Universal Express Plus Pass

[Butts1]

I was just looking at the price price I paid 10 years ago $25.99 for 1 ride at each of the parks.

For my trip next year these have quadrupled in price to more like over $100.

Is it a crazy situation when it is going to be cheaper to book a night at one of the Hotels for about £230 (which I don't need) and get the superior unlimited express pass for 2 days.

Does not seem to make much sense.

I can remember when Universal used to have an express system which operated like Disneys - put the admission card in and get a time. Am I correct or has the fog of time confused me.

[chmurf]

Originally Posted by Butts1

Does not seem to make much sense.

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it DOES make sense, and that's why so many people do it

also remember that ONE night at RPR, HRH or PBH gives you 2 (TWO) days of express passes

you get express (that's your room key) from check in (as early as 6:30am if you wish) to the end of your check out day

so 1 night, 2 days of express ... yeah, that does indeed make a lot of sense

[Moorlandman]

It makes sense for Universal to push the prices so high that it makes a stay at their premium hotels seem like good value.

Once they have you staying overnight they know you maybe tempted with breakfast, pool drinks and other costly experiences😀

I think our one night cost over £400 by the time we added breakfast and a meal at the pool bar

[Butts1]

But have your wages quadrupled in the last ten years ?

Does anyone else remember when Universal had a fast pass system like Disneys ?

[orlandoman88]

Originally Posted by Butts1

But have your wages quadrupled in the last ten years ?

Does anyone else remember when Universal had a fast pass system like Disneys ?

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Could be wrong but don’t ever remember universal having a fast pass system like Disney I went for the first time in 94 though so could have been before then?

[Butts1]

I first went in 1989/90 when I was working for The Rank Organisation who part owned it when it first opened.

Perhaps I am mistaken but the words Universal Express ring a bell !

[Nimbus]

Originally Posted by Butts1

I can remember when Universal used to have an express system which operated like Disneys - put the admission card in and get a time. Am I correct or has the fog of time confused me.

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Yes, you are correct. Universal's Express pass system used to be free and was similar to Disney's old fastpass system. I think this was in the early 2000s. I have a park map which explains it. I'm sure I once scanned the map and had a image of it but I can't find it now.

Of course, Universal then realised they could make extra money by charging to use their Express passes. Hence where we are today - with Express passes that cost more than $100 per person a day.

And, as chmurf says, it does make sense to book a stay at one of the deluxe resorts. You don't have to actually stay in the room. Just turn up to reception early on your check-in day, check in and get your Express passes, then leave the hotel and enjoy the parks.

[Rbecking]

Wish I could pay £230 for hotel, for when we going in April cheapest o seen is £450 for one night

[Duh_Prez]

Originally Posted by Butts1

But have your wages quadrupled in the last ten years ?

Does anyone else remember when Universal had a fast pass system like Disneys ?

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Universal did have an Express pass similar to Disney.
I recall a section of booths near to Jurassic Park in IOA. Pop your pass in and you were allocated a time slot👍

[chmurf]

Originally Posted by Butts1

But have your wages quadrupled in the last ten years ?

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well, one small part of it lies in the exchange rate

10 or 11 years ago, one quid would get you two bucks

today, it will barely get you $1.37

so, even before price increases, and the rising of the ever more greedy management policies, we all have lost a lot, at least a good 35%, on exchange rates alone

on a £10k vacations, that's £3.5k price increase, for nothing, just because of the exchange rate between then and now

and then ... there are price increases (significant over the course of 10 years), overpricing on everything, and supply/demand rules.

it's a true fact that, it's no longer "affordable" for an ever growing quantity of people