Universal Studios Fast Pass System?

[aristocatz]

Please excuse my ignorance. I am a WDW veteran and a Universal newbie (haven't been since 1989!). I'm trying to talk my DH into a trip there next year, but he is a bit leary of the crowds for the two Harry Potter areas, and whether we would be able to see and do anything without waiting in line for several hours.

I was wondering if Universal offers any sort of Fast Pass system like WDW? I thought I read somewhere that they offer a similar system, but only for guests staying at select hotels. Is this true? If so, which hotels are eligible? Is there a fee for hotel guests?

Also, if this is true, is this system offered for non-hotel guests?

Thank you for any info you might have to offer

 

[aristocatz]

Sorry-I found my answers!!!

 

[j2thomason]

We, too, are WDW vets and AP passholders, but we do venture over to the "dark side" occasionally

 

[aristocatz]

We, too, are WDW vets and AP passholders, but we do venture over to the "dark side" occasionally

 

[wilkeliza]

They have a fastpass system of sorts but you have to pay for it. It is called express pass. I just read that currently the express pass does not work at any of the Harry Potter attractions.

 

[j2thomason]

They have a fastpass system of sorts but you have to pay for it. It is called express pass. I just read that currently the express pass does not work at any of the Harry Potter attractions.

That's true, but if you stay on site at any one of their 3 deluxe resorts, you do get one hour early entry every day of your stay AND you get the express pass included with your stay at no extra cost. The express pass will let you go to the front of every attraction except the Harry Potter attractions. You would use your early entry for the Harry Potter attractions. When we used our early entry for Forbidden Journey last year, we walked right on to the ride with almost no wait. Also the ques for those attractions are so interactive and interesting you really don't want to miss them. Even with no wait it takes several minutes just to walk through the que.

 

[macraven]

if you stay offsite, you can buy an express pass for the park.
there are two that the darkside offers.
one is the unlimited express pass the other is one time usage.

it can be purchased on the UO website.