How necessary would express passes be in mid April?

[cdnusagurl]

So still in the planning stage and I just realized that my husband and I can save around $840 CAD by staying at Cabana Bay for our trip next year, instead of RPR. My only question is, do you think express passes are necessary two weeks after Easter? I'm okay with 15 minute waits, but if the lines are around 30 minutes or higher, then that would be the only thing making RPR worth it in my opinion for the express passes. Especailly since it doesn't include Volcano Bay and we plan to go there for at least one day. We're also going to be staying 4 days, possibly 4.5 depending on what flights we can get. So I'm just trying to see if the savings is worth it or not.

 

[Westcoastwild]

I think at any time you've got a good chance of lines longer than 30 minutes. 15 minutes is a really low threshold.

I don't personally think the express pass is worth the money. I bought it because like you I don't like waiting in line. But the rides I would love to use it on don't allow it and most of the rides I can use it has single rider which is rarely longer express ime.


If that's your only criteria for choosing a hotel though you do realize you can add express pass on for WAY less than $840? At least assuming if it's just the two of you. I didn't stay on property at UO for that reason. $400+ a night vs. just the cost of an express pass is a no brainer.

 

[mjhtvchick]

It really depends on your threshold of "necessary" - I have been there that time of year with and without EPs and having them definitely enhances your day and allows you to do more.

You need to consider what and how many rides you want to do - Hulk, RRR, Mummy, Transformers and Despicable Me Minion Mayhem regularly post 30-50 minute wait times.

As PP said, you could always pay for either Regular or Unlimited EP out of pocket for one day of your trip (they can be bought from multiple locations in the parks) if you get there and feel you need it.

That's what we are going to be doing next year - staying at Sapphire Falls and will get EP for one day if we feel we need it when we get there.

 

[derekw]

If you plan on being at the parks 3 or 4 days of your trip I don't think you'll need EPs to get in everything in. Most attractions will be ~15-30 minutes with maybe some of the most popular 45-60 during the peak hours would be my guess (12-2pm). I like the idea of just buying it for one day if necessary.

 

[StrawberryChan]

i should add that a single rider line is offered on a few attractions (last i checked it was rip ride rockit, gringotts, transformers, mummy, MIB, spider-man, dr. doom, hulk, forbidden journey, and kong -- it's not really necessary on MIB or doom). it can be a bit slow or lickety-split depending on the staff, but if you want to split up and take that chance, you can avoid having to use express for those rides specifically! i agree with what was said above, too -- you could grab express for one day and use it if you need it!

 

[cdnusagurl]

Thanks everyone. I think we're gonna save our money and stay at Cabana Bay. I actually like the theming of it better than RPR and it's hard to pass up saving $700 on our hotel.

 

[Penguinempress]

I did one day at Universal (Studios only, no IOA) after Easter this year (Saturday April 22nd) and was surprised at how short lines were. Rip Rockit was the longest line I waited in - posted time was 55 minutes but I actually got on in about 30. Everything else was more like 15 or 20 minutes and quite frequently, the actual wait time was less than what was posted. When I bought my tickets, I noticed the end of April was 'value' season so maybe lower crowds are typical for this time of year.