New Express system

[the Dark Marauder]

A new express system is now in effect at both parks. While the hotel keys and free printed express remain the same, the express you buy is changing. As many remember/know, they sold red (IOA), blue (USF), and green (combo) express booklets. These are now obsolete. If you get them, they are still valid. The red and green passes issued by Guest Services are also getting axed. They're still valid if you get them, as well.

The new express is printed on a park ticket. It will tell what kind of express it is (one park express, combo, etc) and will be scanned as if it is a room key. Like the old booklets, you can only use it only once at each attraction. It still costs the same price (and everyone needs their own pass), but it's less you have to carry and you wont have to go searching for the attraction. Just scan and go. Some places will even mark off the attraction by writing the initials, or checking the box (on the combo ones).

Now you know!

 

[BarryHom]

This is pretty neat. My guess it was switched for counting reasons? The paper passes seemed time-consuming to count. Swiping the card seems a lot easier.

 

[JessicaR]

the Dark Marauder,

Thanks for the new info!

 

[DocBosch]

I will actually consider this next time I go. Especially now, during the summer, when I can't be as spoiled with short waits as i normally am.

It's always seemed kinda hackeyed and cumbersome to buy a book full of express passes, but paying for a card that gives you express privalages somehow maked it seem better. Whats funny is that my friend is willing to shell out the dough for a one night resort stay mainly for the FOTL privleges, but won't consider buying express booklets.

How will the new system work in terms of AP holders? Will the information be programed into our cards, or will we get a sperate card?

Also, for those of us who don't know better, how did the express booklets work? Were there a number of express passes for certain rides per book? Were people able to share one book, or did everybody have to buy their own? Did they all have to be used on the day of purchase, or could they be saved? And how have things changed for the new system?

-Kevin

 

[the Dark Marauder]

It's a separate ticket, and all the info is stored in the mag-strip, just like how an admission ticket does. Those to acquire the new express-AP holder or not-will get the park-ticket express card. As with the booklets, it's one per person, and all the attractions are available, except on combo plus.

"Also, for those of us who don't know better, how did the express booklets work? Were there a number of express passes for certain rides per book?" One per attraction. They also had the general express, but the ones with each attraction sold better.



"Were people able to share one book, or did everybody have to buy their own?" There were two kinds. The "general" just had the IOA/USF logo and could be shared. The current express, plus the better selling booklet, had it so that everybody needed their own.

"Did they all have to be used on the day of purchase, or could they be saved?" They're all stamped with the date on it.

"And how have things changed for the new system?" Easier to count/track, basically.

 

[kellymonaghan]

I was told the new Express cards with the mag stripes would be sold only through the summer and that after that theings were uncertain.

It seems to me, the new cards lessen the value of an onsite stay. Today I waited 18 minutes in the Express line at Poseidon's Fury. Ahead of me was a family of 4 (who were staying at Disney!) with the new Express cards. Behind me was a family of six with the new cards. It certainly made me feel like my room key was less of a perk than it used to be.

I wonder how the Loew's people feel about this. Of course, the hotels are worth staying at even without FOTL and maybe occupancy rates are so high they don't care if they lose one-night stays to the new cards.

I suppose the arguement can be made that the new cards only give you one access per ride, while your hotel key gives you multiple rides. OTOH, if you have to wait 18 minutes each time...

My advice would be that if you're coming at a very busy time and doing one day in each park and thinking of staying onsite ONLY for the FOTL, don't bother. Buying the cards will be a lot cheaper.

Any other opinions?

 

[kuribo]

Hotel guests can still use their room keys the first hour that the park is open, and Express Plus holders cannot. Also, as you said, its unlimited for Hotels and once per ride for Express Plus.

 

[Minniespal]

Thanks for the info!!!

 

[RandyJ]

What is the cost of the express booklets?

 

[millerglass]

kellymonaghan

I absolutely agree with you. We are spending big bucks for the HRH in mid August mainly for the FOTL perk. Sure the hotel is nice but so is an offsite 4 star hotel that I could probably get for $70-$90.

Oh well, it's already paid for and I will have a great time no matter what. I'll just check things out a little more this time so that I can make the right dicision next time. and the next time and the next time!!!!!

Eric

 

[karin037]

What is the cost of the express booklets?

Peak - $20 per pass
June 29 through August 23
November 26-November 30
December 20 through January 4

Non-Peak - $10 per pass
August 24 through November 25
December 1 through December 19

 

[Nan]

Kelly,

Did you have to wait that long for other rides? If I remember correctly, sometimes the wait at Poseidon is longer depending on where in the show they are when you get in line or if there are technical difficulties. I still think room key benefits are much better - ride as many times as you want - not just once per attraction. Even 18 minutes is nothing compared to the 1 - 2 hour waits.

Of course I could be wrong, I haven't been there with the new system.

Nan

 

[kellymonaghan]

Nan, other waits today were 15 minutes for Shrek, 20 minutes (!) for Jimmy Neutron, but just 7 minutes for Spider-Man.

A couple of points: Riding as many times as you want is one thing when you can simply walk onto the ride (as I have done in the past when staying onsite). But if you have to wait 15 minutes every time, that changes things. Those 15 minutes add up, eventually cutting hours out of your day.

