3 days of express passes

[toonarmani]

We are staying at RPR for 2 nights before then stopping in Cabana Bay for 12 more.

RPR is at the beginning of our on-site stay (we'll get there early as staying in another hotel nearby for chill time beforehand), check-in, drop cases off with bell services and then return the hire car nearby before hitting a park.

What's the best plan for maximising express passes across 3 days? Is there a do's and don'ts that apply? Should we go to certain parks/rides at certain times, or just go wherever/whenever?

Not been to Universal before so a total newbie compared to Disney.

Appreciate we are there for a long time (most seem to do Universal in a couple of days before moving on) but we will spend a few days in VB as we love water parks and chilling out + shopping time as well.

Just trying to gauge how best to maximise the express passes and planning days etc.

[Guest]

I really don’t think you need to do anything specific. We have spent about twenty days there in total and have never had or needed a plan. Go wherever / whenever sounds about right.

Maybe the only thing to consider factoring in is which park has the extra hour for onsite guests. It has been US for ages now though and will continue to be I think until Hagrid ride hype dies down.

We always visit both parks every time we go, these days we don’t bother with the park to park train, but I would recommend it to a first time visitor, once each way anyway. We find it quicker to walk between the parks and are often breaking up the day with lunch in Citywalk anyway.

[rafjen]

For the most part the express passes take the need to plan away.
I would plan when you want to attempt Hagrids- maybe leave this until cabana bay so you aren't wasting fast pass time-
I would also not stress too much about early opening when you are using express, but later in the trip it is a lovely time to see a less crowded Diagon Alley.
If you are doing Volcano Bay the early entry is fab and well worth using but I'd wait until you are at Cabana bay for that.

[squishy]

Doing a very similar thing...nearby hotel, then 2 nights RPR and 2 nights Endless Summer, so very interested to see the replies

[Tracydcp]

Were doing the same too, cheap hotel nearby for first night, two nights at RPR and then 12 nights off the 192. Not really thought about a plan yet but will probably still go to most popular rides first. Haven’t been since 2015 so looking forward to a few new attractions for us 😬