Universal tix budget buster?

[rbork]

I keep trying to convince myself to go ahead and buy a Universal tix for 1 day of an upcoming trip. ~$250 for one universal day with express pass and MEARS transportation. To get a better picture it will just be me as I am tagging along with DH for a convention. I have been to WDW a dozen times and love it but plan on visiting the WDW parks 2 days during the week. I am looking for some down time since this trip is without the teens. At first thought I wanted to try Universal as one person for one day since taking the family of 4 costs a fortune for Universal. But I just can't bring myself to spend $250! for ONE day! I am a thrifty girl in most cases. I've got a big college bill coming next year and this will probably be the last time we can travel for a while. WWYD?

 

[Marionnette]

I keep trying to convince myself to go ahead and buy a Universal tix for 1 day of an upcoming trip. ~$250 for one universal day with express pass and MEARS transportation. To get a better picture it will just be me as I am tagging along with DH for a convention. I have been to WDW a dozen times and love it but plan on visiting the WDW parks 2 days during the week. I am looking for some down time since this trip is without the teens. At first thought I wanted to try Universal as one person for one day since taking the family of 4 costs a fortune for Universal. But I just can't bring myself to spend $250! for ONE day! I am a thrifty girl in most cases. I've got a big college bill coming next year and this will probably be the last time we can travel for a while. WWYD?

I wouldn't go to Universal.

 

[Gr8t Fan]

When are you hoping to go? Express may be unnecessary depending on when you're thinking of going.

 

[Lynne G]

I really like Universal. I have an AP.

I agree, depending on what time of year, you may not need the express pass. Also, with the express pass, it is for a specific date, specific park(s) and is not refundable. Most of us that post on the Universal part of this Board suggest not buying the express pass until you get to the park and assess if you need it or not. It's sold at many places all over the parks.

Get to the park before it opens, and hit the rides that are the most popular. To ride train, I'd take it from the London part of Universal Studios. It seems the Island of Adventure's part is never as crowded. But be sure to take it both ways, the views are different. It in itself is a great ride.

Take a look at the Universal part of this Board. Many tips can be found there, and ask any questions. Friendly bunch of Universal fans there.

 

[danygirl]

Limo svc looks cheaper than mears

We are going for one day. I am a huge Harry potter fan and want to go just for that

 

[Dashzap]

If your interest is the Harry Potter stuff, skip the Express Pass, since it doesn't work for HP stuff anyway. Get a one-day park-to-park so you can do Diagon Alley, Hogwarts Express, and Hogsmeade.

Do it! It's gorgeous and wonderful.

 

[MouseClubMama]

OP I was also shocked at the cost of doing Universal for one day. We were considering a day trip to check out the HP attractions, and when I ran the numbers to purchase 4 one day, 2 park tickets with the express pass, I knew it would be a giant budget buster! We decided to do a Universal only trip at some point down the road; you can get a better deal if you stay at a Universal resort.

The last time we visited Universal was back in 2003. We were staying at CTR, and took a Mears shuttle. It was a cheap day trip compared to the current price tag....the good old days!

 

[richmond282]

Express pass won't work on any of the Harry Potter rides and, honestly, you will get through the single rider line just as quick if not quicker than w/ express pass. I'd forgo to express pass and just buy a regular ticket then take all the single rider lines possible.

 

[jaoconnor]

Just like Disney, the more days you are there, the better value you receive. You might want to consider a muti-day Universal trip another time. The unlimited express passes provided to on-site guest is a huge advantage. If you enjoy thrill rides and/or are a Harry fan, 1 day will not be enough.


If you really want to give it a try this time & save money. Universal does offer many single rider lines...maybe you could live without express?

 

[tinkerone]

i'm doing the same thing in early November. it will be just me and am taking mears from wdw to universal, one day pass for two parks. no express but don't care. total is $164.84. I wouldn't pay that if it was a family of five but just me, i'm in.

my thought is that I will not be in any hurry and will only have myself to please so if a line up looks to long or I don't want to go on something I can just walk on to the next thing. I still have all day alone to do what eve I want. happy happy happy......

 

[jjwelch24]

We went over spring break this year and bought the express passes in advance. We arrived right when the park opened and went straight to HP. We definitely did not need the express pass for any of the rides. If we were to do it again we would not get the express passes.

 

[Kahana-ri]

We had planned to go to Universal for a day or two when we go in November. Have to agree with OP, the pricing revised that idea. Our children are under ten, so we decided to wait until they'd actually utilize all the thrill rides. It's unfortunate it's so costly, the kids would of loved seeing HP.

 

[Sunnywho]

you can get cheaper Universal tickets through USSAA
skip the express pass

 

[stayhomemom77]

Personally, I don't think I would pull the trigger if it costs that much.

 

[Livin'4Disney]

you can get cheaper Universal tickets through USSAA
skip the express pass

Do you have to be a member of USSAA to purchase these tickets? Or can you register and create an account when purchasing them? Are their extra fees? They definitely have good prices!

 

[Kellydelly]

You can get a one day Universal park to park ticket for $140. I don't know what your cheapest option for transportation to the park is, though. Definitely don't need an express pass for just one person, and if you are not going during a peak time it's really not necessary. I LOVE LOVE LOVE Universal Studios and IOA . I think if you can figure out reasonable transportation you should give it visit . Is there any way your husband can go too?

 

[Tink2Day]

Anyone telling you not to go to Universal??? I don't get it.

The price of a one day park hopper to WDW is virtually the same as a one day park to park pass to Universal and IoA. I think a friend said they paid $18 for a car from DTD area to Universal.

We went in November right after WWoHP opened and the lines weren't bad at all on any of the attractions. There are single rider lines and the Harry Potter areas as a whole count as an attraction in my mind, exceptional theming.

As others have said the big rides in Harry Potter don't have front of the line access.

Go, it's worth it for sure!

 

[davedmaine]

I keep trying to convince myself to go ahead and buy a Universal tix for 1 day of an upcoming trip. ~$250 for one universal day with express pass and MEARS transportation. To get a better picture it will just be me as I am tagging along with DH for a convention. I have been to WDW a dozen times and love it but plan on visiting the WDW parks 2 days during the week. I am looking for some down time since this trip is without the teens. At first thought I wanted to try Universal as one person for one day since taking the family of 4 costs a fortune for Universal. But I just can't bring myself to spend $250! for ONE day! I am a thrifty girl in most cases. I've got a big college bill coming next year and this will probably be the last time we can travel for a while. WWYD?

Going to Disney doesn't cost a fortune?

 

[Marionnette]

Anyone telling you not to go to Universal??? I don't get it.

The price of a one day park hopper to WDW is virtually the same as a one day park to park pass to Universal and IoA. I think a friend said they paid $18 for a car from DTD area to Universal.

We went in November right after WWoHP opened and the lines weren't bad at all on any of the attractions. There are single rider lines and the Harry Potter areas as a whole count as an attraction in my mind, exceptional theming.

As others have said the big rides in Harry Potter don't have front of the line access.

Go, it's worth it for sure!

I wouldn't spend $250 for one person to spend only one day in Disney World, either. IMO, it's an outrageous sum of money for just one day that you don't even get to share with another person.

 

[sweetdana]

Do you have to be a member of USSAA to purchase these tickets? Or can you register and create an account when purchasing them? Are their extra fees? They definitely have good prices!

Following this as well.. I would love to buy the 2 day park to park.. how do I become a member, what do I need to do?