Universal FOTL Passes - is it really worth it?

[Bobbles]

Will be hitting IOA and US in early August. Is it worth paying extra for FOTL passes? I guess its going to be pretty busy but if we get to the parks for opening each day and follow a good plan will we get most stuff done?

If I do decide on getting FOTL passes I will definitely do the one nights accommodation option to get the unlimited passes for two days.

So is it really worth the additional £150 it will cost?

Cheers

Bobbles

[carys]

I would say it is worth it we did it for the first time last year and are doing it again this year . I wouldn't go again without staying onsite for the one night tbh

[SpiderFadge]

There is no way I would pay for the individual FOLP which only allow 1 ride per person.

Equally, there's no way I would do Universal without staying on site. There's not a lot of difference in cost but well worth it for unlimited FOLP.

It also feels like your getting much better value for money as you're staying over.

[Leanne1977]

Most definately.:thumbs-up

We did it in Sept and stayed at the Hard Rock Hotel. Great place.:thumbs-up

Even though the parks weren't hugely busy, some of the popular attractions had big queues so it was great to just jump straight on.

If you are going in August I would consider it a must.:wave:

[Flo]

I am so excited about staying at HRH for 3 nights with FOTL in Aug, can't wait to try out bypassing the regular queues.

[Bobbles]

Ok, Ok, you've all convinced me :grin:

Thanks for the comments I'll just have to get the plastic out now!

Cheers

Bobbles

[Leanne1977]

Ok, Ok, you've all convinced me :grin:

Thanks for the comments I'll just have to get the plastic out now!

Cheers

Bobbles

Don't forget if you are a member of the AA, ask them to apply the AAA(triple A) rate to your room. You may get it a bit cheaper then.:thumbs-up

[SpiderFadge]

Don't forget if you are a member of the AA, ask them to apply the AAA(triple A) rate to your room. You may get it a bit cheaper then.:thumbs-up

Also, don't forget to register at Loews First for freebies and poss room upgrade ;)

[Leanne1977]

Also, don't forget to register at Loews First for freebies and poss room upgrade ;)

Ooo yes, we got beer and nuts!!:beer2::wiggle:

[Bobbles]

One more question. Going via the universal site it shows a room rate without breakfast and one with breakfast for 2. We will have a room with 2 adults and 2 children. If I book the breakfast rate (for 2) will the kids get fed or will we have to stump up extra?

Cheers

Bobbles :thumbs-up

[SpiderFadge]

One more question. Going via the universal site it shows a room rate without breakfast and one with breakfast for 2. We will have a room with 2 adults and 2 children. If I book the breakfast rate (for 2) will the kids get fed or will we have to stump up extra?

Cheers

Bobbles :thumbs-up

You will have to stump up for the kids breakfast, as we will have to in August but it's not that much (but cant remember how much)

[Elsie]

We were there last August but I point blank refuse to pay extra just to get on quicker - and I wouldn't stay at an on site hotel either. We hit the parks as early as possible and got on the things we wanted before the crowds arrived. Doing this we got multiple rides on things like Hulk, Spiderman, The Mummy etc without queues or paying the extra cost.

I hope that WDW don't introduce a "pay-to-ride" system; it costs enough to get to the States have accommodation and enter the parks without another charge on top.

[mouli1]

if the parks are busy then definitely worth it we stayed at RPR last Easter and was worth the money even for 3 of us. next time we do universal will stay at on ot the other hotels.loved the water taxi to and from the parks as well.
we also went another day when we didnt have fotl and just arrived early and left at lunchtime ,did most of the things we wanted but its good fun having a fotl and knowing you can go onthe rides without much of a wait.

[Cyclospora]

We always used to use the single rider queues and more often than not there would be at least 2 out of the 4 of us on one ride. They aren't open all of the time though.

Last year we stayed at RPR for the first time, and like Carys - would always stay onsite for future visits. It wasn't just great for the FOTL passes - we loved everything about the stay - including watching a dive in movie, the boat ride to the parks, the lovely walk to the parks, not having to drive back to the villa etc. We thought it was well worth the money.

Ok - there was a down side. We were staying in a 4 bed villa and went from all that room to 4 of us sharing 1 bedroom. The kids complained about my snoring!

[jlw34]

We paid for the day passes in April 06 and to be honest we had multiple uses on most days not one as stated... Our 2 days at UA and IOA were the best of our holiday due to these passes. Worth every penny IMHO. Enjoy !!!

