Never been to US or IOA

[Amirah95]

It's true! I've never been! I finally made it to the Universal chapter in my Unofficial Guide and I saw something called Universal Express Plus booklet that allows you to bypass regular lines to attractions listed in the booklet. This booklet is valid just for the day it was purchased on. The guide says it ranges from $15-30 per person.

Anybody use these before?
Did you think it was worth purchasing it in addition to purchasing regular tickets to get into the park?
Is it better than obtaining the Universal Express passes that you allowed to pick up every two hours?

 

[SkylarKD]

I haven't been yet, but my guidebook (WDW for couples) says that the Universal booklet is only worth the extra money if you're going at peak attendance times. Otherwise, it suggests just using the express pass (or staying in a Universal hotel and getting front-of-the-line privileges!).

maybe someone's who has used it can give you some more info..

 

[Amirah95]

I would have thought more of my fellow Disers would know a little more about these. I guess their not worth it afterall.

 

[lkc0538]

We were just at Universal last week. Express plus passes sell for $37 each at peak times, $21 non-peak. We stayed at one of their hotels and got the FOTL priveledges. It is truly wondeful and really makes you feel like a VIP. We were there on a Saturday with 2 young children and rode a ton of rides with it. We are going again in October and I have purchased the express plus passes since we are renting a house off site near disney. You have to have a specific date when ordering and you will also have to tell them which park it is for-US or IOA. With young kids, we chose to have it at US-seemed to be more rides they were tall enough to ride and it seemed busier-maybe due to the new revenge of the mummy ride.

Maybe it depends if the extra money is in your budget- it is a gamble, if the parks are empty, I suppose it's money wasted!

Also, they do sell out of express plus passes. They only sell a limited amount in an effort to make it exclusive. If you wait til you get there, there is a chance they will be sold out.

 

[macraven]

since 1993 i have been going to orlando.
the main reason was for the mouse of course.
we had a couple of extra days on that very first trip so we went to universal.
we loved it.................so much that we go there after our disney adventure.
we now have 12 trips in both parks.

two of my sons prefers disney and one other universal/island of adventure.

the person that mentioned staying on site is correct, the best way to go there. we started staying on site at hard rock hotel for the last four trips.
can't be beat.

last year we went for halloween horror nights at universal/ioa. fell in love with this hard ticket event. going solo this october to disney and universal. don't want to miss hhn.

any questions about univ/ioa just ask.

 

[pumpkinfish]

My husband and I have been to US and IOA twice, and have never needed or used any of the express passes. We have been fortunate both times to go at non-peak times, and the longest line we stood in at both parks was for Dueling Dragons for 1/2 hr for front row. Not too bad if you ask me. All the other lines were no more than 10 mins. I think the fact we go during non-peak times and are early-birds (or at least I am) and like to be the first ones in the parks helps. We get up early and go to US one morning and hit the big named rides and then mosey over to IOA and ride the smaller attractions. And then another morning we get up early and do the same thing for the other park. All I know is, that I am TRULY looking forward to The Mummy ride. New rides/attractions are the best!!!

 

[Rob_b]

So you pay about $50 to get in. Then another $37(During Peak Time) for the Express plus passes.

Thats $87 per person for one day.

If people alot of people are buying this than give the US marketing department a raise!!! It's like concert seating for amusement parks.

I will be staying on-site this December so I won't have to consider this Express pass plus an option.

 

[RC Fan]

Hello!

I love IOA! It is an awesome park! I did have an Express Pass Plus when I went in May, but didn't end up using it. We arrived early and got in as soon as the park opened. I walked on EVERYTHING! It was awesome! However, I am sure it was much busier in the afternoon. I personally would not hesitate to buy the Plus again. I guess it was nice to know that I would be able to get FOTL once for all the major rides.

pumpkinfish, I am with ya, I CAN'T WAIT TO TRY ROTM!

 

[phamton]

Originally posted by Amirah95
I would have thought more of my fellow Disers would know a little more about these. I guess their not worth it afterall.

You will probably get more responses on the Universal Board on Dis here:
http://www.disboards.com/forumdisplay.php?forumid=30

This board is called Disney tips and many people, like you, who post here have never been to Universal.

 

[Disnutty]

IOA and Universal Studios Express Pass is worth it on a crowded day. However depending upon when you go to Universal and what time of the day you get there the Express Pass may not be needed. My advise is to go to the Park and see if the waits are more than 10 minutes. If they are then go back and purchase and express pass. The last two time we were there we never waited more than 15 minutes (The Hulk and the Dragons) and Express Pass was not necessary. Holidays and Summer weekends will probably call for purchasing the Pass.