Unlimited Express Pass??

[Stacied68]

My dh and I are staying at one of the Universal hotels that has early entry, but not express pass. We are going the first week of February. I am trying to decide if the express pass is really needed for that time of year. I would love to save the money, but don't want to regret it when we are there.

TIA

 

[Skippyboo]

The Express pass isn't good for the two big Harry Potter rides. You need a park to park for the Hogwarts Express. If you were going in the summer then you would want to definitely get an Express pass. February might be okay without it. I think you can upgrade once you are there if it's super crowded.

 

[wagman67]

With two people, you have a number of options. If it were more than two, I would say book a deluxe hotel to get the EPs included. You don't say how long you are staying...if a short visit, I would say get the EPs. If you are there a week and are leisurely, you are probably okay without them.

You are looking at about $200 each day for 2 EPs. So, you can look at the difference in a stay (per night) at the lowest priced deluxe hotel (they can actually vary, but Royal Pacific is most often the lowest rate) versus the cost where you are booked, now. If the difference is less than $200/night, then it is decision time...if it is more than that, just buy them, in the park, if needed.

 

[jeffbeardreams]

I've done early February a couple of times and I never really found the express pass to be super important during that time of year. The early entry is worth a lot more in slower seasons than express, IMO. The Potter attractions never really slow down and that early hour is priceless for those two portions of the parks. And as mentioned, if you get there and for whatever reason the wait times are just too much for you, then you can always add on EP at the ticket counter.

 

[pcstang]

You can get the EP at a ton of places in the park if you decide you want it. I don't suggest the ticket counter at the front of the park as the line can be long and chaotic.

 

[jeffbeardreams]

You can get the EP at a ton of places in the park if you decide you want it. I don't suggest the ticket counter at the front of the park as the line can be long and chaotic.

Yeah ... that's true. Just ask somebody for other locations.

 

[janicept]

You didn't mention how many days you will be going to the parks. If only one day and trying to see everything then EPs would be worth it but anymore than a day you should be fine without them in early February. Not sure if you got a package but you may also want to look at getting a seasonal pass to go multiple days and a discount on rooms. Hours will likely be fairly short in February like 9 am to 6 pm.

Also just because you are eligible for early entry doesn't mean there will be any. I can't recall what time of year I went within the past year and no early entry. I use to go early February and didn't find it too busy during the week. It can be pretty chilly in the morning thought.

 

[bumbershoot]

Also just because you are eligible for early entry doesn't mean there will be any. I can't recall what time of year I went within the past year and no early entry

Hmm. Never heard of that happening before.

 

[pcstang]

Hmm. Never heard of that happening before.

Me either.

 

[snoopboop]

Hmm. Never heard of that happening before.

Me, neither. At least one park always has EE.

 

[janicept]

Me, neither. At least one park always has EE.

Nope, I know for sure they didn't have it at least some of the days on one of my vacations. I do go at slow times. Last year I was there early March, early May, first weekend and following week of opening of HHNs Sept, third week in October, and the week after Thanksgiving. It wasn't the Nov/Dec one for sure. My guess is some of the Sept days since it's really slow then.

 

[macraven]

Since the op has directed her question to the first week of February, I can answer that as I was staying on site that week this year

Only the weekend for Mardi Gras crowds were crowded and ep we had to use for some rides

Hit the parks for EE as one park is always open for that if you stay onsite at any of the onsite hotels

Possible to do a lot in the parks w/o ep for some dates

With the changing pattern at UO, sometimes we do find some dates where the ep would be beneficial

 

[macraven]

Just throwing this out there as talk of no EE was mentioned


There are dates that EE is not allowed for AP holders due to black outs

That info for dates are listed on the UO website

Other than that UO promotes EE for all hotel guests for at least one park each day

 

[schumigirl]

EE has always been available every day we've been there in September.......for onsite hotel guests certainly.

What onsite hotel did you stay in janicept?