Universal Express Pass....Clarification?

[WaltD4Me]

Okay, so I know very little about Universal. And I was listening to the show today with alot of interest because I'm thinking of going there for a day of my November trip to see Harry Potter. I got a little lost when they were talking about the Express Pass...this is something they offer to non-resort guests? You pay for it and the price varies depending on how busy there are? And it is in addition to your park ticket. So if the park ticket is $75 and the Express Pass is $50, it would be $125 to get in and have "fast pass" privileges? And the EP is not good at all attractions and probably won't be good for the Forbidden Journey? Did I get all that right? I don't understand why it wouldn't be good for what will probably be the most popular attraction? And if that is my main reason for going to Universal, then would I even need the EP the 3rd week of November for anything?

 

[wdwfreeksince88]

And it is only good once per attraction that has express pass.

 

[doconeill]

When we were at WDW last April, I took DD#1 to Universal Studios for a day. I looked at the Express Pass, since we'd only have one day. I saw that the price varied by crowd level, and it was at its cheapest ($20 I believe) when we went, and I considered it...but decided not to.

Really glad I didn't get it. There was NOBODY there at opening. We did everything we wanted to twice, everything else once, even stopped for the parlor magic show where they try and sell you the magic kits (the demo was still cool actually) and still left before 5pm. Shortly before we left, the wait for Mummy was a whopping 35 minutes, and that was probably because the Blues Brothers show nearby had just ended and everyone went straight for it...

 

[klam_chowder]

OP you basically got it right.

The Universal website explains it pretty well and there's a chart that shows you how much it costs based on the date you want to go. For example, holidays and big weekends are going to cost the most.

Over the Christmas break, we went to US/IoA for the first time and I bought the EP in advance because I thought it would be crazy busy on Christmas Day (guessing from our WDW Christmas 2007 experience), and was worried they would "sell out" for that day. Even on the 25th, the place was pretty empty until noon. Unless you're going T'giving w/end, I wouldn't bother. We used EP once that day - to bypass a 15 min line. We really wanted to use it for Rip Ride Rockit but it doesn't accept EP. Certainly not worth it for us. YMMV

cheers,

 

[WaltD4Me]

OP you basically got it right.

The Universal website explains it pretty well and there's a chart that shows you how much it costs based on the date you want to go. For example, holidays and big weekends are going to cost the most.

Over the Christmas break, we went to US/IoA for the first time and I bought the EP in advance because I thought it would be crazy busy on Christmas Day (guessing from our WDW Christmas 2007 experience), and was worried they would "sell out" for that day. Even on the 25th, the place was pretty empty until noon. Unless you're going T'giving w/end, I wouldn't bother. We used EP once that day - to bypass a 15 min line. We really wanted to use it for Rip Ride Rockit but it doesn't accept EP. Certainly not worth it for us. YMMV

cheers,

Good info! Thank you.

Still not understanding why it isn't good for the most popular rides? Isn't that the point? I know Pete said don't compare Universal to Disney, but I'm spoiled by Fast Pass. I haven't waited more than 30 minutes and usually less than that, for anything in a looooooong time. I can't even imagine waiting 2 hours in line for anything anymore.

 

[uncleleo]

Good info! Thank you.

Still not understanding why it isn't good for the most popular rides? Isn't that the point? I know Pete said don't compare Universal to Disney, but I'm spoiled by Fast Pass. I haven't waited more than 30 minutes and usually less than that, for anything in a looooooong time. I can't even imagine waiting 2 hours in line for anything anymore.

Well, let's be accurate. Universal's Express pass *is* good for the most popular rides EXCEPT the newest one, the Rip Rock whatever coaster. It is good for the Simpsons and SpiderMan, the Hulk and the Mummy, Terminator 3D and Shrek 4D, Men in Black and Jurassic Park, etc., etc.

In terms of time savings, Universal's Express makes Fastpass look like a sad little crab cake, because you can go from one express line to the next without waiting for any time windows. With an express pass, you can walk on all the headliners (except that new coaster) consecutively no matter the crowds and without having to arrive early.

