Showing results for Hollywood, FL, US
We went peak summer for two days and rode everything multiple times, Mario Kart 5 times one day. I don’t think it’s necessary. Answer from N64Andysaurus92 on reddit.com
🌐
Reddit
reddit.com › r/universalhollywood › express pass, worth it?
r/UniversalHollywood on Reddit: Express pass, worth it?
November 10, 2024 -

Planning on going to Universal tomorrow with 4 young children (ages 4-7.) Are the express passes worth it? Or do you think the lines won’t be too crazy tomorrow (November 11.) thanks!

Top answer
1 of 12
9
We went peak summer for two days and rode everything multiple times, Mario Kart 5 times one day. I don’t think it’s necessary.
2 of 12
3
I used to buy normal admission until one day I visited the park later in the afternoon. A couple was leaving the park and stopped me and my girl and asked us if we wanted their express unlimited lanyards. Of course we said yes. After experiencing that day at the park I vowed to never go again without buying express passes. It can completely change your experience. Some rides like Studio Tour, Jurassic World, The Mummy, Harry Potter. The express pass can be the difference between 120min standing in line, or walking straight past hundreds of people right to the front. Sure there are probably exceptions. I’m sure season pass holders that visit more frequently have experienced days where the lines are just short or the occupancy is lower. But if you’re someone like me who visits maybe once a year, and fly there from outside Los Angeles or even out of state, I don’t think it’s worth chancing it. Standing in line for hours personally just bums me out, and in poor weather conditions, hot or cold, can drain me of my energy. I think Universal Express pass might currently be the most efficient fast pass of any theme park. It can be purchased as a version of the admission ticket, not separately from a 3rd party like Six Flags. Disney Genie plus was terrible, forcing you to be on your phone all day strategically trying to reserve rides and fill in the time between. Universal Express is simple and effective. You buy it, you use the Express lanes and go to the front. In conclusion, I say it’s worth every penny.
🌐
Reddit
reddit.com › r/universalhollywood › express pass? worth it or not
r/UniversalHollywood on Reddit: Express Pass? Worth it or not
January 7, 2025 -

Hi guys!

My boyfriend and I are celebrating our 6 year anniversary and are looking into booking a last minute trip to Universal Studios Hollywood. We're coming in from Toronto, Canada.

We are planning on going in 2 weeks (Jan 21 + Jan 22). We're thinking of buying a 2 day admission ticket as well as an express pass. Do you think the express pass is worth it? I don't know how busy it is around this time (after the holidays). We will be going on a weekday. If we get the express ticket, do we even need a second day at Universal? Let me know your thoughts!

Oh also, if you have any suggestions of where we can stay (hotel wise) that's nearby or a cheap Uber ride away that would be great.

🌐
Reddit
reddit.com › r/universalhollywood › is the express pass worth it for a july visit?
r/UniversalHollywood on Reddit: Is the Express Pass Worth It for a July Visit?
January 28, 2025 -

I'm planning a trip to Universal Studios Hollywood on July 1st or 2nd with my wife and our two kids. It's their first time, and I haven't been in over 15 years. Trying to decide whether to stick with general admission tickets or upgrade to the Express Pass.

Here's the breakdown:

  • General Admission: Total for 4 people is $570.

  • Express Pass: Total jumps to $1,230.

I know the Express Pass allows you to skip the regular lines once per ride. However, doubling the cost is significant. I'm curious:

  • Is the Express Pass truly worth the extra cost during early July?

  • Are there alternative strategies to manage wait times without the Express Pass?

  • Any tips or hacks to make the most of our visit, especially with kids?

I appreciate any advice or experiences anyone can share.

🌐
Reddit
reddit.com › r/universalstudios › is unlimited express pass worth it?
r/universalstudios on Reddit: Is unlimited express pass worth it?
January 18, 2025 -

Going to universal studios hollywood in a week and I already bought our express tickets. I just learned that there is an unlimited express that lets you skip the line/go to the shorter line as many times as you want for each ride vs the regular express tickets that only lets you do it once for each ride. What I’m asking is, are there many (if any) rides that are so cool/fun that you’d want to ride it more than once, making it worth it for me to upgrade to the unlimited express? I’m a first timer. Realistically, I don’t see my husband & I wanting to ride a ride more than once but again I’ve never been so I’m not sure how dope the rides are to even know if we’d want to do it more than once. It’s only $40 each person to upgrade, but if the rides aren’t worthy of going on more than once then it’s not necessary to spend the extra 80 bucks. Thanks in advance!

