Universal Express Plus?

[BraveMom3]

How much does this option cost? Is it added on to your regular park pass? Would it take the place of staying on-site for the express privilege? Thanks for any info. I'm trying to squeeze in 2 days at US/IOA without breaking my already strained vacation budget. If I could get the same express privilege using this I may can avoid staying on-site and paying for that extra room.

 

[dizneefreak29]

We are going to Universal for one day later this month. I purchased my tickets already. We got a 2-park one day ticket and the Universal Express Plus for both parks. The Express pass cost $53.25 per person and is good for both Island of Adventure and Universal! Hope this helps!

 

[gschmerl]

The Express Plus pass is NOT the same as staying on site. The Express Plus gives you ONE express entry to each attraction that has express. Staying on site gives you all day exress access to the attractions. You can ride them many times with the express perk by staying on site.
The price of the Express Plus varies depending on the season. They range from about $15 to $38 per person.

 

[Patch'sD]

Stay on Site. With AP Discount RPR can be gotten for about $ 160 per night. For a family of four Express Pass would cost 15x4x2= $ 120 per day on low end and 38x4x2= $ 304 per day on the high end. Formula is Cost x people x parks. Since the Hotel rate is about $ 100 per day over anything outside the park, Staying one night is $ 100 premium, However you are getting two days of Express. Room Keys don't expire until the parks close day of check-out. So on the low end of $240 and the High end of $ 608, the Premium of $ 100.00 more than pays for itself.

 

[goofy!]

Heck - right now through the first week of October, you can get RPR for 129.00 per night with the 4th night free (with AP discount)! And kids eat free - so even a bigger discount!

I agree with Patch'sD - stay onsite! The FOTL is fantastic.

 

[VanishedPsycho]

Yes, staying at one of the on-site hotels will allow you to use your room key for express access at the attractions for the duration of your stay. Regular Universal Express Plus only allows access to the attractions ONE time each. Depending on which time of year you are coming and whether or not the powers that be have decreed it to be a peak or non-peak day, the express plus passes can vary in price and access from around 20 dollars per person up to over 50 dollars per person. if it is decreed to be a peak day the two park combo express pass will most likely not be offered, since they can make more money selling each guest a seperate pass for each park. the slower the parks get the lower in price the express plus passes go and the wider access they allow.

 

[Danauk]

How far in advance can you book the express plus pass? We are visiting universal for one day in December so I know it will be busy. Can you buy this pass seperately or do you have to buy it when you buy your regular park admission?

 

[ralfrick]

Regular Universal Express Plus only allows access to the attractions ONE time each.

This is absolutely the stated policy, no doubt about it. It is not necessarily the reality, though. Last month we were in each park one day each with EP, and Spiderman was the only ride where they marked our ticket as used with a pen. Nowhere were they ever scanned. I, of course, can't promise that this will always be the case, but I have heard others having similar experiences.

Cheers.

 

[musicmama]

How are the Express Plus passes purchased in advance? Is it one ticket for both parks, separate tix, what? Where do you buy them?

Going over Christmas - do I need this? Is US/IOA as crowded and crazy as Disney?

thx in advance.

 

[gigi1313]

i just went to http://www.univacations.com/hotdeals/express.asp?vendor=IUN&Referrer=UN7&pl= and called the 800 number to get more info... the rep suggested that we purchase this in advance (having to specify our date!) as it is a first come/first served situation and they do sell out, esp at peak times... it can be purchased by phone at 1-800-711-0080 or online... you can buy it in conjuction w/your tix or separately...

for us this is worth it 'cause we'll be there a saturday in august but do not wish to stay on site due to the free food wdw is giving away!