Universal & IOA with a Toddler - Express Pass it or No?

[Runner225]

Hi All!

We are planning to spend our first full day of vacation at Universal/IOA, as DH is a huge Simpson's fan and didn't want to pass it up while we are down there. I'm a big Harry Potter fan, so being able to see Diagon Alley for the first time will be great too (we've done WWHP at IOA before).

We lucked out and were able to get our 2 Park 1 Day Tickets through his AmEx points...We are going on Saturday, Jul 28th just him, me and our 2-year-old DD. Not sure if we should splurge on getting the Express Pass. A few reasons:

Reasons not to get it:
1) Getting them would end up costing more than what we would have done if we weren't using points (if we weren't using points we were just going to do 1 Day Universal)...which almost feels like defeating the purpose of saving all that $
2) There aren't many rides that all 3 of us can do together since DD is only 34 inches tall. It almost makes more sense for us to switch and do single rider lines for the rides she can't do.

Reasons to get it:
1) It's a Saturday, in July, in Florida.
2) It will be good for going on things like Hogwarts Express and other rides we can do as a family

I throw this out to you all and anyone who has been in this situation....What do you think? I am thinking of holding off till we get there to see just how bad the crowds are, but I am expecting pretty crowded. TP has it at a level 8

Thanks, everyone!

 

[kohlby]

I would likely skip it and see how you do with single rider lines. I've read that express passes can be cheaper later in the day. So if that's the case, a happy compromise would be to go without and buy late in the day if needed.

 

[macraven]

Doing both parks on a Saturday in July with a little......

Hit the highlight rides you both want to do and take turns while one watches the little.
If the ride has the SRL, use it.

I'm sure you will be spending time for the sections that the little will enjoy.
Animal Actors on Parade the entire family will like.
It is outside but a covered area and geared for family entertainment.

 

[Runner225]

I would likely skip it and see how you do with single rider lines. I've read that express passes can be cheaper later in the day. So if that's the case, a happy compromise would be to go without and buy late in the day if needed.

Oh, I was not aware of this. Thank you!

 

[Runner225]

Doing both parks on a Saturday in July with a little......

Hit the highlight rides you both want to do and take turns while one watches the little.
If the ride has the SRL, use it.

I'm sure you will be spending time for the sections that the little will enjoy.
Animal Actors on Parade the entire family will like.
It is outside but a covered area and geared for family entertainment.

Thank you!

 

[PrincessWithABlaster]

I assume you'd just be getting EP for the two adults (I assume the 2 yo doesn't need a ticket)? I would consider doing it. We always felt bad making our kids wait on us to do rides that none of them could. We basically never did that at Disney because it takes too long. We did each go on Hulk because of having EP and it was nice. But I hear you on not wanting to negate the cost savings. If most of the rides you'd want to do have SRL that might be a better option.

 

[macraven]

That is right

The two year old doesn’t need a park ticket

 

[Runner225]

I assume you'd just be getting EP for the two adults (I assume the 2 yo doesn't need a ticket)? I would consider doing it. We always felt bad making our kids wait on us to do rides that none of them could. We basically never did that at Disney because it takes too long. We did each go on Hulk because of having EP and it was nice. But I hear you on not wanting to negate the cost savings. If most of the rides you'd want to do have SRL that might be a better option.

Yes, we would just be getting it for us since she doesn't need it being only 2. We don't plan on doing many rides just for us, it would probably only really be for the Hulk and Escape from Gringotts. I thought it could probably be useful for family rides too like riding the Hogwarts Express, the rides in Dr. Suess and others. But after writing this, it seems like a waste of $ for only a few rides. We can aim to do the popular height restricted rides right in the beginning. Hopefully, we don't feel we will need it. Thanks!

 

[bumbershoot]

I thought it could probably be useful for family rides too like riding the Hogwarts Express, the rides in Dr. Suess and others.

I think that’s exactly where it would be the most useful.

To use the EP for the Barney show saves you from a lot of nonsense and a long line lol.