New to UO/IOA....? about FOTL

[bubba's mom]

Hi there!! Usually at the Disney end, but we're going to UO next spring....so, in the very, very beginning of researching UO/IOA and the 3 on-site resorts. Haven't been to UO since it opened waaaaaay back...... Could someone please help me understand the FOTL. I understand if you stay onsite (I know the 3 resorts) you can get FOTL by showing your room key-card. Is there something else? Can you buy some kind of express pass also for about $25? What's the difference?? I just know the DIS can help me be "un"confused!! TIA!

 

[Foladar]

I -believe- FOTL is unlimited while the $25 pass is limited to once per ride.

 

[IMGONNABE40!]

You can buy an express pass in addition to your park admission that will get you in the express line for each ride one time. You need a separate pass for each person and each park. Depending on the season that you are there, the express pass will cost between $15-$35 per person, per park.

If you stay at an onsite hotel, you will have pretty much unlimited express to all of the rides except Pterandon Flyers over at IOA. During peak times a few of the more popular attractions will limit hotel guests to one ride prior to 3PM and unlimited rides after 3PM. We have had AP's for the past 2 years and have been to UO 6 times as onsite guests. Duriing those 6 visits, we have probably spent 20-25 days at the parks. We only experienced the before 3PM restricition one time last summer on the Mummy. After our one ride, we used the single rider line. We did not find the restriction to be inconvenient at all.

 

[bubba's mom]

I -believe- FOTL is unlimited while the $25 pass is limited to once per ride.

Thanks, that clears things up a bit. We plan to stay on-site, but if you do stay onsite, why would you buy the unlimited pass (not unlimited if it's limited to once/per IMHO).

**Also, I forgot to add: if you stay onsite, is CityWalk, IOA & UO all within walking distance?? Last time we were there, the hotels weren't there, nor CityWalk nor IOA..... if we use car service from MCO to UO/IOA, will we need a car or do they provide transportation to parks??....or can we walk?? (how far?)

Sorry so many questions, but just starting and DH is throwing this stuff at me. Now, I have 2 jobs, so my research time is limited and it's just faster to ask my friends!!

 

[phamton]

Thanks, that clears things up a bit. We plan to stay on-site, but if you do stay onsite, why would you buy the unlimited pass (not unlimited if it's limited to once/per IMHO).

No, you would not need nor even want to buy the express pass if you are staying onsite. You get unlimited front of the line all day including the day you check-in and the day you check out with your room key card. The express pass plus is for those who are not staying onsite. Right now the express pass plus costs $40 per person per park. But you will get unlimited front of the line with your room key when you stay onsite. Think of it as an all day unlimited fast pass at Disney. You can ride every ride as often as you want and whenever you want just by using your room key card as your "fast pass."

Also, I forgot to add: if you stay onsite, is CityWalk, IOA & UO all within walking distance?? Last time we were there, the hotels weren't there, nor CityWalk nor IOA..... if we use car service from MCO to UO/IOA, will we need a car or do they provide transportation to parks??....or can we walk?? (how far?)

All are within walking distance but they also have boats that can take you. You won't need a car if you are staying onsite.

 

[Prince Eric1]

If you stay on site your get the FOTL, no extra cost, ride over and over no wait.

If you stay offsite, you need to buy the express to bypass the lines, you get one per ride for the extra $15-$30 per pass per person, you get to skip the lines once but after you wait.

FOTL is one thing that makes me love Universal. I hate lines and will pay the extra for the hotel to skip to the front. Enjoy

 

[bubba's mom]

Wow guys!! Thanks! I thought the FOTL was only able to be used once per ride...but, sounds like we can ride Back to the Future like 10 times and get FOTL each time! (That would be the staying "onsite perk" I'm guessing).... Now, THAT is a pleasant surprise! Thanks again for everyone's help.........now, to just start researching resorts..........

 

[gschmerl]

As for walking to City Walk and the parks---It is a VERY easy walk from the Hard Rock Hotel and the Royal Pacific Resort. Portofino is a bit further and I wouldn't want to walk there after a long day at the parks. As previously mentioned, all three hotels and water taxis and buses to City Walk.

 

[phamton]

If you stay offsite, you need to buy the express to bypass the lines, you get one per ride for the extra $15-$30 per pass per person

In June, the express passes were $35 plus tax. In July, the price went up to $40 per person. That is just for one park.

It's definitely cheaper to stay onsite if you have more than 2 people in your party and you plan to visit both parks.