Universal Express vs. FOTL

[VanishedPsycho]

Hey there gang. I just wanted to take a few minutes to kinda clarify things as many people who are new to Universal and planning their trips do tend to come here (along with other boards) to check things out and ask questions. There has been a lot of confusion lately in the parks with people thinking that Universal Express gets them front of the line access to the rides which is not really the case. Universal Express allows those holding a pass to utilize a shorter line which generally cuts their wait time in half if not a little more. Are there times when the express line is extremely short to non-existent? Yes, but as we are coming upon a very busy peak period this will most likely not be the case. When the parks get excessively busy the express lines for certain attractions can to be upwards of 60-90 minutes. Granted, compared to the 120-180 minute posted main wait thats a big cut in time but by no means is it FOTL. Cut your wait time at least in half with express? Yes. Get FOTL every time at every ride with express? No. Also keep in mind that if you buy express and come on a slow day when even the main line for each ride is 5 minutes or less you can not get a refund on express (or at least you're not supposed too but we all know if you scream and yell enough they'll give you your money back for just about anything). The only folks out there who are going to get True FOTL at each ride are those with an executive gold pass or the guests who are on any of the VIP Tours out in the park that day. Again, I say this just to help out and clarify things a bit. To be perfectly honest express doesnt guarantee anything at all other than you will wait less time than those in the main line. there is no written guarantee that says it will be 15 minutes or less, they just use that as an example and do try to achieve it, but it does not always happen, especially during peak periods when 30,000 or more people are cramming into each park. The studio just had a day not too long ago when the wait for Shrek was over 4 hours, yes express got in faster than that but they had to wait quite a while as well, had they been given FOTL there would have been a riot.

 

[Slacking]

Thanks for posting this VP.

One of my huge pet peeves (besides the smiley) is calling the Express perk, FOTL. I've hated that name, because as stated the perk send you through the Express wait with a shorter wait time than if you were to use the regular line. If there is no line, then great you get to walk right on, but most of the time that isn't the case. I just hate the FOTL name because it doesn't do that, and i hope people realize that you use the Express line. IMO, a much better name would be Unlimited Express (UE!). I actually refuse to type out FOTL (except for when cutting the name down, like now)

 

[timkin]

What type of pass do you get when you stay at a Universal Resort?

This is what my reservations states:

As an onsite resort guest you will enjoy Universal Express Ride access which allows you to bypass the regular lines at select rides and attractions. Present your room key card at the attractions in both theme parks and enjoy use of the special queue. Valid for hotel stay as indicated on room key, only good for number of guests staying in the room. Paid theme park admission required. Some attractions excluded. Not valid for separately ticketed special events.

 

[Jenny]

timkin, you will go through the Express line, not the regular line, for each attraction for an unlimited amount of times during your stay whereas those who buy an Express pass can only use the Express line one time per ride. You will certainly get on rides quicker than those who are in the regular lines. You will be in the Express lines with other hotel guests & those who have paid for the Express pass - less people than will be in the regular lines.

 

[Robinrs]

VP, thanks for your detailed explanation, but it will have to be posted daily if you expect newbies to understand. This has been explained since I was a moderator way back in the day, but everyday new people join the DIS and have to get this explained again.

Whatever it's called, on busy days it's nothing but the truth! Yesterday my son rode the Hulk 4 times in a row when the regular wait time was 50 mins. There was still a wait of about 10 mins, mostly because there were people on the line WITHOUT express passes who didn't GET IT... ... but it still beat the posted time!

 

[sallyjane]

This might be off topic but what is the pass called that you can get during HHN. What does it entail and does anyone remember what is cost last year. I had heard that it can get you into the houses early? Is it a version of the express pass? Thanks

 

[Sleepy]

Yesterday my son rode the Hulk 4 times in a row when the regular wait time was 50 mins. There was still a wait of about 10 mins, mostly because there were people on the line WITHOUT express passes who didn't GET IT... ... but it still beat the posted time!

I am not sure if I understand you correctly, but are you saying people in the regular line was jumping into the express line causing express to have a longer wait? Were they allowing those people access to the ride or making them go to the regular line? DO they check IDs in the express line at both beginning and end to ensure the right people are in the proper line? I know several years ago we infuriated many people after bypassing them 4 times in a row on MIB.

I know when they had free express passes, there was a problem with people using one pass over and over for rides that were not even designated on the pass. I heard a woman bragging about using one pass all day and I asked to look at the pass and sure enough, it was expired. Amazingly, she walked right past the employee on the ride and the employee never even looked at the pass to see if it was valid. Made me very angry and I told guest relations about the abuse and lack of employee observation. I'm glad free express pass is is a thing of the past for that very reason.

