Universal Express Pass

[G00fyDad]

We went for two weekdays last October (first-second week) and we did not need it at all. Granted we strategically planned how we rode things to avoid it but I don't think we ever waited longer than 30 minutes for anything which is fine with us. I HATE spending the extra cash on that. Good luck and have fun!

I could do 30 minute waits. This may still be an option if more people agree with that time frame for waits. I guess my concern is that it is close to Columbus Day weekend and lots of kids will be out of school.

 

[G00fyDad]

Do you not expect to stand in lines when you go to a park, especially for the new attraction? It's just a reality of life. Disney is the only park that offers a virtual queue/line jumping pass that is good for every attraction that offers it; at any other park with such a system the new or popular rides are either not included, or in a much higher priced option.

No, as I stated in previous posts, I do not go to Kings Island (close enough to me) or other theme parks because of this.

You're going in October, so you really shouldn't see insane lines for much, if anything. Even Hogsmeade was manageable in October of 2010.

Thanks.

 

[Captain Chaos]

So, @G00fyDad we should assume you don't go to WDW either then cause, you know, you have to wait on them damn pesky lines and all (and more so now that FP+ has increased wait times on most of the attractions).

 

[G00fyDad]

So, @G00fyDad we should assume you don't go to WDW either then cause, you know, you have to wait on them damn pesky lines and all (and more so now that FP+ has increased wait times on most of the attractions).

Wow. Pick fights much? Yes, I do obviously go to WDW. Never waited more than 15 minutes in a standby line (with literally only a couple of exceptions). Thanks for generalizing and making assumptions. Move on. If you cannot handle my reasoning then just keep your comments to yourself. I asked a question, got an answer, and made my decision (tentatively). It did not call for anyone to get all bent because I didn't immediately jump up and shout "Universal, here I come!!!" I should have known it would bring out all the smarta** Universal lovers to start misquoting me, taking comments out of context, and start bashing me for not immediately jumping on their wagon of WDW hating.

Here's an idea. Anyone that feels irritated that I am not buying tickets to Universal right now as I speak, please go to another thread and ignore this one. Please. I asked a question and have not firmly made up my mind yet. I suppose that constitutes weakness in some, but I'd rather make an informed decision rather than shell out a ton of money for a miserable time. Maybe it wouldn't be miserable. That is what this thread is trying to help me decide. However, if you cannot make a mature comment then take the juvenile ones (like "we should assume you don't go to WDW either then cause, you know, you have to wait on them damn pesky lines and all") elsewhere. Thanks.

 

[maxairmike]

I guess I'm old school in that if I want to ride something, I'll wait for it and don't have a problem doing so (within reason, 2 hours in an actual ride line is roughly my max). I just don't get the mindset that has taken over with almost every single thing these days that "time equals money" and all that crap when it comes to trying to relax and have fun. Heck, Forbidden Journey's line is more enjoyable if the line extends just out into the greenhouse (approx. 45min.) and isn't moving so fast that I don't have time to really enjoy the rooms of the line.

I have a feeling the HE and Gringotts lines will be just as engrossing, so I really wouldn't think twice about being willing to wait an hour, or maybe more. From the sounds of it, the themeing and design of the lines are actually better appreciated with a decent line. These are not bare switchbacks (excepting the extreme overflow sections) like at Cedar Point or Kings Island, but you should know that. Sorry, I have no snark filter, but it will be October, and not even of the opening year. If the lines are longer than you expect for Potter attractions (and I doubt they will be unless this does even more for attendance than Phase I did), just roll with it, since they're designed to be enjoyed and appreciated at moderate line lengths. You really don't have any reason to be concerned about lines, though, if 2010 is any indication.

 

[G00fyDad]

I guess I'm old school in that if I want to ride something, I'll wait for it and don't have a problem doing so (within reason, 2 hours in an actual ride line is roughly my max). I just don't get the mindset that has taken over with almost every single thing these days that "time equals money" and all that crap when it comes to trying to relax and have fun. Heck, Forbidden Journey's line is more enjoyable if the line extends just out into the greenhouse (approx. 45min.) and isn't moving so fast that I don't have time to really enjoy the rooms of the line.

