Guide to Universal Express Pass at Universal Orlando

Are you ready to unlock the secrets of maximizing your fun at Universal Orlando Resort? Park days can be pure adrenaline and pure chaos all at once. If you’re excited for coasters, Harry Potter, and all the snack stops, but not excited for two-hour waits, Universal Express Pass can be the thing that saves your sanity.

This guide breaks down how Express works, what it costs, how Epic Universe fits in, and which Universal Express Pass rides are included so you can decide if Express Pass Universal is worth it for your trip.

What is the Universal Express Pass?

Let’s start with the basics: What exactly is the Universal Express Pass? It’s your shortcut to skipping the regular lines at most of Universal Orlando’s popular attractions. With the Universal Express Pass, you’ll have priority access and can breeze past the queues. Spend more time riding roller coasters and immersing yourself in the magic of Universal’s themed lands.

Universal Express Pass is an add-on you purchase separately from your park tickets. It gives you access to a dedicated Express queue at participating attractions, which usually means a much shorter wait than standby.

It’s also refreshingly simple. There’s no return-time booking system and no need to reserve anything in advance. If an attraction offers Express access and you have the correct Express product for that park, you walk up and enter through the Express line.

Types of Universal Express Passes

Universal Orlando offers a few different options for the Universal Express Pass, so you can choose the one that best fits your needs and budget. Here’s a quick rundown of your options:

• Universal Express Pass: This pass grants you one-time express access to each participating ride and attraction at Universal Studios Florida and Universal’s Islands of Adventure.
• Universal Express Unlimited Pass: With this pass, there are no limits! Enjoy unlimited express access to participating rides and attractions throughout the day.
• Universal Express Pass for Volcano Bay: If you’re planning to visit Universal’s Volcano Bay water theme park, this pass is for you. Skip the lines at the water slides and attractions and make the most of your day in the sun. There is also an Express PLUS option for Volcano Bay that includes even more attractions.
• Halloween Horror Nights Express Pass: Halloween Horror Nights has its own Express add-on and it works differently than daytime Express Passes. It’s designed to reduce waits for haunted houses and select experiences during the event hours.

Keep in mind, the Universal Express Pass doesn’t guarantee immediate access, so be strategic about when to use it.

How to Get the Universal Express Pass

Now that you’re eager to get your hands on a Universal Express Pass, you’re probably wondering how to get one. You can purchase Express Passes in a few ways, and the best choice depends on your travel style.

• Add it to your ticket or vacation package: When purchasing your tickets to Universal Orlando Resort online or in person, you’ll have the option to add a Universal Express Pass to your order.
• Upgrade at the park: Already at Universal Orlando and regretting not getting a Universal Express Pass? You can upgrade your ticket to include the pass at any of the designated kiosks or guest services locations within the parks if there is still availability.
• Stay at a Universal Premier Hotel: Guests staying at select Universal Orlando Premier hotels, such as the Hard Rock Hotel or Loews Royal Pacific Resort, receive complimentary Universal Express Unlimited Passes included with their stay.

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Universal Hotels that Include Free Universal Express Unlimited Passes

Guests staying at select Universal Premier hotels receive free Universal Express Unlimited for Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure. The included Express Pass is linked to your room key, so using it is easy.

The Premier hotels with this perk are:

• Hard Rock Hotel
• Loews Royal Pacific Resort
• Loews Portofino Bay Hotel

This included Express Unlimited is valid at Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure, but it is not valid at Universal Volcano Bay or Universal Epic Universe.

Universal Express Pass Pricing

Universal Express Pass pricing varies by date, crowd level, and which parks you select. In general, prices rise during peak seasons and weekends, and Express Unlimited costs more than standard Express.

Keep in mind that Universal Express Pass is an add-on cost. You still need valid theme park admission, and Express pricing is in addition to your ticket.

Prices typically start around $99 per person, per day for the standard Express Pass but can go up to well over $200 per person, per day.

How to Use Universal Express Pass

Using the Universal Express Pass is pretty straightforward. Once you’ve chosen the Express Pass type that suits your needs, there’s no need for advance bookings or pre-queueing for passes. Just purchase your Express Pass and head straight to the dedicated Express Pass line at any participating attraction.