 

[damo]

Lots of things are misnamed. Calling Disney the "Happiest Place on Earth" is a perfect example.

 

[Slacking]

LOL Damo!!!!!!!!

About the HHN question. Again, its called Express Pass. Just like for the rides, there is a seperate line for Express Pass Holders. Sometimes if there is no line for the Express Pass holders, they will usually be able to walk into the house (once the regular line is stopped.) If there is a line for Express, it won't be toon long because it will be shorter than the regular line, and employees usually seem to make sure Express Lines are fairly short. Prices vary based on the night you go. On weekend, Express passes were $50-$55!!!!!

I personally hate that they have Express during HHN, but I can see why they have it. The profits for the EP must be insane.

 

[sallyjane]

Thanks for the info slacking. Am I correct to assume that there is no fotl during hhn? So the only thing available is express pass? I thought that I had read that there was a way to get in an hour early with some kind of pass?

 

[Robinrs]

I am not sure if I understand you correctly, but are you saying people in the regular line was jumping into the express line causing express to have a longer wait? Were they allowing those people access to the ride or making them go to the regular line? DO they check IDs in the express line at both beginning and end to ensure the right people are in the proper line? I know several years ago we infuriated many people after bypassing them 4 times in a row on MIB.

No, the problem was certain people stood on the EP line seriously thinking that they'd get on. I was wondering why so many people were being told to leave. When we got closer our passes were scrutinized and those who didn't have one or had an expired one was given the "walk of shame" back down the stairs... Two guys in front of us looked genuinely confused about the people leaving and asked why. They were told by others that this was a line for Express Pass holders only. Both looked like they were spoken to in another language... ... but stayed on anyway. The worker at the top of the steps was leading them off one by one and boy was she tough! About 5 feet tall and mean as heck!! Those two guys started towards the steps, turned to see if they could sneak back in and she was up their butts chasing them out!! You go girl!!!

 

[bubba's mom]

No, the problem was certain people stood on the EP line seriously thinking that they'd get on. I was wondering why so many people were being told to leave. When we got closer our passes were scrutinized and those who didn't have one or had an expired one was given the "walk of shame" back down the stairs... Two guys in front of us looked genuinely confused about the people leaving and asked why. They were told by others that this was a line for Express Pass holders only. Both looked like they were spoken to in another language... ... but stayed on anyway. The worker at the top of the steps was leading them off one by one and boy was she tough! About 5 feet tall and mean as heck!! Those two guys started towards the steps, turned to see if they could sneak back in and she was up their butts chasing them out!! You go girl!!!

what a story....thank you!! It's nice to know they ARE checking those passes......wouldn't want to pay all that money (staying at RPR) and get "cheated" out of the "perk" I'm payin' for! (FWIW: would have loved to been there/seen that!)

 

[Slacking]

Thanks for the info slacking. Am I correct to assume that there is no fotl during hhn? So the only thing available is express pass? I thought that I had read that there was a way to get in an hour early with some kind of pass?

Hotel Keys will not work for Express during HHN, you need to buy the Express Pass.

To get into HHN early and to gain early access into some of the houses, you need to enter a "Stay and Scream" area (in the past these have included Capt America Diner, Circus McGurkus, the Boneyard) when the park closes for the day. When the houses are staffed and ready (15-30 min. before the gates open) they will release you from the area.

 

[sallyjane]

My thanks to Slacking for all the useful information.

 

[Sleepy]

The worker at the top of the steps was leading them off one by one and boy was she tough! About 5 feet tall and mean as heck!! Those two guys started towards the steps, turned to see if they could sneak back in and she was up their butts chasing them out!! You go girl!!!

Wow, that could have been me. Described me perfectly both in size and attitude! WHen you are that short, sometimes you have to be more stern to get people to see you are serious and don't play games. I too, would have been waiting for them to "try it again" once I left.
It;s good to see they are checking passes properly and keeping a handle on cheaters. In my above story of MIB ride, there was a man who was so irritated by us passing him multiple times that he thought he would jump the line as well, but his family kept him back. Imagine a really large man having to take the "walk of shame" AND losing his place in line. Oh I love that phrase! "walk of shame"

As for those "confused" about where they should be. It;s like at the DMV. You have the line that stretches a mile and then you have the really short line. There is always that one or 2 people who think they have found a way to bypass the long line (no matter how confused they seem upon approach).......only to find they are in the line for farm vehicles. If you have the priviledge of the shorter line, be assured you WILL know you have that access. THere will be no confusion.