Line duration

[gpaddlefoot]

I have never been to US/IA and was wondering how long the wait is for most of the rides without the express pass. I realize there is the 1( express pass or 2( staying on ground, but was just weighing the cost benefits of not doing either. I have 2 teens that are full of energy and are not wild about long waits. How long are the waits in the express lines. We are only able to stay for 1 day--a Saturday in 6/2010. Any comments/suggestions would be appreciated.

 

[Mad Hattered]

I have never been to US/IA and was wondering how long the wait is for most of the rides without the express pass. I realize there is the 1( express pass or 2( staying on ground, but was just weighing the cost benefits of not doing either. I have 2 teens that are full of energy and are not wild about long waits. How long are the waits in the express lines. We are only able to stay for 1 day--a Saturday in 6/2010. Any comments/suggestions would be appreciated.

LONG!

I am sure Metro or another local can enlighten you but the times we went during that period it was crazy! We now go down twice a year. January and October. Even during those slower times the lines can get long. When we were there this past January we saw The Simpsons line get up to 90 minutes on the weekend. We have invested in Express pass during those few times we went during the summer and it was the smartest thing we could have done. Not only are you competing for a spot in line with all the tourists, but with a lot of local peeps with Express built into their season passes.

Bottom line....I would budget the price of the Express passes into it.

 

[Bluer101]

LONG!

I am sure Metro or another local can enlighten you but the times we went during that period it was crazy! We now go down twice a year. January and October. Even during those slower times the lines can get long. When we were there this past January we saw The Simpsons line get up to 90 minutes on the weekend. We have invested in Express pass during those few times we went during the summer and it was the smartest thing we could have done. Not only are you competing for a spot in line with all the tourists, but with a lot of local peeps with Express built into their season passes.

Bottom line....I would budget the price of the Express passes into it.

The only Season Pass with express is the Premier Pass and the express is only after 4PM.

Also to the OP, keep in mind that Harry Potter will be opening sometime in 2010 and I can only imagine before the summer rush.

 

[Mad Hattered]

The only Season Pass with express is the Premier Pass and the express is only after 4PM.

Also to the OP, keep in mind that Harry Potter will be opening sometime in 2010 and I can only imagine before the summer rush.

See...I knew the locals could explain better than me. And I totally forgot about HP!

 

[gpaddlefoot]

Thanks so much all. My wallet feels lighter already I think staying on ground probably makes the most $en$e. Hotels are nice I hope.

 

[TinkerbellinLouisian]

I have been four times....and never needed the express OR FOTL Passes.

I was there yesterday for the fourth time.

We left our off -site hotel via shuttle at 8:40a. Arrived and went straight to Mummy - "0" wait.

Went to Simpsons - "25" minute wait.... (which passed quickly).

Men in Black - "15" minute wait.

Disaster was full so went to Twister...."15" minute wait.....

Disaster still full (we had seen it before though...) so lunch at Mythos....then Dragons (15 minutes).....Jurassic (20 minutes).....Spiderman (20 minutes but we could have done Single Rider....)....Hulk (5 minutes) (teens did again by themselves....5 minute wait).....Cat in the Hat (5 minutes)......... Then the rain came down....


Those were all the rides I wanted to do again..... and we did them all. We usually go in July (The Busiest Time) ...and have no problems with lines. I think if you go early and plan to see the Teen Rides first (those are the ones that have the most lines) you will be fine...just make a plan...and get there early....

Mail me with questions....have a great time!

Mary

 

[Ddennis37]

We went June 2006 and used Express Plus Passes. We were able to re-ride in Express lane as many times as we wanted, as we purchased that specific pass. We splurged again for this year because we are not staying on-site. The regular lines were horribly long when we were there so we're happy that we bought the Express Plus passes.

Whether you buy the pass or stay on site, there's nothing like Express Plus. We did both parks, riding things multiple times, in one day and were still able to make our 6pm dinner reservation at Pirates Dinner adventure. We were at the park just after opening. This year we may sleep in since we have that pass and just go when we wake up. Knowing our kids, that will be at 9am

 

[TinkerbellinLouisian]

That's really strange...I've been now.....what....four times? and never needed to spend any extra money for an extra pass.