I have a feeling the HE and Gringotts lines will be just as engrossing, so I really wouldn't think twice about being willing to wait an hour, or maybe more. From the sounds of it, the themeing and design of the lines are actually better appreciated with a decent line. These are not bare switchbacks (excepting the extreme overflow sections) like at Cedar Point or Kings Island, but you should know that. Sorry, I have no snark filter, but it will be October, and not even of the opening year. If the lines are longer than you expect for Potter attractions (and I doubt they will be unless this does even more for attendance than Phase I did), just roll with it, since they're designed to be enjoyed and appreciated at moderate line lengths. You really don't have any reason to be concerned about lines, though, if 2010 is any indication.

Please don't misunderstand me. I am not haughty, and self centered. I don't see time as money. Not at all. I just don't like to stand in line for anything that long. I am the type of person that always has to be moving, or doing something. It doesn't matter what it is, I just cannot stand being still for that long. In the Air Force I had to be outside the command post walking around, or doing something inside when not responding to a sentry alarm at the missile sites. Standing in a 2 hour line anywhere would drive me wonko.

So you think the lines will be shorter during October as well?

 

[maxairmike]

Oh yeah, they should be typical, short off-season lines. And I totally understand that, as I've never handled office jobs well, always up and moving about instead of sitting down, and tapping my feet non-stop when I am sitting. The lines should have plenty of things to hold your attention, though, and I wouldn't expect to be standing idly too much in the Gringotts queue (HE is already known that there will likely be a fair amount of standing due to just dispatching every 5-7 min., but there will also be a lot to look at and distract you in there as well).

Have you not been since Phase I? The Forbidden Journey Line at about 45 min. is actually pretty enjoyable. You spend about 10-15 min. in the greenhouse area of the line (the "boring" part) and then spend the rest of that time moving through rooms in the castle, all with characters and dialogue to focus on, as well as practical effects and lots of eye candy for distraction. Really, until you get to the Sorting Hat you don't stop moving that much, if at all, and sometimes the line is moving so fast you can't even hear the complete dialogue in each room.

 

[G00fyDad]

Oh yeah, they should be typical, short off-season lines. And I totally understand that, as I've never handled office jobs well, always up and moving about instead of sitting down, and tapping my feet non-stop when I am sitting. The lines should have plenty of things to hold your attention, though, and I wouldn't expect to be standing idly too much in the Gringotts queue (HE is already known that there will likely be a fair amount of standing due to just dispatching every 5-7 min., but there will also be a lot to look at and distract you in there as well).

Have you not been since Phase I? The Forbidden Journey Line at about 45 min. is actually pretty enjoyable. You spend about 10-15 min. in the greenhouse area of the line (the "boring" part) and then spend the rest of that time moving through rooms in the castle, all with characters and dialogue to focus on, as well as practical effects and lots of eye candy for distraction. Really, until you get to the Sorting Hat you don't stop moving that much, if at all, and sometimes the line is moving so fast you can't even hear the complete dialogue in each room.

I've never been to Universal. That's why I started this thread. I know absolutely nothing about Universal's wait times, slow times of the year, or anything about the Express Pass.

 

[maxairmike]

Ahh ok, must have missed that part. Their slow times are generally the same as Disney's, except for HHN nights, and that's really only during the night for the actual event, though the Studios park will tend to get a bit busier during the afternoon as pass holders and Stay and Scream guests start coming into the park to do the early admission houses, but most of them just head straight to the Stay and Scream waiting areas unless they're there a few hours early.

 

[HTF]

Lol a waste of a thread, snorting pixie dust much?

 

[Captain Chaos]

Wow. Pick fights much? Yes, I do obviously go to WDW. Never waited more than 15 minutes in a standby line (with literally only a couple of exceptions). Thanks for generalizing and making assumptions. Move on. If you cannot handle my reasoning then just keep your comments to yourself. I asked a question, got an answer, and made my decision (tentatively). It did not call for anyone to get all bent because I didn't immediately jump up and shout "Universal, here I come!!!" I should have known it would bring out all the smarta** Universal lovers to start misquoting me, taking comments out of context, and start bashing me for not immediately jumping on their wagon of WDW hating.

