Express/Fast pass at Universal Studios Orlando
Universal Orlando: I remember them having the fast pass a while back to return later at a specific time about 9 years ago when we went, but now I only find information about buying the express pass or if you stay on site the unlimited rides and early/late entry.
Would like to know if Universal Studios Orlando has any fast pass booths not the express pass.
^You do realize FastPass is Disney and Express Pass is so much better. Also, you can buy express passes. You don't have to stay at a hotel, but if you do, its free.
Universal only has express passes. You can purchase them online or at the parks - the prices are different depending on how many people are in the park. They are better than fastpasses. With the express passes you get to skip the line one time on every ride in the park (except forbidden journey and rockit) and there's no set time to go, you just show up at the ride entrance and enter the express queue.
Yes, I know Express is either when you stay on site for free and expensive for one time each ride for one day only. I can't afford to stay on site and can't afford the Express ticket for a family of 4. :( Oh well. I guess I'll have to suck it up like the regulars and wait and wait, oh, and wait, lol.
^There are single rider lines as well that are free and move sometimes even more quickly than quick queue lines. Try single rider lines at: Revenge of the Mummy, Hollywood Rip, Ride, Rockit, Men In Black Alien Attack, Amazing Adventure's of Spiderman, Incredible Hulk, and Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey.
Okay, thanks for your help. We will have to try that. :)
From steve lee
Posted August 30, 2010 at 8:20 AM
Depending on the age makeup of your family, using those single rider lines may be a bad idea. There's no guarantee that you'll all be riding at the same time (and in some cases, it could be a differential of ten to fifteen minutes). If you have small children, you probably don't want to be splitting up in that manner.
But just so you don't think you're going insane, you are correct remembering that the Express Pass used to be exactly like the Fastpass. The Express Pass kiosks tended to have three or so attractions listed for you to get a pass from. It was a pretty good system, especially since you had the ability to choose from a few different return windows. But back in 2004 or 2005, Universal realized there was easy money to be made and they switched over to the pay system (which is not at all like staying onsite - the overpriced Express Pass can only be used once per attraction while a room key is unlimited).
You can survive without the Express Pass - search the site for some of the touring plans and you should be able to manage most of the park without having to stand in too many insane lines (note that I said "most." There's no escaping some of them).
^ They sell both kinds now - the one time use passes and the unlimited that works like the hotel key card. Of course, the unlimited costs like 70 a person lol.
Hey Hermoine, I saw only the one time express passes online, where do you get the unlimited for 70?
Thanks!
From steve lee
Posted August 30, 2010 at 7:57 PM
Hermione may be mixing up the regular Express Pass and the Universal VIP pass. I don't see anything about a purchasable unlimited Express Pass on Universal's website (but then again, I'm not going to burn off too much time looking either)
From Rob P
Posted August 31, 2010 at 1:32 AM
Be careful about buying the express pass at Universal. A friend of ours did just that for his family of 4. When they got inside the lines were short and they didn't have to use them at all for the whole day.
So check out how busy the Park is before you commit.
Well,
since we are going the week after Christmas it looks like the busiest time of the year. I just wanted to make sure which ones to buy. :)
Steve - you cant buy the unlimited express passes online, but you can purchase them at the park entrance and at that umbrella right inside. That's how universal advertises the express access for hotel guests as a free $70 value - because when you purchase the express unlimited they cost 70 a person, plus the price of whatever ticket you buy.
^ Oh Cont-rare: http://www.universalorlando.com/Tickets/special_offers/UniversalExpress/vip_ticket_details.aspx?ComponentId=14000&SourcePageId=10802#1
Nick that's not what I'm talking about. The VIP tickets are actually park tickets with built in unlimited express. The unlimited express tickets they sell at the entrance to both parks are separate from your park admission - one ticket (or annual pass) for entry, one express unlimited for skipping lines.
I think they're designed for FL residents who refuse to buy VIP beforehand thinking its a rip off and then realize, hey all these people are skipping past us. ;)
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