Dive into the cost and benefits of Express Passes at Universal Orlando, the rides that don’t offer them, and the various options available.
Do you hate waiting in lines? ⌚ Universal Orlando offers a game-changing experience with their Express Passes. Imagine bypassing those lengthy lines and spending more time enjoying your favorite rides and attractions. We have gotten spoiled with getting the free Unlimited Express Passes while staying at Premier Hotels, and can tell you all about them!
Express Pass Benefits
When you add Universal Express access to your theme park admission, you get to skip the regular lines at most of your favorite rides and attractions. This means you can fit way more fun into your day.
Keep an eye out for the sign that says “Express Entrance” to go to the separate queue with a shorter wait time at each valid attraction. Express Lines are promoted as 1/2 the wait time of the posted regular line wait times, but we’ve found the wait to be typically much less.
Express Pass Limitations
⚠️Please note that these are not park admission; separate theme park admission is required for entry, and date selection is essential before purchasing. Express Passes are not valid during Early Park Admission hours or during separately ticketed events.
Unfortunately, at this time (October 2023) you won’t be able to use Express Passes for Pteranodon Flyers or Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure.⚠️
Express Pass Options
Universal Orlando offers the purchase of different Express Pass options to cater to your preferences:
1 Park Express Pass – Starting at $89.99
This pass grants you access to the Express line once per attraction at either Universal Studios Florida or Universal’s Islands of Adventure, allowing you to make the most of one park’s attractions. Perfect for when you are visiting only one park per day.
2 Park Express Pass – Starting at $104.99
Opt for this pass if you want to explore both Universal Studios Florida and Universal’s Islands of Adventure. It covers Express access at both parks once per attraction, ensuring a seamless experience.
1 Park Express Unlimited Pass – Starting at $119.99
To maximize your experience in one park, get the Universal Express Unlimited Pass 1 park pass. It lets you bypass regular lines an unlimited number of times per participating attraction in one of parks.
2 Park Express Unlimited Pass – Starting at $134.99
For unlimited thrills, the Universal Express Unlimited Pass is the way to go. It lets you bypass regular lines an unlimited number of times per participating attraction in both parks. Best for if you have favorite rides you want to ride again and again.
Express Pass Pricing Varies per day
Express Pass pricing can vary wildly from day to day📈. In the example above, you’ll see Unlimited Express 1-park pricing for one guest for the month of December 2023. Weekdays earlier in the month cost less, while weekdays during the Christmas Break more than are double the cost! Universal prices the Express passes based on expected demand and park attendance.
As a rule of thumb, monitor the pricing of Express Passes; when you see higher prices, it often signifies busier park days.
When to Spend the money on Express Passes
Express Passes for a family are not cheap. If you can’t use the Premier Hotel Hack💰, deciding when to purchase Universal Express Passes largely depends on your priorities and the timing of your visit. If you plan on visiting the parks during peak periods like holidays, long weekends, or typical school vacation times, investing in Express Passes can be a game-changer.
It all boils down to the balance between time and money.
For a short 1 or 2-day trip, you might consider purchasing Express Passes to make sure that you can ride all of the rides. For longer trips, you might be willing to wait in lines and spend the money elsewhere. Ultimately, the decision is yours, influenced by your schedule, budget, and the desire to make the most of your Universal Orlando adventure.
When to buy Express Passes
To get the best deal on Express Passes, it’s wise to make your purchase well in advance of your visit. The pricing of Express Passes tends to rise as your visit date approaches, in response to heightened demand.
Do remember: Express Passes are non-refundable, non-transferable, and only valid on the date selected and printed on the pass.
Unlimited Express Passes included with stay at Premier Hotels
If you are hoping to save money on Express passes, we have a hack for you! (see my math here)
Staying at one of Universal Orlando’s Premier resort hotels includes Universal Express Unlimited passes for each hotel guest for 2 days, both the day you check-in and the day you checkout!
Your room keys are your Express passes and each guest will need to present their own key card at participating attractions to access the Express lines as many times as they would like!
This is one of the main benefits of staying at a Premier Hotel. We have found that purchasing 1 night at a Premier hotel with our passholder discount is much cheaper than the cost of purchasing Express passes for the 4 of us for 2 days (8 express passes), and try our best to book at least one night each trip to take advantage of this deal.
Participating Hotels are:
- Hard Rock Hotel
- Royal Pacific Resort
- Portofino Bay Resort
Rides That Don’t Offer Express
While Express Passes grant you access to shorter lines on most attractions, there are a couple of notable exceptions at Universal’s Islands of Adventure.
Unfortunately, you won’t be able to use Express Passes for Pteranodon Flyers and the incredibly popular Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure.
Last-Minute Purchase
Wondering if you can purchase a Universal Express pass on the day of your visit? Yes, you can! Universal Express passes are available for purchase at the front gates of either theme park.
However, keep in mind that these products have a limited inventory and can sell out. They also cost more to purchase day of. So, to secure your access and maximize your Universal Orlando adventure, advance purchase is recommended.
After 4pm with Premier Annual Pass
One of the perks of the Premier Annual Pass is use of Express lines once per attraction after 4pm. This is an especially great benefit for locals who want to spend the evening at the parks.
Halloween Horror Nights Express Pass
Are you a fan of Halloween Horror Nights🎃😱? Universal Orlando offers an Express pass product specifically for this spine-chilling event.
Please note that the regular Universal Express passes, hotel key Express passes, and Premier Annual pass benefits are not valid during Halloween Horror Nights, so make sure to snag one of these special passes for a truly terrifying night.
Single Use Express Passes
Universal Orlando sometimes distributes single-use express passes to guests when a ride unexpectedly breaks down or faces technical difficulties. They are typically given so you can you re-ride the attraction you were just on without any hiccups.
These passes come in two varieties: Yellow and Ruby.
The Yellow single-use express pass usually lists the normal express exclusions on the back. In contrast, the Ruby single-use Express pass provides access to Hagrid’s as well. Both must be given up to a Team Member on entry to the line and expire after a certain number of days, so keep that in mind!!
These passes ensure that even when unforeseen issues occur, guests can still make the most of their Universal Orlando adventure.
Have you tried the Universal Express Passes?
Be careful: once you start using them, you will get hooked! With Universal Express Passes, you can make your Universal Orlando vacation unforgettable by spending less time waiting in line and more time enjoying world-class attractions. So, whether you’re into thrilling rides or immersive experiences, these passes are your golden ticket to an epic adventure.
