Universal Help/Advice [best place to buy tickets? + Express Pass necessary?] - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
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Universal Help/Advice [best place to buy tickets? + Express Pass necessary?]
Hi everyone,
I'm going to Florida (and Disney!) again in December this year. My friend wants to go to Universal, and I'm not impressed. I've been there and would rather spend my time and money in Disney. BUT, I'm willing to go if she wants to see it. It's been a few years since we were there and I have two main questions:
1) I know a one day ticket is the way we want to go. Where is the best place to get tickets? I can't believe how much they are.
2) for those who've visited recently, how important or useful is their version of FastPass? We did get it when I went a few years ago and it was worth it but don't know if that's still the case.
We're staying off property and have transportation so we don't need any of those accommodations.
Thanks!
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Last edited by Belle*; 08-05-2014 at 09:19 AM..
Reason: newsletter08072014
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If either of you is at all a Harry Potter fan, I understand the HP attractions are in both parks now, so you might rather get their two-park pass.
DS14, his friend, and I went to Universal during spring break, driving from POP, without the front-of-the-line pass (I forget its name), and we had no problem at all getting into almost everything we wanted to. I wouldn't spend the $89/person, or whatever the fee is these days,
I took both sons in early May a couple of years ago, specifically to see the WWOHP rides and attractions. For that trip, we stayed on Universal property, which gave us early entry and the pass. It was nice, very very pricey, and a one-time-only trip.
As for where to buy the passes...sorry, we're eligible for military tickets (DH & I are both retired Air Force), so that's what I always get.
I think you'll like it more than you think you will, especially if you like thrill rides. We never did the Despicable Me ride because the lines were too long, so be sure to check that out early if you want to do it.
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Good advise from Ginger. Definitely go with a Two-park pass so you can do things in both parks and ride the Hogwart Express between parks.
We also don't buy the express passes and just wait in lines. Get in to the park before opening time and go to the main things you want to do first.
My favorites are (Universal) Men In Black, Mummy, Despicable Me, and Simpsons. I haven't done transformers or the new Diagon Alley stuff yet. In IOA, I like the rides in Hogsmeade, Cat in a Hat, Spider-Man, Hulk.
If you can afford it, the two-park pass is the way to go. Having to choose between the original WWOHP and the new area is like trying to pick a favorite child! Plus if there are groups touring one of the parks you can just hop over to the less crowded one first! The trick to Universal, WDW or even your hometown amusement park is get there when it opens! My husband and I visit Universal every time we vacation at WDW and never paid the ridiculous amount they want for "front of the line" privileges! We go through the park completely unsystematically riding our "must do" first then go back through the park in an orderly fashion and can usually ride a second time without much waiting. Then it's on to the next park where waits are a little longer but doable. Good Luck and I'm sure you'll enjoy Universal. We are dyed-in-the wool Disney fans but still appreciate the beauty and technology Universal has to offer.
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You might want to try Undercover Tourist for ticket prices. The express passes can be a tremendous help if the parks are really busy. If you're going at an off time, I wouldn't worry about buying them. We bought some one year that weren't that badly priced, and gave us front of line access one time per ride, which was more than sufficient. We've been at Universal when those weren't needed because the parks weren't that busy. But we've been when we were more than thankful we had the express passes because the parks were so crowded.
If you're into the WWHP, I'd definitely get the park to park tickets. We always get the park to park tickets because it works out better for us since the parks are so small compared to Disney's.
We bought our tickets last year from Undercover Tourist when we visited Universal last year. We bought park to park tickets for two days and since we were staying on site at the Hard Rock Hotel (very cool hotel ) we didn't need to buy the additional Express passes! Undercover Tourist did offer a nice savings over buying tickets at the gate. Plus, it's one less line you'll have to wait in. Good luck
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I think you'll like it more than you think you will, especially if you like thrill rides. We never did the Despicable Me ride because the lines were too long, so be sure to check that out early if you want to do it.
) we didn't need to buy the additional Express passes! Undercover Tourist did offer a nice savings over buying tickets at the gate. Plus, it's one less line you'll have to wait in. Good luck 
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