Where to buy Express Pass

[nighttowll]

I'm planning on getting discount tickets from either UT or somewhere similar, but so far have only seen the add-on express option on the official Universal site. Can I purchase both separately? The tickets from one place, the express pass direct from Universal.

I'm a little confused about it. All anyone ever talks about is the free resort version. Is the one you buy the same (except only one ride per attraction), same list of attractions available? Same line?

We are looking at spring break, so the EP is a must, but staying onsite is just not an option for us. We need a 3bd to fit everyone.

 

[Metro West]

EPs are available throughout each park...many locations sell them. They are only good for once through the Express line per attraction. The only attractions they do not cover are: Forbidden Journey, Pteranodon Flyers and Ollivanders...all at Islands of Adventure.

EPs are separate from your park tickets...it doesn't matter where you buy theme park tickets from.

There is only one Express lane so everyone goes through that line.

 

[nighttowll]

EPs are available throughout each park...many locations sell them. They are only good for once through the Express line per attraction. The only attractions they do not cover are: Forbidden Journey, Pteranodon Flyers and Ollivanders...all at Islands of Adventure.

EPs are separate from your park tickets...it doesn't matter where you buy theme park tickets from.

There is only one Express lane so everyone goes through that line.

Thanks so much, that helps a lot.

 

[damo]

Here is the link to the express pass if you want to purchase it ahead of time. Remember, though, that it is non-refundable and date specific. So if you purchase it for a certain date, you are stuck with it for that date.

https://www.universalorlando.com/Theme-Park-Tickets/Universal-Express/Express-Passes.aspx

You can purchase your admission tickets elsewhere.

 

[nighttowll]

Here is the link to the express pass if you want to purchase it ahead of time. Remember, though, that it is non-refundable and date specific. So if you purchase it for a certain date, you are stuck with it for that date.

https://www.universalorlando.com/Theme-Park-Tickets/Universal-Express/Express-Passes.aspx

You can purchase your admission tickets elsewhere.

I had no idea it was date specific. I guess my best bet is just to wait and buy it when we get there or the morning of. Since I have no idea when we will be going where. I don't even have our exact plans finalized.

I've been debating what will be worse the weekend or the week? Our current plan is 3 days at Universal, 2 days Sea World, and 1 day Busch Gardens. Although, we may cut back on the amusement parks and do the space center or an airboat cruise or something instead. This plan is based solely off the fact that with discounts we can get tickets including EP for 6 adults for around $1500. Add in a week in a $1000 condo, and that's probably one of the cheapest vacations we've ever managed. I'm just not sure if we are going to get burned out on roller coasters. But it will actually end up more expensive if we do other cheaper things. Since the deals I've found basically give you Busch Gardens and 1 day at Universal free. Plus the $10 add a day to Sea World makes that a no brainier.

I feel like I've had years to figure Disney out and know it pretty well, but now I'm starting all over again with this whole Universal thing. I know absolutely nothing about Universal, so much to learn, such a short time to prepare.

Any advice is appreciated.

 

[macraven]

you can wait and buy the express pass when you are in the park.
check out the line waits to see if the pass is a necessity.

when it rains, crowds thin out.
you wouldn't need the ep on that day then.

like others have posted, the ep is nonrefundable.
even if it rains cats and dogs, and the ep is not necessary, you still own that ticket.

 

[SweetJesus]

I use this

if you are based in uk


http://www.attraction-tickets-direct.co.uk/

 

[tiggernpooh]

Since the deals I've found basically give you Busch Gardens and 1 day at Universal free. Plus the $10 add a day to Sea World makes that a no brainier. .

Nighttowell: Can you tell me where you found this deal? We are planning to go to Busch Gardens and a day at Universal, too.

Thanks!

 

[nighttowll]

Nighttowell: Can you tell me where you found this deal? We are planning to go to Busch Gardens and a day at Universal, too.

Thanks!

My plan was 3 days Universal, 2 days Sea World, and 1 day Busch Gardens.

