Premier Annual Pass Express Pass

[RalphinSC]

Hey guys. Planning to purchase and activate my premier AP's for our February trip later THIS MONTH (Yay! Finally can say that)

I was wondering for anyone who has the premier AP's, how has the after four Express pass worked? I mean, I'm sure I can figure out the logistics. But how has it affected your touring? Does it pretty much just get you into a more carefree touring style and not having to really look at the lines because you know you can get into everything at least once except the Potter rides after four?

Frankly, this seems to be the biggest perk to justify the price difference from preferred to premier. Is it worth it to you? To me, the approximately $450 difference for my family of three seems worth it but I just wanted secondary opinions before I pulled the trigger.

Thanks in advance!

 

[wagman67]

It kind of depends on how often you plan to visit, when you plan to visit, and whether you stay onsite at a deluxe hotel when you visit.

If you only visit once a year, the premier is not worth it.

If you visit multiple times a year, but not during blockout dates for the lower tier passes, premier passes are not worth it.

If you stay onsite at a deluxe hotel (RPR, HRH, PBH), when you visit, the premier is not worth it.

The difference in the lowest tier pass and the premier, for 2 adults and 1 child, is $765.

Free parking is another perk, but you're going to additionally pay for parking wherever you stay...if you don't have a car to deal with, then the free parking really isn't a perk.

Any pass will allow you to book a deluxe room at a discount (depending on room availability and discount on days you want) and those come with Unlimited Express Passes for your entire trip.

So, there is a lot more to consider...the more details you can provide, the better advice you can get.

 

[Metro West]

You only get one Express trip per participating attraction per day after 4PM and frankly...unless you are going all the time when the parks are open late, I don't see the value. I've had my Preferred AP since 2004 and live 25 minutes from the parks...I don't have Premier...but that's me.

 

[Disxuni]

While EP is good and convenient, (as even if it's low wait times, you can still express to simply not walk as long to get there) I do not find it necessary for most of the year. As I've noticed whether there, or whether looking upon the app that once it's around that time that wait times drop and keep decreasing as it gets later. Which is why more than likely that Universal offers it at that time.

I've noticed that it even says, "Additional restrictions may apply and benefits are subject to change without notice". Which makes me wonder that even if it's too busy, they might restrict it's use. I doubt it. However, I just wanted to point out some of the fine print.

So, unless you go there practically all the time and plan to frequently go during peak season (which is when it would not have low wait times after 4pm) during the afternoon, I see no reasoning to get it strictly for the EP after 4pm. There's also other good benefits to having it too. However, EP is a great asset, but not really necessary for most of the year IMO.

 

[RalphinSC]

It kind of depends on how often you plan to visit, when you plan to visit, and whether you stay onsite at a deluxe hotel when you visit.

If you only visit once a year, the premier is not worth it.
Planning multiple trips this year, some weekends, one at least nine days in June, and a five day trip later this month during Presidents week

If you visit multiple times a year, but not during blockout dates for the lower tier passes, premier passes are not worth it.
Have to look at the blockout dates. I know the hotel rates for our first stay are at the peak 2 rate (second highest outside of Easter and Christmas). I think some of the Mardi Gras days I'm planning are blocked out.

If you stay onsite at a deluxe hotel (RPR, HRH, PBH), when you visit, the premier is not worth it.
Nothing booked YET at a deluxe. We are staying at Cabana Bay for our upcoming trip. Hope to do at least a day or two deluxe in June, but most of my stays will be either at Cabana Bay or off-site.

The difference in the lowest tier pass and the premier, for 2 adults and 1 child, is $765.
My son is (very soon to be)thirteen, he gets priced as an adult for tickets.

Free parking is another perk, but you're going to additionally pay for parking wherever you stay...if you don't have a car to deal with, then the free parking really isn't a perk.
Planning probably a good half of my days as off-site stays, especially some of the quick, impulsive trips.

Any pass will allow you to book a deluxe room at a discount (depending on room availability and discount on days you want) and those come with Unlimited Express Passes for your entire trip.
Yeah, understand that concept. But maybe looking at two nights the entire year in a Deluxe onsite, if that. Depends on if I judge it worth it when I walk through the hotels later this month.

So, there is a lot more to consider...the more details you can provide, the better advice you can get.

Thanks for the advice. Provided a few more details above. I know that generally, it's a personal decision. I wish the waterpark prices were out for annual so I could really decide one way or another. I'll do my best to justify the cost by wearing out the drive between South Carolina and Orlando is I get Premier. I'll probably do the same if I get preferred too. Gonna shoot for at least 25-30 days in the parks
(including Volcano Bay) this upcoming year to justify the cost.

 

[RalphinSC]

You only get one Express trip per participating attraction per day after 4PM and frankly...unless you are going all the time when the parks are open late, I don't see the value. I've had my Preferred AP since 2004 and live 25 minutes from the parks...I don't have Premier...but that's me.

Thanks for the input. Might be talking me down from the premier ledge. It'll be easier to just add more hotel nights with that money.

 

[wagman67]

Thanks for the input. Might be talking me down from the premier ledge. It'll be easier to just add more hotel nights with that money.

Based on the added information you gave, unless you plan to visit in the middle of April or second half of December, you could save about $120 ($40/person) off even the Preferred Pass...about the only difference between it and the Power Pass is blockout dates for those four weeks...and parking. Sounds like you are in for a fun loving year!

 

[RalphinSC]

Based on the added information you gave, unless you plan to visit in the middle of April or second half of December, you could save about $120 ($40/person) off even the Preferred Pass...about the only difference between it and the Power Pass is blockout dates for those four weeks...and parking. Sounds like you are in for a fun loving year!

We might go around Christmas so leery about any blockout dates, but I think the conversation here has been steering me to doing the Preferred over the Premier. Only other thing I'd regret losing would be the HHN passes that are included but I'm not sure the chicken 13 year old would be up for it either way. And if we do get a big urge to do that, I can probably easily work in buying those tickets at that time .

 

[bumbershoot]

You can also upgrade during the year if you start with preferred but find you need the higher level.

 

[janicept]

My favorite perk is the free valet parking. I go at off times while school is in session since we don't have kids so the express after 4pm isn't a huge perk for me. I love love love the new perk of early entry. I usually go for about two to three hours in the morning then maybe back for a couple hours at night if they're open late. I go by myself a lot since my husband doesn't have as much vacation so single rider is sometimes faster than express. I go down about five weeks a year so the price is well worth it. My husband has a power pass since my pass covers him for all but the express line. Remember express after 4 pm is faster than the regular line but not necessarily fast. I've stood in express line an hour at RRR on a Saturday.

February isn't really a busy time. You should be able to ride multiple rides if you go early morning. If you're only going a couple days it may not be worth the extra cost. Also they say you have to pay for parking on your first visit but if at least one person in your party does get the premier pass you can park at valet, activate your card in the park, then use your card for free parking when you pick up your car. They may have closed this loophole but this has worked for me twice in the pass when I had let my pass expire between vacations. Also they will let your entire party in early if one has premier.

Good luck

 

[RalphinSC]

Just got done buying my Preferred passes a few minutes ago. If we feel the need to upgrade either during or after our first trip later this month, we will do so.

Thanks for all the info and help everyone! You guys are all awesome!