Universal front of line passes

[easygoingeezer]

As many of us found out the fast pass system in these parks is invariably covered up and you have to purchase tickets for this perk now.

All well and good if we have to pay extra to get on the rides faster, BUT I would like to plan ahead for this, does anyone know if it is possible to buy these BEFORE we get there.

The website indicates you can but when you click the link it doesn't show up.

I don't mind paying for stuff, but I do like to get these things sorted and paid for upfront, saves me having to budget when I get there.

Many thanks.

[doreen]

Do you mean that you are paying over and above your park ticket for the priveledge of fast track? If so i think thats a bit mean, after all I thought the idea was you got the tickets to use the rides within a specified time to free up the main queues a bit. If thats right how much are they charging? Plus did I read on here that they have put up car parking charges too? 2 Years ago I paid 7 dollars to park, last year 8 dollars now I am sure I read it was 10?

[gala]

From what I remember (dont quote me on this) you can only buy these either on the day at the US parks or at certain hotels (perhaps other purchase points - I dont know) prior to your visit. We bought ours at our hotel the night before we went to IoA.

Margaret

[Stu]

I was under the impression that you could only purchase at the gate. The prices change for peak and slow periods

http://themeparks.universalstudios.com/orlando/website/universal_express.html

Universal Express PLUS is available for purchase at the front gate and at selection locations inside both Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure.


Doreen
Universal Started selling The Express Plus as an addition to their free Express Pass tickets. There are strong rumours that the free tickets will be phased out during 2006 and the only option may well be the Express Plus. The Paid option has been so popular I don't think universal will go back to free passes like Disney currently have.

[easygoingeezer]

To be honest I don't mind paying the extra, BUT it would be a lot better for Universal if they were upfront about the old terminals being covered up, prehaps if they just got rid of them it would be better and prehaps didn't put the price of the entry ticket up this year to make up for the fact that the fast pass terminals are never open.

Anyway thanks for your help, I will just set aside the money for the days I go

[gala]

Not last year Stu. Homewood Suites on I Drive sold both the express plus tickets for US and IoA. We already had all our park tickets so these were the only ones we needed. They would only sell the tickets the evening before though. I too had read the info from the US site before we went and was more than surprised that we could do this.It was done on a computerised system so we were extremely glad that we had them in hand before we went.It was great for us as we just slotted our park tickets in and away we went.
PS - Just consulted with the kids who confirmed that we absolutely did buy them at the hotel before we went. In fact I havent a clue where you get them at Universal! lol

Margaret

[Stu]

Thats good to know Margaret,

You can't miss them when you are in the parks, as soon as you get through the turnstyles there are several carts with big Universal Plus Banners on them. They also sell them at a couple of the shops around the park.

Universal Studios
Back to the Future the Store
Cartoon Store
Shaiken's Souvenirs
Nickstuff
Guest Services

Islands of Adventure
Dinostore
Toon Extra
The Dragon's Keep
The Marvel Alterniverse Store
Port Merchants Cart
Guest Services

http://www.usfhq.com/pictures/features/july_12_2003_universal_orlando_resort_update/express_yourself_one_small.jpg

[gala]

I have just emailed the hotel to confirm that they are still doing this - will let you know. Quite a few guests were buying them in the hotel lobby. I admit they were expensive but in the August heat they were worth it.

Just had a reply from Vazquez at Homewood. That was quick!

Hello! The guest services desk still have the express plus tickets for Universal
Studios available. They will continue having them during 2006. If you need any
further assistance, please feel free to call us or reply back. Thank you for
choosing HomeWood Suites Orlando and have a great day!

I really thought for a minute I was imagining it but its OK - my sanity is intact. I wonder if any other hotels provide this service?

Margaret

[jwalowls]

I can see why people buy these but it would be better if nobody did as it is just making more money for universal and just makes it unfair on everyone else.Yes everyone has the opportunity to purchase these but it is not a money issue but it is just unfair, everyone should have to wait like everyone else. I dont really like waiting but that is just part and parcel of the whole experience.Maybe i could buy an express double plus ticket and get in front of those with just the express plus ticket.

[Justice-Socks]

Attendance figures for Disney Florida are up by 5 to 6.5% last year. Universal and IOA are down by 8.5%. The industry in N. America is worth $10 billion and attracts 176 million visitors each year. The industry is showing a 4.2% increase through the gates.
I think Universal should be giving us a little bit more instead of taking a few more bucks out of our pockets.


Justice Socks.

