It's confirmed - no more free Universal Express

[angel659]

Hi

We paid extra for Express pass. We were travelling with a 5 yr old and 23 month old twin boys. Thought it would be an advantage to use so we dont spend most of the day in lines and the boys in thier prams. It worked well for some of the rides but not for others. I think we paid an extra £15.00 each for them.

 

[phamton]

There are no discounts with an annual pass for express.

USF Crowds down 8%, Disney up 12%*.

The actual figures are: Magic Kingdom was up 6.5% and Universal was down 8.5% for 2005. But the previous year, Universal was up 14% while MK was only up 8% but no one seemed to notice that last year on the DisBoards. When Disney introduced Magical Express it hurt attendance at Universal as fewer people had transportation off Disney property.

http://www.coastergrotto.com/theme-park-attendance.jsp

 

[TraceyL]

Well this will probably decrease the amount of time we spend in Universal because if the queues are long and express pass is not available then we'll go elsewhere.

If (and it's a very big if) we were t buy express pass plus then it would be at the expense of a second day in the park so Universal would lose out on another day of my cash !

 

[Miffy2003]

Would love to know how you got that rate. We're looking to go at Easter - but it's a lot more expensive than that!

Julie

Julie I got a rate of $189 in August for RPR that included free entry to the parks, but having been monitoring the prices very closely I have not been able to get near Deb's price - like Johhny says I expect that you going at Easter will be why unfortunately!

I'm all ears if anyone has any tips on getting cheaper room rates though - I looked into the AP & AAA route but it was likely to be higher than the deal I got.

 

[UKDEB]

Yes, it's obviously all down to the time of year you visit. Clearly January is one of the slower times and so I'm guessing $129 is probably one of the cheapest rates you could hope to get (it was an AP rate). We got an AP rate of around $139 last May. RPR is invariably (always?) cheaper than HRH and PBH.

 

[Amyrlin]

I have a rate of $159 for sept with AAA for RPR, which I think is better than HRH.

 

[juliebro]

$369 for one night in PBH for the week leading up to Easter!

HRH & RPR only marginally cheaper.

PBH is fabulous - the beds are soooo comfortable - and the FOTL is invaluable at busy times. Looks like I'll have to start saving hard!

Julie

 

[juliebro]

DS probably won't come with us again to WDW after this trip - he's 18 in October. So DH and I will be able to take advantage of cheaper rates outside of the high season. No more being tied to school holidays!