Find elsewhere
🌐
Reddit
reddit.com › r/universalstudios › going to universal studios hollywood for the first time in years. how does express lane work?
r/universalstudios on Reddit: Going to Universal Studios Hollywood for the first time in years. How does express lane work?
March 14, 2024 -

My parents gifted my girlfriend and I season passes for my birthday so the two of us can make memories somewhere fun together. We plan on going this weekend but either of us have gone in forever. My family and I never used express lane and neither have her’s. I’ve been considering it on our recent but how does it all work?

  1. Can it be bought on its own? Or does it ONLY come with a ticket as an additional add on? If that’s the case then how would I get it since I already have my season pass membership already bought?

  2. If I can purchase it without having to get another ticket, can I get it digitally/online prepaid? Or do I have to buy it in person physically once I’m there in the park?

  3. Will it be something they scan from my phone (similar to genie plus at Disneyland) or is it like a physical voucher paper with a barcode?

  4. Do you think it’s worth it? How does it compare to genie plus at Disneyland?

🌐
Reddit
reddit.com › r/universalhollywood › universal hollywood express pass
r/UniversalHollywood on Reddit: Universal Hollywood Express Pass
August 4, 2023 -

I was wondering if the express pass is worth it this time of year? I know with HHN currently running, the park does close earlier.

My boyfriend and I plan to go during the week, maybe 09/17 or 09/18.

I see the express pass option but I also see the buy one day and get the second free (which seems like a good deal since we would have 2 days to be at the park).

I haven't been to universal in years, so can someone please guide me to see which option would be better?

🌐
Reddit
reddit.com › r/universalhollywood › universal express unlimited vs express
r/UniversalHollywood on Reddit: Universal Express Unlimited VS Express
March 16, 2024 -

Hi everyone, I’m taking my 2 young kids (4 & 9) to Universal Studios for 2 days on the first week of April, either 1st & 2nd or 2nd & 3rd.

I know it’s spring break and will be crazy busy. Do you recommend I purchase Universal Express Unlimited tickets for both days or Unlimited for 1 day and regular express for the second. Or maybe the Universal Express is enough for both days?

It’s expensive, any advice is greatly appreciated.

Top answer
1 of 5
4
We're going that same time too! Imo, it depends on what you're wanting to do most. For us, my kids and family are all about Super Mario World, so I ended up buying season passes (we're doing more than 1 trip to SoCal this year) and just added on the early access ticket. But if you think your kids will want to do everything and money isn't as big of an issue, I'd probably buy one Unlimited day and one regular day since the youngest one may not be able to handle/may not be tall enough for some of the rides (Mummy, maybe Jurassic?), so you can re-ride the stuff the 4 year old can handle without waiting in the super long lines, and then use the second regular day to re-ride your favorite rides and explore the areas a bit. If you're also trying to save money, you can do the Express ticket and regular ticket, but be aware that depending on what the youngest can handle or is tall enough for, you might not get the full benefit of the ticket since you can only skip the line once on each ride with that ticket. Either way it'll be busy due to Spring Break, so it just depends on what you're trying to accomplish and your threshold for money spent vs experience.
2 of 5
2
I think it really depends on your goals. If you haven't been before and are focusing on getting on as many different rides as possible, the single use express pass will be adequate. Our first trip that's what we and there were only one or two rides each day that we did a second time. If you think you're going to want to re-ride velocicoster all day then get unlimited. If you have park to park you can prioritize the rides you want to reride on day two. A slight advantage of unlimited express is making park hopping on hogwarts express a little quicker if you plan to bounce back-and-forth. Keep in mind hagrids is not on express pass and plan for a long wait unless you rush it during early park access or catch a break at park close. Otherwise, plan for 1.5-2 hours for that queue. You may be able to get a discount in express at something like undercover tourist or another affiliated reseller, but during peak time it'll still be expensice.
🌐
Reddit
reddit.com › r/universalstudios › universal hollywood - first time going, planning a friday, should we get an express pass? also which parking pass should be get? and other questions.
r/universalstudios on Reddit: Universal Hollywood - First time going, planning a Friday, should we get an Express Pass? Also which parking pass should be get? And other questions.
December 4, 2022 -

Hi all, we are looking to go on one of the Fridays towards the end of this month, beginning of next month for a one day pass.

For parking, should we get general or preferred, is there a big difference in walking distance?

Does the park get really busy on Fridays? I watched some Youtube videos, and they noted Mon-Thurs as least busy days, with weekends being most crowded, and you are wasting money if you buy Express on those days.

Also how does Single Rider work? Do we pay separately for that or is that a separate line?

And watching videos, is it still valid to do the Lower level stuff then make our way to Upper level to in terms of getting through everything in a day?

We plan to do the major rides, Tram, Waterworld, and Harry Potter are probably our main 3 we want to go on (skip Simpsons if needed as videos have noted), explore the park and eat at Harry Potter.