Here's an idea. Anyone that feels irritated that I am not buying tickets to Universal right now as I speak, please go to another thread and ignore this one. Please. I asked a question and have not firmly made up my mind yet. I suppose that constitutes weakness in some, but I'd rather make an informed decision rather than shell out a ton of money for a miserable time. Maybe it wouldn't be miserable. That is what this thread is trying to help me decide. However, if you cannot make a mature comment then take the juvenile ones (like "we should assume you don't go to WDW either then cause, you know, you have to wait on them damn pesky lines and all") elsewhere. Thanks.

You are the one who said you won't go to Universal for a stupid reason, those long pesky line... Yet, you go to WDW where there are those same long pesky lines.. So, um, your reasoning for not going to Universal makes no sense... Maybe the pixie dust has gone to your head a little too much???

How can anyone take your posts out of context... You won't go to Universal cause you have to stand in lines waiting to get on attractions... You claim waiting on line ruins the day... So, BOOM no Universal for you.. But you'll go to WDW...

There is no WDW hating here.. Just questioning your thought process on why WDW is okay since they have lines, but you can't fathom going to Universal cause you'll have to wait on lines... How does waiting on line to get into an attraction at Universal ruin ones day, but waiting on long lines in WDW doesn't ruin your day... Ohhh that's right.. PIXIE DUST, PRINCESSES, AND DISNEY MAGIC... Your reasoning really makes no sense...

If you didn't want to go to Universal because you don't like it, that's one thing... But because of lines for attractions?? yea, wow, that's a whole new level of special...

 

[HTF]

You are the one who said you won't go to Universal for a stupid reason, those long pesky line... Yet, you go to WDW where there are those same long pesky lines.. So, um, your reasoning for not going to Universal makes no sense... Maybe the pixie dust has gone to your head a little too much???

How can anyone take your posts out of context... You won't go to Universal cause you have to stand in lines waiting to get on attractions... You claim waiting on line ruins the day... So, BOOM no Universal for you.. But you'll go to WDW...

There is no WDW hating here.. Just questioning your thought process on why WDW is okay since they have lines, but you can't fathom going to Universal cause you'll have to wait on lines... How does waiting on line to get into an attraction at Universal ruin ones day, but waiting on long lines in WDW doesn't ruin your day... Ohhh that's right.. PIXIE DUST, PRINCESSES, AND DISNEY MAGIC... Your reasoning really makes no sense...

If you didn't want to go to Universal because you don't like it, that's one thing... But because of lines for attractions?? yea, wow, that's a whole new level of special...

Thank you, I didn't have the patience to elaborate on a response to this non sense. You hit on all points I just can't figure out. I mean how can one not know about Express or ANYTHING Universal for that matter but yet know their going to wait in line all day in Oct 2015??? Also notice how defensive he gets once the first person questions him. Almost as if were trolling it up in the Universal thread since you can only talk about a kiddie coaster for so long. Excellent post Captain Chaos!

 

[G00fyDad]

Ahh ok, must have missed that part. Their slow times are generally the same as Disney's, except for HHN nights, and that's really only during the night for the actual event, though the Studios park will tend to get a bit busier during the afternoon as pass holders and Stay and Scream guests start coming into the park to do the early admission houses, but most of them just head straight to the Stay and Scream waiting areas unless they're there a few hours early.

Thanks.

 

[G00fyDad]

Ahh. That makes this thread look a lot cleaner, (for me at least). And more mature. Nice.

 

[bhg469]

I've never been to Universal. That's why I started this thread. I know absolutely nothing about Universal's wait times, slow times of the year, or anything about the Express Pass.

I assure you the lines in Disney for standby will be longer on the big attractions than the ones in universal. I had a 23 year lul in visits to universal and to be honest I would have preferred to skip wdw since we only had 2 days and split them between uni and wdw. Nothing really changed for me in wdw since my last visit, NFL was a little more complete but it was not nearly as impressive to me as potter. You're very much missing out.

Not being disrespectful but i think you're making a huge mistake choosing wdw only vs splitting your trip.

 

[Captain Chaos]

Thank you, I didn't have the patience to elaborate on a response to this non sense. You hit on all points I just can't figure out. I mean how can one not know about Express or ANYTHING Universal for that matter but yet know their going to wait in line all day in Oct 2015??? Also notice how defensive he gets once the first person questions him. Almost as if were trolling it up in the Universal thread since you can only talk about a kiddie coaster for so long. Excellent post Captain Chaos!

