VIP Express Pass - Various questions

[ZellyB]

Hi, everyone,

We are planning a trip to Orlando to do a combo of Disney and Universal. Current plan is to do two days at US/IOA during the week we are there. It will be me, dh and our three kids (13, 7 ,7) along with my BIL. We are going over our spring break (March 13-18) which we know is a VERY busy time at the parks. Which leads me to my question...

Knowing that this is peak season for the parks, we've been considering purchasing express pass or VIP pass. I'm inclined to go with VIP pass since we are hoping to ride some of the best rides more than once and an express pass would make that more doable. Down side is obviously that it's very expensive.

Since we are going at such a busy time, do you think it's worth that added cost? I'm willing to splurge since this is likely to be the only time we go to US/IOA, but don't want to spend the money if we won't really get good benefit from it.

Also, is the only place to purchase the VIP passes from the US website? It read that way to me, but I wasn't sure. I think we can get discount regular admission since DH is retired military, but I'm thinking that's not an option if we want to do the VIP passes.

Lastly, how far in advance are these tickets sold? It looks like right now they are only available through the end of the year. It also looks like they may be sold out for the week of Christmas vacation which makes me guess that they would be likely to be sold out quickly for spring break as well. If we opt to splurge on this, I'd want to be sure we're prepared to order them as soon as necessary.

Thanks for any experienced insights.

Edited to add:

Looks like on the website that you can put in dates for March 2011 and see availability, so that may answer one of my questions.

 

[Hombre59]

I am unsure since I have never bought the VIP pass ( I am sure someone that has will post). But, in case you didn't know, if you stay on site at universal you get unlimited express pass for the duration of your stay.

 

[damo]

Rack rate for the Royal Pacific Hotel for March 16 is $309. There are no standard view rooms left right now which would be a bit cheaper. This will give you unlimited express for two full days for 2 adults and 3 children. That may be the cheapest way to go even if you don't even stay there.

 

[ZellyB]

Rack rate for the Royal Pacific Hotel for March 16 is $309. There are no standard view rooms left right now which would be a bit cheaper. This will give you unlimited express for two full days for 2 adults and 3 children. That may be the cheapest way to go even if you don't even stay there.

I hadn't even thought about that possibility. I'll look at some numbers and see if we should consider that. Thank you.

 

[inkkognito]

I definitely recommend onsite if you can swing it, for the early Harry access as well as the unlimited Express. We actually booked a room for soft openings specifically for the early WWoHP acceess. Between that and Express it's well worth the cost if traveling at a busy time.