I also notice the Super Mario World early access, is that worth getting? If we get that, does that mean we have to go there right at opening to best experience?

We do plan on going right at opening, and stay till around sunset, is that enough time to explore and get through everything on General Admission or do we need Express? The timing of our weekend time should be right when other neighboring states are ending Spring Break and CA is starting theirs.

What would be the most ideal sequencing of rides and places to see the whole park in one day? We do not mind missing some of the smaller/kid rides, but want to experience all the main stuff. With how crowded SNW is, we want to get in to walk around and explore, but do not expect to buy a band to participate.

Thank you to anyone who has feedback.

Top answer
1 of 4
3
It is Spring break every week till the week after Easter. One school district in LA has spring break next week. Another 2 weeks later. And another school district in the county has theirs the week in between. And then schools all over the country. Where many people will go to theme during this time. Someone asked over in r/UniversalHollywood why Monday was so busy. And they haven't seen a Monday like that in a while. And the answer was various spring breaks. Single rides is once you are in the park you go on the rides individually instead of as a group. So let say r die has 4 people across. And a group has 3. They will take someone from the single ride line for the 4th spot. If you want to get SNW early access then yes you need to be at the park early. That is the whole point. Otherwise there is no reason to get it. It is to let you in early before the park officially opens. It is one hour before the park opens.
2 of 4
3
First thing, buy your tickets ASAP because days are starting to sell out because of the crowds. It's going to be near max capacity almost every day now until the end of April. Mario Kart early entry is already sold out for this month and the first week of April. If you can, do the Mario Kart early entry as that helps a lot and pretty much guarantees you a reservation to eat at Toadstool Cafe. SNW early entry also gives you an express for the tram until 11am. If you do get early entry wait to get on the tram until 10:30 or 10:45. With early entry do as much as you can in SNW within that hour. Mario Kart has single rider line and your Toadstool Cafe reservation can get you back in the land later. Once that hour is up immediately leave the land and get on all the lower lot rides with no wait. Transformers, Mummy, and Jurassic World in that order. Once you're done with that head on upstairs and try to get on as many rides as you can while the wait times are down. Honestly almost every attraction is a major attraction with the exception of Kung Fu Panda and the Harry Potter family coaster. Some of the biggest lines in the park are often the Simpsons and Despicable Me which are simulated rides. On crowded days almost every attraction is going to have a 45+ minute wait. If you're asking what are the not miss attractions those are: Harry Potter Forbidden Journey, Mario Kart, Jurassic World, Transformers, Studio Tour, and Waterworld. I can't emphasize this point enough, but don't go on the tram or see Waterworld first thing in the morning. The morning has the lowest wait time of the day for rides, and tram takes up to an hour to do. The studio tour always has low wait times around sunset. Single rider is your friend if you want to avoid ultra long waits. Single rider is free and is a separate line from the main line. Ask an employee where the single rider line is because a lot of attractions don't have the single rider line clearly displayed. Rides that have single rider are: Mario Kart, Harry Potter Forbidden Journey, Transformers, The Mummy, and Jurassic World. Finally, park general. You're going to walk a lot regardless so walking through City Walk isn't going to kill you.
🌐
Reddit
reddit.com › r/universalstudios › 1 day universal studio hollywood express pass vs 2 day regular pass
r/universalstudios on Reddit: 1 day Universal Studio Hollywood express pass vs 2 day regular pass
September 28, 2021 -

Hi, we our family of 4 with a 16 and 12 year old are going to Universal Studio Hollywood in July, mid week. Kids have never been there, and the last time me and my wife went was 20 years ago. We are planning a trip and want to see people's view on getting a 2 day pass vs 1 day express. Questions:

  1. with the 1 day express pass, is there enough time to ride all the big ticket rides?

  2. if we go and do all the feature rides, will we just be running from place to place without time to do the enjoyment and amazement factor?

  3. with the 2 day pass, will you end up missing stuff as the line up might be too stupid long on both days?

any tips on this is greatly appreciated. We are frequent Disney travellers and we usually do Disneyland and California Adventure in 2 days for reference of our pace.