When you arrive at the attraction, present your Universal Express Pass (or room key if you are staying at one of the resorts offering free Express Unlimited Passes) to the Team Member for a quick scan. Some attractions may have two scanning points, one at the entrance and another midway through the queue.

Tips for maximizing your Universal Express Pass

• Arrive early: Beat the crowds by arriving at the parks early in the morning. With your Universal Express Pass, you can start enjoying the attractions right away.
• Strategize your rides: Use Express where it saves the most time. If an attraction has a short standby wait, it can be worth riding standby now and saving Express for later when waits spike. Express feels most valuable in the middle of the day when the park is at its busiest.
• Prioritize outdoor rides: Since it rains often in Florida, it’s smart to prioritize outdoor rides first in case there are storms later in the day and you are unable to ride.

Are Universal Express Passes worth it?

Universal Express Passes can be worth it if you want to skip the regular lines and enjoy more rides and attractions in a shorter amount of time. With the Universal Express Pass, you can typically skip the regular lines at most participating rides and attractions at Universal Studios theme parks.

While Universal Express Passes are more expensive than Lightning Lane Multi Pass at Disney, it is a much easier system to use since you do not need to select a return time or do anything in the app to use it.

If you’re on the fence, price two scenarios for your exact dates: the cost of Express for everyone versus the cost of a Premier hotel stay that includes Express Unlimited for Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure. For a lot of trips, that hotel bundle is the better value.

Never been to Universal Orlando? Check out these 10 things to know before your first visit!

Universal Express Pass Rides That are Included

One of the best things about the Universal Express Pass is the access it grants you to some of the most thrilling rides and attractions at Universal Orlando Resort.

Attractions can change participation over time, so treat this as a planning guide and confirm the most current list in the Universal Orlando app for the dates of your visit.

Universal Studios Florida

• Animal Actors on Location!
• Despicable Me Minion Mayhem
• DreamWorks Imagination Celebration
• E.T. Adventure
• Fast & Furious – Supercharged
• Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts
• Hogwarts Express (Park-to-Park Admission required to board the Hogwarts Express)
• Illumination’s Villain-Con Minion Blast
• Kang & Kodos’ Twirl ‘n’ Hurl
• MEN IN BLACK Alien Attack
• Race Through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon
• Revenge of the Mummy
• The Bourne Stuntacular
• The Simpsons Ride
• Transformers: The Ride-3D
• Trolls Trollercoaster
• Universal Horror Make-Up Show

Universal Islands of Adventure

• The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man
• Caro-Seuss-el
• The Cat in the Hat
• Doctor Doom’s Fearfall
• Dudley Do-Right’s Ripsaw Falls
• Flight of the Hippogriff
• Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure
• Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey
• The High in the Sky Seuss Trolley Train Ride!
• Hogwarts Express (Park-to-Park admission ticket required)
• The Incredible Hulk Coaster
• Jurassic Park River Adventure
• Jurassic World VelociCoaster
• One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish
• Popeye & Bluto’s Bilge-Rat Barges
• Skull Island: Reign of Kong
• Storm Force Accelatron

Universal Epic Universe

• Constellation Carousel
• Curse of the Werewolf
• Fyre Drill
• Hiccup’s Wing Gliders
• Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry
• Le Cirque Arcanus
• Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge
• Mine-Cart Madness
• Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment
• Stardust Racers
• The Untrainable Dragon
• Yoshi’s Adventure

Universal Volcano Bay

• Honu of Honu ika Moana
• ika Moana of Honu ika Moana
• Krakatau Aqua Coaster
• Maku of Maku Puihi Round Raft Rides
• Puihi of Maku Puihi Round Raft Rides
• Punga Racers
• Taniwha Tubes

Additional Rides Available with Express PLUS:

• Kala & Tai Nui Serpentine Body Slides
• Ko’okiri Body Plunge
• Ohno of Ohyah & Ohno Drop Slides
• Ohyah of Ohyah & Ohno Drop Slides

Universal Express Pass is not valid on Pteranodon Flyers, Raptor Encounter, or Dragon Racer’s Rally.

The Bottom Line on Universal Express Pass

The Universal Express Pass is your key to unlocking a day of non-stop fun and excitement at Universal Orlando Resort. Whether you’re racing through the streets of Diagon Alley or embarking on a daring adventure with the Jurassic World dinosaurs, the Universal Express Pass will help you make the most of every moment.