Onsite FOTL vs Express Passes

[No11's Mom]

I have a question about Express Passes...do I understand it correctly that the only FOTL access available now is for onsite hotel guests and those that purchase an express pass booklet? Did Universal do away with the free express pass machines?

I'm trying to convince my friend that it is going to be worth it to stay one night on site. (She's going to be there July 4th week!) She wants to be absolutely sure that free express passes are no longer available.

Thanks for the help!

 

[GOOFYDONALDMICKEY]

I have a question about Express Passes...do I understand it correctly that the only FOTL access available now is for onsite hotel guests and those that purchase an express pass booklet? Did Universal do away with the free express pass machines?

I'm trying to convince my friend that it is going to be worth it to stay one night on site. (She's going to be there July 4th week!) She wants to be absolutely sure that free express passes are no longer available.

Thanks for the help!

Free passes are no longer available. From my understanding, the express passes are only good for 1 ride of each attraction while the FOTL access for onsite hotel guests is unlimited. We always stay onsite especially in the busy seasons. Last year MIB 90 minute wait - we rode 3 times in 30 minutes.

 

[JohnnySharp2]

Yes they have done away with the machines.

FOTL is for onsite guests, you can still get the express passes but have to pay for them now.

Depending on when you visit you can still beat the queues at certain rides if you arrive early in the morning, before the park gets too crowded.
However, if you are arriving 4th July weekend, I would advise if possible that you stay on site.

 

[Notatourist]

Everyone now, there is no such thing as FOTL. What you get as a hotel guest is entry into the express line using your room key.

Thank you, this has been a recording.

 

[robvia]

True, but everyone keeps calling it FOTL because no one has come up with better abbreviations that stick. The web site calls it Universal Express, so that would be UE, not the best abbreviation.

If you can get a room for July 4th, then do it. I bet they're sold out by now, so it's probably a moot point. The only other way to win, is to arrive early each day. I went on June 27th, and IOA opened at 08:30am. I had done Hulk twice, Dr. Doom, and PF before 9am.
11am is when the crowd hits, you need to arrive way before this time, even if you have magic keys.

Ah, that's what I call FOTL, Magic Keys.

 

[JohnnySharp2]

Everyone now, there is no such thing as FOTL. What you get as a hotel guest is entry into the express line using your room key.

Thank you, this has been a recording.

Fair point - however, we are to use the abbreviation WYGAAHGIEITELUYRK are we...

 

[BrewHaHa]

When booking a trip you should factor in if you want to buy the express pass and compare it to what you would pay for an off-site hotel as opposed to on-site.

On-site will be more expensive but the hotels are amazing and just a short walk or water taxi away.

 

[drogerstn]

When booking a trip you should factor in if you want to buy the express pass and compare it to what you would pay for an off-site hotel as opposed to on-site.

On-site will be more expensive but the hotels are amazing and just a short walk or water taxi away.

On-site was cheaper for us than purchasing the passes ($50 or $60 per person) and paying for an off-site hotel room ($50). We stayed at the off-site hotel on our arrival day and visited the parks for a few hours that evening. We checked into the HRH the next morning and used our room keys for express access after that. There were only 3 of us this trip but its usually 4, which makes the on-site an even better deal.

 

[lindalinda]

Fair point - however, we are to use the abbreviation WYGAAHGIEITELUYRK are we...