Ticketing question about Express Pass

[ldymcbth]

This will be my first trip to Universal in many, many years. I am super familiar with Disney ticketing but even after reading this forum over and over I am still befuddled by Universal's. We are going in late June and I am planning on doing 5 nights at Cabana Bay (suite - we have 3 adults, 2 kids.)

We want to do 3 days in the parks - one at Universal Studios, one at Islands of Adventure, and one at the new water park. I know I want park-to-park passes because we want to ride the Hogwarts train. I'd also like to get Express Passes since we are only doing each park in 1 day - and my parents are going with us and will be tired of standing in line.

When looking to book my hotel room, I can add on Express Passes (which I'd like to do,) but I have to pick a specific date from a drop down menu - and those dates are not the dates we want to go to that particular park. So does that mean there are no Express Passes for the days we are going? I'm super confused.

Also, I thought the water park was going to use the taputapu thing, but it looks like you can buy express passes for it, too. That confuses me. Do I need that?

Thanks for any help. I feel out of my wheelhouse on this one!

 

[Kerriowl]

With that many people, have you looked at the hotels that include express pass? I think it will end up cheaper than buying the express pass on top of your hotel room at Cabana Bay.

 

[ldymcbth]

Oh my goodness - I hadn't even looked into the pricing. You are right - we would be better off staying at a hotel that comes with Express Pass. Does anyone have an opinion on the best option for that to sleep 5 people? I'm afraid we are all going to be on top of one another. The suites at Cabana Bay looked perfect for our party but it's going to cost us an extra $1000 for express passes, and that's just for 2 days of them. If we go with one of the premier hotels we'll get unlimited express each day.

 

[Kerriowl]

The Deluxe 2 queen room at Hard Rock looks like the best deal. It appears to have a sofa bed. We are doing 3 adults and 2 kids in the Jurassic Park suite at Royal Pacific. But my mom is totally amenable to sleeping on an air mattress. That might not work for you. Disclaimer: I am still trying to figure out Universal myself.

 

[macraven]

Deluxe hotels allow 5 in the room

But the room price covers 2 adults, 3 kids up to age 17


You have 3 adults and 2 kids
There would be an additional $25 per night + tax for the 3rd adult in the room

Even with the additional cost, you can still come out ahead financially by staying deluxe

Also you could split the stay doing deluxe first for a couple of nights then switch to Cbay

Hotel express pass covers the day you check in and the entire day you check out of the deluxe hotels

You could do deluxe one night and get two days of the free ep
Them stay at Cbay the next 4 nights

All staying at one of the UO hotels onsite are allowed early entry

 

[hm8453a]

We love the Royal Pacific. The Portofino is nice, but I don't know if it or the Hard Rock is necessary. I believe all three of the deluxe hotels have suites as well, including Despicable Me themed, but that probably gets more expensive.

 

[macraven]

Themed suites do cost more

 

[bumbershoot]

Since you're buying park to park tickets, I would strongly recommend working in some hopping on those days. (not just for the train)

 

[sandam1]

Since you're buying park to park tickets, I would strongly recommend working in some hopping on those days. (not just for the train)

My thoughts exactly. At Universal, it is VERY easy and convenient to park hop. So if the lines are getting long at one park, check the app and pop over to the other to do a few things at the other. Plus, after your day at Volcano Bay, you can always hit the parks if you want to.

Another suggestion might be to look at the cost of upgrading to an annual pass (even for one person). The cost of upgrading from a 3 day ticket to an annual pass is usually fairly reasonable and gives you access to potential annual pass discounts on your hotel (June discounts aren't out yet, but keep checking on the UO website - the promo code is APH) and, depending on the level of AP that you get, on food and merchandise as well. HOWEVER, keep in mind the UO has not announced how Volcano Bay is going to be integrated into the AP structure!!!! That could be a fly in the ointment, but right now no one knows on this.