And I went yesterday....and went through my whole day...with Teens and never needed any special passes....

and everyone else on this blog feels that Express Passes are needed?

We've never waited more than 30 minutes for anything.....at US or IoA...

I guess I am just a very extremely lucky person...

I noticed the FOTL and Express pass persons entering the rides ahead of us yesterday. There were never more than 10 people at a time... before we got on the rides.....


I'm just sayin'.

 

[Planogirl]

How many Express passes are there? One after 4 only? The Express Plus? I'm getting confused.

What about single rider lines?

 

[Ddennis37]

Tinkerbellin', perhaps that was your experience but when we were there in 2006 the park was packed. Perhaps it's a sign of the times as far as less people traveling. I heard the max line rides for anything at Disney's Hollywood Studios was 15 minutes max earlier this week. So maybe it's "quiet" now versus June?

All I know is when WE were there, again in late June 2006, the park was packed. We were very happy to have our passes and even if it's not packed this time, we're able to reride as much as we want without much of a wait. So we will choose to always do it as long as it's available.

 

[Ddennis37]

PlanO Girl, there are different ones.

Click this link and it will help explain in more detail. This is directly from universalorlando.com: http://www.universalorlando.com/tickets/express-pass-plus.html?intcmp=ban.uo.tickets.express


There are several different ones: 1park express plus, 2park express plus, VIP express plus, 7-day, 2park express plus, and the 1 or 2 park add on for ONE TIME front of the entrance express plus. You should really visit their site so you can get a better understanding.

I won a 7-day 2 park pass so I just purchased the 2 parks, 1 day express pass ($40) for one time front of the line entrance to the rides. I bought the 2 park, 1 day VIP pass (unlimited) for the rest of the folks in my family. Husband got a huge bonus from work and we used all of that for our entire vacation, which happens to include these tickets.

I also believe there are single rider lins as well. As we're a group of 4 (2 adults, 2 kids age 12, one of which has never been before), we want to stay together so we'll skip the single rider line. Good luck as you make up your mind. Regardless if you go Express Pass, On site or not, you will love it.

 

[TinkerbellinLouisian]

We were there in July 2006....I believe it was the Fourth Of July....

Perhaps it being the Fourth....it was not that busy...with folks traveling or at Disney....but we did not find the waits to be that much....

And we are MORE used to Disney waits (45 - 50 minutes).....

But did not have that at US or IoA.....

Again as I said....maybe we were just lucky...

US was Great Yesterday! IoA was Great Yesterday! BMG was Great Yesterday!

We had a wonderful, albeit, quick visit....but had no waits and a real good time...

 

[Ddennis37]

Tinkerbellin,

Since we haven't been to Orlando in 3 years, we are hoping for some of the experiences you've had in your recent trips. They keep talking like tourism and travel is down, but in April they actually quit letting folks into the Disney Parks because it reached capacity. It's just all over the place with reports: Some folks say the parks are packed and people are traveling, others say they can clearly see the decline.

I guess I will see for sure when we go in 22 days We are so excited and cannot wait. We're used to the Disney waits, too, except we were able to master the FastPass system in August at Disneyland. And we have so many days we'll be in Orlando (11) that we are looking forward to going to a more leisurely pace. The Express Passes and FastPasses help with that, or at least we've fooled ourselves into believing that it helps.

 

[Metro West]

How many Express passes are there? One after 4 only? The Express Plus? I'm getting confused.

What about single rider lines?

See below...I broke down the three "levels" of EP access...hope that helps.

The after 4pm benefit is only available if you have the Premier AP. Single rider lines are available on several attractions at both parks but sometimes it depends on the standy line length. For example...if Spiderman has a 10 minute wait in the standby line, the single rider line would not be open.

and everyone else on this blog feels that Express Passes are needed?

I think the only time EP's would be needed are during Christmas week or Spring Break. Summer can be tricky...the lines can get pretty long.

I have been four times....and never needed the express OR FOTL Passes.

Just a point of clarification...there is no such thing as an "FOTL" pass. There are four different "levels" of Express Plus passes:

1) Unlimited Express access is for onsite guests only.

2) VIP Express is also unlimited Express access but these tickets also include park admission when you purchase them.

