How much faster is Express Pass REALLY?

[ThreeMusketeers]

Considering purchasing these tickets...am I wasting my money? We are going the second week in January.

THOUGHTS??

 

[patster734]

I've never been to Universal in January, but from what I've heard, you won't need Express. The best advice I heard for off peak time visit is wait until you arrive and see how big the crowds are. If you feel the wait times are long because of crowds, buy the express ticket from guest services.

 

[ThreeMusketeers]

Thank you! That's a good idea. Here I am thinking I have to purchase everything ahead of time agian.

If anyone has been mid month January I'd be curious to know your experience as well.

 

[mesaboy2]

Thank you! That's a good idea. Here I am thinking I have to purchase everything ahead of time agian.

If anyone has been mid month January I'd be curious to know your experience as well.

I seriously doubt you'll need Express, and patster's advice is sound. Only holiday of note is MLK weekend, which will up crowds a bit but still not too bad.

 

[Metro West]

You won't need Express Plus passes during that time of year.

 

[cmk40]

What about in August? Should we get the express pass ahead of time or wait until the day we are there?

 

[mesaboy2]

What about in August? Should we get the express pass ahead of time or wait until the day we are there?

Waiting until you're there is almost always the better choice. The only risks are that the price may go up between now and then, or that they sell out. They will not sell out in August.

 

[AARCLUKSCH]

What about Thanksgiving weekend? We are staying at RPR. Will we be OK with the Express Pass.

 

[Metro West]

What about Thanksgiving weekend? We are staying at RPR. Will we be OK with the Express Pass.

Yes but the parks are going to be jammed! The unlimited Express will help on the majority of attractions but the early entry for WWoHP will really be a great perk. I wouldn't be surprised if that area was closed right after opening due to the crowds so getting there for early entry will be crucial.

 

[macraven]

What about in August? Should we get the express pass ahead of time or wait until the day we are there?

if you go in early to mid august, you will still have some of the summer crowds.

i always say wait until you are there to determine if you will need them.
if you bought the epp in advance and it pours down rain, and a lot of lightening is happening you have wasted your money if you are at ioa.

the epp is park designated.
they are only valid for the park you purchase them for and the date.

go early and do a lot before the crowds begin around 11ish.
if you have more to do in the park, buy the epp then.
they will allow you one ride and show only once.
hp is not included with the epp you buy.

if you are doing both parks, start with one and then move to the other.
chances are you will have crowds to the second park if you are doing both in the same day.
you can buy the epp at the other park at that time if lines are longer than what you want to wait for.

What about Thanksgiving weekend? We are staying at RPR. Will we be OK with the Express Pass.

staying on site allows you unlimited express line usage. this is for both parks.
parryhotter land is excluded though.

parks are ok prior to Tday.
once it is Tday and after, you will see crowds but that should not be an issue for you.

go early and take in the sites you want while it is not totally crowded.
use the express lines for everything.

 

[Melanie230]

What about in August? Should we get the express pass ahead of time or wait until the day we are there?

We went to US/IOA in July of 2007...my son wanted to see how many times we could ride Men In Black with our express pass (we stay onsite). So we waited for a couple to go in the regular line. When we got on for the 9th time...that couple had just gotten on about 4 cars before us.