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Is Universal Express worth the money? We recently had the opportunity to find out.
Since we had the Universal Express passes for a full day, we took this opportunity as a challenge to see if we could get both Universal parks done in one day, using the Express passes. This is a common question from our viewers and guests.
While making the video, above, we learned that the Universal Express pass is quite controversial. Apparently, many feel it’s too expensive, Universal shouldn’t even have an “express line,” and that it ruins the experience of the parks. Let’s address some of these issues.
Disclosure: Universal Orlando Resort provided Universal Express passes to our family. Also, our travel business sells Universal Express passes. The views expressed on Jones Family Travels are our own.
Universal Express is too expensive!
@JonesTravels cost is ridiculous tho
— kevineasson (@kevineasson) August 17, 2016
Universal Express can be quite pricey. The cost is on a graduated scale, so on the busier days at the parks, the passes will be more expensive. This makes sense, because if they were cheap, everyone would buy them and there would be no “express” to the Universal Express pass.
On the day we used them, I believe the price was $89 each. Without tax, this would be $356.00 for our family of four. As I mentioned, Universal provided our passes to us on this day, but we have paid as much as $95 per Express pass for ourselves on multiple occasions.
Universal Express shortens the wait time for guests. That’s what they do. They’re not “front of the line” passes, they’re express passes. You are paying for your time — your most valuable resource. We did both parks in one day — all the Universal Express rides in both Universal Orlando parks in one day. On the day we went, this would not have been possible without the Universal Express pass. Now, we have more time to enjoy our Orlando vacation, sit at the pool at the resort, go to another local theme park, spend quality time with our family (like you’re supposed to do on vacation). How much is that worth to you?
Travel tip: Did you know you can get Universal Express passes for free?