Is the Express Pass Worth it at Universal Orlando?

Is the Express Pass Worth it at Universal Orlando?

Is the Express Pass Worth it at Universal Orlando?

If you’re visiting Universal Orlando, you might be wondering is the Universal Express pass worth it? And due to the fact that Universal recently added Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure, Harry Potter and the Battle of the Ministry, and Donkey Kong Mine Cart Madness, we believe that YES the Express Pass is absolutely worth the splurge! In general, we find the Universal Express Pass to be worth the extra costs when visiting during the busier times of year, wanting to see and do it all in a short amount of time, or if you’re receiving it for free by staying at one of the Universal Orlando Signature Collection hotels, which provide it. However, if it is necessary for your family depends on the goals for your trip which is why we are about the break down everything you need to know.

We hope you find this post helpful! Our goal at The Park Prodigy has always been to help you save time and money on your next Universal Orlando vacation!  If you are planning a trip to Universal Orlando be sure to check out our discounted multi-day Universal Orlando tickets and Universal Orlando vacation package deals which include EARLY PARK ADMISSION to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter!

Universal Orlando Crowd Calendar

When the Universal Express Pass May Be Worth it

The first reason why the Universal Express pass may be worth it for you is if you’re only visiting Universal Orlando for one, two, or three days and trying to see and do it all. This, of course, is all the more challenging with the opening of the brand new theme park Epic Universe, and the Express Pass can absolutely help reduce wait times and get on more rides and attractions within your day. The second reason would be that you’re visiting during the busier season and trying to avoid longer-than-normal lines. The third reason would be that you are getting the express pass for free by staying at one of the three signature collection hotels, which include the 2-park express pass.

We would also state that if you are trying to pick the best park for the Universal Express Pass at it would almost always be Universal Epic Universe, as it is the newest and most popular park right now.

How much time will you save with the Universal Express pass?

We find that, on average, guests will typically wait 5-10 minutes when using the Universal Orlando Express Pass line. That can be significantly less when compared to the average wait times when not using the Universal Express Pass.

• Wait time when using the Universal Express Pass: average wait time of 5-10 minutes
• Universal Studios Florida without the Express: average wait time of 27 minutes
• Islands of Adventure without the Express: average wait time of 28 minutes
• Epic Universe without the Express: average wait time of 45 minutes

What are the busiest times of year when you should buy the Universal Express pass?

• January: Weekend of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
• February: Weekend of Presidents’ Day
• March: Entire month for Spring Break
• April: Entire month for Spring Break
• May: Memorial Day weekend
• June: Last two weeks when school is out
• July: 4th of July
• October: Weekend of Columbus Day
• November: Weekend of Veterans Day and all of Thanksgiving week
• December: Last two weeks through Christmas and New Years

Related Page: When is the Best Time to Visit Harry Potter World 

When the Universal Express Pass Might Not Be Worth it?

In general, the Universal Express pass is not the right fit for budget-conscious travelers who are on a tight budget. The reason is the Universal Express pass will cost around $175 per person per day on average and can be significantly higher than that during peak times of the year. It’s also not the best fit for families who are visiting Universal Orlando for an extended period of time and can leisurely visit the parks or if you’re visiting during the off-peak season. Another important reason why you might not want the express pass is if you only plan on going on a few rides or if you’re visiting Universal Orlando with very young kids.

Tips and tricks to consider when answering: is the Universal Express Pass Worth it?

Always look at multi-day Express Passes when visiting for more than one day

One of the most important things to keep in mind when purchasing your Express Passes is that Universal now has multi-day Express Pass options. This can make the express passes a lot more affordable when breaking it down on a per-day basis, and these express passes now can include Epic Universe.

• Epic Universe One Day Express Pass – $191.69 Per Person Per Day
• 3-Day 3-Park Universal Express Pass – $351.44 =$117.00 per day Per Person Per Day

All of the Harry Potter Rides are Now Included with the Universal Express Pass

Some recent changes to the Universal Orlando Parks Express Pass system might make it worth it for a lot of families, as both Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure and Harry Potter and the Battle of the Ministry are now included. This means that all six of the Harry Potter rides at Universal Orlando are included with the express pass, and they do tend to have some of the highest average wait times.

Best Rides to Use the Universal Express Pass On

• Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure – Avg wait time of 96 minutes
• Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry – Avg wait time of 139 minutes
• Mario Kart Bowser’s Challenge – Avg wait time of 86 minutes
• Revenge of the Mummy – Avg wait time of 34 minutes
• Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts – Avg wait time of 34 minutes
• The Incredible Hulk Coaster – Avg wait time of 44 minutes
• Jurassic Park River Adventure – Avg wait time of 17 minutes
• Jurassic World VelociCoaster – Avg wait time of 59 minutes
• Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey – Avg wait time of 30 minutes

Guests will sometimes book a “Ghost hotel” to get the Express Pass for free

Another great tip and trick that we have read about is for guests who book one night at the Universal Hotels that provide the free 2-park unlimited express pass. The trick here is that guests can receive the express passes for each member in the hotel room for your check-in and check-out day. So it can be a great way to save and to get the Express Pass for two days for almost the same price as one.

Related Page: How to Get On Hagrid’s Magical Creatures

Conclusion: Is the Universal Express Pass Worth it?

Although the Universal Express Pass does come with a premium price tag, we do believe it is 100% worth it, as you do get significantly lower wait times. In general, we find it to be best for families who are only visiting Universal Orlando for a few days, visiting during peak season, or who simply do not like to wait in long lines. And if we had to pick only one park to use the Universal Express Pass at right now, it would be Epic Universe, as it has the highest average wait time per ride at 45 minutes.

Is the Universal Express Pass Worth it FAQ

 

Q: Is Universal Express Unlimited worth it?

A: Universal Express Unlimited is the most expensive tier of Express Passes, so it is totally fair to wonder if it’s worth it or not. Our favorite part of Universal Express Unlimited is that if you book a Universal Premier Hotel vacation, each member of your party receives a Universal Unlimited Express Pass. We also love that you can ride participating attractions as many times as you want since the Universal Express Pass does not have return times. If you’re wondering about the two, we think for unlimited rides, it is definitely worth it to spend the extra $30 for the Express Unlimited.

Q: Is Express Pass or Early Park Admission More Worth it?

A: All multi-day Universal tickets and ticket packages come with Early Park Admission, which allows guests into the parks one hour before the park opens. While there are only a few attractions open during this time, you can get a lot done in the time you’re in the parks with Early Park Admission.

When Is The Best Time To Visit Universal Orlando?

Our Universal Orlando Crowd Calendar is the best tool to help you get the most out of your time in the parks. We break down the park crowds, park hours of operation, ticket prices by day, and average temperature.

Are You Ready to Plan Your Next Universal Orlando Trip?

If you are planning a trip to Universal Orlando be sure to check out our discounted multi-day Universal Orlando tickets and Universal Orlando vacation package deals which include EARLY PARK ADMISSION to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter!