Is it worth buying Express Plus Passes to end of August!

[heaven2006]

Hello everyone! It's my first post in Universal Studios forums

I am planning my first vacation to Florida to late August and I would like to know if it worth buying Express Plus Passes. I noticed that the passes are more cheaper than any other time of the year (15$ each for 1day-1park) so i thought maybe it won't worth the money spent. Because it's our first time we would like to do all rides and have time to take an afternoon break because of the weather. I also thought to stay on-site for 1 or 2 nights but since I am hopping for free dining i would prefer to stay at Disney hotels. Universal hotels are also expensive and there are lots of "hidden" fees (parking, fitness center, etc...)

Any advices would be great!
Thanks in advance

 

[damo]

If you sign up for the Loews first card, there is no charge for fitness center.

For Aug. 21-23, AAA rate, it is $167/night at Royal Pacific. If you don't stay onsite, it will be difficult to take an afternoon break. Onsite you can just walk back to the hotel (or take the boat) and then swim and enjoy yourself for a while before heading back to the park. Also onsite, your express pass is unlimited where the express plus passes only give you one ride per attraction.

The only other fee is parking.

 

[SharonLowe]

Also, you'll have to buy an express pass for each person but if you stay on-site, your whole group gets FOTL access multiple times. One night will cover you for 2 days - day of arrival and the next day.

 

[David R]

Just wait until you get there and judge it. Express Passes rarely sell out except for major holidays. If lines start getting longer than 20 minutes, then decide if you should pay for it, if they stay on or around 15 minutes for the big rides, then you should probably save your money.

 

[heaven2006]

First of all, thank you for your quick replies.

I forgot to say that I'm from Portugal, so AAA rates aren't good for me. The cheapest rate I found for my travel dates was 209$ plus tax for Royal Pacific. For example, If i arrive early at the resort (for example, at 8:30 am), can I get the express passes for that day and do the check in later? (because check-in is only at 3pm i think). The passes are available for 1 park per day or Can I do both in the same day? Maybe I'll reconsider my choice. I'm just trying to plan everything so far in advance but sometimes there are very good last minute discounts or promotions that can change my plans.

Thanks!

 

[damo]

You can buy two park express passes.

 

[rpbert1]

First of all, thank you for your quick replies.

I forgot to say that I'm from Portugal, so AAA rates aren't good for me. The cheapest rate I found for my travel dates was 209$ plus tax for Royal Pacific. For example, If i arrive early at the resort (for example, at 8:30 am), can I get the express passes for that day and do the check in later? (because check-in is only at 3pm i think). The passes are available for 1 park per day or Can I do both in the same day? Maybe I'll reconsider my choice. I'm just trying to plan everything so far in advance but sometimes there are very good last minute discounts or promotions that can change my plans.

Thanks!

why would AAA rates not be good.
The Automobile Association car breakdown cover is available throughout Europe,all you need to do is sign up with them and you can get the AAA rates, plus discount at Citywalk restaurants and shops

 

[yaytezIOA]

First of all, thank you for your quick replies.

I forgot to say that I'm from Portugal, so AAA rates aren't good for me. The cheapest rate I found for my travel dates was 209$ plus tax for Royal Pacific. For example, If i arrive early at the resort (for example, at 8:30 am), can I get the express passes for that day and do the check in later? (because check-in is only at 3pm i think). The passes are available for 1 park per day or Can I do both in the same day? Maybe I'll reconsider my choice. I'm just trying to plan everything so far in advance but sometimes there are very good last minute discounts or promotions that can change my plans.

Thanks!

Universal hotels offer express check in. You can leave your stuff..check into the hotel, say....at 8:30, get your room keys and go to the parks. Then when you check out, your room key is good for that day as well. It beats paying extra for the two park express pass, and it assures you unlimited access to all the rides, where as the express you pay for only gives you one time on each ride. And as someone said, you'll have passes for your entire party, instead of having to purchase passes for each member in your party. Definately, definately worth the money staying onsite. Apply for the lowes first card if you want to escape a lot of the "hidden" fees...though I've never had time to use anything that would require a hidden fee such as the fitness center and spas. And check the other hotels as well..The RPR fills up quick, but the Portofino Bay has many more rooms, so therefore you can usually get a decent price on it.

 

[damo]

We belong to CAA in Canada and we get the AAA benefits. ACP is the AAA Portugal affiliate. It would be worth checking out if you are able to get AAA rates if you belong to ACP.

 

[robvia]

When the parks stay open until 10pm, and when the express passes cost $50, that's when it will be the most busy.
A new law was passed saying that school can not start until August 20th in Florida. That means most kids will go back to school on August 20th. Park hours for August are here.
http://www.universalorlando.com/cal...o_park_hours.html&year=2007&month=8&year=2007
If you notice, the parks will close at 8pm starting August 19th, then 7pm starting August 26th. That means the crowds will be less and you won't need FOTL, although it does help in the afternoon.

If you can afford it, the onsite hotels are worth the extra money because of the pools, short walk to/from the parks, and the total experience of being onsite. If staying onsite is too much money, then stay at a hotel across the street, and arrive early each morning.

 

[calgarygary]

We were at the PBH last year at the end of August. We found the parks to be very quiet in the morning but by early afternoon lines had formed and it was great to have the room key to bypass the lines on the more popular rides.

 

[heaven2006]

Thanks for everyone who replied to my post!

I actually though that only AAA members (USA residents) were eligible to book their special rates. I checked the AAA affiliate in Portugal and I already sent an email to confirm If I'm able to book the same rates. The anual fee is not cheap but the savings with the hotel and theme park attractions would be really great for me! I'll try definitely to stay on-site for 1 or 2 nights. The money is not really a big problem for me, the problem is the so-expensive airline fare! But in comparison to the outrageous rates for a small and dirty room in London, the hotels in Orlando are really cheap!

Thanks Damo for telling me who is the AAA affiliate here! It really helped me!