Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
264
of wooing tourists to its own set of attrac-
tions, nightclubs, and restaurants. Expan-
sions at the Orlando Museum of Art and
the Orlando Science Center, combined
with a number of upscale dining options
and trendy clubs, shows the city is trying
to grab back a share of tourist dollars. This
expansion means visitors can enjoy the
spoils: more variety, greater opportunities,
and a world beyond the theme parks.
THE FLEXTICKET
The most economi-
cal way to see the various “other-than-Dis-
ney” parks is with a multiday pass that
counters Disney's Park Hopper add-on.
With the
FlexTicket,
you pay one price to
visit any of the participating parks as many
times as you want during a 14-day period.
A five-park pass to Universal Studios Flor-
ida, Islands of Adventure, Wet 'n Wild,
Aquatica, and SeaWorld is $234.95 for
adults and $214.95 for children 3 to 9. A
six-park pass, which adds Busch Gardens in
Tampa, is $279.95 for adults and $259.95
for kids. Both passes also include entrance
to Universal CityWalk. The
FlexTicket
can
be ordered through Universal (
&
407/
363-8000;
www.universalorlando.com),
SeaWorld (
&
407/351-3600;
www.sea
world.com), or Wet 'n Wild (
&
800/992-
9453
or 407/351-1800; www.wetnwild.
com).
Note:
There's a round-trip shuttle
available to Busch Gardens (p. 351) that's
free for FlexTicket buyers (it's $10 for other
guests).
UNIVERSAL EXPRESS PLUS PASS
This is Universal's answer to Disney's
FASTPASS; however, at Universal, you'll
pay a price (literally) to skip the long lines.
Single-day and multiday ticket buyers not
staying at a Universal resort can purchase
an Express Plus Pass that's good for either
1 day at one park ($20-$51) or 1 day at
two parks ($26-$56). The downside
(other than having to fork out the extra
cash): Express Plus Passes are good only on
select dates (for a complete list see Univer-
sal's website) during the year, and they are
only valid for a single entry to each ride
featuring an express line. In other words,
you can only wait in the express line for
the Hulk once; if you want to ride a sec-
ond (or third, or fourth) time, you'll have
to head to the regular line with everyone
else. And if you are a multiday ticket
holder, the Express Pass is only good for a
single day—you'll have to purchase an
additional Express Pass if you want to skip
the long lines for more than just a single
day. Another option (albeit more pricy
than the first) is to purchase the 2-Park
Express VIP pass (good for either 1 day or
7 days) that allows unlimited express
access for as long as the ticket is valid.
Prices run $259.99 for the 7-day version
(all ages) and $149.99 to $159.99 for the
1-day option.
The plus in Express Plus: Waits are usu-
ally 15 minutes or less. Be aware, however,
that passes are not unlimited and can run
out during busier times (especially as they
are now available ahead of time online). If
you're at the parks during peak season
(when lines grow even more intolerable as
those who have purchased Express Plus
back things up even more), really can't
stand waiting in line, and have plenty of
cash to spare, the pass may be worth your
while (but it's not likely); otherwise, don't
bother.
A family of four would be far better off
spending the extra bucks ($80-$224 for
Express Plus Passes, $620-$1,040 for VIP
Express Passes) to stay at one of Universal's
resorts (even if only for a portion of your
vacation). Guests of the Portofino Bay,
Hard Rock, and Royal Pacific hotels (see
chapter 4, “Where to Stay”) need only
show their room key to skip the long lines.
And the best part: Resort guests are allowed
unlimited express-line access for the length
of their stay. Call
&
407/363-8000,
or go
to
www.universalorlando.com
for more
information.
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