So, picture this: you’re standing in front of Jurassic World VelociCoaster, heart racing with excitement – but the wait time says 110 minutes. Been there! Lucky for me, I had an Express Pass, and I was on the ride in just 20 minutes. Universal says Express Pass holders can do up to twice as many attractions in a day compared to regular queues. And from personal experience? I’d say that’s spot on. But is it worth the cost? Let’s break it down! ## The Different Types of Express Pass When I first visited Universal, I didn't realise there was more than one Express Pass option. But I soon realised that not all Express Passes are created equal. Here’s the simple breakdown: - **Standard Express Pass** – Skip the regular queue once per ride. - **Express Unlimited** – Skip the queue as many times as you like. Personally, I love Express Unlimited. There’s nothing better than re-riding your favourites without thinking twice! ### A Handy Trick for Free Express Pass One of Universal’s best-kept secrets? If you stay at a Signature Collection hotel (Loews Royal Pacific Resort, Hard Rock Hotel, or Loews Portofino Bay), you get Unlimited Express Pass for free. And here’s the trick: - Book just one night at a Signature Collection hotel. - You’ll get Express Passes for both check-in and check-out days. - Everyone in your hotel room gets one! This can save hundreds compared to buying Express Pass separately – especially if you’re travelling as a family or group. ## Express Pass Pricing – How Much and How to Save Let’s talk numbers. Express Pass prices fluctuate like airline tickets, depending on crowd levels. Here’s what you can expect: - Prices start around $79.99 per person in quiet seasons. - During peak times (summer, holidays), prices can soar to $199.99+. - Booking in advance can save you around 20%. If you’re an annual passholder (Premier Pass), you can also score discounts of up to 20% off. ## Which Rides Accept Express Pass? Express Pass works on most major attractions, including: - Revenge of the Mummy - Jurassic World VelociCoaster - Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts - The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man However, some rides don’t accept it, like: - Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure - Pteranodon Flyers (kids ride) Plan accordingly, because if you want to ride Hagrid’s, you’ll need to join the regular queue. ## How to Get the Most Out of Your Express Pass Over the years, I’ve fine-tuned my strategy for maximising Express Pass. Here’s what works best: 1. **Use Express Pass During Peak Hours** - Early mornings and late evenings tend to have shorter lines anyway. - Save Express Pass for the busiest times: 11 AM – 4 PM unless you have Express Unlimited of course. 2. **Rope Drop the Rides That Don’t Accept Express Pass** - Get to the park early and head straight to Hagrid’s before the crowds build up. - Once the main queues fill up, then start using Express Pass. 3. **Park Hop Like a Pro** - Express Pass makes park hopping super efficient. - Check wait times on the Universal Orlando app and hop between parks to dodge long queues. ## Final Thoughts – Is It Worth It? If you’re visiting during busy seasons, Express Pass is a total game-changer. You’ll spend less time queueing and more time actually enjoying the rides. For families with young kids, it can save you from meltdowns in long queues. And if you’re a solo traveller, pairing Express Pass with single rider lines means you can fly through the parks in record time. Not sure if you need it? My advice: - Check crowd calendars before your trip. - Start your day without Express Pass, then buy it later if queues are unbearable. Either way, planning smartly means you’ll have an epic Universal trip – Express Pass or not! Got any Express Pass tips? Share them below – I’d love to hear your thoughts!