I also think it's a pretty sure bet that anyone who experienced FOTL as an onsite guest in the past will find the new experience very different and far less enjoyable. I asked people in front of behind me in lines whether they were hotel guests or not.None were. You get the impression that a lot of these cards are being sold (although they were sold out today by noon). Another sign: the regular Express Pass kiosks seemed to have dispensed all their available passes by fairly early in the afternoon.

Here's a paranoid theory: they are trying to sell just enough passes so that Express access means a 15 minute wait at all times. That makes a lot of sense for Universal's pocketbook. It will be a great deal for people who buy the cards (everyone I asked said they thought it was well worth the cost and they were happy they had bought them).

But for hotel guests, it will never be the great perk it used to be.

Once the cost of the passes goes to $10 pp in non-peak times, it will be hard to justify staying onsite for the FOTL perk alone.

Now of course this is a particularly busy time (4th of July and all). Things may be different in September. But I suspect that a lot of folks will buy those $10 passes which will mean waits in the Express queues. I plan to be back in September but I'm not sure I'll pop for one of the onsite hotels unless I can get a VERY attractive rate. (The price I was quoted to extend my HRH stay was $329/night.) So come September I may be one of the people with one of those Express Plus passes.

Another thing that hasn't been addressed yet: What happens to the Express Plus system after Jan 4, 2004? Perhaps Dark Marauder can enlighten us.

 

[Nan]

I've been thinking about this new system and if you really save a lot of money staying offsite and buying these Express Plus booklets.

As I understand it, each $20 pass is good for one person, one park for one day. So this adds $80/day to my (4 people in family) cost, plus parking garage costs (not sure what that is) and we can't park hop if we want to have express access unless we purchase 2 passes per person which increases the cost to $160. Even if I have a $30 priceline room, purchasing the passes makes staying offsite cost $110+ ($190+)/day. Have I interpreted this correctly?

I can see doing it if you are already staying at Disney or live close by and just want to run over for a day, but if you are planning a vacation at Universal I don't know that you save much. Not to mention you have to drive to the parks, walk to the parks, no option to run back to the room for a quick rest. No use of the great pools, etc. No unlimited express. No restaurant priority seating, etc. Staying onsite is part of the whole experience for us anyway.

Like I said before, I haven't experienced this new system first hand, but it still doesn't make me want to stay offsite. Just my observation.

Nan

 

[cpl100]

Originally posted by kuribo
Hotel guests can still use their room keys the first hour that the park is open, and Express Plus holders cannot. Also, as you said, its unlimited for Hotels and once per ride for Express Plus.

I didn't know that! Thanks for bringing that up for this newbie.

 

[Glideslope]

A 15 min wait is still better than 60 min. If your on site for a few days it will be more than enough time. I can't speak for others, but our main reason for staying onsite this trip was to have the ability to frequently go back to our hotel during the day. For us anyway, this was as important as FOTL.

The limitation for pass users the first hour is nice , but not critical IMO.

Does anyone know what the relationship is between Lowes and Universal? I wonder if Lowes will have any input on this system if reservations are reduced?

As with any new system, I'm sure some fine tuning will occur.

9 days to arrival!!!

 

[*Fantasia*]

Originally posted by Glideslope
A 15 min wait is still better than 60 min. If your on site for a few days it will be more than enough time. I can't speak for others, but our main reason for staying onsite this trip was to have the ability to frequently go back to our hotel during the day. For us anyway, this was as important as FOTL.

The limitation for pass users the first hour is nice , but not critical IMO.

Does anyone know what the relationship is between Lowes and Universal? I wonder if Lowes will have any input on this system if reservations are reduced?

As with any new system, I'm sure some fine tuning will occur.

9 days to arrival!!!

I very much agree with this post. 15 min wait is nothing compare to 60 min! We have stood in line a few times and waited for about 60 min at Disney. It is nooo picnic especially having two young children. This FOTL really spoiled us big time!

Besides taking advantage of FOTL, we also like the idea of walking back to our resort anytime and we get there in 5-10 min or take a relaxing boat or the roadrunner bus.

 

[kuribo]

Originally posted by kellymonaghan

Another thing that hasn't been addressed yet: What happens to the Express Plus system after Jan 4, 2004? Perhaps Dark Marauder can enlighten us.

What is the significance of that date?

 

[CJ]

My daughter and I are going to try to do both parks on Monday August 25th. We're staying onsite at Disney and will be taxiing over for one VERY full day. We already have our passes, leftover ones from a previous trip. Will we be able to purchase these express pass booklets???

 

[On Schedule]

In response to the person who wrote and said that now she had to wait 18 minutes in line at Posiedens Fury....

That is a show, and they only have shows about once every 20 minutes or so. So, it is very hard to judge or make an assumption about the program based on this.

Also, with Shrek, for example, today, the wait time when I was there was 90 minutes. I purchased an express pass, and the wait time was about 10 (the amount of time before the show let out and the next group was let in).

You need to make the judgements based on the type of ride.

BTW - the passes have increased to $25 at the front gate. If you purchase them at least 2 days in advance, you can still get them for the $20 rate by calling 407-363-8000 and pressing option 3.