[Clare]

It will be a shame if they do phase out the 'free' express passes. I absolutely hate queuing and will avoid it all costs, unfortunately for my 2007trip (with my parents), they are of the 'school' mentality and believe queuing is part of the trip, and under no circumstances will they pay to skip the queue (unless it's included in the standard ticket/hotel accommodation), so it looks like we'll be queuing :(

[georgemac]

The express pass plus only allows front of line access to each ride once - the CM's are suppossed to amrk the pass when you use it but this almost never happens so it can be used most times for multiple rides unless Universal tighten up on this

In Oct2005 we found the advertised wait times very innacurate due to people using fast pass

Personally after our experience in 2005, I would never buy the fast pass plus if it is only available once for each ride, I will only go back to Universal if we book into a Universal hotel for 1 night, which would give 2 days unlimited FOL access

No surprise to me that Universal visitor numbers are down, many people on here have commented they will not be back due to the fast pass system changes

I personally would be happier if they ended Fast Pass/FOL, put up the prices and made everyone have to wait in line, but this will never happen.

I think Disney's system of exclusive hours/early entry for guests is a better system, and everyone treated equally during normal hours - even if the early openeing was extended to a couple of hours this would be a better system

[brianuk]

3 weeks all the normal fast pass machines were covered up and you had to buy the fast pass if you wanted it. We never bought them this year as lines were only 10 mins.

When you went onto the ride the pass was scanned into a machine by the CM at the entrance. I presume this could detect if it had been used on a ride. I think the once per ride could be to avoid a family buying 1 pass and sharing it.

At peak times, for a family of 4, it is more cost effective to stay on site for 1 night and get 2 days front of line.

[opticalhazer]

How much is the ticket? xx

[paulac]

At peak times, for a family of 4, it is more cost effective to stay on site for 1 night and get 2 days front of line.

Agree with Brian.

Stay one night at the Hard Rock Hotel and you have a five minute walk to the universal parks, with fotl access all day for two days.


Paula

[opticalhazer]

If that is the case it must be quite dear to buy these tickets????

How much are they and where can I find out more? xxx

[Stu]

If that is the case it must be quite dear to buy these tickets????

How much are they and where can I find out more? xxx

The price of Universal Express Plus varies from around $15 to $38 depending on the time of the year and can only be used by one person at one park

There is an option to make it a multi pass which will combine IOA and Universal on the same day

[Stu]

Just realised that these can now be purchased online

•Go to www.UniversalStudiosVacations.com.

•Near the upper right hand corner of the page, click on the "Tickets Only" tab.

•Enter your arrival date, the number of adults, and the ages of your children.

•Click the "Search" button.

•From the drop down menu, choose your departure date and number of nights.

•Press "Go."

•Scroll down and you will have options to buy the Universal Express Plus pass for Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure, or you can also choose to buy a Universal Express Plus pass for both parks. Choose the date when you will use the pass.

•Click on "Price Selections."

•Enter your name, address, phone number, credit card number, and other information that is needed.

•After this is done, you will be able to print out a voucher for a Universal Express Plus pass. This voucher can be redeemed at Guest Services / Will Call for the purchased pass. You can also have the pass mailed to you, with Federal Express shipment being an extra $15.00. If you order online, you will be assessed a $2.00 handling fee.

[opticalhazer]

Wow....it is $172 for four us....I think they can keep that!!!

[debs1505]

Wow....it is $172 for four us....I think they can keep that!!!

Plus tax!!

Stay on site for 1 night! That gives you 2 days from check in to check out front of line, both parks, as many times as you want!! Approx $250 for the room at the Royal Pacific!

[Stu]

We stayed at the Royal Pacific for two nights we managed to get a great deal $175 per night. The hotel was fantastic and as it came with front of the line room keys it was by far much better value than Express Plus.

[debs1505]

Stu - where did you get that deal?!!?! We are going tomorrow and would love to stay onsite over 1/2 Jan. Best deal I can get is $239 plus tax via Universal directly. No fan club rate at the minute!

[Stu]

Stu - where did you get that deal?!!?! We are going tomorrow and would love to stay onsite over 1/2 Jan. Best deal I can get is $239 plus tax via Universal directly. No fan club rate at the minute!

I phoned them and asked if they had any disconted rates for the dates that I was going. They had a special on which gave us a free Movie, snacks in our room and upgraded room to waterside. I think the Fan Club rate was $195 for the same days, this was in October 03.

It's worth telephoning them direct and asking about the discounts, even if you have already booked, if there is a cheaper deal they will change your booking for you if you ask.

[florida2000]

Attendance figures for Disney Florida are up by 5 to 6.5% last year. Universal and IOA are down by 8.5%.

I totally disagree with the Universal Fast Pass Plus and (in practice unlimited) FOTL access for resort guests. That is the main reason (but there are others)I will not be visiting Universal in Oct next year. Although I will be purchasing a 14 day Ultimate Disney Pass.