3) Express Plus passes are purchased at either park and are only good for one Express access per attraction per pass.

4) Express access after 4pm is available to Premier AP holders only.

"FOTL" is a term used on this board...I doubt seriously anyone would know what you were talking about if you asked for the FOTL line at an attraction entrance.

 

[Bluer101]

That's really strange...I've been now.....what....four times? and never needed to spend any extra money for an extra pass.

And I went yesterday....and went through my whole day...with Teens and never needed any special passes....

and everyone else on this blog feels that Express Passes are needed?

We've never waited more than 30 minutes for anything.....at US or IoA...

I guess I am just a very extremely lucky person...

I noticed the FOTL and Express pass persons entering the rides ahead of us yesterday. There were never more than 10 people at a time... before we got on the rides.....


I'm just sayin'.

We try to go to Us and IOA atleast once a month to every other month. I can tell you sometimes durring the year the place is a ghost town, walk on every ride and stay offsite. Then many times packed with 30-90 minute waits. Yes sometimes we go and think it's going to be crowded only to be surprised when we get there. We have not stayed offsite in the past year due to the convienence of being onsite. Yes, FOTL is a big perk even while it's dead, but that's not the only reason to stay onsite.

 

[gpaddlefoot]

I appreciate all the info. It sounds like most people think a Saturday in June 2010 will probably be packed and an express pass would be nice. Are single lines that much faster than normal lines--would this be good substitute for express pass?

 

[Metro West]

Are single lines that much faster than normal lines--would this be good substitute for express pass?

Sometimes...remember single lines are used as filler and if there is no need for a single rider, you will wait.

 

[taliategan]

I am hoping the lines are not to long on 6/27, but the express pass is at the highest price that day. I am using the super bowl ticket that day, as our planned trip in January will not work since it expires on 12/31 and this is the only day I think I will be able to use. I am planning on getting there at 8:00, redeeming the ticket, going to IoA first for a few rides, then going to US and try to get in as much as possible before the crowds really increase - if it becomes necessary to purchase the express pass, I will. If I don't need to purchase in the morning, I will try to do the shows, the less crowded attractions and some touring in the afternoon and evening in both parks.

 

[Darcy03231]

I was just there the last week in April and while the parks weren't packed, by noon time it was definitely getting busy. Overall, crowds were light to moderate the week we were there, with the weekends being the busiest. Wait times for the more popular attractions were running 45 min to an hour at different points during the week. With the Express Pass (we stayed on-site) I think the longest line we waited in was 5 min. Most everything was walk on for us.

I will say if you get to the park at opening the lines really aren't bad until about 11-12 pm. I would see how much you can get in and then buy the Express Pass if you need it.

 

[macraven]

That's really strange...I've been now.....what....four times? and never needed to spend any extra money for an extra pass.

And I went yesterday....and went through my whole day...with Teens and never needed any special passes....

and everyone else on this blog feels that Express Passes are needed?

We've never waited more than 30 minutes for anything.....at US or IoA...

I guess I am just a very extremely lucky person...

I noticed the FOTL and Express pass persons entering the rides ahead of us yesterday. There were never more than 10 people at a time... before we got on the rides.....


I'm just sayin'.

We were there in July 2006....I believe it was the Fourth Of July....

Perhaps it being the Fourth....it was not that busy...with folks traveling or at Disney....but we did not find the waits to be that much....

And we are MORE used to Disney waits (45 - 50 minutes).....

But did not have that at US or IoA.....

Again as I said....maybe we were just lucky...

US was Great Yesterday! IoA was Great Yesterday! BMG was Great Yesterday!

We had a wonderful, albeit, quick visit....but had no waits and a real good time...

like you said, you were just lucky.

I have never been to US/IA and was wondering how long the wait is for most of the rides without the express pass. I realize there is the 1( express pass or 2( staying on ground, but was just weighing the cost benefits of not doing either. I have 2 teens that are full of energy and are not wild about long waits. How long are the waits in the express lines. We are only able to stay for 1 day--a Saturday in 6/2010. Any comments/suggestions would be appreciated.

you will find lines on weekends in the park. if you can avoid saturday, you can avoid a lot of crowds.

best days could be tu-we-thur since you plan on one day only.