Universal Orlando
 

Before the trip, my big question was whether I really needed to spend an additional $75 pp for the Express Pass to avoid waiting in lines. Going on a January weekday, I figured it wouldn’t have the kinds of crowds that would be there in the summer.

Well … the waits for the most popular rides were 50 minutes. The wait for other rides were 15 – 20 minutes. Only the Jimmy Fallon NY Ride had a longer wait. I think we went on 8 rides. It would have been doable to see the Harry Potter areas, ride the HP rides, and the Jimmy Fallon ride in the 7-1/2 hours we had in the park. But it would NOT have been fun, and we would not have had time to do the other things we did. So, a big THANK YOU to all who suggested that we spring for the Express Pass. It was SO worth it.

When I spent $782.86 for three 1-day adult passes for 2 parks (including the Express Pass) I felt it was terribly expensive. But after visiting the park I was SO impressed, $280 pp didn’t seem like too much at all for such a unique experience.

We were surprised that there were only four Happy Potter-themed rides, but they were fantastic, and Diagon Alley and the Hogswart area FAR exceeded expectations. There was a wonderful singer in the Diagon Alley area, too. We also loved the King Kong ride, Krustyland (the Simpsons), Men in Black, and the Jimmy Fallon rides.

I was glad we didn’t spend $50 for a wand. We were able to watch everyone else activate the exhibits with their wands.

When we entered then park there were people trying to get attendees to sign up for AmEx credit cards. I was ignoring them, but my sister wanted to sign up because the incentive included free meals in the park—or the Express Pass! Since I was going to have to wait for her, I signed up as well. 5 minutes later my sister and I had actual AmEx credit cards in our hands, and a card that entitled each of us to 2 dinners, 2 snacks, and 2 beverages. That was a nice savings.

We ate at Thunder Falls Terrace in the Jurassic Park area and really enjoyed the food.

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Bottom line: we SUCH a fun day. We loved every ride and everything we did. And I’m SO glad we didn’t spend hours waiting in lines.

I LOVE Universal Orlando. I'm so glad it all worked out so well for you. The detail in all the theming in the parks is fantastic.

I am so glad you posted back songdoc. I was wondering how it worked out. This is on my bucket list. I live in S.Cal so wonder if the one in L.A. is worth it. I understand it is much smaller.

Very nice!! I love the photos, particularily the dragon against the sky. Thanks for posting back, and I’m glad we weren’t wrong about the EP.

i think with HP, the chances of low crowds has shrunk at Universal. It’s such a popular thing, and I’ve met people who go to Florida specifically for that. I went mostly out of curiosity, and like you, the alleys exceeded my expectations. The details are just so cool!

We (2 adults) have scheduled a last minute trip to Florida to visit cousins and see my favorite performer at The Villages, then spend a few days in Orlando. Do you think we'll need the Universal Express Passes Tues-Thurs Jan 23-25? Thanks.

Abram: we felt that the single rider lane, free, gave the same time save benefits as the express pass (at the Hollywood park) if you don’t mind sometimes sitting alone.

nanabee: the Hollywood version is smaller (just 2 Harry Potter rides) but $50 cheaper and includes a working and historic studio.

None of us liked the Krustyland ride. In a place where most of the rides are “virtual” this one was most faky. This tricking of the senses can make a person nauseous, I could barely keep it down on the Harry Potter flying ride at the end— but then immediately went on it again.

We often go in the singles line for chsielufts when a ski hill is crowded.

I'm glad the day worked out so well. I'm doing the HP studio tour in London in the Spring - after that I may not need to do Orlando/LA . . . dunno

If anyone is interested in reading more about virtual reality rides

https://jezebel.com/universal-hollywoods-harry-potter-ride-causes-unusual-a-1761921377/amp

the movie clip is a spoiler but gives some sense of what could make people sick, esp when the surround visuals are coupled with real falling/jerking movements in a suspended car.

abram: I was VERY happy that I had the Express Pass. We would not have wanted to split up. But if that is okay for you and budget is a big issue then I would plan on the single rider lane.

After Universal, I went to the Villages to visit my sister who moved there last year. It's like entering an alternate reality! The town squares felt like Disneyland. Have fun!

janisj: I'll be doing the HP experience in London in March and I'll post about it. I overheard someone at Universal saying that it is a completely;y different experience.

tom_mn: the Krustyland (Simpsons) ride is much older than the HP and other virtual rides. I had been on Krustyland many years ago, before the HP exhibits opened. I agree, it's not as good as the other rides, but I still liked it.

Thanks to all for the advice and comments.

A couple more comments:

Some “rides” don’t have single rider lines but these are either pure virtual reality (Krustyland, Despicable Me) where you are in a car that lifts 15’ off the ground, shakes for 4 minutes, then sets back down and you never leave a small room, or are walk thrus like The Walking Dead which is nothing but a haunted house.

Also the Express Pass is good for only one entry per ride.

For additional $$$ you can buy a pass that lets you skip the line and ride the same rides multiple times. But with limited time I didn't feel I needed that.