But you'll pay dearly for the privilege. So if an extra $30-$50 per person is unpalatable, the no-added-cost Fastpass beats Universal's Express hands down.

The only time we've been to Universal since IOA opened, we stayed at the Portofino. If only Disney offered a luxury option to match the unlimited line-cutting privileges that Universal's on-site lodgers receive! I would book a Grand Floridian concierge room every time if it came with perpetual Fastpasses. We were at Universal the week before Easter and never waited in a line. I would not consider visiting Universal during any popular vacation period without staying on-site.

Lee

 

[Metro West]

Still not understanding why it isn't good for the most popular rides? Isn't that the point? I know Pete said don't compare Universal to Disney, but I'm spoiled by Fast Pass. I haven't waited more than 30 minutes and usually less than that, for anything in a looooooong time. I can't even imagine waiting 2 hours in line for anything anymore.

As Leo indicated...the Express Plus passes are good for all attractions except the Hollywood Rip, Ride, Rockit at the Studios and the Pteranodon Flyers at IOA...which has never offered Express. The Rockit will probably be added at some point but as of now...no Express.

The reason Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey does not offer Express is the fact that the lines will be very long for a very long time. Onsite guests...who usually enjoy unlimited Express access may only use their pass once per day. It is still unclear if the Express you purchase will be honored. Imagine the lines if people were able to use unlimited trips through the Express line for Forbidden Journey! Talk about long lines! They want to make sure as many people as possible get to enjoy the new attraction. The newspaper article indicates the entire journey will take an hour...just for Forbidden Journey...so the lines will be long regardless.

I'm going over for the Grand Opening but you won't catch me near Universal until after summer.

Since you aren't going until November, the crowds will hopefully die down some and the Express Plus pass will not be needed. Historically...November is slow and you wouldn't need to purchase an EP but with Mr. Potter's fans coming in by the boat load, no one knows what the lines will be like in November. In any case...wait until you arrive to purchase the Express Plus passes...they are date specific and non-refundable.

 

[klam_chowder]

Good info! Thank you.

Still not understanding why it isn't good for the most popular rides? Isn't that the point? I know Pete said don't compare Universal to Disney, but I'm spoiled by Fast Pass. I haven't waited more than 30 minutes and usually less than that, for anything in a looooooong time. I can't even imagine waiting 2 hours in line for anything anymore.

Just adding to what PP mentioned...it's similar to Disneyland's FP setup too. When I was there in early December there were no FP lines for TSM, Matterhorn or Nemo's Subarmines - all which have notoriously long queues.

We really enjoyed US/IoA - if I asked DH he probably say he prefers it as he likes the thrill rides and special effects, which sometimes make me woozy. Parts of US/IoA are wonderfully themed.

We'll go back when WWoHP opens but will prolly only spend one day there.
Wanted to add that it was easy for us to see and do everything but I've done commando touring before. Even tho we took our time and didn't go commando, I still had a strategy mapped out but if you're on the Dis you're prolly already a planner

cheers,

 

[ADP]

My personal feeling is it's at least worth looking into staying one night on-site. You'll get unlimited express privelages on almost all the attractions for 2 full days (day of check-in and day of check-out). Plus, if you get tired and want to take a break you can go to your room and relax and use the resort's amenities; pool, etc.

 

[mel&me]

My personal feeling is it's at least worth looking into staying one night on-site. You'll get unlimited express privelages on almost all the attractions for 2 full days (day of check-in and day of check-out). Plus, if you get tired and want to take a break you can go to your room and relax and use the resorts amenities; pool, etc.

We have never stayed on universal property, but probably going to at least one night this fall. Have not decided on which hotel yet,

 

[kaligal]

Another thing about the EP: when it isn't busy, they let you use it more than once on the rides with shorter lines.

But nothing beats FOTL. Stay in a Uni hotel if you can. And as MetroWest pointed out in another thread, do it at the end of your vacation. Uni is far more relaxing and it's better to end that way than start that way.