Are you planning a trip to Universal Orlando Resort but dreading the long lines? You’re not alone, as many of the most popular rides regularly see wait times over 90 minutes. Fortunately, Universal offers a paid tool called Universal Express (think similar to Disney’s Lightning Lane) that lets you enter a separate and typically shorter queue from the standard line — no reservations needed. It is available on most attractions throughout the parks, though there are a handful of exceptions.

Guests can choose between Universal Express, which provides one-time Express access per participating attraction, and Universal Express Unlimited, which allows unlimited Express access throughout the day on eligible rides.

For families and groups, these passes can significantly increase your Universal vacation budget. Here’s how the Universal Orlando Express Pass system works, how much it costs, and tips for deciding whether it’s worth the splurge. 

Table of Contents

• What is the Universal Orlando Express Pass?
• How Much Does the Universal Orlando Express Pass Cost?
• Which Universal Orlando Hotels Include Express Pass?
• What Rides Are Not Included in Universal Orlando Express Pass?
• Is the Universal Orlando Express Pass Worth It?

What is the Universal Orlando Express Pass?

Universal Express is an optional add-on that gives guests access to a separate Express queue at most participating attractions in Universal Studios Florida, Universal Islands of Adventure, Volcano Bay, and Universal Epic Universe.

Rather than waiting in the regular standby line, you’ll enter a designated Express entrance that is typically much shorter, helping you experience more attractions in less time while avoiding burnout.

Universal has several versions of this pass. The standard Universal Orlando Express Pass allows one Express entry per participating attraction each day. This means that if you use your single Express entry on VelociCoaster at 10:00 a.m., you will have to join the regular standby line to ride it again later that day.

Universal Express Unlimited lets you use the Express queue as many times as you’d like on eligible rides. As such, it is the better choice for guests who plan to revisit their favorite rides multiple times. That said, it isn’t offered in Epic Universe or Volcano Bay. And it’s much pricier.

Recently, Universal also introduced Universal Express Now for those who don’t want to purchase a pricey full-day Express Pass. Express Now lets guests buy a time-sensitive, one-time entry for individual rides. It’s only available through the Universal Orlando Resort app and is capacity-based. 

Regardless of which Express option you choose, it’s important to understand its restrictions. For example, just because you buy an Express Pass for one park doesn’t mean it works across the entire resort. This is because Universal sells separate Express Passes for Universal Studios Florida, Universal Islands of Adventure, Universal Epic Universe, and Volcano Bay. If you plan on visiting multiple parks, triple-check that you’re purchasing the right option. 

Additionally, special events, such as Halloween Horror Nights (HHN), have their own Express Passes. For HHN, the Universal Express Pass lets you bypass lines for major attractions and haunted houses. 

How Much Does the Universal Orlando Express Pass Cost? 

Like standard park admission, the cost of a Universal Express Pass varies by date, park, and expected crowd levels. Prices are typically lower during slower seasons and can climb during holidays, school breaks, and other peak travel periods.

There are several pass options, so it’s important to compare inclusions and pricing before purchasing.

• 1-Day Universal Express Pass (Epic Universe) starts at $199.99 per day
• 1-Day Universal Express Pass (Volcano Bay) starts at $29.99 per day
• 1-Day Universal Express (Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure) starts at $114.99 per day
• 1-Day Universal Express Unlimited (Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure) starts at $164.99 per day
• 1-Day Universal Express Unlimited (Universal Studios) starts at $149.99 per day
• 1-Day Universal Express (Universal Studios) starts at $99.99 per day
• 1-Day Universal Express Unlimited (Islands of Adventure) starts at $154.99 per day
• 1-Day Universal Express (Islands of Adventure) starts at $104.99 per day
• Universal Express Now typically costs between $19.99 and $24.99 per person per ride

You can also purchase multi-day Universal Express Passes, which lower the average daily cost compared to one-day passes. These can be a better value if you are planning to spend multiple days at the parks.

