Can I ask your opinion
If you were just visiting Universal for first time for 1 day (possibly part of 2nd day) with 6 year old would it be worth purchasing the line bypass feature ? I see it on their website, I know it doesn't cover all attractions but I think it is probably worth the money, even though the trip would be in middle of September which could be a lower crowd time.
Many thanks for your suggestions
There are two different express options - the one you can purchase on the website, which allows one-time express access for each ride that has express, and the express access for staying onsite, which is unlimited express for all rides with express as well as early entry into the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Depending on the number of people in your group and the lodging you have planned, staying onsite might be a better option.
Running the numbers:
September is a low crowd time. Express passes are currently priced at 19.99 per person for one park and 25.99 per person for both parks (if you hop in one day, not for two days). If you wanted to buy the express pass for three people for both days, it would be $120 (assuming three people since you mentioned one child - your numbers may vary). A room at the Royal Pacific Resort is $219 (I picked a random weekend day in September for the quote - this is the seasonal rate) and it gives you unlimited express for the check-in and check-out days, so it is a better deal to stay onsite if you are paying more than $100 for your room that night (unless you are in the middle of a WDW package).
AAA rates are usually available at the hotels, but you have to call - you can't book them online.
Benefits of the purchased Express pass:
You can decide when you get there if you want to buy them at all - you might not need them in September.
You can buy only one day if only one day warrants them.
Cons of the purchased Express pass:
The current price of 19.99 is likely to be higher if you buy them when you arrive.
If you buy them in advance, you can't get a refund if the park is not crowded that day.
If your 6-year old wants to ride One Fish, Two Fish twelve times in a row (I know this from personal experience
), you could use express once, but you would wait in line the other 11 times. The purchased express pass is good one time for each ride.
Benefits of the on-site express access:
Unlimited use of the express lines - 12 rides on One Fish, Two Fish means twelve times through the express line with little to no wait.
Early entry to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter (very valuable since Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey is one of the few ride without express access, and if you want to do the show at Ollivander's, it is best to go first thing since the line is very slow).
All three hotels are AAA four diamond hotels - as nice as the Disney deluxes for a much better price.
You can walk or take a boat from the hotels to the parks - it is very easy to take a pool break in the afternoon.
One night at the on-site hotels gives you unlimited express for your check-in and check-out days.
Cons of the on-site access:
None except the price of the hotel room, which is more than a Disney value or moderate but is definitely worth the price if it is in the budget.
The only rides without express access are Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey (48 inch height requirement), Hollywood Rip Ride Rocket (I think it is a 52 inch height requirement, but it might be 54 inches) and Pteranodon Flyers (child must be between 36 and 56 inches. Anyone taller must have a child meeting the height limits with them. My DD8 loved this ride, but she ony did it once since it loads slowly).
The express pass is a very nice perk, whether it is purchased separately or comes with an onsite room. It is very possible to do the parks without the express pass, especially since you are going at a slower time. For us, it is worth it since we love the onsite hotels and since I know my kids will want to ride certain rides over and over again.
Hope this helps!
