Insight into Express Pass prices and crowds

[GaryDis]

Looking at our days of interest, for single use EPs, I'm seeing:

• Sunday: $65 both parks, $60 USF, $40 IOA. This is a HHN day, IOA closes at 8, USF AT 5.
• Monday: $70 both parks, $60 USF, $50 IOA. Both parks close at 7.

USF opens at 8 both days, 7 if you count early admission. IOA opens at 9 both days.

Questions:

1. Why is IOA so much cheaper?
2. Why would IOA go up on Monday? With HHN on Sunday, I'd expect IOA to be the preferred park for a la carte express passes, since it's both open an hour longer than on Monday, while USF is open two hours less on Sunday than Monday.
3. Given these prices, the park hours, two-park passes both days, and early admission (but no hotel express pass), which day would you do each park? Obviously with the two-park pass you can hop back and forth, and would definitely do so at least once because early admission is USF only, but it's easier to pick one park and stay there.

(Does it appear all the WDW planning is triggering over-analysis?)

 

[macraven]

Is the weekend you are giving us ep costs for the Columbus Day weekend?

If so, that Monday usually has high attendance which is a source for higher ep costs

 

[GaryDis]

Is the weekend you are giving us ep costs for the Columbus Day weekend?

If so, that Monday usually has high attendance which is a source for higher ep costs

No, it's just in a couple of weeks. But that Sunday matches the lowest prices for any express pass. I'm surprised that a weekend day would ever have the cheapest express pass price.

 

[damo]

No, it's just in a couple of weeks. But that Sunday matches the lowest prices for any express pass. I'm surprised that a weekend day would ever have the cheapest express pass price.

Sunday usually has a lower attendance at Universal. People are either just arriving or leaving.

 

[johde]

Not sure why IOA is cheaper, but the cheapest price for Express Passes is $40 for IOA, $60 for USF and $65 for both (one trip for ride). Universal is expecting low crowds those day. As far as why Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday are more expensive, like Damo said, Sunday is often a travel day. HHN is raising the price of express at Studios for Sunday. Which might seem counter intuitive but if you're going to USF on Sunday and it closes sooner, people might be tempted to buy express to be able to do more with the time you have.

On which park which day, I do both parks both days. The Universal Parks are much closer together than Disney's Parks. You also have the Hogwarts Express to get between the two parks . On Sunday, I would start ay USF then hop to IOA before HHN starts. On Monday, I'd reverse it. Start at IOA then hop back to USF in the evening (Or do EE at USF and hop twice). That way, you can enjoy the Hogwarts Express both directions and take advantage of the operating hours at each park.

 

[GaryDis]

For what it's worth, prices have gone up. Sunday prices are now the same as I originally posted for Monday. Monday prices are unchanged.

 

[macraven]

Well..... That shoots one theory


Can be unpredictable when ep prices will increase
And each time we see high or increased ep costs on specific dates, makes me realize more will be in the park those days

All I know is UO establishes those prices based on how they can make the most money on the ep
Sorry for my sarcasm

They take into account prior ticket sales, hotel occupancy levels, and pre ordered tickets in a time period

If many are buying the ep online it gives UO an idea of predicted crowd levels

Supply and demand

 

[lovewdwdvc]

We may be going at the end of January or early February. Will it be worth it to get the front of the line passes?

 

[macraven]

Last week of Jan has the potter gala

Quite a few that does that package stay on for a few days more

Early feb is nice
Go before president 3 day weekend and the 14 th

Mardi Gras starts later in feb which makes weekends busy