President's Day Weekend 2016 - Crowd Levels - Express Pass?

[gabriellyn]

Hi Y'all. Disney Vets here taking our boys aged 15 (his birthday weekend!) and 9 to Universal as a surprise. Our older DS is a HUGE Marvel fan. I am concerned about crowd levels. I am considering purchasing the Express Pass, but it's an additional $400+ dollars for one day - half of what I am already paying for tickets for 4. Not sure if that's worth it or if it's a must purchase. We're DVC members staying on points, so staying on site at Universal is not really an option. We'll be arriving Friday evening and departing early Monday morning - so 2 1/2 days at the parks during a busy holiday weekend. We are used to traveling to WDW during busy times and have our strategies there so we rarely wait more than 20 minutes for a ride, but as Uni newbies, I am sure we will want to ride everything we can possibly can. What kinds of crowds can we expect to see and will we regret not buying the Express Passes? Thanks in advance for your advice!

 

[cdmkoop44]

We usually would stay Sunday-Thursday at the BWV then stay the Friday or Saturday before or after our DVC stay. The unlimited express pass perk for staying at the hotel is great. We're probably going to rent our BW resv this year, and get a room at one of the USF hotels this Feb. The price of a room for one night, would pay for all of the express passes. Last year, the lines weren't too bad, but on a few days, we noticed a lot of people in the parks. Bring or buy a towel, some of the rides get very wet, and there was a bit of a chill a few of the days.

 

[gabriellyn]

Thanks! Great tips - I appreciate it.

 

[pcstang]

You get the unlimited express for check in and check out day. So, a one stay gets you two days of unlimited express. Might be less expensive to get a room at one of the deluxes then to buy the unlimited express separately.

 

[angierae]

Yeah, it looks like for groups of four, getting a room is cheaper than buying the passes, even if you don't stay there.

 

[gabriellyn]

Yes, I am starting to see the wisdom in that strategy! Wow!