The lesser of two evils

[wechevarria]

Hello. Will be visiting Universal Jan 1 and Jan 2, with park to park tickets. Was planning to purchase express passes just for 1 of the dates.
We have 2 daughters, 6 and 8 years old.
Which date do you think is better for the express pass?
Should I expect horrible crowds both days ?
Thanks!

 

[RMulieri]

It will be very very busy both days.Many schools are not back in session till Jan 6th.2 park express passes for the 1st are priced at $69.99 and on the 2nd $89.99 per person not including admission.Express passes start at $35.99 for 2 parks, and go up in price with the prjected crowds.It is also possible they will go up in price between now and then.

 

[macraven]

i read your thread stating you booked a room offsite.

but, if you would book a room onsite for jan 1st, you could get the express free for both the 1st and 2nd.
don't have to use the room, just book it to get the hotel perks.(early entry and ep)
oniste guests get unlimited usage of the express lines, purchased ep's allowed each person a one time only use per ride/show.

using the numbers that RMulieri gave you above, if you went both days and used express, it would cost you $640.

one day the ep's for the 4 of you would be $280 and the next day at $360.
(slightly different costs if you did the PtP express)


i'm guessing that both days will have moderate crowds in the parks.


you could play with the numbers to see what would be best economically for your family.
hth!

 

[wechevarria]

This site is amazing! Macraven, you are so kind! That is a wonderful idea. Being a DVC member, It's always been pretty straightforward to plan our vacations. This time it's a little more complex, but you have been heaven sent!
Any preference between Portofino and Royal Pacific? As soon as I read your opinion, will book for the 1st!!!

 

[wechevarria]

I would get express passes for BOTH days, if I book for just one night?

 

[nagirt]

We went on January 2nd this year, just to IoA. Most of the rides didn't have a huge wait (FJ did, but there's no express line). We didn't have express passes, but made use of single rider lines and getting there at opening. A word of advice if you use single rider lines, don't take any bags with you. Have fun!

 

[macraven]

I would get express passes for BOTH days, if I book for just one night?

yes.

all onsite hotel guests receive perks for staying there.
you get one hour early entry with a separate entrance line to the parks one hour prior to the official opening.
just show your hotel room key.

you get unlimited usage of all express lines for rides and shows.
show your hotel photo express pass.

the perks of express is valid for the day you check in to the day you check out and good till the parks close on your check out day.

you can use the facilities at the gym or shower rooms by the pools to freshen up, change, etc after you have checked out of the hotel.

your luggage/belongings can be stored with valet/baggage service in the lobby free of charge after you checkout.
you are given a claim ticket to show when you retrieve your stuff.

check out of the hotel in the morning, do the parks, return to the parks to pick up your luggage and then hit the motherland portion of your stay.

this is what i do on my visits.

if you stay offsite on dec 31st, you can check into the onsite hotel the next morning.
i have checked in as early as 6:30 am in order to get that done and my express pass made.
that way i have time to grab breakfast at Orchid Court Lounge in the RPH lobby. it opens at 6:00am and is ala cart.

then i do the 7 minute walk to ioa and wait for early entry.

 

[bumbershoot]

I would get express passes for BOTH days, if I book for just one night?

Yes.

http://www.loewshotels.com/en/Royal-Pacific-Resort/index/faqs
http://www.loewshotels.com/en/Portofino-Bay-Hotel/index/faqs
http://www.loewshotels.com/en/Hard-Rock-Hotel/index/faqs

Q: I realize check-in does not begin until 4:00 PM, but I wanted to use the Universal ExpressSM Unlimited pass to skip the regular lines before that.

A: Please arrive as early as you like the day of check-in and our front desk agent will be happy to pre-register you and assist you with your Universal ExpressSM Unlimited pass. The bellman will hold your luggage while you enjoy the parks.

Q: What days is the FREE Universal ExpressSM Unlimited pass that serve as Express Access to skip the regular lines valid throughout my stay?

A: Your Universal ExpressSM Unlimited pass is valid for Express Access (at participating attractions) from the time issued by the front desk until the Universal Orlando theme parks close, the day of your departure.

This site is amazing! Macraven, you are so kind! That is a wonderful idea. Being a DVC member, It's always been pretty straightforward to plan our vacations. This time it's a little more complex, but you have been heaven sent!
Any preference between Portofino and Royal Pacific? As soon as I read your opinion, will book for the 1st!!!

If you are staying there and the price is right for you, I love Portofino because the standard sized rooms are bigger that at Royal Pacific (and for other reasons but that's high on the list). If you're just booking the room to come in cheaper with EPs, then either one that works for your budget.

 

[macraven]

This site is amazing! Macraven, you are so kind! That is a wonderful idea. Being a DVC member, It's always been pretty straightforward to plan our vacations. This time it's a little more complex, but you have been heaven sent!
Any preference between Portofino and Royal Pacific? As soon as I read your opinion, will book for the 1st!!!

just trying to share what i do or what i know that can be done in order to get the most out of a trip.

i usually go solo so i stay at a king suite at rph.
i don't need the two rooms but i like having a lot of space.
i like having 4 onsite restaurants and room service available in that hotel.

it is a short walk of about 7 minutes to city walk and i do enjoy food places there.
PBH has larger rooms and larger bathrooms.
i'm not big into the Italian foods so don't get into the restaurants at that hotel except for Sals.
i stay 10 nights and could not do Sal's that frequently.
and, it is a long walk to city walk from this hotel.

check on the website(www.universalorlando.com) the room layout and dimensions. go to the "hotel", click on each hotel for the info.
that might help you decide which hotel would work best for your family.

we all have our favorite hotels.
it's a toss up on which homie favors rph or pbh.

i'll be at the motherland first week of january and then switch to the darkside resorts after that.

i know it will be crowd levels of 8 at the motherland when i am there thru the first weekend.
i am thinking the darkside parks will have some moderate crowds too during the same time period.

if you have the express passes, the lines will not be an issue.

study the layout of the UO parks so you can locate the restrooms in case one of the littles has a need that won't wait.
there are a few in each section of both parks and easy to get to.
look at the menus in case you want snacks in between meals.
some healtlhy options are available but not at all counter places.
get the height requirements for rides in advance so you won't be disappointed finding out once you are at the ride.

the room rates and ep costs are higher on Jan 1-2 at the darkside and drop some days later.
that makes me wonder if UO will have crowds like WDW early january.

tour groups will be hitting the darkside in the second week of january and go until the end of the month.