Top answer
1 of 5
4
Orlando Informer provides a in depth blog all about Express Pass . There is also a link in the side bar, but we know getting there from mobile can be a pain, so here is a convenient link for you! In short summary, there are two types of EP. Basic EP and Unlimited EP. Basic lets you into the EP line once, per ride, per day. Unlimited is exactly that. Express Pass is an add on to an entry ticket. You cannot get into the park with only an EP. If you stay at one of these hotels: Royal Pacific, Hard Rock, and Portofino Bay, you receive Unlimited EP as a perk of staying at the hotel. This includes the day you check in and the day you check out. Meaning, if you stay one night, you receive two days of EP. You cannot share an EP. Many of the rides at USF have engaged a bio-metric system that uses a type of facial recognition to verify pass holders. You do not have to purchase EP to enjoy the parks. You can wait until you're inside the parks to determine if EP is needed for you and purchase them at kiosks inside the parks. You do NOT have to stand in the long lines at the front of the parks to buy Express add on There are several kiosks inside each park and they generally have very small to no lines, at all. You can also ask about discounted prices after specific times of the day (such as a discount after 4pm) Not every ride or attraction has a EP lane, but most do. Check the reference article for a comprehensive list. I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.
2 of 5
3
Did the express pass for one day back in 2019 and was able to ride all the rides and see all the shows we wanted and not feel rushed. Some rides we were able to go on multiple times by using the pass once and then lining up the second time around. If it’s still the same as it was back then there is no timed entry like the Disney system so you can go in any order you want. Meaning you don’t have to go back and forth to different areas. We got to the park by 9 and did everything we wanted to do by 6-7 including a long lunch break and snacking/shopping throughout. Then had time to go to a nice dinner after without being too tired.
🌐
Reddit
reddit.com › r/universalstudios › regular admission vs. express?
r/universalstudios on Reddit: Regular admission Vs. Express?
September 2, 2023 -

Hi all, sorry if this question has been asked before but I’m hoping y’all could help me out.

I’ll be visiting Universal Studios Hollywood for the first time in the first week of October, on a Tuesday. For those who may know, would you recommend getting an express pass? It’ll be 2 adults (no kids) and we’re hoping to be able to do everything/nearly everything in one day.

As well, would you recommend buying regular tickets or looking into the California Neighbour pass? I recently moved to LA, about 2 months ago so I don’t have any ID yet showing I am a California resident (would a lease agreement count?). I’ve got an out of state driver’s license.

Thanks in advance folks!

Top answer
1 of 4
1
A first-timer? Wonderful! I'm sure you'll enjoy yourselves. October 3rd shouldn't be bad, crowd-wise, especially if you show up in the morning. Things will only start to get a bit crowded in the afternoon, so you shouldn't need an Express Pass. I might suggest an early access ticket add-on if you want to get first shot at Super Nintendo World or a reservation at Toadstool Cafe. I would certainly recommend downloading the official app, which can give you wait times for rides, menus for the restaurants, and allow you to use mobile order for food around the park. As far as tickets go, I would bite the bullet and buy the regular admission rather than the So Cal option. If Universal is anything like Disneyland, they'll expect you to have a state ID, and won't accept anything else. Don't forget, if you really have a good time, you can upgrade your tickets to annual passes before you leave.
2 of 4
1
You definitely don’t need express passes on a Tuesday, and if it’s you and another adult, most rides have a single rider line if you don’t really care about sitting next to each other. Get there at park open and you can do pretty much whatever you want in the first few hours with minimal wait. When it comes to passes, every pass besides maybe platinum is a great value depending on what days and how many days a month you’re gonna go. Check all the block out dates. If you don’t want to be limited to only week days, go with gold. I honestly have very few block out dates and the months with the most block out dates (July and December) are the busiest months that if you don’t have to go during those times, I wouldn’t. However Tuesdays and Wednesdays in my opinion are the best days to go. You also wanna look at hours, because universal has shorter hours after the summer months, and shorter during HHN.
🌐
Reddit
reddit.com › r/universalhollywood › cost of express pass add-on on sunday
r/UniversalHollywood on Reddit: Cost of Express Pass Add-On on Sunday
October 6, 2024 -

We're going to Universal Studios Hollywood next Sunday, and are considering buying the express pass add-on. We're just not sure how much extra it will be.

If you're at the park tomorrow (Sunday), could you post the cost of the add-on? That will give us a good data point of how much we can expect it to be a week later.

🌐
Reddit
reddit.com › r/universalhollywood › should we get express pass?
r/UniversalHollywood on Reddit: Should we get Express Pass?
February 23, 2025 -

Hello! I am taking a trip with my family in July. We just got our tickets to both Disneyland and Universal, we got Lighting Lane for Disneyland, but skipped on the Express Pass for Universal. I haven't been to Universal for a really long time, but I remember it being smaller than Disneyland, and since we got the SNW early access, I didn't think the Express Pass was necessary.

I just got off the phone with my dad, and he told me that a friend of his recently came back and mentioned we definitely need the Express Pass, since every ride had at least a 3-hour wait. This seems a little excessive to me, I've been to Disneyland quite a few times and never have I experienced a 3-hour line, same case at Universal as far as I can recall, but I don't know if things have changed at USH.

Should we take the plunge and invest the 80 extra bucks each?

Appreciate your guidance :)