Universal Tickets
There is currently a buy 2 days get a 3rd day free promotion going on right now. You can buy direct from Universal, but Undercover Tourist was a little cheaper.

Undercover Tourist:
2 day Universal ticket + 3rd day free approx $134 or 2 day park to park universal ticket + 3rd day free approx $152 (UT ticket prices include tax)

For Sea World, I had seen a $90 Sea World / Busch Gardens combo, but I can't seem to find it now, so not sure if I looked at that wrong or what. But here's the current Sea World pricing.

Sea World - direct from website
1 day ticket $82
1 day Sea World & Busch Gardens ticket (including free shuttle service to Busch Gardens) $99 *special limited deal
Then you can add a day to any Sea World ticket for $10

So 2 days Sea World + 1 day Busch Gardens is only $110 total (before tax)

If we only did one day of either Sea World or Busch Gardens, it would still be $80, so doing 3 days is the better deal as only $30 more, gets us two more days.

I'm still holding out that they will offer the $50 Sea World weekday ticket again if it stays slow. If they do that, we will just do two days of Sea World for $60 and forget Busch Gardens.

 

[damo]

My plan was 3 days Universal, 2 days Sea World, and 1 day Busch Gardens.

Universal Tickets
There is currently a buy 2 days get a 3rd day free promotion going on right now. You can buy direct from Universal, but Undercover Tourist was a little cheaper.

Undercover Tourist:
2 day Universal ticket + 3rd day free approx $134 or 2 day park to park universal ticket + 3rd day free approx $152 (UT ticket prices include tax)

For Sea World, I had seen a $90 Sea World / Busch Gardens combo, but I can't seem to find it now, so not sure if I looked at that wrong or what. But here's the current Sea World pricing.

Sea World - direct from website
1 day ticket $82
1 day Sea World & Busch Gardens ticket (including free shuttle service to Busch Gardens) $99 *special limited deal
Then you can add a day to any Sea World ticket for $10

So 2 days Sea World + 1 day Busch Gardens is only $110 total (before tax)

If we only did one day of either Sea World or Busch Gardens, it would still be $80, so doing 3 days is the better deal as only $30 more, gets us two more days.

I'm still holding out that they will offer the $50 Sea World weekday ticket again if it stays slow. If they do that, we will just do two days of Sea World for $60 and forget Busch Gardens.

Sea World/ Busch Gardens combo ticket here ... http://seaworldparks.com/en/buschgardens-tampa/book-online/tickets/mostpopulartourist/

 

[Minniesgal]

There are two distinct express passes


There is one which is usable once per ride which can be bought online

There is a second one which is the same as the privileges given to onsite visitors ie unlimited. It can be purchased at the entrance to the park or purchased online but bundled with park entrance

 

[nighttowll]

Ok, the second thing I need to figure out is...

Is there a chance that the express passes will sell out in advance? Since they only offer a limited amount per day. Am I safe to wait to the day of and buy them in the park, or should I go ahead and get them in advance?

We are looking at third week in March. I'm not sure how crowded to expect it to be then. Same as summer, worse, better? We've never been able to really take a spring break trip before, so I'm not sure what to expect. We are use to May and Sept, so I know it will seem much worse because we are so use to walk ons, but just not sure how much worse we are talking about. 30 minute waits, 60, 90?

 

[damo]

Ok, the second thing I need to figure out is...

Is there a chance that the express passes will sell out in advance? Since they only offer a limited amount per day. Am I safe to wait to the day of and buy them in the park, or should I go ahead and get them in advance?

We are looking at third week in March. I'm not sure how crowded to expect it to be then. Same as summer, worse, better? We've never been able to really take a spring break trip before, so I'm not sure what to expect. We are use to May and Sept, so I know it will seem much worse because we are so use to walk ons, but just not sure how much worse we are talking about. 30 minute waits, 60, 90?

I don't think you need to worry about express passes selling out the third week in March. Easter isn't for about a month after that so lots of people won't be having spring breaks yet.

You can prejudge the size of expected crowds by the price of the express pass. Crowds will be much lighter than summer in the third week of March.