My first thought was, here we go, another Disney fan trolling the Universal section the minute I saw his silly reasoning... Shows you how much WDW fans are hypocrites when it comes to Universal...

And by his most recent post, apparently he blocked or ignored those who questioned him... Typical of a WDW fan... Cannot answer the questions, runs and changes topic cause they look stupid with their answers...

 

[Captain Chaos]

I assure you the lines in Disney for standby will be longer on the big attractions than the ones in universal. I had a 23 year lul in visits to universal and to be honest I would have preferred to skip wdw since we only had 2 days and split them between uni and wdw. Nothing really changed for me in wdw since my last visit, NFL was a little more complete but it was not nearly as impressive to me as potter. You're very much missing out.

Not being disrespectful but i think you're making a huge mistake choosing wdw only vs splitting your trip.

But don't you know, waiting on a 45 minute to 1 hour line at WDW is SOOOOOO MAGICAL???? Standing in a 15 minute to 30 minute line in Universal is just a waste of a day....

 

[G00fyDad]

I assure you the lines in Disney for standby will be longer on the big attractions than the ones in universal. I had a 23 year lul in visits to universal and to be honest I would have preferred to skip wdw since we only had 2 days and split them between uni and wdw. Nothing really changed for me in wdw since my last visit, NFL was a little more complete but it was not nearly as impressive to me as potter. You're very much missing out.

Not being disrespectful but i think you're making a huge mistake choosing wdw only vs splitting your trip.

I understand what you're saying, but it's not just me that I have to satisfy with this trip. My son goes and he has absolutely zero interest in Harry Potter or anything Universal. He does love everything about Disney though and has no interest at all in going to Universal. So if I did go to Universal it would only be for a couple of days and he will have to deal with it. My wife is another story. She only has a few rides that she will even get on. Going to Universal Studios for her would be somewhat boring since there is barely anything at either park that she will want to ride. As for the lines, with the exception of maybe two occasions I have never waited more than 15 minutes for any ride at Disney, and that includes standby wait times. I just think that if I'm going to spend $600 per ticket for a theme park for just two days that I would prefer the lines be short or use the Express Pass. However it's been made clear to me that the Express Pass cannot be used for some of the rides that I would want to use it for. So now it just comes down to spending a bunch of money and risking waiting in long lines. I would be willing to drop that kind of money for those tickets even for just two days if the majority of people on here were to agree that the lines are comparable to Disney or at least short in their opinion.

 

[draybook]

I would be willing to drop that kind of money for those tickets even for just two days if the majority of people on here were to agree that the lines are comparable to Disney or at least short in their opinion.

The lines at Universal are much shorter during off peak times. I can't speak for other times of the year. I wouldn't even bother with EP if it comes out of your pocket, since even FJ was usually like a 20 minute wait when we went in September the last few years.

 

[bhg469]

I understand what you're saying, but it's not just me that I have to satisfy with this trip. My son goes and he has absolutely zero interest in Harry Potter or anything Universal. He does love everything about Disney though and has no interest at all in going to Universal. So if I did go to Universal it would only be for a couple of days and he will have to deal with it. My wife is another story. She only has a few rides that she will even get on. Going to Universal Studios for her would be somewhat boring since there is barely anything at either park that she will want to ride. As for the lines, with the exception of maybe two occasions I have never waited more than 15 minutes for any ride at Disney, and that includes standby wait times. I just think that if I'm going to spend $600 per ticket for a theme park for just two days that I would prefer the lines be short or use the Express Pass. However it's been made clear to me that the Express Pass cannot be used for some of the rides that I would want to use it for. So now it just comes down to spending a bunch of money and risking waiting in long lines. I would be willing to drop that kind of money for those tickets even for just two days if the majority of people on here were to agree that the lines are comparable to Disney or at least short in their opinion.

I guess... I get why you were upset with the responses from other people here but you've never been there. I'm not a potter fan but that ride is insanely good regardless of the star.. I guess I just am beyond trying to let disney recapture my attention since I'm not a little girl I have nothing g to do there that is new anymore.. beside pork shanks...