Universal Express pass

[Jim1]

Alright guys,

Recently joined, 25 yo from Glasgow, Scotland.

Heading to Orlando in September 2012, booked the tickets etc but now wondering about Universal Express passes, erm well I just dunno where or how to book em?

The tickets I've got are the 2 park (US and IOS) passes which will do us for the 2 weeks, but when looking about the Universal site it appears to be asking me on what specific dates I'd like the express passes for? I just assumed if I bought those passes it would cover me for the duration of my holiday (if I were to go to Universal every day of my 2 week holiday, which I won't). I don't know which specific days were gonna do what on (Weather dependent etc) so what do I do here?

So ladies and gents, some advice would be much appreciated and looking forward to hearing replies

Cheers

Jim

 

[Elise79]

The Universal express pass has to be purchased for a specific day and is only valid for that day. There is no express pass that is valid for multiple days that you can purchase.

Of you stay onsite in a Universal hotel you get FOTL access as part of your room package.

 

[wayneg]

Hi Jim, welcome to DISboards.

Unfortunately Express passes are only valid 1 day. Prices vary for the day you want to buy them for, if they are cheaper ($20-25) then they are expecting low crowds for that day, dearer ($50-60) they are expecting high crowd levels.
September I would not expect you to need them (personally I would not pay for them on any day of the year)crowds tend to be low the whole month.

If you are set on buying them then consider a nights stay at a Universal hotel, you get 2 days of front of line access included.

The express passes bought only gain front of line once per ride, staying in a Universal hotel gains unlimited front of line.

http://www.universalorlando.com/Theme-Park-Tickets/Universal-Express/Express-Plus-Passes.aspx

 

[Jim1]

Thanks for the replies guys,

Is it cheaper to buy online then? and plan what days I'd like to use them? (If I were to go with that) or just a similar price at the gate?

Or... is it not worth it as you mentioned to purchase the Express passes seeing as it may not be as busy?

Oh and I'm staying at Sheraton Vistana for 2 weeks so rules out staying at the hotel

Thanks for the welcome

 

[ChipnDaleRule]

We considered buying FOTLP a few years ago($60 pp).When we got to the park i was so glad we didn't as it was a lot quieter than we expected, and for one go only per ride it so wasn't worth it.I think (and I'm sure i'll be corrected if i'm wrong) but it does not include Harry Potter, which will have the longest queue. If i were you i would research which rides tend to be the busiest e.g. Harry Potter, Spiderman etc get in early and do them first

 

[madmumof2]

Hi Jim, welcome to DISboards.

Unfortunately Express passes are only valid 1 day. Prices vary for the day you want to buy them for, if they are cheaper ($20-25) then they are expecting low crowds for that day, dearer ($50-60) they are expecting high crowd levels.
September I would not expect you to need them (personally I would not pay for them on any day of the year)crowds tend to be low the whole month.

If you are set on buying them then consider a nights stay at a Universal hotel, you get 2 days of front of line access included.

The express passes bought only gain front of line once per ride, staying in a Universal hotel gains unlimited front of line.

http://www.universalorlando.com/Theme-Park-Tickets/Universal-Express/Express-Plus-Passes.aspx

A night in a Universal Hotel also gives you early entry, an hour before opening time as well as 2 days FOL pass for the entire family.

I've opted for on night in the Hard Rock Hotel, works out much cheaper than buying 2 days worth of FOL pass for everyone, and we get to enter the park, and WWoHP an hour before everyone else

 

[wayneg]

Thanks for the replies guys,

Is it cheaper to buy online then? and plan what days I'd like to use them? (If I were to go with that) or just a similar price at the gate?

Or... is it not worth it as you mentioned to purchase the Express passes seeing as it may not be as busy?

Oh and I'm staying at Sheraton Vistana for 2 weeks so rules out staying at the hotel

Thanks for the welcome

I think they are the same price buying there but not certain.
Just had a look at cost and all of Sept is same price, $31.99 for both parks, that means low crowds expected, you shouldn't need the express passes.

Many book a night at Universal and and just take an overnight bag, leave all their luggage in the other hotel. For a couple low season its probably not worth it(depends how low you can get the uni hotel rate) but a family peak season its cheaper to book a Uni hotel than buy the passes.

 

[torsie24]

The passes get more expensive as they sell out.

I bought them long in advance of my last trip as we knew exactly what day we were visiing US/IOA.

They were $25 when I bought them, and went up to $55 by the time I was leaving the UK, not sure if any were available on the day, as it turned out it was the day The Ellen Show was filming at US and there was also an event for free entry for UCF students!!

Needless to say it was $25 very well spent!!

 

[General Panic]

Hey Jim and welcome to the boards

I would echo Wayne's advice that in September , which is when we go you really don't need Express Pass. The main ride that's likey to have a Queue is the Harry Potter Forbidden Forest one and the queue area in that ride is as good (almost) as the ride itself

Last time we were there whilst staying in RPR the Express room key didn't let you on the Forbbiden Forest ride anyway not sure if the Universal Pass itself worked/works on that ride either?

 

[Metro West]

Last time we were there whilst staying in RPR the Express room key didn't let you on the Forbbiden Forest ride anyway not sure if the Universal Pass itself worked/works on that ride either?

Forbidden Journey is not included for Express access but Dragon Challenge and Flight of the Hippogriff are.

 

[Jim1]

Brilliant guys cheers

Just gonna leave out buying them but will head straight to the HP area soon as I hit IOA, thanks for the advice

 

[Tony Toon]

Brilliant guys cheers

Just gonna leave out buying them but will head straight to the HP area soon as I hit IOA, thanks for the advice

Jim. Nice to see another fellow Glaswegian on the Disboards.

A wise move IMHO. I object to paying for Parking, Entry etc and then having to pay a premium to join a queue a little nearer the ride once! On our visit in 2010 we persuaded DS and his GF to save their money for something else. We were there at peak time (July, a month after HP opened) and arrived late afternoon (cheaper to park then as well ) after shopping. Hulk, Spiderman etc were all more or less walk ons (crowds at HP) so did all these first and gradually walked round to HP, arriving there about 8ish. Queue for Forbidden journey about 45mins, but the castle was so fantastic we didn't mind. Have used this tactic again and it worked a treat. The added bonus for us was that we find Universal and IOA to be very hot parks and arriving at this time made them much less tiring and much more enjoyable. You'll love it!

Mrs TT

 

[Jim1]

Jim. Nice to see another fellow Glaswegian on the Disboards.

A wise move IMHO. I object to paying for Parking, Entry etc and then having to pay a premium to join a queue a little nearer the ride once! On our visit in 2010 we persuaded DS and his GF to save their money for something else. We were there at peak time (July, a month after HP opened) and arrived late afternoon (cheaper to park then as well ) after shopping. Hulk, Spiderman etc were all more or less walk ons (crowds at HP) so did all these first and gradually walked round to HP, arriving there about 8ish. Queue for Forbidden journey about 45mins, but the castle was so fantastic we didn't mind. Have used this tactic again and it worked a treat. The added bonus for us was that we find Universal and IOA to be very hot parks and arriving at this time made them much less tiring and much more enjoyable. You'll love it!

Mrs TT

That's fantastic Mrs TT cheers can't wait now to get this show on the road

Still 5 month wait, but will be worth it, thanks for the advice