Should I buy my one day park to park tickets and express passes in advance for Universal/IOA-spring break

[kathy884]

Four of us in our party of nine (some of our 20 somethings and early 30 somethings) are planning to do one park to park day at Universal / IOA during our spring break trip (The Universal/IOA day for them is Tuesday March 22nd). Should I buy the park to park tickets and one time express passes for them ahead of time like now or wait? What would you recommend? Cost is $194 for the tickets and $130 for the one time express passes meaning with tax of $21, $345 per person for the day. lol -- I'm glad for the ole budget that just four out of the nine of us are interested in going.

What happens if unexpectedly someone can't go (unlikely, but in this age of COVID-19 there is a lot more of that going around than in other years). I'm guessing unused park tickets could be refunded, but maybe not the express passes. It could be a long time before we get to Orlando again. None of the people going are local.

Just an FYI: I looked at the throw away room option which is helpful to save dollars from what I read for some, particularly those spending multiple days at Universal parks. But rates with tax are $736 for one night (standard room at Royal Pacific), bumping overall cost to over $1500 vs. $1280 overall buy buying one time EPs separately. With just a one day and a desire to see a lot of things vs. repeating many rides/attractions, the one time express passes are all that these four will need.

Thanks so much. I've learned so much from these forums, and we are so looking forward to our Orlando get-a-way.

 

[bchbetha]

It's a gamble due to Covid but the price on the price on the EPs can (and likely will) go up as you get closer to the date. I would do it. I would work with universal if a problem arises later. I wouldn't count on any refunds (tickets or EPs) but a credit for future travel.

 

[MarcIsMe]

Ditto, Express Pass prices are jacked up the closer you purchase to the use date.

 

[mamapenguin]

^^^this. I have seen many sad families when they try to by express at the park day of visit and are told the price. I know people who spent $350pp for one day unlimited express. Crazy, I would purchase now if that’s what you want to do. We have after 4 express with our APs and that is going to have to do for us for Spring Break, hotels are booking up, it will be busy.

 

[keishashadow]

Cost is $194 for the tickets and $130 for the one time express passes meaning with tax of $21, $345 per person for the day. lol

$130 x 4 May equate to an on-site deluxe resort
Being more economical…even with the up charge for 2additional adults

keep checking all three properties

tix in hand sure beat standing in line at GS to purchase

 

[kathy884]

The cheapest

$130 x 4 May equate to an on-site deluxe resort
Being more economical…even with the up charge for 2additional adults

keep checking all three properties

tix in hand sure beat standing in line at GS to purchase

Thanks. When I looked yesterday, the least expensive deluxe hotel room was $736 (includes tax) for one night (standard room at Royal Pacific - We stayed there for four nights some years back when DH had a conference there.). The hotels for a one night stay are pricey during spring break, so that would be $184 pp. For two days at the park that would be a savings for sure, but we are just doing the one Universal/IOA day. We're staying at a condo resort (extended family group), so the hotel would be a throw away room.

I didn't try this yesterday, but sometime back I noticed better rates for longer stays too. It seems like Universal is trying to price things during busy periods to discourage throw-q-way room one night stays.

 

[ofcabbagesandkings]

The resort prices have been all over the place. It might be worth bookmarking the site and checking back. I managed to get a Savvy Traveller rate that was over $100 less a night for my stay at Portofino by stalking the site a bit. But I would purchase the tickets now because they'll likely go up in price in February. I just bought ours for Spring break to take advantage of the buy 3 get 2 free offer.

 

[CAPSLOCK]

I doubt that you'll get a great rate at a premier hotel during spring break without an AP.

Just to double check, did you check the day of and day before your trip?

I would be more concerned about the EP prices increasing drastically - would not be surprised if they doubled by the time your trip rolls around. I sincerely doubt that the hotel rack rates for one night will drop by more than $220 to make waiting worth the risk. If you KNOW you want EP, buy it. If in doubt, keep in mind that it is not refundable nor can you change the date later.

 

[kathy884]

Just to double check, did you check the day of and day before your trip?

Yes, Both nights were the same price for a one night stay.

I appreciate the advice everyone.

I think I'll get the tickets and express passes tonight. We are sure on our dates/plans. Unforeseen circumstances would be the only reason anyone wouldn't go and hopefully I won't be wasting the money. It's not something I'd buy travel insurance for though. I'll self insure.

 

[Tiggerlover91]

So if I planned on 3 days at Universal and one half day, I would have to buy separate Express Passes for each day? Say I was going March 20-March 23. (I'm making these dates up just to get some understanding, we aren't going till summer of 2023) I'd have to pre-purchase an express pass for each day for me, hubby, and son to avoid the phenomenal price that it may be once arriving and trying to purchase?

 

[bchbetha]

So if I planned on 3 days at Universal and one half day, I would have to buy separate Express Passes for each day? Say I was going March 20-March 23. (I'm making these dates up just to get some understanding, we aren't going till summer of 2023) I'd have to pre-purchase an express pass for each day for me, hubby, and son to avoid the phenomenal price that it may be once arriving and trying to purchase?

Right but that is a very expensive way to go about doing it, even if it is likely cheaper than buying day of in the park. Book a deluxe hotel instead.

 

[Tiggerlover91]

Right but that is a very expensive way to go about doing it, even if it is likely cheaper than buying day of in the park. Book a deluxe hotel instead.

Guess what? I'm going to do just that!!! I've done the math and it comes out MUCH better doing either Hard Rock or Royal Pacific! Royal Pacific Room only comes to $688.50. The 1 day 1 park comes to $456. I can handle that!!!

Do you know how the photo package works? Can I not just buy one and all 3 of us take pictures. Or is it only me taking pictures if I purchase it?

 

[CAPSLOCK]

One photo package covers the family. See the response to your other thread, and the sticky here:
https://www.disboards.com/threads/my-universal-photo-packages.3662994/

 

[kathy884]

Just wanted to say that you guys sure gave me great advice. Out of curiosity I checked to see what it would cost to get a one time express pass for Universal for 3/22/2022 today (which is March 10th). And OMG the passes that I paid $130 a day for (painful for me to spend that much, but I thought necessary) are sold out entirely for that day. Also, if we were to change our Universal day for other days of our trip the one time express passes are at the crazy price of $220 - $310.

If it weren't for your advice I probably wouldn't have gotten these in advance, and I am very thankful to all of you who convinced me to do that. Your probably already knew your advice would be spot on, but I just wanted to report back that it really was.

I rechecked hotel room prices for the deluxe hotels that offer the express pass. That would be the way to go now at this late point. The cheapest night I see is $736 (same price I saw back in January) and that would include an unlimited express pass for the four. For the one day, the one time one is all the kids wanted. And that as stated earlier would have been $184 per person instead of $130. Of course, if you were doing two park days and wanted to stay there vs. it being a throw away room it would be the better deal. I totally get the recommendation to do deluxe hotel for most people who want express passes.