As of January 1, 2019, we have closed our forums. This is a decision we did not come to lightly, but it is necessary. The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk. The server software itself must be updated, and it cannot be without removing the forums.
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There are other changes as well.
Why? Well, the world has changed. And change with it, we must. The lyrics to "We Go On" for IllumiNations say it best:
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It's time to move on and move forward.
PassPorter is a small business, and for many years it supported our family. But the world changed, print books took a backseat to the Internet, and for a long time now it has been unable to make ends meet. We've had to find new ways to support our family, which means new careers and less and less time available to devote to our first baby, PassPorter.
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So we encourage you to stay in touch with us and your fellow community members wherever works best for you!
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We've got two families going to USF/IOA as well as WDW May 24 through June 2. Most of our time is at WDW but we'll have a total of about 3 days at Uni.
We are staying offsite at a condo and haven't purchased the Express pass (or w/e it's called) for the rides. We have the consecutive 7-day tickets.
2 questions:
1. Is the cost of the express pass per/person per/day or per/person per/length of ticket? How much again? I only spent $85 per ticket for the 4 of us. Another $25 or more would be a big chunk.
2. Are we going to be frustrated by the lines in late May / early June? The main days we plan to be there are May 31 and Jun 1. We are all into the biggest thrill rides as well as the little stuff.
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express plus are good for one day. there are 1 park versions and 2 park versions. it's best not to buy them in advance anyway as if you do, they becomed tied to a specific date, so if your plans change, you're out.
they're good for one visit at each attraction for one person. they aren't tied to individuals though so if you have 2 people and one person doesn't want to go onto the hulk, the other person could ultimately use both of them.
for your dates, it's $20 per 1 park ticket. considering the price is based on season and ranges from $15 - $40, $20 suggests that it probably won't be all that necessary.
tour smart and you won't see lines anywhere, except eventually at dueling dragons.
I don't think there will be large crowds during May 31 and June 1. With the price of Express passes being so low, I don't think Universal is expecting large crowds. I believe the crowds will be light to moderate.
If you don't want to buy the tickets, the best advise is to arrive 30-45 minutes before opening and do the popular stuff first. You'll have minimal waits during the first few hours of operation.
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The passes are for each ride for one time only. I'd get them for the 4 of you for 1 day and see how it works out. I think 3 days at US / IOA might be too much. Good luck and have a great trip
Ah yes. The storms. We didn't have a problem at all. Tornados must cut a pretty narrow swath. Flower Mound only has 60K people and we just got a lot of wind, not even any hail. Go figure.
I think we'll pass on the passes (punny, punny). We plan on one full day in each park and a 1/2 day to go back for anything we missed. If it's horrible, it's back to the condo or WDW!
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We went last March during Spring Break. We did not get the express tickets. We had absolutely no trouble doing everything in the parks. We had three days and did US first day, IOA second day, and both the last day.
The main thing is that we got there before park opening each day. In the morning the crowds are much smaller and we were able to hit all the big rides with little to no wait. By mid-afternoon though, the parks were packed. We left by 3-3:30 each day because at that point it was just a mass of people.
I think that late May, early June will be a great time to go and enjoy the parks.
I think you should be fine...right before lots of schools let out & the families head out
to the parks. See how it goes, you can always buy the passes for your last day if you
feel your group missed alot of the big attractions and the lines are really long. Enjoy!
We went the last week of May last year, and the crowds weren't bad. Universal crowds arrive late, so get there early. And, if you don't mind splitting up your group you can use single riders lines at MIB and the Mummy and really cut down your wait times.
At IOA, hit Hulk, then Spiderman, then Dueling Dragons first thing in the morning. At US I would head straight to the back of the park for MIB first - it will be empty then. Walk back around the park to the Mummy next. Those are the biggest thrill rides that you will want to do first before the crowds arrive.
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