.

 

[Maytrix]

If you are staying in a hotel, your money is far better spent staying one night onsite than it would be buying 4 people express passes. Just do the math.

Even if you have to change hotels just for one night, its worth it.

Which day you go won't make any difference though.

 

[brooklindaddy]

That's the plan...to buy tickets beforehand. From your response, I can buy the express pass at any point during the day, if needed? Do I have to buy that at the front gate, or anywhere in the park (first time visit.

 

[brooklindaddy]

Yeah, can't change hotels (thought of that already)...staying at a booked timeshare. Just looking to give the kids something else other than disney or seaworld. Expecting crowd levels to thin out.

 

[Brian Noble]

Do I have to buy that at the front gate, or anywhere in the park (first time visit.

they are sold at various locations, not just at the front of the park. If you decide you want them, just ask any Team Member where you can get them, but I recall seeing signs here and there, so they should not be hard to find.

 

[Metro West]

That's the plan...to buy tickets beforehand. From your response, I can buy the express pass at any point during the day, if needed? Do I have to buy that at the front gate, or anywhere in the park (first time visit.

EPs are sold throughout both parks...mainly the larger stores and at some attraction gift shops. There are signs where they are available.

 

[bumbershoot]

Yeah, can't change hotels (thought of that already)...staying at a booked timeshare.

I think what a previous poster is saying is that if you are planning to buy the limited Express Passes for 4 people, you might look at the cost of one night's hotel stay. Not that you would have to stay there, but that it might come out a wash, money-wise. Also, with the hotel stay you get the UNlimited Express Pass for BOTH days, plus early entrance to Wizarding World.

Worth doing the math, if you're already planning to get the express pass (which is, as I mentioned, limited to ONE time on each included ride, vs the hotel's express pass which allows for as many rides as you wish on each included ride).

 

[brooklindaddy]

Thanks Bumbershoot, Metro West, and Brian noble for your extra info. Will consider it, esp. if there are extra magic hours available. Why not pay for a room (even though it is not being used) if it is going to get you into the park earlier and give you unlimited ride access for the same price as paying at the gate. Makes sense!

 

[JessicaR]

Thanks Bumbershoot, Metro West, and Brian noble for your extra info. Will consider it, esp. if there are extra magic hours available. Why not pay for a room (even though it is not being used) if it is going to get you into the park earlier and give you unlimited ride access for the same price as paying at the gate. Makes sense!

Just looked at your dates you can purchase 4 express passes @ $56.00 each or one night stay at Royal Pacific for $244.00. That would be for express for both parks if you pick just IOA it is 49.00 each.

Hotel express is so much better and early entry into IOA.

 

[macraven]

Thanks Bumbershoot, Metro West, and Brian noble for your extra info. Will consider it, esp. if there are extra magic hours available. Why not pay for a room (even though it is not being used) if it is going to get you into the park earlier and give you unlimited ride access for the same price as paying at the gate. Makes sense!

extra magic hours is more of the motherland (disney) lingo.

at the darkside, onsite hotel guests are allowed to enter the park one hour prior at ioa for parry hotter ville and at the studios side for despictable me.

that perk of early entry is allowed for the day you check in and the day you check out.

if you booked an onsite room for one night, you get 2 days of unlimited usage of the express lines, and early entry.


https://www.universalorlando.com/Ticket-Store/PurchaseTickets.aspx?ExpressPlus

i went to the epp/express pass plus site and it shows it would cost you $407.92 for a family of 4 for express passes for august 22 and 23 which covers both parks.
those passes are valid for only one usage per ride and show each day.

the onsite room would cost you less than $407.92 for a one night stay.

many do book one night stay and never use the room for the night.
they might go to the room for a break in the day but return to their original hotel for the night.

that is why another poster suggested for you to book a one night room onsite for the perks.
it would be cheaper to go that route than to pay for the epp's for all of you.

 

[macraven]

i need to drink more coffee.......

jessicaR has different numbers than i do.



maybe i'll skip the coffee and wear glasses when i pull up epp #'s


any way you look at it, rent a room onsite one night to come ahead financially when considering buying epp's for the family.

 

[damo]

Thanks Bumbershoot, Metro West, and Brian noble for your extra info. Will consider it, esp. if there are extra magic hours available. Why not pay for a room (even though it is not being used) if it is going to get you into the park earlier and give you unlimited ride access for the same price as paying at the gate. Makes sense!

Like Macraven said, with staying onsite for one night, you get TWO full days of unlimited express pass access and two mornings of early admission. Both parks open early every morning for people staying onsite and those with off-site packages.

 

[brooklindaddy]

Thanks to all for your research! Much appreciated and will further look into a room for the 2 day express passes.

 

[Maytrix]

I actually wasn't thinking getting a room and not using it would be cheaper, but I guess it can be!

I guess with 4 people it can make a bigger difference!

So it would seem getting a hotel for one night would add some benefits. I would suggest staying onsite that night too - don't even need to move all your stuff, just some clothes that you need. It makes life much easier just walking back and forth from the hotel.

So check in as early as you can - the earlier you check in, the earlier you can get to the park Leave your bags at the hotel and then come back in the afternoon for a break, check in and then head back to the park for the rest of the day. When you have to just take a short walk back to the hotel the end of the day and can take another short walk to the park the next morning, you'll see the other added benefit of being onsite.