IoA Express Pass

[xoktenox]

So we're heading to IoA in April...is it worth it for us to get the Express Pass? And how does the Express Pass work? We don't mind spending the extra money for it as long as it's worth it. We want to get on the rides as many times as possible but are not into waiting an hour or more to do so. We're big thrill ride junkies so please give me your advice!

 

[mayerobeyer]

It depends on the crowd level. Honestly, I still think it's worth it to stay on site than to spend the money on an express pass for each of you in which you can only ride each ride once. Since you are big thrill junkies I'm going to suggest you look into staying at one of the on site hotels since you will no doubt want to ride each of the coasters multiple times.

 

[donaldduck352]

It depends on the crowd level. Honestly, I still think it's worth it to stay on site than to spend the money on an express pass for each of you in which you can only ride each ride once. Since you are big thrill junkies I'm going to suggest you look into staying at one of the on site hotels since you will no doubt want to ride each of the coasters multiple times.

A one night stay on-site will give you two days of FOTL..
The day you arrive and the day you check out..A good deal for a one nite stay!!

 

[Metro West]

So we're heading to IoA in April...is it worth it for us to get the Express Pass? And how does the Express Pass work? We don't mind spending the extra money for it as long as it's worth it. We want to get on the rides as many times as possible but are not into waiting an hour or more to do so. We're big thrill ride junkies so please give me your advice!

If you can't stay onsite, wait until you arrive to decide if you want to purchase the EP or not. If you get there early, you might be able to do the bigger attractions w/o much of a wait.

 

[macraven]

i'm going to piggy back on what metro stated.

if you are staying onsite, be sure to be at the parks by 8:20ish.
there are times the tm's will allow you in if the lines are very long at the turnstiles.

officially the parks open at 9 but if they open around 8:30ish, you will be able to ride Hulk, Dr Doom and Spiderman repeat times without crowds and be done with those rides by 9:00.

you can get a lot done on the rides before lines begin to start.

wait until you are in the park before you decide to by the epp.
if you have done most of the rides, and there is only a 20 minute wait on the ones you haven't done yet, you might not need to buy the epp.

if you decide to buy them, gs and the main merch store in the park sell them.

as others have suggested, stay one night on site and get the fotl free.
hotel guests can do repeat rides as much as they desire with the hotel key as their fotl pass.

people that buy the express pass plus can only use it for each ride or attraction once only. if you want to do repeat rides, you then must use the regular lines.


if you stay one night on site, you can use the fotl for the day you check in and also the day you check out until the park closes that night.

if you can swing one night on site, then stay off site the next night, you have the best of both worlds.
fotl on check out day.


if you go during the week m-th, less crowds.
weekends bring in crowds to the parks

 

[xoktenox]

Thanks everyone for the advice!! I really appreciate it!

Our trip is already planned and booked, we're staying on-site at WDW and no extra days can be added so thats out of the question, thanks for the suggestion though.

What I'm thinking most people are saying is that we should just wait until we get there to see if we should get the express pass. Has anyone been there at the end of April before? What are the crowd levels like?

 

[Darcy03231]

The end of April is school vacation time in the northeast.

We went during the summer during peak time and stayed off-site. I did book a room (although no one stayed in it) for one night to get the FOTL access for 5 members of our party for 2 days. It was sooo worth it. We have thrill ride junkies in my family and they just had a blast. In the end it was less expensive to book the room than it would have been to purchase the express passes.

 

[stephaniesboys]

Isn't there a VIP 1 day pass that lets you have unlimited rides at both parks? We're also staying at disney, but in June. I'm thinking it will be worth it for unlimited rides. We have 2 kids and have no idea when we'll back in the area again and want to make the most of our day.

 

[bubba's mom]

Isn't there a VIP 1 day pass that lets you have unlimited rides at both parks? We're also staying at disney, but in June. I'm thinking it will be worth it for unlimited rides. We have 2 kids and have no idea when we'll back in the area again and want to make the most of our day.

Yep...what's your date?

 

[bubba's mom]

Thanks everyone for the advice!! I really appreciate it!

Our trip is already planned and booked, we're staying on-site at WDW and no extra days can be added so thats out of the question, thanks for the suggestion though.

What I'm thinking most people are saying is that we should just wait until we get there to see if we should get the express pass. Has anyone been there at the end of April before? What are the crowd levels like?

One day? 1 or both parks? What date in April?

 

[stephaniesboys]

Not sure which specific date yet since disney hasn't posted june hours yet. My best guess is anytime between 6/23 and 29. My boys are very excited!

 

[Metro West]

Isn't there a VIP 1 day pass that lets you have unlimited rides at both parks? We're also staying at disney, but in June. I'm thinking it will be worth it for unlimited rides. We have 2 kids and have no idea when we'll back in the area again and want to make the most of our day.

Yes...the VIP EP is $149.99 + tax per person and includes admission to the Studios and Islands of Adventure for one day but does not allow park hopping. It gives you unlimited Express access to all participating attractions.

 

[xoktenox]

I live in the Northeast, Long Island NY. Our vacation isn't the week we're going, April 19-26. We'll be at IoA on Tuesday the 21st...could we get the VIP 1 day pass? We're only going to be at IoA, not US.

 

[Metro West]

I live in the Northeast, Long Island NY. Our vacation isn't the week we're going, April 19-26. We'll be at IoA on Tuesday the 21st...could we get the VIP 1 day pass? We're only going to be at IoA, not US.

That wouldn't be the best deal for you as the VIP is for both parks...not just one. Since you're only going to IOA, just get the regular EP but wait until you arrive.

 

[bubba's mom]

Not sure which specific date yet since disney hasn't posted june hours yet. My best guess is anytime between 6/23 and 29. My boys are very excited!

VIP is $149.99/pp + $2.15 electronic processing fee (free pickup at parks) OR $14.00 to Fed Ex to you. For a family to purchase VIP tickets, it's most likely cheaper to get an onsite room for the unlimited Express Pass...whether you use the room or not.

 

[bubba's mom]

I live in the Northeast, Long Island NY. Our vacation isn't the week we're going, April 19-26. We'll be at IoA on Tuesday the 21st...could we get the VIP 1 day pass? We're only going to be at IoA, not US.

$25.99/pp except for the 26th...then it would be $19.99/pp

That's EP for 1 day/1 park.

 

[xoktenox]

Thank you so much everyone for your information!

Last question: someone said something about the EP only being good for one ride on each ride...is that how it works?

 

[stephaniesboys]

VIP is $149.99/pp + $2.15 electronic processing fee (free pickup at parks) OR $14.00 to Fed Ex to you. For a family to purchase VIP tickets, it's most likely cheaper to get an onsite room for the unlimited Express Pass...whether you use the room or not.

I'll definately look into it because there are 4 of us....

 

[bubba's mom]

I'll definately look into it because there are 4 of us....

I would....You may be able to get AAA rate (if you're a member) and save some $.... even if not, still may be cheaper in the long run.

 

[Metro West]

$25.99/pp except for the 26th...then it would be $19.99/pp

That's EP for 1 day/1 park.

That's just the regular EP...not the VIP.

Last question: someone said something about the EP only being good for one ride on each ride...is that how it works?

Yes...the Express pass you purchase is only good once per attraction.