Universal Express - Worth It?

[boomhauer]

I'm taking a weekend trip to Universal the 2nd weekend of March. Would you say the Universal Express is worth $51 per day?

Does it work like Disney's Fastpass where you have to come back at a specific time?

 

[Metro West]

I'm taking a weekend trip to Universal the 2nd weekend of March. Would you say the Universal Express is worth $51 per day?

Does it work like Disney's Fastpass where you have to come back at a specific time?

I would wait and see how the crowds are for that weekend before plopping down $51/per day. The price would suggest a busier time but the park closes at 8pm for that weekend..so it shouldn't be too bad. If the crowds look bad, you can always purchase them at the park.

The EP is good for one express entry at any time for each participating ride...no time restrictions.

 

[boomhauer]

We're there for Saturday and Sunday, but I'm thinking we'll get through both parks in 1 day. There's just a handful of things I want to see at IOA - Spiderman, Jurassic Park.

 

[myprincessgirlisa]

IMO....No for US......YES for IOA!!

IOA lines were really long on some (like 60mins)

the goods news is you dont have to purchase them in advance...you can buy them in the parks

also

if you happen to be staying at a "universal resort" the rumor is you get one for free as a guest perk...just an fyi

 

[Kimberlyfamilyfv]

Single Rider Lines are great! If you can split up your group for small amounts of time this is my recommendation.


Kimberly

 

[boomhauer]

We're staying at a La Quinta Inn down the street. Universal Hotel prices make Disney's look cheap.

 

[GreyStr0ke]

The good thing with the Express Passes at Universal is that a lot of the time they won't scan them or mark them so you can use it more than once for some attractions. When I went in June, I got to the park before opening and made it all the way around IOA without having to use my EP pass once. Then around 12 the lines started to exceed 60 minutes and we used our EP to go on everything again.

 

[kellymonaghan]

Universal Hotel prices make Disney's look cheap.

You can't really compare the Universal hotels to the All Stars, or even the Disney "moderates". Try putting Portofino up against Grand Floridian or the Yacht Club and see how they stack up.

And what Disney hotel let's you walk to ALL the parks? (Yeah, yeah, you can walk from the Contemporary to MK.) And what Disney hotel gives its guests all day FOTL access?

(Sorry. My inner Universal fan is on the prowl.)

 

[kellymonaghan]

Universal Hotel prices make Disney's look cheap.

You can't really compare the Universal hotels to the All Stars, or even the Disney "moderates". Try putting Portofino up against Grand Floridian or the Yacht Club and see how they stack up.

And what Disney hotel let's you walk to ALL the parks? (Yeah, yeah, you can walk from the Contemporary to MK.) And what Disney hotel gives its guests all day FOTL access?

(Sorry. My inner Universal fan is on the prowl.)

Suggestion: Take the $51 and multiply by the number in your party. See if that makes up the difference between La Quinta and an on-site hotel. If not, ask yourself if the extra money is worth the added convenience.

 

[keishashadow]

We're staying at a La Quinta Inn down the street. Universal Hotel prices make Disney's look cheap.

depends...we've gotten onsite via AAA/AP during peak times on the weekends for under $200 plus taxes @ RPR; far less than the more popular Disney Deluxe resorts during the same time frame (including DVC).

*express pass is only good for 1 go around on a ride/FOTL is currently unlimited priceless imo

*while we've never purchased/stayed offsite; I thought the cost for express passes was not fixed ; as in i assume they charge different $ depending on projected attendance, etc. Anyone know for sure?

FYI, 1 night's accommodation = 2 days FOTL ; if you have 4 or 5 peeps in your party it'd add up in a hurry.

 

[kellymonaghan]

I thought the cost for express passes was not fixed ; as in i assume they charge different $ depending on projected attendance, etc. Anyone know for sure?

Prices do indeed vary with the crowds, ranging anywhere from $26 to $56. Those were the last figures I collected, but the prices have been going up steadily and may have changed yet again. My guess is they test various prices and have developed a fairly sophisticated algorithm that tells them how much they can charge and still sell all the available passes (there is a daily limit), based on park attendance that day.

OTOH, maybe they just guess.

 

[WDWFreak200]

The prices of the Express Passes vary based on park attendance projections and what not. Since you are going the 2nd weekend of March, the UEP's will be priced a little higher due to higher projections for Mardi Gras.

 

[phamton]

If you mean March 8-9, the express is not $51. For the two park express, it is $40.99 (March 8) or $30.99 (March 9). If you just buy express for one park, it is $35.99 (March 8) and $25.99 (March 9).

My suggestion woudl be to go to Universal Studios on Saturday and arrive at opening. Make sure that you have ridden Mummy, Shrek, and Men in Black before 11:00 AM. Then got to IoA on Sunday morning at opening. Ride Hulk, Spiderman, and Dueling Dragons before 11:00 AM.

IoA always seems to be busiest on Saturdays.

Edited to add: Just saw WDWFreak200 post on Mardi Gras. I forgot about that. It does increase attendance at Universal on Saturdays but I would still suggest going to Universal on Staurday as it seems many people spend the day at IoA and then come to Universal for Mardi Gras in the evening. Actually express isn't even peak prices that weekend.

 

[goofy!]

We're staying at a La Quinta Inn down the street. Universal Hotel prices make Disney's look cheap.

From what I remember from when you posted here before, there are 5 of you in your family, correct? Everybody will need an express pass to get on the rides, so you will need to buy 5 express passes.

At $41.00 per person for Saturday, that is $205.00. For one day. Then you have another $155.00 for Sunday.

For $284.00, you can get a room at the Royal Pacific for one night and have unlimited FOTL from the time you check-in on Saturday to the close of the park on Sunday.

Unlike the Express Pass that you purchase, which allows you one Express Entrance per ride, your hotel key allows you as many times through the express line as you want for every single ride - no limits.