Your figures would suggest that its not just me who is currently being turned off by the various Universal policies.

I can't say I'm surprised by these figures.

[onlyholly]

We were put off by the queues last August and refuse to buy front of line passes, so we won't be visiting again either :(

Catriona

[easygoingeezer]

I was really hacked off last Nov when I discovered my 5 park ticket was no good for express because the machines were covered, the queues were horrendous and that was two weeks before thanksgiving. I had 5 people in my group and an extra $30 each for front of line was just greedy in my mind.

Anyway the upshot is i am flying there again next Nov and I want to go on the rides, so I guess I am going to pay, its not a question of being fair in my mind, just a little disshonest to let people think they had the opportunity to use their already paid for 5 park ticket in the express machines only to find them covered up.

I can however understand onsite guests having priority passes as this is explained BEFORE people choose to book a room in one of thier hotels which are not cheap.

Universal need to understand that thier international visitors need to plan and save up to visit the USA because its usually a very BIG deal to be able to go there, for many a once in a lifetime trip, they should be more customer aware and frankly appreciative that people are taking the trouble to fly 4 thousand miles to visit their attraction. Customers are not a right for the management
they are supposed to be looked after.

My view is if they take something away from the park ticket they should reduce the price by the ammount they are charging for doing it seperatley,
knock $30 off the price of a flexiticket and give people the choice of paying the extra for front of line privilages.

[Maz]

I agree with you there easygoinggeezer. I also presume the park ticket prices will be going up any day soon too!!! Unfortunately Universal are a business and therefore basically want to make as much money as possible out of us, so can't really see them being too sympathetic to us.
I believe the express machines have been covered all holiday so it looks like they are going to stay that way.
If we want to ride we either pay more or queue!

[debs1505]

I phoned them and asked if they had any disconted rates for the dates that I was going. They had a special on which gave us a free Movie, snacks in our room and upgraded room to waterside. I think the Fan Club rate was $195 for the same days, this was in October 03.

It's worth telephoning them direct and asking about the discounts, even if you have already booked, if there is a cheaper deal they will change your booking for you if you ask.

Thanks Stu! I think I will call in when we arrive tomorrow and see what they can offer! ;)

[highlander447]

Hi its been rumoured that Universal will be stopping the free express system, so if people are unhappy it maybe worthwhile registering your complaint in writing or email as this maybe a subtle test to see if general reaction to express machines covered up, as for the attendance figures unversal are happy with their figures remember they where up against previous years record figures with the mummy opening:smile:

[Splash Mountain]

Do you mean that you are paying over and above your park ticket for the priveledge of fast track? If so i think thats a bit mean, after all I thought the idea was you got the tickets to use the rides within a specified time to free up the main queues a bit. If thats right how much are they charging? Plus did I read on here that they have put up car parking charges too? 2 Years ago I paid 7 dollars to park, last year 8 dollars now I am sure I read it was 10?

$10 dollers for parking!!!:angry: Thats crazy!:mad2:

[Anna]

It is $9 to park. Disney is $8, I believe.

[Anna]

Attendance figures for Disney Florida are up by 5 to 6.5% last year. Universal and IOA are down by 8.5%.

Actually Universal Studios is up 8.5% compared to Disney's 5-6.5%

Now Islands of Adventure was down 8.5% but that is most likely because they have not had any new rides in awhile. Most sources believe that Disney has increased attendance because of the 50 year celebration and also because of the new Magical express.

Source: Orlando Sentinel. I tried to post a link but the board has restrictions on new members posting urls so here is the attendance figures;
Most popular parks

The 10 best-attended North American amusement parks in 2005
Est. 2005 (Change from 2004)
Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World Orlando 16.1 +6.5%
Disneyland Anaheim 14.5 +8.5
Epcot at Walt Disney World Orlando 9.9 +5.5
Disney-MGM Studios Orlando 8.6 +5.0
Disney's Animal Kingdom Orlando 8.2 +5.0
Universal Studios Orlando 6.1 +8.5
Disney's California Adventure Anaheim 5.8 +3.6
Islands of Adventure at Universal Orlando 5.8 -8.5
SeaWorld Orlando 5.6 +0.2
Universal Studios Universal City 4.7 -6.0
Sources: Amusement Business, Economics Research Associates

As far as the express passes, they can be bought online but only up to 30 days in advance. So if you aren't seeing that option when you go to purchase tickets, it is probably because your trip is more than 30 days out. Right now they are $35 but on Jan 1st they go back down to $15.

[SteveC]

We had a bit of a result with the fastpass tickets at Universal just before Christmas.

