Universal Express Pass Questions

[Nickb23]

We will be visiting one park each day on 8/11 and 8/12. Was wondering if the Express Pass is worth the money and how it works. We would be buying them at the gate, as we are not staying on property. Can you only use them once per ride? Is it possible to buy two for a family of four and use them for two at a time? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

 

[glocon]

I have used the bought express passes, and they can only be used once per ride. Depending on the cost of the ep on the day you are going, you may be better off making a reservation at one of the on site resorts, even if you do not stay there, because your room keys are unlimited ep for all rides except the new HP ride, Pterondon Fliers, and the Rip Ride Rockit. Price out the difference of buying 4 ep that can be used once per ride, and the price of a room onsite- you might be better off that way!

And I am not sure I am understanding the rest of your question- did you want to use one ep for two people to get on the same ride? If that is what you are asking, then the answer is no. Each ep can only be used once per ride- they mark it for each ride as you use it so it cannot be used on that ride again.

Hope this helps!

 

[glocon]

Just noticed that you are planning on going for two days. You can use your room key ep for both the day of check in and the day of check out. So one night at an onsite resort is two days of express pass.

Staying onsite could possibly save you a lot of $$$ !

 

[JessicaR]

I have used the bought express passes, and they can only be used once per ride. Depending on the cost of the ep on the day you are going, you may be better off making a reservation at one of the on site resorts, even if you do not stay there, because your room keys are unlimited ep for all rides except the new HP ride, Pterondon Fliers, and the Rip Ride Rockit. Price out the difference of buying 4 ep that can be used once per ride, and the price of a room onsite- you might be better off that way!

And I am not sure I am understanding the rest of your question- did you want to use one ep for two people to get on the same ride? If that is what you are asking, then the answer is no. Each ep can only be used once per ride- they mark it for each ride as you use it so it cannot be used on that ride again.

Hope this helps!

The bigger perk for booking one night at an on-site is that you would get 2 days of unlimited hotel express.

So add what express would be for 4 people for 2 days and you may have a greater benefit to book a room. Not to mention some down time at a great pool.

 

[JessicaR]

Just noticed that you are planning on going for two days. You can use your room key ep for both the day of check in and the day of check out. So one night at an onsite resort is two days of express pass.

Staying onsite could possibly save you a lot of $$$ !

Good thinking!

 

[Metro West]

We will be visiting one park each day on 8/11 and 8/12. Was wondering if the Express Pass is worth the money and how it works. We would be buying them at the gate, as we are not staying on property. Can you only use them once per ride? Is it possible to buy two for a family of four and use them for two at a time? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

The cost of the EP for both days is $55.99 per person for both parks. They can only be used once per participating attraction...the passes are scanned when entering the queue so they will know if it's already been used for that attraction.

My advice is to wait until you see the lines yourself before spending the money and getting to the parks early is key to keeping the lines down.

 

[macraven]

the epp's are non transferable so you couldn't share with others in your group.


never buy the epp in advance as they are non refundable.
if it rains, the lines thin out quickly.

if you are sick that day and have to switch dates of doing the parks, you lose out on the money for the epp's as they are date and park related.

 

[francie57]

AAA has a room listed at the RPR for $273/tax for that night or $304/tax directly through Universal site. I would rather pay that than $224/day for 4 express passes that is only good for one time on each ride. The perks of staying on-site are great. You would have unlimited express pass for two days plus would be able to go back and enjoy the pool for part of the day. You would also get early access to IOA and Harry Potter on the second morning since you are on-site - that is a major perk since the Forbidden Journey doesn't have express pass. We used to stay off site but decided to try the Hard Rock one trip and now we stay on-site at the beginning of every trip and then move to Disney. If you are AAA members you also get 10% off at the restaurants and stores in the parks as well as most restaurants at City Walk (expect Emerils) just by showing your card. I have been checking the wait times on the I-pad and they have been crazy so far. Yesterday Spiderman and Harry Potter were both over 110 min. waits. We will be at Universal the 9-11 of Aug. and we have always been extremely happy to have the unlimited express pass by staying on-site since the lines do get long and we aren't there on the weekend like you will be.

 

[Nickb23]

Thanks for all the help. I am a AAA Member so I may try through there. Thanks!