To Express pass, or not to EP

[waltslostnephew]

Hello, Just wondering what everyone thinks. Will be at US/IOA sun. may 18th 2014 thru Weds. may 21 2014.... Do you think I will need to get Express passes or just need to stay onsite and not worry about waiting in any long lines. Thanks! Thinking about saving money on staying off site...

 

[damo]

You're getting awfully close to the opening of the new Harry Potter area. I would think that things could be potentially very busy.

 

[RMulieri]

You're getting awfully close to the opening of the new Harry Potter area. I would think that things could be potentially very busy.

agree..It could very well be in soft openings by then

 

[waltslostnephew]

So even when it is real busy, does Ep really save you a bunch of trouble?

 

[macraven]

 

[ashearer]

Isn't it cheaper to stay even 1 night onsite to get early entry and 2 full days of unlimited express passes included?blast the parks these days and then take it easy knowing you've done everything. We've done this fir our trip and club room is still cheaper than buying 5 EP and you can ride as many times as you like unlike the ones you buy.

 

[zoemurr]

We went last week and loved the EP. Much different than FP. You really walk right to the front of the line and they let you on. We passed a HUGE one on Spiderman) Definitely worth it to us, but we love staying on site.

Free wifi only in the lobby and no fridge though..

 

[LaurenT]

I just finished my first trip to US/IOA. I stayed onsite. Looking at the regular lines - I don't think I'd go without EP.

 

[CTDisneyfan816]

It always depends on the time of year. I go in early December and never needed them. But in May, schools down there are letting out and as someone said, the new Harry Potter ride may be opening then so it might be a good idea.

 

[mom2t]

We are going mid to late June next year. My DS will not do the big thrill rides. We are doing a day for each park. He wants to do Jurrasic Area and see HP area. We are going to pick and choose at Universal. We have terrible time with motion sickness. We are renting house off grounds. We were not going to buy EP. Are we crazy?

 

[RMulieri]

We are going mid to late June next year. My DS will not do the big thrill rides. We are doing a day for each park. He wants to do Jurrasic Area and see HP area. We are going to pick and choose at Universal. We have terrible time with motion sickness. We are renting house off grounds. We were not going to buy EP. Are we crazy?

As long as you realize that the harry potter expansion over at the studios could very well be open or in soft openings by then and it will make it INSANELY busy( it is very busy anyway once schools are out).When WWoHP opened at IOA it created huge park crowds for months after.The same is going to happen with phase 2

 

[schumigirl]

As long as you realize that the harry potter expansion over at the studios could very well be open or in soft openings by then and it will make it INSANELY busy( it is very busy anyway once schools are out).When WWoHP opened at IOA it created huge park crowds for months after.The same is going to happen with phase 2

Totally agree

It`s going to be busy busy.....busy!!!

 

[bumbershoot]

We are going mid to late June next year. My DS will not do the big thrill rides.

EP isn't just for the thrill rides, though. It's for everything except Ollivander's show, Forbidden Journey, and Pteranodon Flyers.

The Seuss "high in the sky" trolley was fun...with EP and a 10 minute wait. It would NOT have been fun to wait 40 minutes in standby for, though. Multiple those long waits for non-thrill rides all day and it starts feeling a little more worth it to either stay onsite or get the EP. Even when someone isn't doing thrill rides.

 

[cbtengwife]

If you get to park and realize that it is busy, can you add express pass?

 

[RMulieri]

If you get to park and realize that it is busy, can you add express pass?

Yes, you can purchase it...BUT it is good for only one ride per attraction

 

[mom2t]

As long as you realize that the harry potter expansion over at the studios could very well be open or in soft openings by then and it will make it INSANELY busy( it is very busy anyway once schools are out).When WWoHP opened at IOA it created huge park crowds for months after.The same is going to happen with phase 2

Thank you for your suggestions. My plan is to go on a Sunday and do US and head over IOA in the evening for HP. We are going to check out the HP timed entry tickets when we arrive that morning at IOA. We are getting 2 day park to park tickets. Then chill at our house on Monday and then head back another day to do anything we have missed. I am looking at guidebooks to develop my plan. Will keep 300 in reserve if we need to buy EP for one day.

 

[mom2t]

Question about timed ticket entry for HP land. Can you request an evening time if it is available or do you have to take what thy offer you?

 

[damo]

There might not be timed entry. That only happens when the park is jammed full. It will be interesting to see how full IOA is when Diagon opens.

 

[mom2t]

There might not be timed entry. That only happens when the park is jammed full. It will be interesting to see how full IOA is when Diagon opens.

Since we are going late June next year, I am anticipating HP new expansion will be in full or soft opening. Just wondering?
Anyone who can answer my question?

 

[damo]

Since we are going late June next year, I am anticipating HP new expansion will be in full or soft opening. Just wondering?
Anyone who can answer my question?

You may be given times to choose from... sometimes they will give you an option. However, you can return any time after your given time, so as long as it is before when you want to go, you will be fine.