Universal - how long do I need?

[macraven]

Express pass, fast pass, same difference. I understand that part -what I'm saying is that regular everyday visitors, like locals (like me!) who live in town and have no need to stay in one of their awesome hotels, used to be able to take advantage of express pass on rides without paying. They had the machines just like at Disney that would spit out the tickets and give you a return time. Annual passholders could even get 3 of them at a time. A pp said they did away with this in 2006, but that doesn't seem right - I know I was there and took advantage of it in 2007.

Seems silly they don't offer this as a free service anymore for park guests, in order to "compete" with Disney. I'm going in a couple weeks anyway, guess I'll see for myself.

you couldn't have used it last year/07 as it was already down the tubes at that point. the only way you could have done a ride with epp, was if you bought the day express pass.

i know in 2005, you would have a choice of 3 rides available and a time set with it. ap holders could get multiple tickets for fast lane at that time.

no, express pass and fast pass are not the same.

express pass plus that is purchased, does not have any certain time of the day on them. they can only be used once for each ride, including attraction shows, per day. they are valid for the day the park opens till the time it closes.

express pass as perk for staying on site, has no restrictions on the number of times it can be used for a ride. you show your hotel key for express lane.

last year, premier annual pass holders were allowed to use the express lanes after 4 pm. (also valid this year)

the epp and hotel keys use the same lane: express lane.


disney's fast pass have time periods stamped on them for their validity and you can get a fast pass reissued for the same ride once the time period has lapsed on the present fast pass ticket for that ride.
they can be used anytime the park is open

 

[Disney1976]

you couldn't have used it last year/07 as it was already down the tubes at that point. the only way you could have done a ride with epp, was if you bought the day express pass.

i know in 2005, you would have a choice of 3 rides available and a time set with it. ap holders could get multiple tickets for fast lane at that time.

no, express pass and fast pass are not the same.

express pass plus that is purchased, does not have any certain time of the day on them. they can only be used once for each ride, including attraction shows, per day. they are valid for the day the park opens till the time it closes.

express pass as perk for staying on site, has no restrictions on the number of times it can be used for a ride. you show your hotel key for express lane.

last year, premier annual pass holders were allowed to use the express lanes after 4 pm. (also valid this year)

the epp and hotel keys use the same lane: express lane.


disney's fast pass have time periods stamped on them for their validity and you can get a fast pass reissued for the same ride once the time period has lapsed on the present fast pass ticket for that ride.
they can be used anytime the park is open

Express pass and fast pass WERE essentially the same though when anyone could get one of the tickets, that's what I was saying. I understand how the system works, being a local. That wasn't my original question. I can't believe they took it out in 2005. GuessI never noticed.

 

[WillCAD]

Back to the original question - I think one day per park is enough even if you don't use Express Pass or have on-site FOTL priviledge. I have never used Express pass, and only used FOTL once when touring with some friends who were staying at Hard Rock, and I can always get through the major attractions in each park in only one day, without feeling rushed.

 

[Cindy B]

Uni calls it "Express Pass." And unless you stay in their hotels, it isn't free.

But you can buy it if you aren't staying in their hotels. In case anyone is wondering, you cannot buy EMHs at the Disney parks.

They used to have free express passes. I know these machines were up and running in 2001, 2002, and I think 2003. we didn't go in 2004 and noticed them gone in our 2005 trip.

 

[Metro West]

Back to the original question - I think one day per park is enough even if you don't use Express Pass or have on-site FOTL priviledge. I have never used Express pass, and only used FOTL once when touring with some friends who were staying at Hard Rock, and I can always get through the major attractions in each park in only one day, without feeling rushed.