[Elsie]

Ok - there was a down side. We were staying in a 4 bed villa and went from all that room to 4 of us sharing 1 bedroom. The kids complained about my snoring!
Nailed! That's exactly why we wouldn't do it - 5 of us in one room instead of the villa would be awful! I'd rather get to a park early and save the cash.

[Sue]

Always going to do it, but then I stay in a hotel anyway and I have to stay somewhere -why not at a Universal hotel and get the FOTL pass. Plus being so close to Citywalk was fab, being able to go there at night, eat, stroll around then walk or boat back to hotel.
Well worth it imho - and breakfast at Islands in the RPR is one of THE best I have had in 6 trips to Orlando.

[P&S]

We have booked a night at HRH for Oct and there will be me DH DD and DD's friend all in the same room but it's one night and we can put up with it :grin:

[Bobbles]

Ok, thanks all for your comments. I have just made my reservation for the RPR for the 6th August. I have to say that part of me does begrudge paying the extra but when I weighed it up especially after all the positive comments here I decided to go for it....hell you only live once. ;)

Its one of a few surprises for this holiday that I'm arranging for the family. I hope my DD appreciates this when we walk to the front of the queues and understands that the sweets she can't have now have helped pay for it! :d:

Thanks all for your comments

Cheers

Bobbles :thumbs-up

[Villainlover]

I went End of august beginning of September and there was no queues at all .. I mean we walked to the mummy and had to wait for maybe the next car to pull up! so it really depends when you are going to the parks ..

I usually look at the prices of the express passes and if its in the cheapest period I wouldn't bother ..

[stuartcollett]

Sorry to sound naive, but what is "FOTL"???

Cheers

Stu

[paulcardy]

We are booked in for RPR for 5th August - so may see you there!

[Elsie]

Sorry to sound naive, but what is "FOTL"???
FOTL = Front Of The Line.

If you stay at a Universal hotel you get a wristband that allows you to jump huge parts of the queue at rides in IOA or US. You can also get FOTL access if you pay extra when you enter the park. It's just a way for them to take yet more money from your wallet!

[tinacooper]

get there early and you can get straight on the rides, plan what ones you want to do first.
i would not pay to get fast passses or the hotel .

[Flo]

If you are booking a package with Virgin you can always split your stay we are staying the first 3 nights at HRH and the next 12 at POP. Can't wait to try out FOTL.

[john2303]

the FOTL is worth it if its a busy day in the parks - we are staying 1 night in October and we will do Universal for the whole 2 days and we will also eat at Hard Rock Cafe whilst we are there. But after that, we wont do it and thats why we have booked the Royal Pacific to ensure that the 2 days we are there are used to the maximum!

[disney owl]

Yes

We stayed at the HRH last August for just one night & loved it. not queing was brilliant too. You can go on the rides as many times as you want. With the FOL passes you buy you only get one FOL pass for each ride.

We booked the B&B rate & didn't have to pay for DS & DD as they gave us 4 vouchers on check in, but I think this was a mistake. We had a great breakfast in The Kitchen & didn't need to stop for lunch that day. Just a thought, we did IOA the 1st day & Universal the 2nd. I don't think I could have gone on many rides at IOA without feeling sick after eating such a big breakfast. Had no problems at Universal.

They don't give you a wrist band. You need to check in the hotel early, we were there for 8am. And they give you your room keys (credit card style) even if your romm isn't ready and these act as your FOL passes. You can then get a wter taxi to the parks.

[princessfiona]

Hi we went end of July/beg of august and bought the FOTL passes and we would def do it again. It does add to your cost but we managed to to Universal and IOA in one day. It was a long day but we really enjoyed it and managed to do all the rides. The longest we waited with the FOTL passes was for Hulk at 20 min Q. It was great because we got to do all the big rides and still had time to enjoy the atmosphere of the parks and take in the shops and extra shows withour missing out rides. Would def buy them again. GO for it.

[Mr & Mrs Duck]

Hi

We decided to book RPR for one night due to the bonus of the FOTL passes :d: Our decision was mainly down to the fact we're going during peak time (June/July) so it would be nice to not have to rush round the park like a couple of madmen! We'd like to be able to soak up the atmosphere :D

My biggest worry is that it's all going to be over before we know it and we won't remember a thing :cry:

:wave: