How does front of the line access work?

[keltshan]

We did Disney this year and are considering Universal for next year---we would definitely stay onsite. How does the front of the line access work and is it for every attraction for unlimited amount of rides? Plus, do you still have significant wait times for the big rides even with this? Is it in affect all year winter and summer? thanks for the info!!!!

 

[xApril]

If you stay onsite, you get an unlimited amount of rides. If you buy the express pass, it's once per attraction. I have never actually had express since I live too close for it to be useful for a day since I can just return, but I have heard that usually the wait doesn't go above 15 minutes, but anything is possible if it's really, really busy.

You can get it at anytime of year, though it is best to wait until you're at the parks so you can judge the crowds before buying one. (Of course, if you stay onsite, you'll already have it so you won't need to assess things)

 

[damo]

Everyone who stays onsite gets a room key. That room key is used like a fast pass at Disney. You show it to the attendant and they scan it (sometimes) and let you into the express line. You don't get to go to the front of the line. It is in effect all year and the lines are usually under 15 minutes (unless there has been a ride breakdown or something like that).

 

[Purseval]

We did Disney this year and are considering Universal for next year---we would definitely stay onsite. How does the front of the line access work and is it for every attraction for unlimited amount of rides? Plus, do you still have significant wait times for the big rides even with this? Is it in affect all year winter and summer? thanks for the info!!!!

It's for most attractions all year round for unlimited amounts of rides. Some don't have it yet (Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit) and they say that the Wizarding World of Harry Potter will only let you get express access once per day. That will probably change once the initial surge dies down.

There have been some complaints about the Express line not being any faster than the regular line but those complaints are few and far between. It's a great perk. You also get an extra day of FOTL because your room key still gets you express access the day you check out.

 

[the Dark Marauder]

Express wait times are usually under 20 mins. During the summer, at rides such as Ripsaw Falls, Hulk, & Spider-Man, Express wait times can exceed 45 mins. I would expect HP Forbidden Journey to have the same fate.

Not all attractions participate in Express (Rockit & P-Flyers do not) and restrictions can be imposed on any ride. Normally, staying onsite gets you unlimited Express access to all participating rides during the length of your stay.

 

[DecaturDad]

Express wait times are usually under 20 mins. During the summer, at rides such as Ripsaw Falls, Hulk, & Spider-Man, Express wait times can exceed 45 mins. I would expect HP Forbidden Journey to have the same fate.

Not all attractions participate in Express (Rockit & P-Flyers do not) and restrictions can be imposed on any ride. Normally, staying onsite gets you unlimited Express access to all participating rides during the length of your stay.

Anyone know how long the waits will be Easter week? 45 minutes seems too long

 

[Metro West]

Anyone know how long the waits will be Easter week? 45 minutes seems too long

That's a busy week so I wouldn't be surprised to see waits of 30 minutes or more.

 

[pixeegrl]

We were there Christmas of '08 and never experienced wait times of more than 15 minutes. If the Express lines can get that long (I hope they don't as we are going last week of August) imagine how long the regular line could be. Still woth it in my opinion. Can't beat the convience of onsite either.

 

[the Dark Marauder]

Anyone know how long the waits will be Easter week? 45 minutes seems too long

Compare that to a regular line of 90-120mins

Express will always be faster.