Express Pass price

[teacherlady19]

My daughter suggested getting Universal's version of the Fast Pass for UnivIOA. So I looked it up online...

$85 for the basic ticket (not military price, which we would qualify for, because the online basic ticket price is the same price as our base charges)
$79.99 for the EXPRESS Pass?????? Are they KIDDING??????

This basically DOUBLES the cost of a one-day pass for the place. We really do want to visit Harry Potter World, but I just cannot believe that one park could cost us $164.99 EACH (about $330 for both of us for the day).

We are military, and members of AAA. Does anyone have a better price on that Express Pass?????

I'm leaning towards passing on the pass.


Donna

 

[timeman]

The Express Pass will not help with the Forbidden Journey ride in the Harry Potter section anyway. The Express Pass price is based on the time of the year, so busier times of the year it is more expensive. Your best bet on being able to ride the Forbidden Journey ride with little wait is to get there at Park opening or close to closing time as those are when the line is shorter.

 

[flynnibus]

My daughter suggested getting Universal's version of the Fast Pass for UnivIOA. So I looked it up online...

$85 for the basic ticket (not military price, which we would qualify for, because the online basic ticket price is the same price as our base charges)
$79.99 for the EXPRESS Pass?????? Are they KIDDING??????

The pass is variable based on the time of year and crowds. What you see there is basically the worst case scenario. make sure you are looking at the day you are planning on going.

The only way to get a deal on the express pass is to stay on property. One night in the hotel will get you a free express pass (that actually is unlimited) for the day you check in, and day you check out.

Hotel stay also gets you into HP an hour early.

Staying on site really is the best way to go for bang/buck.

I'm unsure if you can buy express pass pre-purchase at MWR.. but inquire.

 

[maxairmike]

Express is not available on Forbidden Journey or Rockit, and unless you're going on a weekend in the middle of the summer or a holiday, you really probably don't need it for the other stuff anyway. Like timeman said, the price of Express is based on attendance. Go during the slower times and it's $40 or less.

 

[Matpez]

$85 for the basic ticket (not military price, which we would qualify for, because the online basic ticket price is the same price as our base charges)
$79.99 for the EXPRESS Pass?????? Are they KIDDING??????

This basically DOUBLES the cost of a one-day pass for the place. We really do want to visit Harry Potter World, but I just cannot believe that one park could cost us $164.99 EACH (about $330 for both of us for the day).

Are you planning on going during one of the busiest times of the year? It only gets that expensive based on demand, typically the 2 park express averages $30-$50 unless you visit during a peak time.

Also, as others mentioned, Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey doesn't have an express line, so your waiting for that one regardless.
Many people find it worth the money considering you get express at each attraction one time, whenever you want.

We are military, and members of AAA. Does anyone have a better price on that Express Pass?????

There are no discounts on Express, not even for Comcast employees or Team Members that work at the park.

 

[fosse76]

Depending on the size of your party, staying onsite can pay for itself. The Express Pass that you purchase only gives you one Fast Pass per attraction.

You can also purchase an unlimited-use Express Pass at the parks.

 

[teacherlady19]

Thanks for the information. I'm still in shock, but knowing that it wouldn't do any good at the ride that hubby REALLY wants to go on in HPW helps a lot.

We are staying at PopCentury and just driving over to UnivIOA for one day, so we have to pay one day fee. We aren't planning to stay on the Universal properties at all! Since I am a teacher, I can't really go at a cheaper time. I looked at the Universal calendar with the Express Pass price, and the $79.99 price was for the entire week we plan to be in FL, and for most of that month anyway.

Well, getting to a park when it opens usually isn't a problem. We've done that at DL many, many times, and we live 90 minute drive away.

Thanks for the advice!

 

[Matpez]

Thanks for the information. I'm still in shock, but knowing that it wouldn't do any good at the ride that hubby REALLY wants to go on in HPW helps a lot.

Just remember, that's the attraction 95% of the guests at IoA want to do the most and onsite hotel guests are let in an hour earlier than regular day guests specifically so they can get to Forbidden Journey first. If you are going at that peak of a time, expect more than an hour wait by regular park opening.
Also, you can save yourself a major delay by not bringing any loose articles, backpacks, bags, purses, etc. Not having to stop for the FJ lockers can save quite a bit of time on such a busy day.

 

[fosse76]

Also, Forbidden Journey has a single-rider line. Unless your family wants want of the on-ride photos, that may be your better option for that attraction. One thing I've noticed about Universal is that while Harry Potter is packed in the mornings, the rest of the park isn't. If you get there at 9am, I don't see why you would need to rush to Harry Potter since it's going to be packed anyway. Simply enjoy the park and work your way there.

 

[teacherlady19]

Also, Forbidden Journey has a single-rider line. Unless your family wants want of the on-ride photos, that may be your better option for that attraction. One thing I've noticed about Universal is that while Harry Potter is packed in the mornings, the rest of the park isn't. If you get there at 9am, I don't see why you would need to rush to Harry Potter since it's going to be packed anyway. Simply enjoy the park and work your way there.

I'm confused ... how can a couple (who both want to ride an attraction) use a single rider line??? Wouldn't that be a bit unfair? We don't care about photos of ourselves riding attractions -- I think over the years at DL, we've bought ONE of those. (1994 on Splash Mountain).


Donna

 

[wilkeliza]

I'm confused ... how can a couple (who both want to ride an attraction) use a single rider line??? Wouldn't that be a bit unfair? We don't care about photos of ourselves riding attractions -- I think over the years at DL, we've bought ONE of those. (1994 on Splash Mountain).


Donna

You wouldn't be guaranteed the same ride car but you can stand in the line and experience the queue together (idk what the single rider queue is like never did it). Whenever there is a single riders line my boyfriend and I just get into the line together and know there is a chance we will be separate. Several times though we have ended up in the same car or with in one or two minutes of each other. Forbidden Journey I can't image you would end up together but you wouldn't be that far behind each other. Only do single rider if you don't mind not sharing the experience of the ride with each other.

 

[fosse76]

You wouldn't be guaranteed the same ride car but you can stand in the line and experience the queue together (idk what the single rider queue is like never did it). Whenever there is a single riders line my boyfriend and I just get into the line together and know there is a chance we will be separate. Several times though we have ended up in the same car or with in one or two minutes of each other. Forbidden Journey I can't image you would end up together but you wouldn't be that far behind each other. Only do single rider if you don't mind not sharing the experience of the ride with each other.

It happens. I've been in the single-rider line when, for whatever reason, the team member hadn't queued-up any more stand-by guests, so the loading team member just flooded the ride with single-riders.

And to teacherlady19, a single rider line is technically not for people who are in the park by themselves (though it would make my life so much more enjoyable). It is simply a means for Universal to fill all seats on the ride, if you, the guest, are willing to not ride with your party. With Forbidden Journey, you are pretty muched walled-off from your co-riders, so riding next to your party isn't as communal as other rides.