We were unaware that it would cost us as much as an additional $288 for the 6 of us to buy the tickets for both parks as the prices had rocketed overnight with it being the busy season but we decided to go ahead and buy them anyway. Despite charging our credit card twice, the lady at the stand couldn't generate the tickets but wasn't sure whether she had managed to void the transactions so got a supervisor to take us into the office to check. He then rang my credit card company in the UK to check whether the transactions had been voided and I had to spend 25 minutes trying to resolve the matter much to our frustration.

Anyway, when my wife pointed out that we had spent that long dealing with a problem of their making for something that was supposed to save us time, they said that they had messed with our credit card enough that day and they promptly issued us with a complimentary single ticket that entitled up to 6 people to fastpass entrance at any ride in either park as many times as we wished.

What a result. We did all the rides we wanted to in both parks in one day.

However, I've got to say that I think the whole system is unfair - asking an extra $50 per adult on top of park admission to beat the queues is a ripoff but they are getting away with it as we know a family who went a few days ago and all the FP tickets were sold by mid-morning.

Disney's FP system is much fairer and hopefully won't be changed.

[Vabeth]

I hadn't realised Universal were now charging for fastpass privileges! That's a bit cheeky, i think! The last time we visited in 2003 the parks were quiet so we had no need to use that facility so i couldn't tell you if that was the case back then. We are planning a trip this year in either Sept or Nov (still undecided) and had planned on spending 14 nights at AS Movies. As we don't want to drive while we're there we decided about 3 hours ago that we would now do 9 nights at AS and 5 at Royal Pacific. After reading this post it seems we've made the right choice!

[Anna]

Just an FYI, the express passes went down to $15 today.

[gala]

Anna
Can you please tell us, as there has been a lot of discussion regarding this - are the express passes (not the express plus tickets) coming back and if not, why not? I am a great IoA fan and always visit both parks but it really is a financial burden to have to pay again for these tickets when I go at a busy time of year. I like many others am pretty irked about the machines having been covered up. Why has this been done and surely US realises that this has actually stopped people from returning. Thanks

Margaret

[Anna]

From what I understand there is no decision to remove them permanently at Universal. The old tickets and annual passes were alphanumeric (meaning the barcode had both numbers and letters like "234ac987mn12") The new tickets and annual passes are just numeric (345671239). The express machines weren't able to read many of the new tickets and annual passes. They have been replacing the software in them which suggest to me that they aren't planning on getting rid of express pass forever.

Free Express pass is expected to be reinstated around SpringBreak at Universal. That doesn't mean for sure they are coming back as I know they are looking at the whole system and making a decision in the future. For what it's worth, Disney is considering eliminating fastpass in the future also. Who knows what may become of express/fast pass? Neither SeaWorld nor Busch Gardens (Tampa) have fastpass and guests never seem to miss it. Most of us went for years to Disneyland and WDW without fastpass and never knew what we were missing. Now we are all used to the convenience and whatever the parks decide are definitely going to make for a lot of unhappy guests. I do know that fastpass has become a headache for both Disney and Universal. They may both decide to keep it just to make guests happy or they may decide to eliminate it and deal with the complaints.

It was first started at WDW in hopes that guest would get a fastpass and shop until their return time. Instead they are riding other attractions instead of shopping. I know it is hard to understand but fastpass and express pass make all the lines longer for everyone. In the past, you would get in line at Haunted Mansion and wait for 45 minutes. Now with fast pass, you ride two or more rides while waiting for your fastpass. You are riding other rides during what you would normally be waiting in line at Haunted Mansion. This doubles the wait time because you are essentially saving a place for yourself on haunted mansion while you ride several other rides. Multiply this by the thousands of people doing the same thing and you have twice the wait time for everyone. In the old days, you would wait in line and possibly only ride 8 rides all day. Now with fastpass, you can increase your rides to 12 rides that day. That makes the wait times longer, if that makes sense. More fun for you but longer lines for everyone. This does effect you even if you utilize the fastpass system as you will then be waiting longer in line for the rides that you can't get a fastpass for as everyone is riding more rides in one day and thus longer lines.

Not to mention, each ride has to station a castmember to check the express passes on each ride and a castmember to be stationed at the fastpass distribution machines. These cast members could be loading people on the ride instead of policing and distributing fast pass. Both Universal and Disney are seriously understaffed and that is a position they could eliminate and put the castmember as a ride operator, etc.

[gala]

Free Express pass is expected to be reinstated around SpringBreak at Universal. That doesn't mean for sure they are coming back as I know they are looking at the whole system and making a decision in the future. For what it's worth, Disney is considering eliminating fastpass in the future also. Who knows what may become of express/fast pass?

Thanks for that - dont know what Id do if Disney got rid of it as well! That was very informative.

Margaret