For example, a 2-Day Universal Express Pass (Epic Universe, Universal Studios, and Islands of Adventure) starts at $142.50 per day, while a 5-Day Universal Express Pass (Epic Universe, Universal Studios, and Islands of Adventure) starts at just $84 per day. 

Just remember that Universal Express Passes are not a park ticket. As such, you will still need valid park admission for each day, so be sure to factor both costs into your Universal vacation budget.

Which Universal Orlando Hotels Include Express Pass?

Universal Orlando Express Passes aren’t cheap, but you can get free Universal Express Unlimited access by staying at Universal Orlando Resort’s Signature Collection hotels.

Of Universal’s Signature Collection hotels, three include Universal Express Unlimited as part of their perks:

• Loews Royal Pacific Resort 
• Hard Rock Hotel at Universal Orlando 
• Loews Portofino Bay Hotel

The Express perk is valid on both your check-in and check-out days, meaning a one-night stay can provide up to two days of Express Unlimited access in the theme parks. 

However, just remember that these passes are only valid in Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios. Guests visiting Universal Epic Universe or Volcano Bay, even if they’re staying at a Signature resort, must purchase separate Express Passes for those parks.

Generally speaking, the Loews Royal Pacific Resort is the cheapest Universal hotel with Express Pass. That said, rates are still significantly higher than other Universal Orlando Resort hotels, often costing $500 or more per night. 

Unfortunately, the cheapest on-site hotels, including Terra Luna Resort and Universal’s Endless Summer Resort, do not include complimentary Express access. This means guests staying at these properties must purchase Express Passes separately to skip the standard lines.

If you already plan to purchase Express Pass, compare pricing to see if it makes sense to stay in a particpating Signature Collection hotel or a cheaper hotel and purchase add-on passes separately.

What Rides Are Not Included in Universal Orlando Express Pass?

The vast majority of rides and attractions at Universal Orlando Resort participate in Universal Express, but there are a few notable exceptions. 

At Universal’s Islands of Adventure, Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure and Pteranodon Flyers don’t offer a separate Express queue. Interactive experiences, like Ollivanders Wand Shop, in Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure are excluded, too. 

Meanwhile, Dragon Racer’s Rally is the only attraction at Epic Universe that doesn’t participate in Universal Express. That said, Express Pass availability can change, so you’ll want to check the official Universal website or app before your visit. 

Is the Universal Orlando Express Pass Worth It?

After a half-dozen recent visits to Universal Orlando Resort, I finally stayed at one of the Signature Collection hotels and experienced Universal Express Unlimited access. 

The pass proved useful throughout my trip, allowing me to skip the standard standby lines on many of the parks’ most popular attractions, including VelociCoaster, the Incredible Hulk Coaster, and Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts. 

It was especially useful for VelociCoaster, which doesn’t have a single-rider line. Normally, my fiancée and I don’t mind splitting up and using single-rider lines when available, but VelociCoaster is one attraction where that isn’t possible. 

Since she isn’t a fan of the bigger thrill rides, waiting in the regular standby line alone is lonely and a waste of valuable park time. As such, having Universal Express Passes allowed me to ride VelociCoaster and be in and out in less than 20 minutes, including the time spent going through security and storing my belongings in a locker. 

We also got to bypass some lengthy lines for Revenge of the Mummy and Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts. Both of these lines usually have pretty short single-rider queues, but using the Universal Express Pass meant we could ride together without waiting as long or splitting up just to save time.

When the Universal Orlando Express Pass might be worth every penny (and then some)…

• You are visiting during a busy time of year
• You only have one or two days in the parks
• You’re traveling with a group and want to stay together
• You want to get more out of your on-site resort experience 

Skip the Universal Orlando Express Pass if…

• You’re spending multiple days in the parks
• You are comfortable using single rider lines
• You are traveling on a stricter budget 
• You don’t mind arriving early and staying until close

Comments

Is the Universal Express Pass a must-have for your theme park vacation? What are some of your best tips to beat the insane crowds? Let us know in the comments!