Universal Express vs. Fastpass?

[Dallas_Lady]

I am a total Universal newbie. I am having a hard time understanding how universal express works. I know fastpass like the back of my hand, so many if some of you vets could compare it to that it would help me wrap my head around it.

Thanks!

 

[the Dark Marauder]

Universal Express works in one of two ways.

1)Stay at an onsite hotel. Your room key allows for unlimited access to the express line during the length of your stay. Everyone needs their own room key.

2)Purchase an Express Plus pass. Can be park specific or combo. These are date specific and can only be used 1x per attraction. You must buy one for each person in your group.

 

[wdwgypsy]

Thanks DM I was under the impression the Express Plus was the same as Universal Express for onsite stays.

 

[Metro West]

Thanks DM I was under the impression the Express Plus was the same as Universal Express for onsite stays.

Similar but different but you got the hang of it now.

 

[Dallas_Lady]

Universal Express works in one of two ways.

1)Stay at an onsite hotel. Your room key allows for unlimited access to the express line during the length of your stay. Everyone needs their own room key.

2)Purchase an Express Plus pass. Can be park specific or combo. These are date specific and can only be used 1x per attraction. You must buy one for each person in your group.

So other than this it's the same as fastpass? Can I use it whenever or are there specific times that I can come back to use it, like fastpass? How much does it cost?

 

[Metro West]

So other than this it's the same as fastpass? Can I use it whenever or are there specific times that I can come back to use it, like fastpass? How much does it cost?

You can use it whenever you want...no specific times. The cost depends on the anticipated crowd for whatever day you're going. This link will tell you all about it. If you click on "begin purchase" you can find your date and see how much they are that day.

 

[mill4023]

So other than this it's the same as fastpass? Can I use it whenever or are there specific times that I can come back to use it, like fastpass? How much does it cost?

Yep, you can use it whenever you want.

Express line = Fastpass line (pretty much, although I would guess that the wait times in the Express line would be a little more up and down since there aren't a limited number of tickets for each time slot)

If you stay onsite, you can use the Express line all day long as many times as you want by showing your room key.

If you buy the Express Pass, you can use the Express line ONCE for each attraction, but you can use it whenever you want during that day. There is no time window. I thought the prices ranged from $25 to $45 or so depending on how busy they expect to be.

Think of it this way. Imagine that Disney took away the Fastpass machines, but sold a book of Fastpasses that included one pass for each attraction with a time window that went from open to close on the day of purchase. That's the Express pass you can buy at Universal.

 

[phamton]

Think of it this way. Imagine that Disney took away the Fastpass machines, but sold a book of Fastpasses that included one pass for each attraction with a time window that went from open to close on the day of purchase. That's the Express pass you can buy at Universal.

Ohhhh I like that explanation. Simple and to the point.

 

[Dallas_Lady]

Yep, you can use it whenever you want.

Express line = Fastpass line (pretty much, although I would guess that the wait times in the Express line would be a little more up and down since there aren't a limited number of tickets for each time slot)

If you stay onsite, you can use the Express line all day long as many times as you want by showing your room key.

If you buy the Express Pass, you can use the Express line ONCE for each attraction, but you can use it whenever you want during that day. There is no time window. I thought the prices ranged from $25 to $45 or so depending on how busy they expect to be.

Think of it this way. Imagine that Disney took away the Fastpass machines, but sold a book of Fastpasses that included one pass for each attraction with a time window that went from open to close on the day of purchase. That's the Express pass you can buy at Universal.

That makes sense! Thanks!

 

[Srantin]

Tips to make your express experience much smoother, when presenting your express to a Attendant at the parks, please have the DATE ready and the title of the pass, we need to see the date to confirm you arent trying to use it more then one day and we need to make sure you either have the correct pass for the park or a combo pass, also a heads up if you keep your hotel key past the date you left the hotel and you try to use it again as express we are entitled to confiscate it and believe me, us seuss attendants try to catch as many as possible to put on our wall of shame =P

 

[liveforthemagic]

So, if I am going on a Sat or Sun in early Dec and decide to buy the Express, how long would I expect to wait for the must do rides? Do they line you up like at DW with a regular line and an express line...so you can get a feel for how long the waits will be?

 

[Metro West]

So, if I am going on a Sat or Sun in early Dec and decide to buy the Express, how long would I expect to wait for the must do rides? Do they line you up like at DW with a regular line and an express line...so you can get a feel for how long the waits will be?

Early December is rather slow so you may not even need the EP. But if you decide to purchase, the wait times should be less than 15 mins.