Universal Express Pass ?'s

[las3888]

Sorry if this has been asked many times, but we are new to Express Passes at Universal. We are considering purchasing one for an upcoming stay in early June. What exactly does it get you? Do you really get to the front of the line on EVERY ride or is it limited? Does it help at all with Harry Potter? DS is 8 and isn't likely to do any super daring rides, so we are mostly interested in HP and Spiderman, and a number of other smaller attractions.

Please tell me what it's really like and if it's worth it? Can you purchase it for just one park even though you have park hopping tickets? Also, do they really sell out in advance? Will the prices just continue to increase from here on out? I hate to buy something that costs so much and what if somebody is sick that day or something.

Also, I noticed that one day during our stay is a little less expensive. Does this mean that might be a good day to go to the parks, in that it might be a little less crowded? In other words, is the price of the pass on the website a good indicator of crowd levels for certain days?

I appreciate all the help and info! Thanks!

 

[macraven]

Sorry if this has been asked many times, but we are new to Express Passes at Universal. We are considering purchasing one for an upcoming stay in early June. What exactly does it get you? Do you really get to the front of the line on EVERY ride or is it limited? Does it help at all with Harry Potter? DS is 8 and isn't likely to do any super daring rides, so we are mostly interested in HP and Spiderman, and a number of other smaller attractions.

Please tell me what it's really like and if it's worth it? Can you purchase it for just one park even though you have park hopping tickets? Also, do they really sell out in advance? Will the prices just continue to increase from here on out? I hate to buy something that costs so much and what if somebody is sick that day or something.

Also, I noticed that one day during our stay is a little less expensive. Does this mean that might be a good day to go to the parks, in that it might be a little less crowded? In other words, is the price of the pass on the website a good indicator of crowd levels for certain days?

I appreciate all the help and info! Thanks!

if you stay at one of the 3 onsite hotels, you are allowed unlimited usage of all rides and shows that have the express lines.
it is a hotel perk that allows those guests the EP during their stay.


if you stay offsite, you can purchase the express passes.
they allow a one time only usage for rides and shows.
once you use it for a specific ride, that is it.

there are a few rides/shows that do not honor ep as they do not have express lines.
parry hotter's ollivander show is one besides the FJ ride.
no express.

there is no "front of the ride line" with the exception of WISH participants.
the express pass allows the holder to utilize the express lines.
express lines are set up to have waits of 20 minutes or less.


i go solo and stay onsite.
i can use the hotel perk of the express lines.
many times i use the single rider lines as they are just as convenient for me to use.

express passes are date and park related.
they are only valid on that date and the park.
no refunds so don't buy them in advance.
if it rains and crowds thin out, your EP is still valid but not a necessity that day.
wait until you are in a park before you make a decision if you must buy them.
if the crowds are not there, you don't need the EP.

each person that is in the Express line must have their own EP.


you can park hop if you have P2P tickets and use the EP you purchased for the park it is designated for.

 

[macraven]

if you go to the ticket purchasing site, check the cost of the EP on the date you are interested in using them.

if their cost is under $50, you don't need them.
there will be peeps in the park but not at the point you will endure 45 minute waits.

hit parry hotter first to avoid longer waits for the rides.
you can also go back to that section the hour before closing for shorter waits also.

weekends will have more peeps in the park than weekdays.

 

[las3888]

Thanks - all your info is very very helpful.

The date I see lists $54.99 so we are on the fence. Will that price change day to day, or will it increase a day or so before we arrive or is that pretty much going to be the price? So we can just purchase these in the park as well?

What time do you recommend to get there for HP -- we are not staying in the parks. I assume gates open at 9am for us not on-site.

Thanks again - we are putting this trip together very last minute and I am trying to absorb a lot of info!

 

[Metro West]

The date I see lists $54.99 so we are on the fence. Will that price change day to day, or will it increase a day or so before we arrive or is that pretty much going to be the price? So we can just purchase these in the park as well?

What time do you recommend to get there for HP -- we are not staying in the parks. I assume gates open at 9am for us not on-site.

Thanks again - we are putting this trip together very last minute and I am trying to absorb a lot of info!

The EP price is based on the anticipated crowd for that day. Sometimes the price goes up...never down but for the most part, its set. You can purchase EPs throughout either park.

I would try to be there no later than 8:30AM...sometimes the gates will open early based on the crowd outside waiting to enter. If it's a big crowd, the gates might open at 8:45AM so that will help.

 

[las3888]

The EP price is based on the anticipated crowd for that day. Sometimes the price goes up...never down but for the most part, its set. You can purchase EPs throughout either park.

I would try to be there no later than 8:30AM...sometimes the gates will open early based on the crowd outside waiting to enter. If it's a big crowd, the gates might open at 8:45AM so that will help.

Thank you! Do you have a rough estimate of the wait time for the HP ride if we are there when the gates open? This is early June in a few weeks--kids will JUST be getting out of school (some will still be in school).

Thanks!

 

[Bluer101]

You will be behind early entry and resort guests. I would guess wait time of 20-60 minutes to be fair. Now if you don't mind splitting up do single rider. Every time I do it is from walk on to 5 minutes. It's just inside the entrance to your left. Ask a TM and they will point. Just remember you will not see any que in that line.

 

[Metro West]

You will be behind early entry and resort guests. I would guess wait time of 20-60 minutes to be fair. Now if you don't mind splitting up do single rider. Every time I do it is from walk on to 5 minutes. It's just inside the entrance to your left. Ask a TM and they will point. Just remember you will not see any que in that line.

 

[lpearl]

There are also unlimited express pass + admission tickets available on the Universalorlando website.

 

[Bluer101]

There are also unlimited express pass + admission tickets available on the Universalorlando website.

Yes, but by the time you buy a few of those you could get a room cheaper and its valid for 2 days.