Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
You can purchase Universal Express for one or both parks and for either single
(one ride only on each participating attraction) or unlimited use. The number of Ex-
press passes is limited each day, and they can sell out, so increase your chances of
securing passes by buying and printing them at home off Universal's website.
Speaking of participating attractions, more than 90% of rides and shows are
covered by Universal Express, a much higher percentage than those covered by
FastPass+ at Walt Disney World. The notable exceptions are
Harry Potter and the
Forbidden Journey
and
Pteranodon Flyers
at IOA, along with
Harry Potter and
the Escape from Gringotts
at USF and the interpark
Hogwarts Express
train.
You can also buy Universal Express at the theme parks' ticket windows, just out-
side the front gates, but it's faster to do so inside the parks. At Universal Studios Flor-
ida, it's available at
Super Silly Stuff;
at Islands of Adventure, you can buy it at
Jur-
assic Outfitters, Toon Extra,
and the
Marvel Alterniverse Store.
It's also available
up to eight months in advance at
universalorlando.com
.
You'll need to know when
you plan on using it, though, because prices vary depending on the date.
IS UNIVERSAL EXPRESS WORTH IT?
The answer depends on the season you visit,
hours of park operation, and crowd levels. Attendance has jumped at both parks since
the opening of each Harry Potter land, especially at Universal Studios Florida now
that Diagon Alley has opened. However, the big-ticket rides in Hogsmeade and Di-
agon Alley don't participate in Universal Express, so you don't get to cut in line at
Universal's most in-demand attractions. Still, if you want to sleep in and arrive at a
park after opening, Express is an effective, albeit expensive way to avoid long lines at
the non-Potter headliner attractions, especially during holidays and busy times.
If,however,youarrive30minutesbeforeparkopeningandyouuseour
Universal
Orlando touring plans
, you should experience the lowest possible waits at both USF
and IOA.We encourage youto try the touring plans first, but if waits forrides become
intolerable, you can always buy Express in the parks.
A father from Snellville, Georgia, discovered that it was cheaper for his family to
stay at a Universal resort than buy Universal Express:
The benefits of staying on-property are worth it, with early entry to The Wiz-
arding World and unlimited Express privileges at both parks. We got a room
at the Royal Pacific Resort for $349 on a Saturday night, which allowed us
